Dorchester Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Town

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the heart of the picturesque county of Dorset, Dorchester is a charming town that offers a delightful mix of history, culture, and natural beauty. Steeped in Roman and medieval history, this ancient town has a rich heritage that is waiting to be explored.

One of the main attractions in Dorchester is its historic architecture. The town's focal point is its iconic Town Pump, a beautiful 19th-century fountain that stands proudly in the center of town. Just a short stroll away, you will find the magnificent Dorchester Abbey, a stunning medieval church that is not to be missed. Wander through its ancient halls and be transported back in time.

For history enthusiasts, a visit to the Dorset County Museum is a must. This fascinating museum houses a vast collection of artifacts, including the famous Dorset dinosaur, a fossilized skeleton that dates back millions of years. Learn about the town's Roman past and immerse yourself in the stories of its inhabitants throughout the ages.

Nature lovers will find solace in the tranquil beauty of the surrounding countryside. Take a leisurely walk along the River Frome, or explore the nearby Dorset Downs, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. With rolling hills, scenic trails, and breathtaking views, this is the perfect place to unwind and reconnect with nature.

No visit to Dorchester would be complete without indulging in its culinary delights. From quaint tea rooms serving traditional cream teas to cozy pubs offering hearty local dishes, there is something to satisfy every palate. Sample the famous Dorset apple cake, made with locally sourced apples, or savor a pint of real ale brewed in one of the town's historic breweries.

Alternative names: Population: 20.1 thous.Area: 1.9 mi²Elevation: 240 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 50°42'54"N, 2°26'18"W

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EnglandUnited Kingdom

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Dorchester Top Attractions

Dorchester Attractions - What to See and Explore

Dorchester offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Dorset County Museum, Athelhampton House, Hardy Monument, Thomas Hardy's Cottage. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Museum • History museum • Natural history museum
Dorset County Museum
The Dorset County Museum is located in Dorchester, Dorset, England. Founded in 1846, the museum covers the county of Dorset's history and environment. The current building was built in 1881 on the former site of the George Inn. The building was designed specifically to house the museum's collection and is in the neo-Gothic style.
Museum • Historical place • Garden
Athelhampton House
Athelhampton is a settlement and civil parish in Dorset, England, situated approximately 5 miles east of Dorchester. It consists of a manor house and a former Church of England parish church.
Monuments and statues • Memorial
Hardy Monument
The Hardy Monument is a 72-foot-high monument on the summit of Black Down in Dorset, erected in 1844 by public subscription in memory of Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy, flag captain of Admiral Lord Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar.

Museum • Historical place • History museum
Thomas Hardy's Cottage
Thomas Hardy's Cottage, in Higher Bockhampton, Dorset, is a small cob and thatch building that is the birthplace of the English author Thomas Hardy.
Museum • Military museum
The Keep
The Keep, Dorchester is part of the former county barracks of the 39th Regiment of Foot and the 75th Regiment of Foot. The barracks were built in about 1880 and housed various regiments as units were amalgamated.
Museum • Architecture • Historical place
Max Gate
Max Gate is the former home of Thomas Hardy and is located on the outskirts of Dorchester, Dorset, England. It was designed and built by Thomas Hardy for his own use in 1885 and he lived there until his death in 1928. In 1940 it was bequeathed to the National Trust by Hardy's sister and is now open to the public.
Museum • Specialty museum
Dorset Teddy Bear Museum
The Dorset Teddy Bear Museum is a teddy bear museum in Dorchester, Dorset, southern England. The museum includes Teddy Bear House and displays antique and other teddy bears. Bears on display include Paddington Bear, Rupert Bear, and Winnie the Pooh. The earliest bear dates from 1906 and there are also life-sized bears.
Archaeological site
Maumbury Rings
Maumbury Rings is a Neolithic henge in the south of Dorchester town in Dorset, England. It is a large circular earthwork, 85 metres in diameter, with a single bank and an entrance to the north east.
Monuments and statues
Thomas Hardy Statue
Thomas Hardy Statue is a statue of Thomas Hardy, located at Dorchester, Dorset, England. It was funded by public subscription to commemorate Hardy's life and works, three years after his death.
Park • Georgian architecture
Kingston Maurward House
Kingston Maurward House is a large Grade I listed Georgian English country house set in a 750-acre estate in Dorset situated in the Frome valley two miles east of Dorchester.
Monuments and statues
Dorset Martyrs Memorial
The Dorset Martyrs Memorial is a grade II listed sculpture by Elisabeth Frink in Dorchester, Dorset, England. It was unveiled in 1986 on the site of the gallows where Catholic martyrs were hanged in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Forts and castles
Poundbury Hill
Poundbury Hill is the site of a scheduled Prehistoric and Roman archaeological remains and includes evidence of a Neolithic settlement, a substantial Bronze Age occupation site and an Iron Age hillfort.
City hall
Municipal Buildings
The Municipal Buildings are based on the north side of High East Street in Dorchester, Dorset, England. The structure, which was the headquarters of Dorchester Borough Council, is a Grade II* listed building.
Museum • Science museum • Specialty museum
Dinosaur Museum
The Dinosaur Museum is a museum presenting dinosaurs in Dorchester, the county town of Dorset, in southern England. The Dinosaur Museum is the only museum in mainland Britain dedicated purely to dinosaurs. The museum is not far from the Jurassic Coast to the south, a World Heritage Site.
50°42'46"N • 2°26'29"W
The Borough Gardens
Garden • Park
Historical place • History museum • Museum
Shire Hall
Shire Hall is an 18th-century courthouse in Dorchester, Dorset. The building was the centre of law, order and government, and served as the county hall for Dorset until 1955. It has been Grade I listed since 1950. In 2018, the hall opened as the Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum.
50°42'54"N • 2°26'23"W
The Tutankhamun Exhibition
Museum • Specialty museum • History museum
50°42'56"N • 2°25'58"W
Terracotta Warriors Museum
Museum • Specialty museum
Vernacular architecture
Roman Town House
The Roman Town House in Dorchester is a Roman ruin within Colliton Park, Dorchester, Dorset. Dorset County Council acquired Colliton Park in 1933 as the site for the construction of County Hall.

Day trips

Dorchester – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Dorchester, it's worth seeing attractions such as: The Tank Museum (Bovington Camp), Stourhead, Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve.

8.7 miE
History museum, Military museum, Museum
The Tank Museum, Bovington Camp
Nestled in the heart of Dorset, The Tank Museum in Bovington Camp stands as a formidable archive of armored warfare. This impressive establishment is not just a museum; it is a journey through the history of tanks and their impact on global conflicts.
28 milesN
Scenic walking areas, Garden, History museum
Stourhead
Nestled in the verdant Wiltshire countryside, Stourhead is a stunning example of an 18th-century English landscape garden. This picturesque estate, with its classical architecture and tranquil lake, is often referred to as a living work of art.
44 milesW
Golf
Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve
Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve, located in the United Kingdom, is a site of remarkable natural beauty and biodiversity. This coastal haven stretches across 506 acres, encompassing a variety of habitats including sand dunes, grasslands, ponds, and marshes, which...
9.6 miSE
Natural limestone arch and iconic photo op
Durdle Door, Lulworth
Nestled on the Jurassic Coast near Lulworth in Dorset, United Kingdom, Durdle Door is a striking natural limestone arch that has become an iconic part of the British coastline. This geological wonder, sculpted by the relentless forces of the sea, is part of the...
10 milesS
Sailing, Boat tours, Tours
Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, Isle of Portland
Nestled on the rugged coastline of the Isle of Portland in the United Kingdom, the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy is a premier event venue that has made a name for itself in the world of competitive sailing.