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!
Fri 22nd May - All day during opening hours
and 2 future schedules
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Art at PiPs Café
April, May and June brings new Art to PiPs Café
Fri 22nd May - All day
and 39 future schedules
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Art at Crossroads Café
Local art by local artists at Crossroads Café.
Fri 22nd May - All day
and 9 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.
Fri 22nd May - All day
and 62 future schedules
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Friday Sessions: DJ & Cocktails
Friday Sessions at The King's Arms
Fri 22nd May - 6:00pm
and 31 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.
Sat 23rd May - 10:00am
and 15 future schedules
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Roman Dorchester Tour
Join our trained guides to step back in time and immerse yourself in the historic Roman town of Durnovaria.
Sat 23rd May - 10:30am
and 9 future schedules
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Craftfest – Crafty Cuppa’s 2nd Anniversary Celebration
Join The Crafty Cuppa for its 2nd anniversary CraftFest—a lively day of hands-on crafts, food, and family-friendly fun.
Sat 23rd May - 12:11pm
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Three Missing Chords live
Local acoustic trio playing a mix of popular classics, modern and folk music.
Sat 23rd May - 9:00pm
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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.
