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See & Do

Dorchester's rich history means there are lots of things to do here. We have hillforts, henges, an amphitheatre, Roman walls, a Roman town house complete with mosaics and a six brilliant museums! Plus, we forgot to mention all of our play parks, river walks and town trails. It is impossible for anyone, of any age, to be bored in Dorchester.

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Roman Dorchester

We have pulled together some suggested itineraries and more detailed information about how to make the most of your visit to Dorchester. Click on the link to be inspired.

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Eat & Drink

Dorchester has a brilliant range of independent and nationally established places to eat and drink at any time of day.
Many of them utilise and celebrate the wonderful food and drink produced in the local area.
Dorchester has an amazing brewing history and we are fortunate to have a few local micro breweries and distilleries in the town.

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Shopping

Dorchester has a variety of different shopping areas. All of them have a great balance of national favourites and independent shops. Homewares, gifts, clothing, shoes, toys, essentials, refills and more can all be found in our vibrant county town.

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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

Brewery Square, is a vibrant new quarter that has been created in the heart of the historic county town and transformed the old brewery site as a premier shopping and leisure destination.

EAT & DRINK

SEE & DO

Brewery Square

Brewery Square

Come and explore 250 million years of history at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery!

SEE & DO

250 million years of natural history at Dorset Museum

Dorset Museum & Art Gallery

Even wet weather cannot detract from the beautiful grounds and lake at Kingston Maurward Gardens and Animal Park.

SEE & DO

Kingston Maurward

Kingston Maurward Animal Park & Gardens

Maiden Castle, just two miles south of Dorchester town centre, is the largest Iron Age hill fort in Britain and, by some definitions, the largest in Europe.

SEE & DO

maiden castle

Maiden Castle

Maumbury Rings is a Neolithic henge - it is a large circular earthwork, 85 metres in diameter, with a single bank and an entrance to the north east. It was modified during the Roman period when it was adapted for use as an amphitheatre.

SEE & DO

Maumbury Rings

Maumbury Rings

Poundbury is an urban extension to the Dorset county town of Dorchester, according to principles of architecture and urban planning as advocated by King Charles III.

SEE & DO

VISITOR INFORMATION

Poundbury Queen Mother Square

Poundbury

Poundbury Hill Fort is a Middle Bronze Age hill fort. Roughly rectangular, it is likely that the hill fort was situated at the top of Poundbury Hill for strategic reasons, as it commands views over the River Frome and the Frome Valley.

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Becky at Poundbury Hill fort

Poundbury Hill Fort

Shire Hall Museum brings over 200 years of justice and injustice to life.

SEE & DO

Shire Hall courtroom © Folio Creative

Shire Hall Museum

The Great Big Escape is an escape room venue, one where you and your team will put your skills to the test to solve riddles, puzzles, and much more.

SEE & DO

SHOPPING

The Great Big Escape

The Great Big Escape

New park on The Great Field in Poundbury

SEE & DO

Great Field Play Park

The Great Park on The Great Field

Read our latest blogs

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Upcoming events

Fingerpost Walking Festival

Dorchester Walking Festival

Experience the beauty of Dorchester and the Jurassic Coast at the Dorchester Walking Festival, 10 – 18th May 2025.

Wed 14th May - All day
and 4 future schedules

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Where to stay in Dorchester

Welcome to award-winning Greenwood Grange, a collection of 17 luxury stone-built self-catering holiday cottages deep into Hardy Country near Dorchester in Dorset.

STAY

Greenwood Grange

Greenwood Grange

Ideally located in the heart of the historic market town of Dorchester this hotel is conveniently situated for visits to Maiden Castle, Monkey World and The Tutankhamun Exhibition.

STAY

Premier Inn Dorchester

Premier Inn

A magnificent Dorset coaching inn in the heart of Poundbury.

EAT & DRINK

STAY

The Duchess of Cornwall Inn

The Duchess of Cornwall Inn

The Kings Arms Hotel has a beautifully renovated restaurant, bar and rooms offer a stylish and decadent experience in the heart of Dorchester.

EAT & DRINK

STAY

Kings Arms

The King’s Arms

Affordable hotel in the heart of Dorchester. No hotel fluff, just the good stuff.

STAY

Sleeping Bear

The Sleeping Bear Hotel

Just two miles from Dorchester in Dorset, Yalbury Cottage is set in the hamlet of Lower Bockhampton – the heart of Thomas Hardy’s Wessex

STAY

Yalbury Cottage garden

Yalbury Cottage

Visiting Dorchester?

Dorchester is a compact Market town, nowhere is more than a 20 minute or so walk from the town centre. It’s easy to get in a sustainable way too. There are direct train services from Bristol, Bath, London, Southampton, Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth. We are part of the Sustrans National Cycle Network, well connected by bus and we have lots of electric car charging facilities dotted about the town as well.

YOUR VISIT
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Train

Dorchester has two train stations meaning we are well connected for visitors from across the country. London to Dorchester takes less than three hours and Bournemouth to Dorchester takes less than an hour!

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Bike

There are lots of cycle parking points to lock your bike up around the town and it is well connected to the Sustrans National Cycle network.

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Bus

We have a regular bus service to local major towns including Bridport, Weymouth and Blandford.

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Car

There are lots of car parks dotted around and lots of e-car charging points too.

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