It’s official, the countryside property market is booming as people turn away from towns and cities in search of the perfect rural bolthole.

Estate agents Knight Frank this week reported the highest number of sales in the country market for 15 years and the number of home buyers registering last year up 35 per cent.

Driven by this increased demand for the country life, The Telegraph named where they calculated are the country’s most desirable villages in each county.

Bournemouth Echo: People are heading out of towns and cities in search of country life. Picture: CanvaPeople are heading out of towns and cities in search of country life. Picture: Canva

Talking about what makes a place highly sought after, analyst at Savills, Frances Clacy, told the newspaper: “People want villages that have a bit of everything, from schools to stunning countryside, with accessibility to cities and transport infrastructure.

“Less well-trumpeted factors count too, such as the main road through the village should only lead to other villages.”

So, taking into account the highest house prices, best lifestyle amenities, connectivity and chocolate-box appeal, here’s which village came out on top in Dorset.

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Dorset’s most desirable village

Studland

 

Average house price: £972,831

What makes it so appealing? A sandy beach and transport links from Poole put this place on a pedestal.

It also boasts fine dining options such as the Pig on the Beach restaurant and comes complete with essential amenities like the village store and post office.

With tourists flocking to the area for Studland Bay, as well as the nudist beach towards Shell Bay, the location wouldn’t be complete without a decent bed & breakfast for visitors to return home to.

Hampshire’s most desirable village

Just over the BCP border is another highly sought after location, at the edge of the New Forest national park...

Beaulieu

Average house price: £1,524,287

What makes it so appealing?

With its 16th century high street and artisan shops it won't come as a surprise that Beaulieu has been rated the poshest.

It not only trumps all other Hampshire villages, according to the Savills research, it’s the most expensive village in the whole of England, Wales and Scotland.

In a picturesque setting bordering the New Forest and in close proximity to the sailing hub of Lymington, it is the quintessential chocolate-box destination.