DORSET is the second richest county in the UK for property wealth.

According to a recent survey Surrey takes the top spot with property per head totalling £255,125, while Dorset takes the runners-up place with £207,220, Buckinghamshire third with £198,490 and East Sussex fourth with £196,300.

In Surrey its homes have a total value of almost £288 billion, representing 5.1 per cent of the UK's £5.6 trillion overall property wealth, according to property website Prime Location.com.

The property rich list sees southern counties dominate, with Dorset in second place with the area’s property wealth reaching a lofty figure of £83.8 billion.

Nigel Lewis, property analyst at PrimeLocation.com, said: “Property wealth per head is driven by one key factor – demand.

“Homes in and around the capital will always be sought-after because of the increased population density in the south and its better employment opportunities.”

On a regional level, the south east holds the greatest property wealth.

This accounts for nearly a third (30 per cent) of the UK’s total property fortune.

What the experts say

Nigel Price Residential Chairman for Goadsby said: “Dorset continues to be in demand due to a number of very strong factors.

“This includes the stunning Dorset coastline, the excellent variety of property including exclusive homes in the Canford Cliffs and surrounding area, and finally the accessibility to and from London which makes owning a second home in the county a very viable and enjoyable experience.

“These factors have been enhanced this year by the Olympic sailing events being held in Weymouth which has helped to further raise the profile of property in Dorset.”

George Wade from Property Vision, who specialises in buying property for clients in Dorset, added: “Over the years Dorset has become an increasingly popular place for families moving out of London and this has been driven by the variety of good schools and popular villages that the county offers.

“The most active part of the Dorset property market is downsizers, selling up their larger homes elsewhere and relocating to wealthy towns across Dorset including Poole, Bournemouth, Sherborne and Bridport.

“Other than Sandbanks, the other most popular and most expensive areas are driven by the schools market in places like Sherborne, and villages along the Wiltshire borders.”

Luxury life

Tranquillity, Lower Parkstone, Poole, £765,000 Goadsby, Candford Cliffs, 01202 701616, www.goadsby.com A magnificent and luxurious four bedroom brand new detached home in a secure gated development in Lower Parkstone, close to the famous Parkstone Golf Course. Set over three floors, this house offers three living rooms, south west aspect and high tech features such as sound system throughout.

Ten of the best

1. Sandbanks

2. Lilliput

3. Branksome Park

4. Canford Cliffs

5. Lyme Regis

6. Broadstone

7. Christchurch

8. Blandford

9. Sherborne

10. Shaftesbury