Dorset Life is a free, award-winning digital magazine telling the stories that matter across rural Dorset.
Published monthly and read by tens of thousands of people across the county and beyond, Dorset Life brings together in-depth journalism, local insight and the quieter, often overlooked stories that shape life here — from farming and wildlife to community issues, business, history and the people behind it all.
We are proudly independent, and purely digital. There is no print edition, no paywall, and no barrier to access. Every issue is free to read, shared directly with our subscribers and across our website and social channels.
Dorset Life is produced by a small editorial team and a regular network of journalists, columnists and specialist contributors. Meet the editorial team.
A different kind of local publication
Dorset Life was built to do things differently. At a time when much local media has become fragmented, click-driven and dominated by negative headlines, our focus is simple: to produce thoughtful, well-written journalism that reflects the real Dorset – its challenges, its character and its community.
Each issue combines:
- – Long-form reporting and analysis
- – Shorter community stories and local updates
- – Regular features exploring rural life, heritage and craft
- – Coverage of farming, equestrian life and the natural world
- – Opinion and commentary from voices across the county
Each issue is first delivered directly to our newsletter subscribers on publication day, before being shared and embedded widely across our platforms — including the website, social media and podcast — allowing readers to explore Dorset Life in their own way, beyond the monthly issue.
The Dorset Life readers
Dorset Life reaches a large and highly engaged audience, with the majority of readers based within Dorset and the surrounding county edges. While being for the entire county, the editorial focus is on the rural DC area, away from the major conurbations of Bournemouth and Poole.
Readers typically return issue after issue, spending time with the content rather than skimming it – a reflection of both the quality of the writing and the strength of the connection to place.
Across our website, email distribution and social channels, Dorset Life connects with more than 350,000 people each month (one of the advantages of being purely digital is that we can measure this accurately).
Part of the Dorset community
At its core, Dorset Life exists to reflect and support the community it serves.
Whether it’s highlighting a local issue, sharing a reader’s photograph, telling the story of a rural business, or simply capturing a small but meaningful moment in Dorset life, the aim is always the same: to produce something worth reading.
Dorset Life, recognised for quality
Dorset Life has received national recognition for both editorial quality and audience growth, including:
– Regional Publication of the Year (ACE Newspaper & Magazine Awards)
– Regional News Site of the Year (Press Gazette Future of Media Awards)
– Shortlisted multiple times for Small Digital Publisher of the Year (AOP Digital Publishing Awards), Regional Publication of the Year and Regional News Site of the Year.
These awards reflect not just growth, but a commitment to doing local journalism well.
Working with Dorset Life
Because Dorset Life is free to read, advertising and partnerships play a vital role in supporting the magazine.
We work with businesses, organisations and events across the county — from local independents to major regional shows — helping them reach an engaged, locally rooted audience.
Opportunities include:
– Magazine advertising
– Sponsored content and features
– Digital campaigns across web, email and social
– Event and show partnerships
If you’re looking to reach Dorset Life readers, we’d be happy to talk. Advertising doesn’t just help promote you – it also helps support independent local journalism. Because Dorset Life is completely free to read, we rely on the support of local businesses, organisations and event organisers to keep producing the stories, investigations and community coverage that matter across Dorset. Whether it’s a one-off advert or part of a bigger campaign, every booking genuinely helps us keep Dorset Life free for everyone.
Independent and locally run
Dorset Life is owned and published by Bluebean Publishing Ltd, an independent Dorset-based company led by Laura and Courtenay Hitchcock. As a small, hands-on team, they remain closely involved in every issue — from commissioning and editing to working directly with local businesses, organisations and contributors across the county.
Want to get in touch?
We’re always open to ideas, stories and contributions from across Dorset – [email protected]
