Gillingham (Dorset) vs Sherborne
Which is better to live in? Distance: 12.2 miles apart.
The verdict
Property in Gillingham (dorset) is about 17% cheaper on average. Sherborne has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Sherborne edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Gillingham (Dorset)
£349,487
Sherborne
£421,772
Crime Rate
Gillingham (Dorset)
29.2
Sherborne
21.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Gillingham (Dorset)
66.7%
Sherborne
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Gillingham (Dorset)
404.2
Sherborne
341.1
EPC Rating
Gillingham (Dorset)
68.3
Sherborne
68.4
Median Income
Gillingham (Dorset)
£29,709
Sherborne
£28,987
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestThe average house price in Gillingham (dorset) is £349,487, which is 17% less than Sherborne at £421,772. The most affordable entry point in Gillingham (dorset) is a flat at £144,339, while in Sherborne it is a flat at £205,019.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 30% pricier in Sherborne (£205,019 vs £144,339).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Sherborne prices grew faster — 44% vs 31%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestCrime is lower in Sherborne (21.5 per 1,000) compared to Gillingham (dorset) (29.2 per 1,000), a 36% difference. The most common crime category in Gillingham (dorset) is violent-crime, while in Sherborne it is anti-social-behaviour.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Gillingham (dorset)'s most common crime is violent crime; in Sherborne it's anti-social behaviour.
Schools & Education
Best for schools in South WestSherborne has 100% of schools in the top two inspection bands, compared to 66.7% in Gillingham (dorset). Gillingham (dorset) has 4 schools in total, while Sherborne has 3.
Gillingham (Dorset) School Inspection Breakdown
66.7% of 4 schools (3 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Sherborne School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 3 schools (2 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Gillingham (Dorset) | Sherborne |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 4 | 3 |
| Primary | 3 | 2 |
| Secondary | 1 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 66.7% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Gillingham (dorset) offers faster average downloads at 404.2 Mbps, compared to 341.1 Mbps in Sherborne. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 93.5% of premises in Gillingham (dorset) and 93.2% in Sherborne. Gigabit availability stands at 78.1% in Gillingham (dorset) and 63.1% in Sherborne.
Gillingham (dorset) is the faster of the two by 18% on average download speed (404 vs 341 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Homes in Sherborne are more energy-efficient on average, with an EPC score of 68.4 (band C) versus 68.3 (band C) in Gillingham (dorset). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,375 in Gillingham (dorset) and £1,366 in Sherborne. 56% of homes in Gillingham (dorset) have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 57.5% in Sherborne.
Sherborne has more energy-efficient housing — 57.5% reach band C or above, vs 56% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,709 in Gillingham (dorset) and £28,987.4 in Sherborne. The median age is 51.1 in Gillingham (dorset) and 48.1 in Sherborne. Employment rates stand at 52.1% in Gillingham (dorset) and 55.8% in Sherborne. Owner-occupancy is 70.4% in Gillingham (dorset) versus 68.1% in Sherborne.
| Indicator | Gillingham (Dorset) | Sherborne |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,009 | 10,359 |
| Median Age | 51.1 | 48.1 |
| Median Household Income | £29,709 | £28,987.4 |
| Employment Rate | 52.1% | 55.8% |
| Owner Occupied | 70.4% | 68.1% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 31.5% | 30.7% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Gillingham (dorset) and Sherborne?
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Is Gillingham (dorset) or Sherborne safer?
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