Dorchester Hotels

History and culture

To get a real feel for Dorchester and to learn about the history of the town, a visit to Dorset County Museum is a must. Permanent collections cover everything from archaeology and geology to social history and fine art.

Dorchester's Dinosaur Museum is the only museum in mainland Britain that's dedicated to the prehistoric creatures, while The Tutankhamun Exhibition offers an insight into one of the world's greatest discoveries of ancient treasure. Another fascinating option is the Terracotta Warriors Museum, the only museum outside of China that is dedicated to these incredible statues.

Nearby attractions

Visitors to Dorchester have a fantastic array of attractions to see, with something to appeal to all ages. Youngsters will love The Teddy Bear Museum, along with Fantasy Island Fun Park and Abbotsbury Children's Farm, which are both a few minutes to the south of the town in Weymouth.

Athelhampton House and Gardens to the north-east of Dorchester is a 15th-century manor house where you'll find magnificent works of art and beautiful walled gardens to admire. Just over a mile away is the Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum, which tells the story of how a group of farm workers in 1834 showed that even ordinary working people could defeat injustice by standing together.

English novelist and poet Thomas Hardy, author of Jude the Obscure and Far from the Madding Crowd, was born just a few miles from Dorchester. A statue of the man stands in a prominent position in the town and you can visit Hardy's Cottage, where he was born, in the village of Higher Bockhampton.

Shopping

With more than 400 shops and businesses in Dorchester, the town is a thriving retail centre with something for everyone. Chain and speciality shops, department stores and independent traders can all be found here. Dorchester market, with its varied and colourful stalls, runs each Wednesday. A car boot sale is held in the town on Sundays.