Town Pop. 949

Living in Puddletown: Liveability Score 37/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Our overall score for Puddletown is 37/100, built from 9 categories. Furthest below the national norm is broadband, at 13/100 against a town median of 60/100. That makes it the 12th highest-scoring of the 22 places in the DT2 postcode district.

That sits 13 points below the UK-wide average of 50, putting it in the bottom quarter of the towns and villages we score. Safety (94) also clears 80/100. Below 30/100: lifestyle (7), transport (11), schools (12), healthcare (20) and bills (25). Wider context for the surrounding area: DT2 postcode district.

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Settlement area

The built-up area boundary and the postcodes its score is averaged from, each shaded by its own score. Clustered pins are other settlements. Tap one to view or compare it, or zoom in to reveal more.

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Each postcode is coloured by its own overall score on the default weighting. Scores are filled in as postcodes get searched on the site, so a blue dot just means that postcode hasn't been scored yet.

Puddletown scores 37 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Puddletown.

Or compare:

DT2 0AA DT2 7AA DT2 8AA DT2 9AA DT2

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety

72.7 crimes per 1,000 residents · last 12 months Below the England & Wales average of 94.3

Crime rate vs national average · last 12 months

Violence and sexual offences 26 crimes

↓ 18% below national average

Anti-social behaviour 12 crimes

↓ 17% below national average

Criminal damage and arson 10 crimes

↑ 54% above national average

Other theft 8 crimes

↑ 35% above national average

Public order 5 crimes

↓ 18% below national average

other 8 crimes

Highest-crime locations

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1 White Hill 9 crimes
2 Greenacres 8 crimes
3 Common Drove 5 crimes

Source: data.police.uk · England & Wales only

Environment

Air Quality NO₂ 4.7 · PM2.5 5.3 · PM10 9.5 µg/m³

Green Space 21

Parks Some 1

Sports Pitches Adequate 3

Allotments None

Golf Courses None

Tennis Courts None

Bowling Greens None

Playgrounds Some 1

Services

Schools

2 schools in area

2Good

Puddletown Church of England First SchoolPrimary · inspected 2025
Good
St Mary's Church of England Middle School, PuddletownSecondary · inspected 2025
Good

Healthcare

A&E departmentsPoole General Hospital16.2 mi

Yeovil Hospital18.2 mi

Royal Bournemouth Hospital22.7 mi

Hospital waitsUniversity Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust4.6 mi

Routine referral (median)11 wks

Treated within 18 weeks67.5%

A&E seen within 4 hrs67.7%

1 GP surgery in area best 'Good'

GP capacity1,119 patients per GP

0dentists0pharmacies

Score reflects proximity to CQC-rated GP surgeries and hospitals, not facility count. Dentists and pharmacies are shown for context but don't affect the score.

Broadband

Full fibre (FTTP)70.9%

available across Dorset

Gigabit-capable · incl. cable

18.8%

Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)

18.8%

Superfast (30+ Mbps)

99.9%

Ofcom Connected Nations · 47 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health

Employment rate59.4%

Above the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+

Economic activity (16+)

Employed59.4%Unemployed2%Retired28.8%Student3%Other inactive6.8%

Occupation mix

Professional & managerial43.5%Skilled & technical35.2%Routine & elementary21.2%

Highest qualification (16+)

No qualifications13%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)7.2%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)13.3%Level 3 (A levels)19.7%Level 4+ (degree & above)37.9%Apprenticeship6.3%Other (incl. vocational)2.6%

Home ownership72%

Among the least-deprived 38% of areas in England

Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD

Bills

Council tax Dorset · 2026-27

A £1,843

B £2,151

C £2,458

D £2,765

E £3,379

F £3,994

G £4,608

H £5,530

Energy South West England region

Typical bill regional £1,641/yr

Ofgem price cap, GB average · Apr–Jun 2026

Typical home efficiency local EPC band D

Water Wessex Water

Average bill regional £581/yr

Combined water & sewerage · GB average £520

Transport

Moreton 3.5 mi

Dorchester South 4.8 mi

Dorchester West 5 mi

No motorway junctions within 30 mi

Lifestyle

Pubs & Bars Some 1

Restaurants & Cafes None

Supermarkets & Convenience Some 1

Retail Shopping Some 2

Takeaways None

Fitness Adequate 2

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House Prices

Current median sale prices · last 12 months · England & Wales only

Type	Median price	Sales
All dwellings	£338,500	12

5-year monthly trend

All

Source: HM Land Registry Price Paid Data (OGL v3.0)

Frequently asked questions

Is Puddletown a nice place to live?

Puddletown has some challenges compared to many UK areas. Our liveability score for Puddletown is 37/100, placing it among a below-average areas in the UK across nine categories: safety, schools, healthcare, environment, transport, broadband, lifestyle, economic health, and bills.

How safe is Puddletown?

Puddletown is a relatively safe area to live. Our safety score is 94/100. There were 69 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Puddletown?

Among the top-rated schools in Puddletown are Puddletown Church of England First School and St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown, rated Good by Ofsted. There are 2 rated schools in Puddletown in total.

What are house prices like in Puddletown?

The current median house price in Puddletown is £338,500, around 19% above the England and Wales average.

Puddletown in context

See the best places to live in Dorset, ranked

Postcode districts in Puddletown

DT2 36 ⇄

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