Dorchester Autumn Bucket List

Conker picking

There are lots of places to pick conkers across Dorchester. Check out Salisbury Field, South Walks in the town centre. Plus Woodlands Crescent and Holmead Walk in Poundbury.

Cosy candles

Sweater Weather, Damson & Patchouli, Cosy Season, Fireside, Pumpkin Spice, English Oak & Hazelnut, Blackberry & Bay, Gingerbread & Spiced Orange. These are all the gorgeous autumnal scents made on site at The Rhubarb Candle Company in Poundbury (pictured).

Also, don’t miss House of Pheadra on Antelope Walk. This beautiful shop is the home of Purbeck Candles, an award winning natural candle company. They are natural & eco friendly, using sustainably sourced soy wax instead of petroleum, essential oils and keeping clear of artificial fragrances & colourings.

Autumnal Gardens

Dorchester is surrounded by some beautiful gardens with spectacular autumn colour. Visit Kingston Maurward Animal Park and Gardens (pictured), Athelhampton House and Sculpture by the Lakes.

Shopping for Sweater Weather

Dorchester has lots of gorgeous independent boutiques with irresistible pieces to add to your Autumn wardrobe. Check out Yard in Poundbury (pictured), Loco Loves and Seventh Seal in Brewery Square, Great Western Camping and Goulds in the town centre.

Autumn Walks in Hardy Country

The countryside surrounding Dorchester is a Nationally protected landscape and area of outstanding natural beauty and wonderful place for a crisp autumnal walk. Whether its a walk out to Hardy’s Cottage or Thorncombe Woods, a walk at Hardy’s Monument or even a walk out and round Maiden Castle you can follow a self guided walking trail on our website.

Seasonal Self Care

Self care is important year round. But there is something very lovely about a sauna, steam room and cosy robe in Autumn. Check out the packages at Monart Spa in Poundbury (pictured).

Firework Night

See wonderful fireworks and help raise money for a brilliant local cause with the Annual Dorchester Rugby Club fireworks.

Bulb planting

Getting out in the garden and planting some bulbs is a lovely activity and brings even more joy in the Springtime when they all start to peep through the soil. Pick up some bulbs now at Poundbury Garden Centre and The Potting Shed

Dorchester Literary Festival

Dorchester Literary Festival have some incredible speakers this year. Whether you’re interested in fiction, crime, science, history, politics, the natural world, health, music, walking, biography or cosy crime, there will be plenty to tempt you this October.

Hot chocolates by the fire

The are so many cosy cafes in Dorchester to escape any Autumn downpours and enjoy a coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Potters Cafe on Durgate Street has a lovely roaring fire in Autumn. See a full list of cafes here.

Pumpkin Picking

There are some lovely farms just outside Dorchester that have created wonderful pumpkin picking experiences including Dewflock Farm.

Curl up with a book

Dorchester has a new independent book shop Teasel and Skylark with lots of works by local authors such as Thomas Hardy. They also specialise in inspiring educational books for children that can help your little ones learn more about the season and the wildlife they might encounter at this magical time of year.

Watch the leaves change

Dorchester’s town centre is surrounded by beautiful tree lined boulevards that mark the route of the old Roman boundary of Durnovaria. They are know as The Walks and are a lovely way to navigate the town and watch the colours of the leaves change and fall.

Athelhampton Tudor Week

Step back in time to 1580, and meet the Martyn family of Athelhampton, as our living history specialists take on the characters of the 16th-century Martyn family of Athelhampton Hall

All levels of society from gentlefolk to servants will be around the house and gardens to talk with and learn from. Activities throughout the day range from trying Tudor food, dancing, and clothing; to writing with a quill or kicking a Tudor football. Come and see demonstrations of how a whole host of crafts were done in the 16th Century, and maybe have a go at a few!

Be prepared to spend the whole day in the house and gardens; in this fully interactive event, you are more than just a visitor – you will be able to spend a day as part of the Tudor community.

Please check the Athelhampton website for up to date opening times and admission prices.

Sunday Roasts

Perfect after a long walk and an essential for an Autumnal weekend. There are some cracking places for a Sunday roast in Dorchester including The King’s Arms, The Sun Inn, The Duchess of Cornwall Inn, The Trumpet Major and The Poet Laureate