HOW IT RATES

Europe’s largest natural harbour has earned recent fame for its soaring property prices. This South Coast town in Dorset is popular with well-off pensioners and show-biz types for its ocean views and its peace and quiet.

ARCHITECTURAL GEMS

The magnificent Christchurch Priory, to the east of Poole, is the longest parish church in England and has fine examples of Norman and Gothic styles – it also offers excellent views of the Isle of Wight. Corfe Castle, across the bay to the south, dates to the 11th century.

WHAT’S NEW

Seven Developments is well-known in Poole for its flamboyant projects in Branksome Park and gives its “superhomes” names such as Dream Catcher, Utopia or even Big Bucks. It is now proposing a white spire called Skywalk Tower, a landmark that will adorn Sandbanks beach in the redevelopment of the area by Poole council. More accessible is Delphina Chase on the Canford Cliffs: from £449,000 (Savills 01202 856875).

QUALITY OF LIFE

Tip top. Poole feels very suburban, with safe, leafy streets and well-kept local amenities. Local residents won battles with Orange and Vodafone last year to oppose several mobile phone masts, so the view remains clear . . . until Seven builds its tower.

TRAVEL

Trains from Poole to London Waterloo leave twice hourly and take just over two hours. The M3, M27 and A31 make it an easy drive to London.

POPULATION

With 137,500 inhabitants, Poole isn’t large but it’s still a fair size. It has particular appeal for wealthy families and retirees.

SMARTEST STREETS

The local Millionaire’s Row is in Branksome Park, and Western Avenue in Sandbanks is listed as having some of the highest house prices in the UK. Properties are arranged around the beach and a number of famous residents live here, inviting comparisons with Malibu in California.

BEST RESTAURANTS

The Mansion House Hotel, in a Georgian townhouse close to the quay, does modern British food of a very high standard. Barings Restaurant, in neighbouring Bournemouth, has an excellent reputation and a cosy atmosphere. John B’s does delicious local seafood in Poole.

TOP NIGHTLIFE

The Lighthouse is the largest arts centre outside London, with a theatre, concert hall, gallery and cinema, and is home to Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Poole Quay has some friendly pubs but those wanting something more lively tend to head into Bournemouth for its bars and clubs.

EDUCATION

Dorset is boarding school country, two of the most well-known being Sherborne and Bryanston; Milton Abbey is smaller, with a maximum of 250 pupils. Among the best state options with good Ofsted ratings are Baden-Powell & St Peter’s Church of England Middle School and St Edward’s School in Poole.

WORKING LIFE

80 per cent of the population are in employment, with a large proportion of pensioners in the area. The fact that 9 per cent of the population is self-employed and only 3.4 per cent are unemployed indicates the affluence of the borough.

UPSIDE

Clean sandy beaches with many water sports. A man-made surf reef is being planned off the Bournemouth coast to boost the area’s “yoof” appeal. For natural beauty and wildlife, head across the harbour to Brownsea Island and the Isle of Purbeck. There are normally good stocks of mackerel locally if you fancy a fishing trip.

DOWNSIDE

Any sense of community is rather compromised by the frequency with which developers buy up plots to rebuild or to resell. They bulldoze the existing houses and make a tidy profit on the new ones. Don’t expect to meet the neighbours.

£239,779 The average property price in Poole

Source: Halifax

3% The increase in property prices in Poole over the past three months

Source: Halifax

266% The increase in property prices in Poole over the past ten years

Source: Halifax

10 The number of awards held by Bournemouth and Poole for clean beaches

Source: www.bournemouthandpoole. co.uk

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