One of the main reasons why people choose to come to use our coworking offices is our brilliant location in Poundbury, on the outskirts of Dorchester. If you’re thinking about coming to join us, here’s everything you need to know about living and working in Poundbury.
Whilst there have been a few sceptics of Prince Charles’s urban development we think that the area is a thriving success story. Despite being a “new town” it has an old-school village feel. Construction started in 1992 and it is due for completion in 2025 by when it will have 2,500 homes and a population of 6,000. We feel fortunate to be surrounded by such a variety of other businesses as well as residential homes and shops. We find it a very pleasant place to live and to work. The mix of premises just seems to fit well for everyone whether you’re a resident, worker or visitor.
The area has changed hugely since the development first started and the community spirit has really grown in tandem with each completed phase. The mix of buildings means that there is interesting architecture to view at every turn. Here we take a look at some of the different areas and business in Poundbury.
Shopping and Entertainment Areas
Whilst there are businesses and boutique shops dotted all over Poundbury, there are three main signposted areas.
Queen Mother Square
Situated at the heart of the town is Queen Mother Square. It is surrounded by The Duchess of Cornwall pub, Poundbury Garden Centre and a Waitrose supermarket. It also incorporates smaller shops such as Dorset Wine, Gallery on the Square and Brace of Butchers. On the north side of the square is Monart Health Spa. Here you can enjoy relaxing treatments, sauna, steam room and a hydrotherapy pool. This area has given Poundbury a different dimension in recent years and created a vibrant central hub. Purple Office is a short 5 minute walk away, making this a really easy place to get some fresh air and pick up a lunch if you’re working with us. A beer or a glass of wine on the square is hard to beat on a summer evening after work.
The Buttermarket
A short walk from the garden centre is The Buttermarket. Located on a sloping street there is a range of shops including a superb little post office, a toy shop and a bicycle repair shop. At the top of the hill is the octagonal Butter Cross building which is home to Finca coffee shop. Delicious coffee and they always seem to have a really tasty decaf option too.
Pommery Square
Completed as part of phase 1, Pommery Square is now part of ‘old Poundbury’. It is home to the Poet Laureate pub, a small supermarket and a number of boutique shops and other small businesses. Opposite the pub is the Brownsword Hall community building.
Healthcare
Poundbury has a number of dentists, opticians, a pharmacist and its own doctors surgery. Dorset County Hospital is only around half a mile away towards Dorchester town centre.
Childcare and schools
If you’re working in Poundbury and require childcare or schools there are a number of options. For younger children there is Sunny Days nursery. Poundbury is served by two First Schools, The Prince of Wales First School which celebrated its 25th year in 2019 and Damers First School, which relocated into a new building in 2017. Dorchester’s large senior secondary school is The Thomas Hardye school which is a short walk from Pommery Sqaure.
Transport connections
There is a regular bus service which travels along the main avenues and connects travellers to Dorchester. Here you can hop off at Dorchester South train station for the Weymouth to London Waterloo line.
Car drivers will be delighted to know that one of the great advantages of working in Poundbury is that there is an abundance of free parking. If you have an electric car there are two high-speed 50kW charging points at The Buttermarket.
Open Spaces
Everyone can benefit from the multitude of green open spaces which are dotted throughout Poundbury. The huge expanse of The Great Field is a fabulous park area which is a perfect place for a stroll, jog or simply to sit on one of the benches and watch the world go by. It is a popular lunch location for people working in Poundbury. Leave the screen time behind and enjoy the endless fresh air and far reaching views here. The park has a number of snaking paths to explore and stroll around. For any keen runners, park run takes place here every Saturday morning.
There is a very impressive new kids play park which is due for completion in spring 2022. As well as the usual swings and slide there are impressive suspended bridges and walkways and even parkour facilities which will be attractive to older children.
We hope this has given you a good flavour of what’s on offer for people living and working in Poundbury. Please get in touch if you’re interested in joining us at our desk hire offices.
