Thomas Hardy described
Bournemouth as a ‘Mediterranean
lounging place on the English Channel’

Live in the West Solent region

Thomas Hardy described Bournemouth as a ‘Mediterranean lounging place on the English Channel’ - and with its seven miles of golden beaches, it's easy to see why.

There's a relaxed, cosmopolitan vibe going on in Bournemouth and its award winning sandy beaches, nightlife and cafe culture make it a great place to live and work. The population of Bournemouth is 163,900 and the average house price is £223,753.

To the east of Bournemouth sits Christchurch with a population of around 45,000. A popular tourist destination, 1.5m visitors a year come to see Christchurch Priory, the quay and wildlife areas. It has the perfect blend of old and new with riverside bars and restaurants. The average house price in Christchurch is £280,068.

Travelling westwards Wimborne is a picturesque market town that wraps itself around the historic Wimborne Minster.

Poole has the second largest natural harbour in the world after Sydney and Sandbanks, with the fourth highest land value in the world, has been dubbed Britain's Palm Beach. The average house price in Poole is £260,830.

Using the chain ferry from Sandbanks to Studland, you can explore the Isle of Purbeck including Swanage which offers the best of coast and country. The gateway to the world famous Jurassic Coast, Purbeck is a seaside town with a traditional feel. The average house price in Purbeck (Swanage) is £278,890.

All eyes are set to be on Weymouth as its hosts the sailing events as part of the 2012 Olympics. Weymouth Bay is one of the finest and the 17th century harbour has everything from fishing boats and pleasure ferries to racing yachts and tall ships. Weymouth has a population of 52,950. The average house price in Weymouth and Portland is £208,886.