Dorchester has been included in a list of the the best towns and villages in the UK compiled by the consumer watchdog Which?

Overall, four spots in Dorset have been named in the list, voted on by members to decide the best destinations across the country.

More than 9,000 members ranked their top inland towns and villages, based on the locations, shopping, dining, tourist attractions and more.

Corfe Castle was ranked third place on the list, whilst Shaftesbury and Sherborne also feature.

Each of the locations received a 'Destination Score' out of 100% as well as being ranked out of five stars in various categories.

These were food & drink, tourist attractions, scenery, shopping, attractiveness, and peace & quiet.

Dorchester received a ‘Destination Score’ of 67%, and received an impressive 4/5 in both scenery and shopping.

Mayor of Dorchester Alistair Chisholm was ‘delighted’ but not surprised about the vote, saying: “Dorchester has the best of the old and the finest of the new, a combination of ancient meeting modern giving it a unique feel.”

The mayor puts the voting down to the development of the modern architecture at Brewery Square, to the more traditional but modern builds at Poundbury, with sites like Maiden Castle and Maumbury Rings adding to the landscape.  

Mr Chisholm went on to say that he thinks five stars is attainable in future across the board: “There are many reasons to welcome visitors in, and part of that is a fabulous community of people.”

The county town received 3/5 for ‘Food and Drink’, ‘Tourist Attractions’, ‘Attractiveness’ and ‘Peace and Quiet.’

The other three Dorset spots included on the Which? list are as follows:

Corfe Castle

Destination Score: 80%

Food & Drink: 3/5

Tourist Attractions: 5/5

Scenery: 5/5

Attractiveness: 5/5

Shopping: 2/5

Peace & Quiet: 3/5

 

Sherborne

Destination Score: 71%

Food & Drink: 4/5

Tourist Attractions: 3/5

Scenery: 4/5

Attractiveness: 4/5

Shopping: 4/5

Peace & Quiet: 5/5

 

Shaftesbury

Destination Score: 70%

Food & Drink: 2/5

Tourist Attractions: 3/5

Scenery: 5/5

Attractiveness: 3/5

Shopping: 2/5

Peace & Quiet: 5/5

Wells in Somerset and Avebury in neighbouring Wiltshire were named the best spots in the whole of the UK.

The full list of locations for what Which? members consider to be the best towns and villages in the UK can be seen on the website here.