Broadstone is notable for its large recreation fields and heathland park, as well as an annual Christmas parade and lights.

Rapid expansion of the town has since occurred, with the development of the Pine Springs housing estate and the opening of additional schools to cope with the increase in population.

Legend has it that a number of "broad stones" were laid across a local stream to enable people to cross over without wetting their feet.

The Victorian era biologist, naturalist and philosopher Alfred Russel Wallace, who independently proposed the same evolutionary theory as Charles Darwin, lived in Broadstone during the last few years of his life.

Annette Brooke, a Liberal Democrat MP for Mid-Dorset and North Poole from 2001 to 2015, currently resides in Broadstone.

Bryan Telfer, a commodore in the Royal Navy and veteran of the Falklands War is buried in Broadstone Cemetery.

Broadstone is in the Mid Dorset and North Poole parliamentary constituency for elections to the House of Commons.