Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 16 h 32 min4:53 am – 9:25 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 7 h 56 min8:07 am – 4:03 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People6,448 residentsin the Alderholt & Sixpenny Handley census areaMedian age 50.92,694 households71% of homes owner-occupied43% owned outright10% social rented, 19% private rentedSource: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
Work and commuting3.6% unemployment rate60% of adults are economically active, 3,141 in work, 28% retiredMain industries: retail and wholesale 15%, health and social work 13%, construction 12%Getting to work: 33% work from home, 61% go by car, 5% walk or cycle35% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
Education and languages34% of adults hold a degree or higher14% have no qualifications, 6% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 99%Source: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 22°C, lows 12°CColdest month January: highs 8°C, lows 2°C905 mm of rain a year, 29 days with 10 mm or morewettest month November52 days of air frost, 14 summer days above 25°C in a typical yearSource: Met Office HadUK-Grid 1991-2020 averages, 2 km grid (highs and lows from the 12 km grid)
Nearby landmarksWater Lakelake · 2.2 miCreech Hillhill · under a mileNoddle Hillhill · 1.2 miToby's Bottomvalley · 1.5 miWater Lake Bottomvalley · 1.7 miCastle Hill Woodwoodland · under a mileSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
Parks and green spacesFerrett Greenpark · 3.2 miChamptoceaux Greenpark · 3.3 miHaythorne Commonpark · 3.6 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Greenspace
Earthquakes21 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19705 of magnitude 3+, 0 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 3.0 on 5 Dec 201948 mi away, Bridgwater, SomersetMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 8 Feb 202644 mi away, Chard, SomersetSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Flood riskRivers and sea: areas at High risk within 500 m of the centrea 1 in 30 chance of flooding in any year, or greaterAlso medium, low risk areas nearbySource: Environment Agency, Risk of Flooding from Rivers and Sea
Air qualityNO2 4.2 · PM2.5 5.5 · PM10 9.5 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within UK limits, above the WHO guideline for PM2.5Source: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband83% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband96% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)0.3% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)2,742 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation55 m180 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 50 to 116 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalFordingbridge Hospital5.6 miGP surgeryThe Cranborne Practiceright herePharmacyVerwood Pharmacy3.2 miDentistThe Lakes Dental Practice3.1 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service
SchoolsWithin 2 mi5 schools2 primary, 1 secondary, 2 specialPrimaryCranborne Church of England First Schoolages 2-9, 73 pupilsright hereSecondaryCranborne Middle Schoolages 9-13, 265 pupilsunder a milePrimaryWimborne St Giles Church of England First School and Nurseryages 2-9, 70 pupils1.7 miCollegeThe Bournemouth and Poole College13.5 miUniversityBournemouth University12.2 miSource: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools
Getting aroundAirportBournemouth Airport BOH10 miMajor airportBristol Airport BRS47 miRailway stationSalisbury12 miBus stationBournemouth UniversityTalbot Heath12 miFerryTuckton Tea Gardens Ferry Landing14 miBus stops9 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the BH21 postcode district.
