Gillingham Outer, Bourton & Motcombe

Gillingham Outer, Bourton & Motcombe is a primarily rural area on the northeastern edge of Dorset, bordering Wiltshire and Somerset. Its landscape is characterised by rolling farmland, small woodlands, and the meandering course of the River Stour, which flows through the parish. The settlement pattern is one of dispersed hamlets and farmsteads, with the historic village of Bourton forming a central point. The area's economy has long been connected to agriculture and the management of the surrounding countryside.

A notable feature is the presence of the Gillingham Gap, a distinct topographic break in the chalk hills that has historically served as an important transport route. This geographical fact is underscored by the modern presence of the main railway line to Exeter and the A303 road. The area maintains a quiet, agricultural character, with much of the land given over to dairy and arable farming, set within a patchwork of hedgerows and narrow lanes.