WHY?

A laid-back, pretty town with a bit of an arty feel and an attractive conservation area around the market square. Surrounded by lush countryside and not far from the sea.

EAT

Mediterranean-influenced nosh at Brassica, founded by Cass Titcombe of Spitalfield’s Canteen. Restaurant and hotel The Ollerod, run by Michelin-starred Chris Staines (ex Mandarin Oriental) and Silvana Bandini, formerly GM of The Pig-near Bath. Both Michelin listed.

SHOP

There’s a butcher, a baker and for candlesticks try good ol’ fashioned hardware store Larcombes or Cilla & Camilla, which sells gorgeous homewares, clothes, gifts and has a cafe (this is one of their several Dorset stores). Homewares at Brassica Mercantile. Rambling Rose for floristry.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

The annual Beaminster Festival of Music & Arts attracts international performers. Mapperton House, home to the Earl of Sandwich, is a Jacobean manor house with lush Italianate gardens and well worth a mooch. The coast’s only about six miles away.

AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE

£269,193 in 2019. Detached, £392,975, terraced, £236,629, and semis, £227,268. Estate agents include Mayfair Town & Country.

HOT PROPERTY

SCHOOLS

State primaries and secondary Beaminster School has been rated ‘Good’. Independent Perrott Hill Prep is about seven miles away.

BEST KEPT SECRET

Beaminster is Emminster in Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbevilles. Martin Clunes is the resident celeb.

COMMUTE

Five miles to Crewkerne station then London Waterloo in about 3 hours.

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