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
People Watching
Explore over a hundred years of British portraiture with The Ingram Collection and Dorset Museum & Art Gallery.
Mon 13th Apr - All day
and 27 future schedules
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Art at PiPs Café
April, May and June brings new Art to PiPs Café
Mon 13th Apr - All day
and 78 future schedules
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Art at Crossroads Café
Local art by local artists at Crossroads Café.
Mon 13th Apr - All day
and 48 future schedules
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Art at the Duchess with Magda Malek
Contemporary semi-abstract seascape artist whose work explores the shifting moods and textures of the ocean.
Mon 13th Apr - All day
and 13 future schedules
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Spellbound At Kingston Maurward: The Great Dragon Egg Quest
A magical Easter adventure awaits at Kingston Maurward
Mon 13th Apr - All day
and 13 future schedules
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Visible Women Photographic Exhibition
Photographer Lucy Sewill's Visible Women project showcases portraits of acclaimed women in the acting and entertainment industry including Juliet Stevenson, Dame Harriet Walter, and Dame Meera Syal, demanding greater equality and authentic representation for women. The collection will be on display in Dorset Museum & Art Gallery’s Alice Ellen Cooper Dean Community Space from 7 March to 28 April.
Mon 13th Apr - All day
and 15 future schedules
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Love Poundbury “through your lens”
Photography competition enabling you to capture the spirit of Poundbury through your lens.
Mon 13th Apr - All day
and 13 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 13th Apr - 10:00am
and 8 future schedules
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Machine Sewing workshop – Patchwork Tote bag
Make your own patchwork tote bag
Mon 13th Apr - 10:00am
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Tor Eigeland: 60 Years Behind the Lens
This exhibition brings together a small collection of Tor's most notable images, capturing some of the pivotal moments and globally significant events of the 20th century through his keen eye and unerring ability to be in the right place at the right time.
Tue 14th Apr - 10am to 4pm
and 37 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.
