Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol


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



<p>An historic market town on the banks of the rivers Stour and Allen, Wimborne (or Wimborne Minster to give its full name) has pretty streets and courtyards lined with ye olde worlde buildings, indies aplenty and excellent schools.</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="1124" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2021/09/00-deans-court-wimborne.jpg" alt="Deans Court Wimborne Dorset" class="wp-image-74376" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2021/09/00-deans-court-wimborne.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2021/09/00-deans-court-wimborne-800x599.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2021/09/00-deans-court-wimborne-1000x749.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2021/09/00-deans-court-wimborne-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2021/09/00-deans-court-wimborne-768x575.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2021/09/00-deans-court-wimborne-701x525.jpg 701w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Deans Court Courtyard Café</figcaption></figure>



<p>Go for coffee, cakes, and lunches at <a aria-label="Le Petit Prince Patisserie (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.lepetitprince.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Le Petit Prince Patisserie</a>. Eat breakfasts, sourdough toasties, quiche and salads at <a aria-label="The Squash Court Cafe (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.deanscourt.org/cafe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Deans Court Courtyard Café</a>. <a aria-label="Renouf's Cheese &amp; Wine Bar (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.renoufswinebars.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Renouf&#8217;s Cheese &amp; Wine Bar</a> serves up&#8230; guess what?  There&#8217;s fab Modern British at <a aria-label="The Wimborne Pig. (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.thewimbornepig.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Wimborne Pig.</a> Work your way around the town&#8217;s many historic pubs (there are 12 in the centre alone).</p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1440" height="1440" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/459872053_1047587260703204_5669072591745011781_n.jpg" alt="Nelly Fertado vinyl at Square Records shop in Wimborne Dorset" class="wp-image-101202" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/459872053_1047587260703204_5669072591745011781_n.jpg 1440w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/459872053_1047587260703204_5669072591745011781_n-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/459872053_1047587260703204_5669072591745011781_n-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/459872053_1047587260703204_5669072591745011781_n-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/459872053_1047587260703204_5669072591745011781_n-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/459872053_1047587260703204_5669072591745011781_n-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/09/459872053_1047587260703204_5669072591745011781_n-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Square Records</figcaption></figure>



<p>Shops are set around the partially pedestrianised main square and streets behind, with some chains (White Stuff, Fatface) and plenty of indies. Shops include a butchers, fishmongers, green grocers, <a aria-label="East Street Del (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.facebook.com/theeaststreetdeli/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The East Street Deli</a> and <a aria-label="Gulliver's  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.booksandvinyl.co.uk/gullivers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gulliver&#8217;s Bookshop</a> (both of which won gongs at the Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol Muddy Awards 2023). Make sure you visit <a aria-label="Square Records (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.facebook.com/squarerecordswimborne" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Square Records</a>, <a aria-label="Dean's Court Home Store ( (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.deanscourt.org/homestore" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Deans Court Home Store</a> (a mini emporium with eclectic, old and new home wares, clothing and lifestyle goodies), refill whole foods/ health shop <a aria-label="Spill the Beans (opens in a new tab)" href="https://spillthebeanswimborne.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spill the Beans</a> and Tails from the Woods for trad toys. You&#8217;re also well served with supermarkets, including Waitrose. Wimborne&#8217;s known for its large open air/covered markets every weekend: farmers&#8217;, flea, antiques and general. Your nearest farm shop? The <a aria-label="Pamphill Dairy Farmshop (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.pamphilldairy.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pamphill Dairy.</a> </p>



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



<p>GPs, health centres and dentists aplenty. Several yoga and Pilates studios including Pilates Evolve, which also run Pilates on the beach at nearby Canford Cliffs. They&#8217;re hoping that the Queen Elizabeth Leisure Centre and swimming pool will reopen to the public soon (watch this space).</p>



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



<p>Community events include Wimborne in Bloom Open Gardens Day in the summer and the new Wimborne Food &amp; Drink Festival in September.</p>



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



<p>You can&#8217;t miss Wimborne Minster, with its chained library, on Minster Green. There&#8217;s another Wimborne – <a aria-label="in miniature. (opens in a new tab)" href="http://www.wimborne-modeltown.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">in miniature.</a> Find out more about the area at the <a aria-label="Museum of East Dorset (opens in a new tab)" href="https://museumofeastdorset.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Museum of East Dorset</a>. The magnificent Italianate mansion, National Trust <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kingston-lacy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kingston Lacy</a>, with its spectacular artworks and 8,500 acres of formal gardens and estate (including Iron Age Hillfort <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/badbury-rings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Badbury Rings</a>) is worth repeated visits throughout the year. The coast is only 30 mins away.</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/8/2023/10/00-walfiord-mill-crafts-wimborne-305288633_486367106831275_6569064745971422458_n.jpg" alt="walford mill crafts wimborne Dorset" class="wp-image-100105" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/10/00-walfiord-mill-crafts-wimborne-305288633_486367106831275_6569064745971422458_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/10/00-walfiord-mill-crafts-wimborne-305288633_486367106831275_6569064745971422458_n-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/10/00-walfiord-mill-crafts-wimborne-305288633_486367106831275_6569064745971422458_n-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/10/00-walfiord-mill-crafts-wimborne-305288633_486367106831275_6569064745971422458_n-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/10/00-walfiord-mill-crafts-wimborne-305288633_486367106831275_6569064745971422458_n-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/10/00-walfiord-mill-crafts-wimborne-305288633_486367106831275_6569064745971422458_n-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/10/00-walfiord-mill-crafts-wimborne-305288633_486367106831275_6569064745971422458_n-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Walford Mill Crafts </figcaption></figure>



<p>Take in a flick or show at the Art Deco <a aria-label="Tivoli Theatre. (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.tivoliwimborne.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tivoli Theatre.</a> Take your pick from the annual folk festival, literary festival, beer festival – and every summer, their version of Glasto, the 4-day award-winning music festival <a href="https://weoutherefestival.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">We Out Here</a> at Wimborne St Giles.  <a href="https://www.walfordmillcrafts.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Walford Mill Crafts</a> is a Grade II listed mill with resident artists, designers and makers working in open studios, exhibitions, pop-up studios, craft workshops, craft markets, and a waterside café.</p>



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



<p>There are lots of gorgeous period properties in the centre of town and spreading outwards but there are some exciting and stylish new builds too. Rivers Edge, for example, is a collection of <a href="https://wyatthomes.co.uk/riversedge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">luxury three to six-bedroomed properties</a> being built by Wyatt Homes along the River Stour – high spec, fab location and views – ranging in price from £550,000–£2,275,000.   Overall in Wimborne,  average house prices are £424,959. Detached homes for £538,765, semis £428,776 and terraced £224,227.</p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/Wyatt-Homes-Rivers-Edge-DSC01770_Plot169_LR-1000x667.jpg" alt="Wyatt Homes - Rivers Edge wimborne dorset" class="wp-image-102283" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/Wyatt-Homes-Rivers-Edge-DSC01770_Plot169_LR-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/Wyatt-Homes-Rivers-Edge-DSC01770_Plot169_LR-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/Wyatt-Homes-Rivers-Edge-DSC01770_Plot169_LR-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/Wyatt-Homes-Rivers-Edge-DSC01770_Plot169_LR-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/10/Wyatt-Homes-Rivers-Edge-DSC01770_Plot169_LR.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This<a href="https://wyatthomes.co.uk/riversedge/homes/number-169" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> whopper of a house</a> – bespoke, 3000 sq.ft, 4 beds, 4 ensuites – is on the market for £2,175,000. </figcaption></figure>



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



<p>Dumpton School, on the edge of town, and Bryanston Prep a little further out, both have excellent nurseries. </p>



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



<p>It&#8217;s darned good for schools, with a large number of Ofsted Outstanding primaries including Colehill First School, Hayeswood First, Merley First, Allenbourn Middle School, St Catherine&#8217;s Catholic and many more. Secondary Queen Elizabeth&#8217;s is &#8216;Good&#8217;. Nearby independents include <a aria-label="Dumpton School (opens in a new tab)" href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/dumpton-school-wimborne-dorset/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dumpton School</a>, <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/castle-court-prep-wimborne-dorset/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Castle Court Prep</a>, <a aria-label="Canford School (opens in a new tab)" href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/canford-school-wimborne/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Canford School</a>, <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/bryanston-school/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bryanston School</a>, <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/bryanston-prep-dorset/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bryanston Prep</a> and Yarrells Prep &amp; Nursery.</p>



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



<p>Wimborne is said to have the biggest fireworks display in Dorset. </p>



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



<p>With no station in town you&#8217;ll need to drive 30 mins to Bournemouth to get to London Paddington or Waterloo in just under 2 hrs – or take the slightly shorter drive to Poole for Waterloo in just over. </p>



<p><em>View the full <a class="" href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 300 Best Places to Live</a>.</em></p>


Wimborne

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