Poundbury is expected to be finished in 2028, after 35 years’ work. Robert Kwolek visited recently with his camera and declares it the best new place built in the UK in decades, bursting with lessons for the new towns programme
From London, it is harder to reach Poundbury than I expected. On a good day, a train from Waterloo to Dorchester takes two and a half hours. However, delays west of Southampton are common and my train ran 10 minutes late.
My return train was delayed at Southampton, so the journey took three hours. It is not a commutable distance from London.
From either Dorchester South or Dorchester West, Poundbury is a short drive, a modest bus ride or a 25-minute walk. I was keen to see Dorchester and understand how it links to Poundbury, so I walked up Cornhill and then west along the High Street and Bridport Road. I walked through suburbs before finally reaching a series of roundabouts and public buildings which announce Poundbury.