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
Upcoming events
Art at the Duchess with Lisa Embury
Lisa Embury with her passion for abstract art, mixed media, colours and mark marking!
Sun 24th May - All day during opening hours
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Art at PiPs Café
April, May and June brings new Art to PiPs Café
Sun 24th May - All day
and 37 future schedules
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Art at Crossroads Café
Local art by local artists at Crossroads Café.
Sun 24th May - All day
and 7 future schedules
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The Tiny Art House
A recreation of a Dorset artist Clem's home and studio, made by Art in Poundbury.
Sun 24th May - All day
and 60 future schedules
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The Dorchester Artisan Market
Dorset Artisan Markets are bringing a fabulous collection of over 200 artisan traders to the streets of Dorchester!
Sun 24th May - 10:00am
and 5 future schedules
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Dorset Art Weeks
Dorset Art Weeks at The Duchess of Cornwall Inn will feature three artists from Dorset ; Laura Cheeseman, Robert Forbes and John Whitchurch.
Sun 24th May - 10:00am
and 14 future schedules
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Chalk the Walk
Celebrate the beginning of Dorset Art Weeks with a morning of fun and creativity!
Sun 24th May - 10:00am
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Hardy’s Dorchester Tour
Step into the world of Thomas Hardy on this immersive and inspiring guided tour of Dorchester. Discover how the real streets, buildings, and landscapes of Dorset were transformed into the powerful setting of 'Casterbridge'.
Sun 24th May - 10:30am
and 2 future schedules
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Knit and Natter
Bring your knitting, crochet, sewing or any crafty project and join us for a relaxed morning of stitches and chat!
Mon 25th May - 10:00am
and 2 future schedules
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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.
