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
The Tiny Art House
A recreation of a Dorset artist Clem's home and studio, made by Art in Poundbury.
Sun 19th Jul - All day
and 4 future schedules
VIEW
Treasure! Lost and Found Exhibition
The Treasure! Lost and Found exhibition reveals the stories of objects once treasured, buried for centuries, then rediscovered – celebrating our fascination with uncovering the past.
Sun 19th Jul - All day
and 56 future schedules
VIEW
The Buzzing Dumbledore Trail
Follow the buzz around our galleries and spot the hidden bees – known as 'Dumbledore' in Dorset dialect.
Sun 19th Jul - All day
VIEW
Wear Your Wings With Pride
Beautiful Pride exhibition of hand-crafted wings!
Sun 19th Jul - All day
and 38 future schedules
VIEW
In the footsteps of Hardy’s childhood – National Trust Walk
Starting at the Visitor Centre and finishing at Hardy's Cottage, this walk lasts about 1 hour and includes poetry readings along the way linked to the natural surroundings of the woods and heathland.
Sun 19th Jul - 12:15pm
and 6 future schedules
VIEW
Summer Sessions: Live Music in Borough Gardens presents Damaris & Rick
Covering everything from hits from the eighties to well-known musical classics, Damaris & Rick return to Borough Gardens for an afternoon of toe-tapping tunes and mellow music. Free for all to attend, no booking required.
Sun 19th Jul - 2:00pm
VIEW
Art at Crossroads Crown Square Poundbury
A visit to Crossroads Café is now even more rewarding.
Tue 21st Jul - All day
and 4 future schedules
VIEW
Kids Eat Free at Santos + Co
School Holiday Special. Order any Main Course and get a FREE Kids Meal on us - all school holiday long! All day. All week. From 21st July - 2nd September 2026. Bring the family, enjoy a delicious meal, and let us take care of the rest. *(Age restrictions apply. Only from the kids menu.)
Tue 21st Jul - All day
and 43 future schedules
VIEW
St George’s Summer Dragon Quest
Free Children's Activity
Wed 22nd Jul - All day
and 39 future schedules
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.
