Love Dorchester Like a Local
The people who live and work in Dorchester love Dorchester and have so many recommendations of places to go and things to do. There is nothing better than getting recommendations from a local when you are planning your trip away so we have done the hard work for you!
Dorchester Tourism Partnership has been working with local photographer Paul Haigh to capture portraits and short videos of local people as part of the “Love Dorchester Like a Local” Project. We hope you like meeting all of the wonderful local people and hearing their recommendations.
Becky at Poundbury Hill Fort
“Dorchester the perfect mix of urban and rural meaning you’re never too far from a great restaurant or a walk in the countryside. Having young children and a dog we really value the town’s green spaces; whether that’s Poundbury Hill Fort, Maumbury Rings, the Great Field, along the Banks of the River Frome or Maiden Castle. I love the open air theatre performances at Maumbury Rings organised by Dorchester Arts. There is something very special about experiencing arts within the setting of a Roman Amphitheatre. Grab a picnic rug, food, wine and your favourite people for the perfect evening.”
Check out Becky’s video here
Tosin at Jubilee Walk and Woods
Tosin moved to Dorchester for work in 2012 and feels that Dorchester is great for bringing up a family. “We love the heritage and the people. As a family we love going for long walks, we love the fresh air and Maiden Castle because of its history. The river walks are also really nice”.
Check out Tosin’s video here.
Mark at Great Western Camping
Mark moved to Dorchester 20 years ago when he took over Great Western Camping. Mark enjoys the sense of community he has experienced in his home and work life in Dorchester.
“With its recent renovation my wife and I really love going to The Kings Arms hotel in Dorchester for drinks or when eating out with friends. We also love walking out to a cafe in Godmanstone, Feed The Soul run by brother and sister, Nick and Alex. The choice of food and great company out there means it’s well worth the walk.”
Check out Mark’s video here.
Mark Recommends
Maisie and Matilda at Shire Hall Museum
Maisie and Matilda are sisters who grew up in Dorchester and like living here. Maisie enjoys lots of things in Dorchester and has lots of recommendations to make to visitors. “I like the interesting touch screens in Dorset Museum, going to the Plaza Cinema, Borough Gardens because it has lots of flowers and Shire Hall Museum to learn about the history”
Matilda is 13 and enjoys hanging out with friends at Maumbury Rings because it is a big open natural place that’s close to home. “I like going to see shows at the Dorchester Arts Centre, they do some particularly good stuff, and visiting the ducks on the river, which I have done since I was tiny.”
Check out Maisie and Matilda’s video here
Flora at The Keep Military Museum
Flora grew up in Dorchester and loves living here because it has such a strong sense of community, particularly volunteer groups like the one at The Keep Military Museum.
Flora’s favourite thing to do in Dorchester is walking around the river and through Fordington because of the beautiful views across the fields. “If you are a visitor to Dorchester I would recommend going to the amazing museums around the town!”
Check out Flora’s video here.
Eva at The Kings Arms
Eva lives in Weymouth but works in Dorchester. She is passionate about the place she works and would recommend visiting The Kings Arms for a drink, coffee, meal or overnight stay when you come to Dorchester.
Check out Eva’s video here
Eva recommends
Callum at Maumbury Rings
Callum is passionate about Dorchester’s rich Roman heritage and runs brilliant Roman tours in the town. “I was born in Dorchester and I have lived in and around Dorchester for my entire life, so I consider myself a modern Durotrigan or Durnovarian. I love being part of a historically important town with so much heritage on every street. I love to visit the Roman Town house. Just imagining the site how it would’ve looked, alive busy and lived in is entertaining.”
Callum would recommend visitors visit the town centre, as there’s so much to see; shops, museums and general sights and things going on.
Check out Callum’s video here.
Eleanor, Virginie and Mark at Maiden Castle
Eleanor is originally from Scotland but moved her with her husband in her 40s. “It has pretty much everything needed for daily life and anything else is just a short train ride/drive away. Beautiful countryside is on our doorstep. My favourite place is Maiden Castle, it is only a short walk from the town. I always feel like I am embracing the elements when I walk around the top and in touch with both the countryside and our history Favourite. There are so many historical lanes and streets in Dorchester to explore and the countryside is beautiful and so convenient.”
Virginie cannot imagine a better place to live than Dorchester. “The countryside is amazing and full of lovely walks, and having the sea so close is perfect. It only takes a few minutes before you are surrounded by nature. I would recommend visiting Maiden Castle and Thorncombe Woods”.
Mark loves living in Dorchester. “It’s a great place you love the countryside and its got very interesting local history. One of my favourite places to go is along the river to Stinsford and Thornecombe Woods for a run. I also like to sit outside a coffee shop and just watch the people and the day go by. Running is a big thing in my life so I enjoy getting out and about for a run especially on the many trails surrounding Dorchester.
Check out their video here.
Nick at The Roman Town House
Nick moved to Dorchester 17 years ago because it has everything he needs! “Restaurants, shops, cinemas, train stations, lots of museums and attractions. It has history in bucket loads and is not far from beaches and countryside walks. Plus the train links are good to Bristol and London if you want or need to venture further afield.”
Nick’s favourite places are the restaurants and the Dorset Museum. “Dorset Museum is always good and has good disabled facilities. The Fridge deli in the Tudor Arcade always has lots of delicious items. But so do so many of the other shops.”
Check out Nick’s video here.
Nick recommends
Amy at Dorset Museum
Amy works at Dorset Museum and would recommend everyone comes to visit. “Dorset Musuem is great place for people of all ages and families to enjoy. I would also recommend Brewery Square, it has a great variety of shops and restaurants”.
Check out Amy’s video here.
Amy recommends
Liam in Poundbury
Liam works in Dorchester and likes to go round Poundbury at the weekend. “Poundbury as it’s a beautiful area with beautiful buildings, and some open space for families. We enjoy sitting outside the Bonjour cafe on our travels as they have great coffee and walking around the Great Field.”
Check out Liam’s video here.
Liam recommends
Brad at Seventh Seal
Brad has grown up in Dorchester and works on Brewery Square at Seventh Seal – a barbers, men’s focused clothing and specialty coffee shop. Since having children Brad couldn’t think of a safer and peaceful place to bring them up. Dorchester is lovely town, full of people from many different walks of life. “I enjoy a catch up with friends at local pubs, The Duchess of Cornwall has become a local for me, nice place to have a few pints and catch up. If you are Dorchester and want to try something different I would recommend Dorch Vibes, lovely little vegan cafe with the most delicious Mac n cheese. Getting out an about in Dorchester is also good, lots of places to visit, tourists attractions like the Shire Hall Museum and Tutankhamen Museum”.
Check out Brad’s video here.
Brad recommends
Bill at Dorchester Market
Bill has his van at the market on Wednesday and Car boot sale on Sunday at Fairfield every week. Bill’s favourite place in Dorchester is the Plaza Cinema and he would recommend visiting the market and car boot sale too!
Check out Bill’s video here.
Sherene on South Street
Sherene has lived in Dorchester for 9 years with her husband and children. Sherene loves the village feel of Dorchester, the friendliness and the community spirit. “It feels like home now, vibrant and full of life and it’s a wonderful town to raise a family!”
Sherene’s favourite places in Dorchester are Brewery Square, the boutiques and coffee shops across town. “I love Shire Hall Museum too. It is informative, different and has lovely cake!”
Check out Sherene’s video here.
Sherene recommends
Gavin at Poundbury
Gavin moved to Dorchester for work and fell in love with the area. “It is a very friendly town with lots of amazing nature surrounding it! Trinity Street is my favourite as it’s full of independent shops and places to eat and drink. I love walking from Dorchester to Fordington for a coffee at Bean on the Green.” Gavin would recommend walking the path along the river Frome towards the Sun inn.
Check out Gavin’s video here.
Gavin recommends
Ray walking The Walks
Ray has lived in Dorchester for 83 years so he has seen it change a lot over time. His favourite thing to do in Dorchester is to go walking. Everyday he does the same lovely route through Salisbury Fields, around the route of the old Roman Walls and through Borough Gardens. Ray has hosted lots of friends from abroad who has enjoyed visiting Dorchester and using it as a base for their Dorset adventure.
Check out Ray’s video here.
Ray Recommends
Paul the Photographer
Meet the man behind the camera, Paul Haigh. Paul was commissioned to take portraits to celebrate what people who live and work in Dorchester love to do here. Paul is a Dorchester resident, professional photographer and Head of Photography at Beaminster School.
He enjoys documenting Dorset’s communities and countryside, telling stories through images and interviews. His favourite places to visit in Dorchester are either Maiden Castle to get some fresh air, and Dorset Museum. “I like to while away looking few hours in the amazing exhibits at Dorset Museum and sit in the best window seat in town”.
View more of Paul’s work here
