Top Things to do in Dorchester
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10 Things to Do in Dorchester That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Dorchester, United Kingdom (UK) including Sculpture by the Lakes, The Keep Military Museum, Athelhampton House and Gardens, Maiden Castle, Hardy's Cottage, Max Gate, Dorset County Museum, Kingston Maurward Park and Gardens, Hardy's Monument, Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum.
Restaurants in Dorchester
1. Sculpture by the Lakes
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Beautiful 26 acre Sculpture Park & Gardens, with Gallery cafe. Due to deep water NO CHILDREN UNDER 14 years of age and NO DOGS are allowed. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm, hut bookings are from 10am to 4.45pm. Entry is £10 per person. The Gallery Cafe is now open serving tea, coffee, light meals, delicious cakes, cream tea's, ice creams etc., visitors can choose to eat inside, outside (at the newly created Seating area), or take it out into the Sculpture Park using one of the picnic baskets provided, complete with rug. Visitors are able to enjoy the Gallery & Gallery Cafe without entry to the Sculpture Park. Described as one of the most beautiful & unique sculpture parks in the United Kingdom, Sculpture by the Lakes marries the soft beauty of nature's wild river landscape with the more formal presentation of monumental outdoor sculpture. It is that combination of art and landscape that inspires Sculpture by the Lakes.
Reviewed By Humanagement - Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
We were thoroughly inspired and absorbed by the wonderful setting and carefully positioned works of art and quotations etc. Time to reflect is a fitting saying to encapsulate the experience. The cafe did great cakes and drinks and is a lovely place to chat with friends even without entering the park.
Must go back for a shepherd's hut picnic experience on an idyllic summer day.
2. The Keep Military Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 203 reviews
We are a family friendly museum and we attract all ages. We aim to educate, inspire and to honour the sacrifices made by the members of our Regiments. Our displays cover four floors and take you on a 300 year journey through time. Our artifacts have amazing stories to tell, some will surprise you! Don’t forget to visit the roof for panoramic views of Dorchester and the Dorset countryside. The Museum is fully accessible with a lift to every floor (apart from the roof), we encourage people to take photographs – no flash and share their visit to the Museum with us. Due to the nature of our collection only Assistance Dogs are allowed in the building. We have a small car park at the back of the Museum for visitor use. If you are a UK Taxpayer you can Gift Aid your admission and enjoy a free annual museum pass at no extra cost!
Reviewed By Richard M - Builth Wells, United Kingdom
This was an unexpected gem of a museum to visit. Well laid out the the exhibits were in immaculate condition. The journey through the museum was excellent out and the storyboards were a great idea for understanding the exhibits in front of you. The finale was a breathtaking view from the top of the keep over Dorchester.
3. Athelhampton House and Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 581 reviews
This 15th-century house has a peaceful garden dating from 1891.
Reviewed By Mike M - Poole, United Kingdom
Lovely place, from start to finish. Car parking. Excellent tea room / restaurant from Sunday to Thursday inclusive, with small bar attached. Very interesting house with its many small staircases opening into period rooms (Victorian - Jacobean). Take time to wander around the lovely Gardens and the recently restored kitchen garden.
4. Maiden Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 310 reviews
Reviewed By Helen-9999 - Stockton on Tees
Iron Age hill fort. It is huge and really difficult to get your head round how it was built so many years ago with no machinery etc. A truly awe inspiring place. Dog friendly for walks, although covered in sheep, so keep on leads. Could be muddy as just grassy paths, quite a few interesting information boards around.
5. Hardy's Cottage
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 402 reviews
Reviewed By fssutton1 - Ithaca, New York
The main ticket office is about 1/2 mile from the cottage. If you buy your ticket there you have a choice of a walk through a wooded area or a dirt road with houses on it. You can also get your ticket right at the cottage. They have scooters for rent for people with mobility issues at the main ticket center.
The cottage and yard area are a true step back in time. Amazingly preserved. Take time to read the whole brochure in the cottage to get the feel of the period. Also ensure you go into the "barn" and watch the short film that was produced. I think this cottage is a must see for anyone who has the "dream" of experiencing what was like in England in the 1800's. An open fire in the entry of the cottage puts you "there" in time.
6. Max Gate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 223 reviews
Reviewed By glyn l - Fareham, United Kingdom
This is a well cared for house of historic interest and a marked contrast with the disappointment of Elgar's house.Here John has written a very informative booklet which guides you through the house and garden.I was especially struck by the attic which was where Emma , Hardy's wife lived for quite some time.
7. Dorset County Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 367 reviews
Discover 200 million years of Dorset's fascinating history in this beautiful Grade 11 Listed building which is much bigger on the inside than it looks! Collections include fine art, geology, archaeology, literature, the history of the world heritage site Jurassic Coast and natural history. There are evening talks and events, plus children's activities and trails. See the website for details. Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm April to October, closing at 4pm November to March. Open Sundays in school summer holidays. Something for everyone, come rain or shine. We're a self-funding independent museum and registered charity. Money raised from your entry ticket enables us to look after our historic building and Dorset's precious past.
Reviewed By An_Old_Burian - Norwich, United Kingdom
Its good to see that "London" attractions are now "visiting the provinces". Dippy is ideally suited to the room where it is displayed at the Dorset Museum where you can get a good close-up inspection
Overall Ratings
4 based on 203 reviews
Reviewed By Susan B - Hythe, United Kingdom
We visited this animal park today and saw a barn full of sheep with their lambs a few days old.
It had been postponed the previous w/e because of the snow.
We visited the previous year’s lambing w/e which although muddy had been a bigger event with extra barns full of pregnant lambs about to give birth, a bouncey castle and tractor rides around the park.
We were told that staff were not available today and that the farmers were tired after a week of lambing.
There were other animals to see: 2 llamas, chickens, geese, ponies, goats and kids.
You could buy animal feed for 50 p to feed the animals.
We enjoyed the Guinea pig fishing ( cabbage leaves on fishing rods) and the excellent talk on the beautiful Harris Hawk.
The grand daughters also brushed a Shetland pony.
The chickens and roosters had good new wooden chicken hutches and you could enter their field.
There is a small young children’s play area ( which needs a repaint) .
As the weather was chilly we did not visit the RHS garden or the lake.
The area around the reception area looked attractive with plants for sale.
The shop was well stocked and there was a new outside kitchen play area but it was small.
There is a cafe with outside Seating and children’s lunch boxes, baguettes and pies but the conservatory off the shop has only limited spaces for indoor Seating.
( Monday to Friday there is a restaurant as part of the College and student provision and that is good)
We used a discounted entry with Groupon.
The staffing is mainly with the College students and this is the park’s main thrust.
This park could be developed and become more of a money making Enterprise but at present it is a welcoming and gentle intro to animals maybe best for young children.
9. Hardy's Monument
Overall Ratings
4 based on 149 reviews
Reviewed By Alan F - Bournemouth, United Kingdom
The view from Hardy's monument over the coast, hills and barrows of this glorious part of Dorset are not to be missed. It's always more satisfying if you have walked here but by car is fine. Remember to bring your National Trust membership card if you want to climb the monument itself (121 steps!) There are helpful display boards outside.
10. Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 170 reviews
Reviewed By beachbuddy10 - Bridport, United Kingdom
A quirky and quintessentially Dorset attraction, telling a moving story of ordinary men losing everything at the hands of corrupt aristocracy. The tiny, and free museum is housed in one of the Martyr's Cottages and is in Tolpuddle (duh!) not Dorchester as the TA heading suggests. Use DT2 7EH in your SatNav and you'll find it. The place is staffed by volunteers so don't be surprised if the shop shuts early.
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