Town Pop. 3,331

Living in West Parley: Liveability Score 55/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

West Parley scores 55/100 overall, across 9 scored categories. Measured against other towns, transport stands out most: 48/100 where the typical UK town scores 21/100. Furthest below the national norm is broadband, at 37/100 against a town median of 60/100.

That is the highest score of the 4 places in the BH22 postcode district. Also scoring 80 or better: safety (93) and economic health (90). On the national picture that lands West Parley in the top quarter of all the places we score. Wider context for the surrounding area: BH22 postcode district.

55
OUT OF 100
Average
Score for:

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.

Loading map…

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.

West Parley scores 55 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with West Parley.
Or compare:
BH22 0AD BH22 2AB BH22 8AA BH22 9AA BH22

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
93
48 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 50 crimes
↓ 55% below national average
Anti-social behaviour 41 crimes
↓ 19% below national average
Burglary 18 crimes
↑ 54% above national average
Criminal damage and arson 15 crimes
↓ 34% below national average
Other theft 11 crimes
↓ 47% below national average
other 25 crimes
Highest-crime locations
Loading map…
  1. 1 Mag'S Barrow 21 crimes
  2. 2 Elm Tree Walk 14 crimes
  3. 3 Barrack Road 12 crimes

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

Environment
67
Air Quality NO₂ 6.8 · PM2.5 5.7 · PM10 8.8 µg/m³
76
Green Space 47
Parks Ample 11
Sports Pitches None
Allotments None
Golf Courses Ample 3
Tennis Courts None
Bowling Greens None
Playgrounds Some 1

Services

Schools
33
3 schools in area · 24 within 4km
3Good
  • Ferndown First SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • Parley First SchoolPrimary · inspected 2023
    Good
  • Portfield SchoolSpecial · inspected 2024
    Good

Score reflects proximity-weighted access to rated schools within 4km: areas with more nearby schools score higher regardless of settlement boundary.

Healthcare
42
A&E departmentsRoyal Bournemouth Hospital2.8 mi
Poole General Hospital5.4 mi
Salisbury District Hospital18 mi
Hospital waitsUniversity Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust1.1 mi
Routine referral (median)11 wks
Treated within 18 weeks67.5%
A&E seen within 4 hrs67.7%
Nearest GP surgeryKinson Road Medical Centre1.3 mi
GP capacity1,739 patients per GP
0dentists1pharmacy

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
37
Full fibre (FTTP)70.9%
available across Dorset
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
64.3%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
63.5%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
98.6%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 96 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
90
Employment rate46.7%
Below the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed46.7%Unemployed1.6%Retired43.5%Student2.2%Other inactive6%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial44.8%Skilled & technical36.5%Routine & elementary18.7%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications16%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)10.5%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)15.1%Level 3 (A levels)16.2%Level 4+ (degree & above)31%Apprenticeship8.1%Other (incl. vocational)3.1%
Home ownership90.5%
Among the least-deprived 9% of areas in England
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
25
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

Transport
48
Bournemouth 4.1 mi
Branksome 4.3 mi
Pokesdown 4.5 mi
J1 M27 15.7 mi
J1 M27 16.3 mi
J2 M27 18.8 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
39
Pubs & Bars Adequate 4
Restaurants & Cafes None
Supermarkets & Convenience Adequate 2
Retail Shopping Adequate 15
Takeaways Some 3
Fitness None

Places like West Parley Pro

Pick the categories you want to beat. Pro members see the most similar settlements that score higher in all of them.

Find somewhere like West Parley, but with a higher score in …

ProSimilar settlements is a Pro featureUpgrade to Pro

House Prices

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

Type Median price Sales
All dwellings £470,000 21
Detached £545,000 15
5-year monthly trend
All Detached
£466k £575k £689k £798k 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

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

Nearby places

Longham 44 1.0 mi away ⇄
Ferndown 55 1.5 mi away ⇄
Merritown 42 1.9 mi away ⇄
Bearwood 63 2.4 mi away ⇄
West Moors 54 2.5 mi away ⇄
Matchams 0 3.1 mi away ⇄
Bournemouth 67 3.1 mi away ⇄
Merley 54 3.5 mi away ⇄
Wimborne Minster 52 3.8 mi away ⇄
Ashley Heath 42 4.1 mi away ⇄
Broom Hill 0 4.2 mi away ⇄
Three Legged Cross 42 4.5 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is West Parley a nice place to live?

West Parley is a decent place to live for many people. Our liveability score for West Parley is 55/100, placing it among an average areas in the UK across nine categories: safety, schools, healthcare, environment, transport, broadband, lifestyle, economic health, and bills.

How safe is West Parley?

West Parley is a relatively safe area to live. Our safety score is 93/100. There were 160 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in West Parley?

Among the top-rated schools in West Parley are Ferndown First School, Parley First School and Portfield School, rated Good by Ofsted. There are 3 rated schools in West Parley in total.

What are house prices like in West Parley?

The current median house price in West Parley is £470,000, around 65% above the England and Wales average. By property type: detached £545,000. Over the past five years, prices have fallen by around 3%. There were 21 sales recorded in the past 12 months.

West Parley in context

See where West Parley ranks among the best places to live in Dorset

Postcode districts in West Parley

BH22 55 ⇄

Check your exact postcode

Get a personalised score for any UK postcode, tailored to what matters most to you.

Score my postcode