DORSET has climbed into a UK top ten of the most searched for locations to live in.

The county features in a survey compiled by property website Rightmove which focuses on areas searched for one year on from the start of 'stay at home' restrictions.

So far in 2021, Cornwall has knocked London off the top spot compared to last year – and Dorset leaped from 20th most searched for location in 2020, to number ten.

More city dwellers are enquiring about properties outside the country's urban centres.

Rightmove director of property data Tim Bannister said: “The stand-out trends over the past year have been increased demand for countryside and coastal living, more people making the dream of a detached home a reality, and the increased appeal for a garden.

“The huge population of London means that traditionally it is the most searched for location on Rightmove, but the appeal of the coast and the countryside over the past year has seen Cornwall crowned the new capital this year."

Since the housing markets reopened across England, Wales and Scotland in May and June last year, Rightmove has recorded more than 200 of its busiest ever days.

Mr Bannister said: "More space has always been the most common reason for people moving home, but the evolution for many from balancing their laptop on the end of a bed last March to making an office a permanent addition to a home – whether that’s by converting a bedroom, garage or garden shed – has led to a need for even bigger homes than before.

"This is evident with five bed detached homes seeing the biggest growth in sales, and two bed homes becoming the most sought after for people renting."

Rightmove analysed millions of data points to find out how staying at home and in their local areas has affected where people want to live, where they are moving to, and the kind of homes they’re now looking for.