East Dorset is the smallest rural district in Dorset, to the north of the conurbation of Poole and Bournemouth. Most of the 85000 people who live there, live in and around the main towns, Wimborne, Ferndown and Verwood and on the edge of the Poole and Bournemouth conurbation, leaving large areas of the district sparsely populated. This allows 87% of the district to be covered by environmental designations such as SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). A large amount of these are made up of lowland heathland, which is now protected under European law.

East Dorset is a popular place to live, since it is close to the New Forest, Bournemouth and Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. East Dorset District Council runs regular ‘Give or Take’ days and there is an active open water swimming club. East Dorset also hosts the ‘Wessex Rally’ where people compete in various activities including sports, cookery, handicrafts and photography.