Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>Aside from the soft white sands, sparkling clean waters, restaurants, water sports and sailing? Situated along the eastern edge of Poole Harbour, Canford Cliffs &#8216;village&#8217; is a quiet, well-heeled and leafy suburb of Poole with wooded ravines, picturesque walks to the nearby golden beach and some gorgeous properties – large family houses, apartments – old and new. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="990" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/BPTL-The-Canford-480966267_9127458123988541_2279716068225486083_n.jpg" alt="The Canford, Dorset" class="wp-image-110777" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/BPTL-The-Canford-480966267_9127458123988541_2279716068225486083_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/BPTL-The-Canford-480966267_9127458123988541_2279716068225486083_n-800x528.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/BPTL-The-Canford-480966267_9127458123988541_2279716068225486083_n-1000x660.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/BPTL-The-Canford-480966267_9127458123988541_2279716068225486083_n-400x264.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/BPTL-The-Canford-480966267_9127458123988541_2279716068225486083_n-768x507.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Canford</figcaption></figure>



<p>Head to <a href="https://www.thecanford.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Canford</a> for cocktails, roasts, all day dining and, they say, the oldest beach huts in Europe; <a href="https://www.thecliffcanfordcliffs.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Cliff</a> is another good pub. Check out <a href="https://baffipizza.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Baffi </a>for authentic Neapolitan wood-fired pizzas (and more cocktails); the boutique <a href="https://www.fjbhotels.co.uk/harbour-heights-hotel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harbour Heights Hotel </a>for food with sea views; and for British &amp; European modern head to <a href="http://www.stockdining.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stock</a>. Nearby in Sandbanks you&#8217;ve got <a href="https://www.rickstein.com/eat-with-us/rick-stein-sandbanks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rick Stein Sandbanks</a>, and just across the water on the chain ferry is <a href="https://shellbay.net/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shellbay</a> and <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/the-pig-on-the-beach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Pig On The Beach</a> on Studland (OMG gorgeous, with a huge garden overlooking the sea where kids can roam). <a href="https://lakeyard.co.uk/club-restaurant/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Canford Lake Yard Yacht Club</a> is in Hamworthy. Jazzers go straight to the <a href="https://www.jazzcafesandbanks.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jazz Cafe;</a> cyclists head to <a href="https://rocketsandrascalspoole.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rockets and Rascals</a>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<p>Buy your fresh bread, pastries and coffee at the artisan <a href="https://www.oxfordsbakery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oxford&#8217;s Bakery</a>. There are a few little indies dotted about but you&#8217;re best off heading into Poole or over to Bournemouth for bigger shops and chains.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>Keep on top form physically and mentally at <a href="https://www.sustudio.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Su Studio,</a> with more than 70 yoga and other classes every week. How&#8217;s your balance? There is windsurfing and kitesurfing on your doorstep here. Plus, of course, sea swimming. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>It&#8217;s all villagey vibes in this leafy &#8216;burb, and the mock-Tudor <a href="https://ccvh.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">village hall</a> holds regular activities and entertainment, from a fish and vegetable market to table tennis and tango. There are mother and baby groups, a <a href="https://sandbanksbeach.co.uk/things-to-do/family/play-parks-play-areas/treasure-island-play-area/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pirate play park</a>, Christmas fairs, Easter egg hunts, a library and more.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/BPTL-compton-acres-504378218_1156259649883254_8179021334969065377_n.jpg" alt="Compton Acres Poole Dorset" class="wp-image-110781" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/BPTL-compton-acres-504378218_1156259649883254_8179021334969065377_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/BPTL-compton-acres-504378218_1156259649883254_8179021334969065377_n-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/BPTL-compton-acres-504378218_1156259649883254_8179021334969065377_n-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/BPTL-compton-acres-504378218_1156259649883254_8179021334969065377_n-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/BPTL-compton-acres-504378218_1156259649883254_8179021334969065377_n-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/BPTL-compton-acres-504378218_1156259649883254_8179021334969065377_n-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/BPTL-compton-acres-504378218_1156259649883254_8179021334969065377_n-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Compton Acres </figcaption></figure>



<p>While away a few hours in the beautiful gardens of <a href="https://www.comptonacres.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Compton Acres</a>, which also has a garden centre, cafe and holds events. Canford Beach doesn&#8217;t get as many tourists as other beaches as there&#8217;s no car park – head here or the other Blue Flag beaches for bathing, watersports and sailing. There are more beaches and wildlife on nearby Studland and the National Trust&#8217;s <a aria-label="Brownsea Island. (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brownsea-island" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brownsea Island.</a> </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/00-lighthouse-poole-526045317_1172994381541501_6598115127831466342_n.jpg" alt="Lighthouse poole dorset" class="wp-image-110801" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/00-lighthouse-poole-526045317_1172994381541501_6598115127831466342_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/00-lighthouse-poole-526045317_1172994381541501_6598115127831466342_n-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/00-lighthouse-poole-526045317_1172994381541501_6598115127831466342_n-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/00-lighthouse-poole-526045317_1172994381541501_6598115127831466342_n-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/00-lighthouse-poole-526045317_1172994381541501_6598115127831466342_n-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/00-lighthouse-poole-526045317_1172994381541501_6598115127831466342_n-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/00-lighthouse-poole-526045317_1172994381541501_6598115127831466342_n-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lighthouse Poole </figcaption></figure>



<p><a aria-label="The Lighthouse, Poole's Centre for the Arts. (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lighthouse Poole</a> is one of the biggest arts venues on the south coast, with West End shows on tour, live screenings, bands and comedians. The renowned <a href="https://bsolive.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra</a> is based in Poole. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>All of this loveliness comes at a price, with an overall average house price last year of £989,736 – ouch! Most properties were flats, with an average price of £775,136. Detached properties sold for an average of £1,289,709, and semis for £880,625.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="999" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-canford-cliffs.jpg" alt="House for sale canford cliffs dorset" class="wp-image-112615" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-canford-cliffs.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-canford-cliffs-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-canford-cliffs-1000x666.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-canford-cliffs-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/09/00-canford-cliffs-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://www.berkeleys.com/property/5-bed-detached-house-for-sale-in-spencer-road-canford-cliffs-bh13/584428" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">This Canford Cliffs whopper</a> is on the market for £2.5m</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p><a href="https://allsaintsnursery.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">All Saints Nursery</a> is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, while <a href="https://nemosnursery.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nemo&#8217;s Nursery and Pre-School</a> is Good. <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/bournemouth-collegiate-prep-school-poole/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bournemouth Collegiate Prep School</a> in Lower Parkstone and <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/yarrells-prep-school-poole/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yarrells</a> in Upton both have highly regarded nurseries.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>Excellent. <a href="https://www.squireslanefederation.org/Manorside/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Manorside Primary</a> and <a href="https://www.glenmoorandwinton.org.uk/winton" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Glenmore and Winton Academies</a> are all Ofsted rated Outstanding; under the new Ofsted assessment, <a href="https://www.parkstone.poole.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Parkstone Grammar</a> (girls) and <a href="https://www.poolegrammar.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Poole Grammar</a> (boys) are both Good with Outstanding features; and <a href="https://poolehigh.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Poole High School</a> is Good. </p>



<p>Independents include Bournemouth Collegiate Prep School, Bournemouth Collegiate School, the girls-only Talbot Heath, and Yarrells Prep School &amp; Nursery. <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/castle-court-prep-wimborne-dorset/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Castle Court Prep</a> is about 10 miles away. Want a boarding school? You can get to <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/canford-school-wimborne/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Canford School </a>and its magnificent 250 acres in under half an hour. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret"><strong>BEST KEPT SECRET</strong></h2>



<p>During the annual British Beach Polo championships, they race a car against a polo pony on Sandbanks beach, all in aid of charity. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute"><strong>COMMUTE</strong></h2>



<p>Bournemouth to London Waterloo from 2 hrs (from Poole it&#8217;s another half hour). France in around 4 hrs on the ferry. </p>



<p><em>View the full <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live">Top 260 Best Places to Live</a>.</em></p>



<p></p>



<p>Main image: Beach and surf below Canford Cliffs by&nbsp;Rob Noble, CC BY-SA 2.0 <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons</p>


Canford Cliffs

See more in Dorset