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°C896 mm of rain a year, 30 days with 10 mm or morewettest month November53 days of air frost, 15 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 landmarksDoe's Hatchwater · under a mileWedge Hillhill · under a mileGrains Hillhill · under a mileCrane Lakelake · 2.6 miRingwood Forestforest · 2.6 miFerndown Forestforest · 2.7 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
Parks and green spacesCrane Valley Golf Clubgolf course · under a mile · 58 haFerrett Greenpark · under a mileChamptoceaux Greenpark · under a mileMoors Valley Country Parkpark · 2.4 mi · 585 haSource: 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 201950 mi away, Bridgwater, SomersetMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 8 Feb 202645 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 4.7 · PM2.5 5.5 · PM10 8.6 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
Elevation40 m131 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 31 to 71 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalSt Leonards Hospital4.9 miGP surgeryThe Verwood Surgery2 surgeries within 2 milesunder a milePharmacyVerwood Pharmacy2 pharmacies within 2 milesunder a mileDentistThe Lakes Dental Practiceunder a mileSource: NHS Organisation Data Service
SchoolsWithin 2 mi4 schools3 primary, 1 secondaryPrimaryTrinity Church of England First Schoolages 4-9, 128 pupilsunder a milePrimaryVerwood Church of England First Schoolages 2-9, 289 pupils1.0 miSecondaryEmmanuel Church of England Middle Schoolages 9-13, 434 pupils1.0 miCollegeThe Bournemouth and Poole College11.4 miUniversityBournemouth University9.7 miSource: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools
Getting aroundAirportBournemouth Airport BOH7.6 miMajor airportBristol Airport BRS50 miRailway stationBranksomeBranksome Park11 miBus stationBournemouth UniversityTalbot Heath9.7 miFerryTuckton Tea Gardens Ferry Landing12 miBus stops21 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the BH31 postcode district.
