With its beautiful beaches, picturesque landscapes, great shopping and fine food, Dorset is a magnet for the rich and famous.

However, it has also been home to children who at the time were unknown, but would one day grow up to be celebrities.

From blockbuster actors to double platinum-selling musicians and even royalty, there are many instantly-recognisable faces who were educated in the county.

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5 celebrities who attended Dorset Schools

Christian Bale

Award-winning leading man Christian Bale was born in Pembrokeshire but after moving with his family to Portugal and then Oxfordshire, they finally settled in Bournemouth.

The 48-year-old is probably most famous for playing serial killer Patrick Bateman in black comedy American Psycho and superhero Batman in movie trilogy Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises.

Ranked one of the highest paid actors by Forbes magazine in 2014, Bale has won an Academy Award and two Golden Globe Awards.

Chris Martin

Coldplay co-founder, Chris Martin, boarded at Sherborne School where he met future Coldplay manager Phil Harvey.

According to The Times, the 45-year-old has an estimated net worth of £132 million.

Along with his music, the vocalist, pianist, and guitarist has also been known for being politically outspoken at times and has campaigned for Oxfam's Make Trade Fair campaign.

Hugh Bonneville

Best known for his role as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham in the ITV historical drama series Downton Abbey, Hugh Bonneville also attended Sherborne School.

Along with the post-Edwardian era show, Bonneville also appeared as Mr Brown in the latest Paddington films, Bernie in 1999 movie Notting Hill and hapless Head of Deliverance, Ian Fletcher, in BBC comedy series Twenty Twelve.

The actor has received one Golden Globe and two Primetime Emmy Award nominations and picked up three Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Jamie Redknapp

Sky Sports pundit and former professional footballer, Jamie Redknapp, attended Twynham School in Christchurch.

The 49-year-old played for AFC Bournemouth, Southampton, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur, also gaining 17 England caps between 1995 and 1999.

He also recently appeared beside his famous father, Harry Redknapp, and comedian Tom Davis on chat show Redknapp's Big Night Out on Sky One.

Zara Tindall

Zara Tindall (née Phillips) attended Port Regis School in Shaftesbury and during her schooldays, the 21st in line to the throne, excelled at many sporting activities including hockey, athletics, and gymnastics.

After winning the Eventing World Championship in 2006 she was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year and appointed an MBE in the 2007 New Year Honours for her services to equestrianism.

During the 2012 Summer Olympics, the now 41-year-old, won a silver medal which was presented to her by her mother, Princess Anne.