Abbotsbury attracts younger residents

The village of Abbotsbury in Dorset has a picture postcard setting and this makes it a favourite place to retire. House prices are being pushed up beyond the reach of first time buyers. The average age of the villager's is rising and causing concern. Strangways estate and a London based housing company are building six terraced houses in an effort to stem the decline. Each house will cost thirty eight thousand pounds.

During the civil war Abbotsbury was owned by a royalist Sir John Strangways. His son Colonel James Strangways fought the parliamentarian Sir Antony Ashley Cooper in defence of the estate. The battle culminated in the house being blown up with 60 parliamentary troops inside. James' father and brother were captured and imprisoned.