Discover Dorchester
Welcome to Dorchester, the county town of Dorset and a great place to visit for a staycation weekend or for a day out with the family.
Whether it’s the two hill forts of Maiden Castle and Poundbury; the Roman Town House; our award winning museums, the fantastic Georgian Architecture in the picturesque town centre; Max Gate, the house designed and lived in by Thomas Hardy; HRH King Charles III’s urban extension at Poundbury with its open spaces and interesting shops and eateries; or the modern redevelopment of Brewery Square, the former brewery with its dancing fountains – there is lots for everyone to enjoy.
Dorchester, also known as Thomas Hardy’s Casterbridge or the Roman town of Durnovaria, has some fantastic local restaurants and cafes that celebrate local growers and producers and a great mix of local independent shops and valued national retailers.
Evenings in Dorchester as bustling with live music and events in pubs and bars, performances at our local arts centre and regular screenings at our two local cinemas (Odeon and Plaza).
Dorchester is the perfect base for your Dorset holiday. It’s central location within the County means that you have brilliant access to the whole of the Jurassic Coast in the South, Thomas Hardy’s Wessex and the amazing hillforts and henges in North Dorset and Wiltshire (Stonehenge is only an hour away).
The town boasts two train stations with direct train links to London and Bristol. Dorchester also has a network of electric beryl bikes for hire and is well connected with local bus routes. This makes Dorchester the perfect location for a car free weekend away!
Places to visit in Dorchester
Read our latest blogs
Upcoming events
Christmas at Santos + Co
This festive season, make your Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations truly special at Santos + Co. Whether it’s a cozy gathering with close friends and family or a festive celebration with colleagues, Santos + Co offers the perfect ambiance, delicious food and exceptional service to make your event unforgettable. Our Festive Celebration Menu starts on Friday 21st November. We can cater for groups of all sizes, from intimate dinners to lively parties. Secure your table now to ensure your festive celebration at Santos + Co is nothing short of spectacular.
Thu 18th Dec - All day
and 7 future schedules
VIEW
Great Christmas Pudding Hunt
Wander through the galleries and see how many hidden Christmas Puddings you can spot!
Thu 18th Dec - All day
and 13 future schedules
VIEW
Festive Escape Room – Frostbites: Mishap at Mistletoe Bakery
Run, run as fast as you can! To save Christmas: catch that gingerbread man!
Thu 18th Dec - All day
and 9 future schedules
VIEW
Skating in the Square
Embrace the joy of ice skating at Brewery Square!
Thu 18th Dec - All day
and 16 future schedules
VIEW
Art at Crossroads Cafe
An exhibition and sale of work by Art in Poundbury artists throughout December and January.
Thu 18th Dec - All day
and 38 future schedules
VIEW
Winter Show
Warm your heart as you feast your eyes!
Thu 18th Dec - 10:00am
and 2 future schedules
VIEW
The Fabrics of Protest: A Unite Southwest Banners’ Exhibition
This exhibition brings together a remarkable collection of banners from Unite the Union’s Southwest region.
Thu 18th Dec - 10:00am
and 37 future schedules
VIEW
Christmas Afternoon Tea
Treat yourself to a Christmas Afternoon Tea at Shire Hall Museum in the lead up to Christmas.
Thu 18th Dec - 11:00am
and 4 future schedules
VIEW
Carols in the Gardens
Join us for a free carol concert in Borough Gardens, where you can enjoy live music and sing along to classic Christmas carols.
Thu 18th Dec - 6:30pm
VIEW
Opus Anglicanum: Mediaval Carols
Mediaeval Carols is a favourite Opus Anglicanum programme for over 30 years and has been performed all over the UK.
Thu 18th Dec - 7:00pm
VIEW
Where to stay in Dorchester
Dynamic Dorchester
Dorchester town centre is the ideal location for your business. Here, you will find a wealth of resources, including testimonial videos from thriving local businesses, footfall counter data demonstrating the steady stream of potential customers, and detailed insights into what makes Dorchester a vibrant, welcoming, and profitable environment for enterprises of all kinds.
