We were the hometown of internationally famous poet and author, Thomas Hardy. Who was so inspired by the town that it features in many of his novels. Most notably in “Mayor of Casterbridge” in the which the town of Casterbridge is based on Dorchester
We were a Roman town. Dorchester was founded by the Romans around 70D (when it was called Durnovaria).
More Roman mosaics have been found in Dorchester than any other Roman town in Britain.
We have the only example of a fully exposed Roman Town House in the Country
Dorchester has been the county town of Dorset since 1305
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.
In the 18th century Dorchester became known for its brewing industry and at one point in Dorchester’s history it had at least 36 pubs and hotels were you could get a drink! We still have lots of great pubs today
Maumbury Rings is the site of a giant Henge monument constructed at least 4500 years ago. Later the Romans adapted the same site creating an amphitheatre capable of holding 10,000 people. It was then used later as the site for public hangings.
John White from Dorchester was the founder of Massachusetts in United States of America where you will find the Boston neighbourhood of Dorchester.
We have the most listed buildings in any British High Street- there are only 2 building on High East and High West Street that are not listed!
