Discover a Day Out In Dorchester, Dorset
A family day out in Dorchester is an essential for any holiday in Dorset. Anyone that comes will wish they could stay longer because there is so much to do in this vibrant town full experiences. Lots of the things to do are free and the others are very memorable and like nothing else you can do in Dorset.
Dorchester is right in the middle of the county with two train stations and many buses running in and out. This means that, wherever you are based in Dorset, it is easy and quick to get to.
Here is our guide to a fantastic family day out in Dorchester, the county town of Dorset!
Free things to do in Dorchester
Dorchester is a very compact town with lots of open spaces that are fun to play in and explore. Here are some of the great options available (in no particular order!)
- The Great Field Park (pictured) is one of the best play parks in Dorset. It is newly built, huge and has something for all ages. There are towers to climb, obstacle courses, climbing walls, balance beams and more. Plus some of the more traditional park equipment like slides and swings.
- The Roman Town House is the only example of a fully exposed Roman Town House in the country complete with mosaics still in situ
- Borough Gardens is a Victorian Gardens with bandstand, tennis courts, shady trees, clock tower and beautiful planting. It also has another great play park inside with fountains to play in.
- Brewery Square is shopping, eating and leisure quarter in Dorchester. It is a lovely place to wander around, plus they have fountains that you can frolic in after a bite to eat.
- Maumbury Rings Epic Neolithic henge that was modified by the Romans and used as an ampitheatre. Now it is used for summer events such as open air cinema. This is a favourite local spot to have a picnic, play catch and roll down the steep henge sides!
- Maiden Castle often called Britain’s best Iron Age hillfort. Located just outside the town but an easy walk for active families. This is a huge open space with an amazing history and epic views.
- Poundbury Hillfort Another hillfort (Dorchester is famous for them!) This one is slightly older and has incredible views over to Charminster village. You can also see the train go past over the railway bridge and walk down to the river side. There is a lot of biodiversity at this hillfort to spot too!
- Town Walks Talk a river side walk or walk the route of the old Roman town walls using one of our free walking routes.
- Kingston Maurward Animal Park and Gardens – See some super friendly farm animals, play in and soft play barn and roam the beautiful gardens for free
Places worth paying to visit!
- Shire Hall Museum – A Historic Courthouse Museum brings over 200 years of justice and injustice to life
- Dorset Museum – A place to connect with 250 million years of Dorset’s history
- Keep Military Museum -Housing creative displays telling the stories of the regiments of Devon and Dorset who have served the country
- Dorchester Arts – Bringing great performances and creative experiences for all to a variety of venues across town
- Max Gate – The National Trust’s Max Gate is an atmospheric Victorian home designed by Thomas Hardy
- Hardy’s Cottage – The National Trust’s Hardy’s Cottage is an evocative cob and thatch cottage, and the birthplace of Thomas Hardy
- World Heritage Museums – Teddy Bear Museum, Tutankhamun Museum, Terracotta Warriors and Dinosaur Museum
- Plaza Cinema
- Odeon Cinema
- The Great Big Escape – Escape Room perfect for Families with teenagers
Events happening in Dorchester
There is always something going on in Dorchester. Most weekends there is live music in Borough Gardens and on the main shopping street during the summer. Scroll below to see the next events in Dorchester. A list of all events can be found here
Upcoming events
Exhibition: Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Wildlife Photographer of the Year, the world-famous exhibition from the Natural History Museum, is returning to Dorset Museum & Art Gallery!
Tue 15th Oct - All day
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Sensing The Past Community Exhibition
"Sensing the Past" was a collaborative and co-produced project involving The Dorset Blind Association, Dorset Museum & Art Gallery, and Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre.
Tue 15th Oct - All day
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Searching for the Motherland
This emotive photography exhibition at Shire Hall Museum offers an intimate insight into the lives of the Windrush generation, 25 years after their arrival in the UK.
Tue 15th Oct - All day
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Dorchester Literary Festival
Annual Dorchester Literary Festival.
Tue 15th Oct - 2:00pm
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Fused glass workshop
Come and join Vicky as she guides you through the process of making glass tea lights.
Wed 16th Oct - 2:00pm
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“At the Chapel” Pop Up Bakery
Pop along every Thursday for scrumptious baked goodies including their signature traditional breads, croissants, savouries, quiches, doughnuts, cruffins, and fabulous cakes.
Thu 17th Oct - 9:00am
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Quiet Space Club
This quiet session is just for children with sound sensitivity and cope better in a quiet environment. Each session will have a variety of activities available for your child to choose from, from colouring to crafting, even a space to read. This really is a group only for quiet children. I know often children have noise sensitivities but are loud themselves but this really is for children who are able to be quiet so everyone is comfortable. It’s often hard for quiet children to make friends so we hope this will be a wonderful group to help. Jen will be at each session to help with any issues. We don’t allow parents into the workshop itself but in order to not have to fill out lots of forms we do request at least one parent per child/group stays on site in case of an issue. Jen is DBS checked and 1st aid trained
Fri 18th Oct - 4:00pm
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