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The 10 Best History Museums in Dorset, England
Discover the best top things to do in Dorset, United Kingdom including The Tank Museum, Castletown D-Day Centre, Ancient Technology Centre, West Bay Discovery Centre, Poole Museum and Scaplen's Court Museum and Herb Garden, Dorset County Museum, Red House Museum & Gardens, Bridport Museum, Sturminster Newton Mill, Royal Signals Museum.
Restaurants in Dorset
1. The Tank Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,570 reviews
The Tank Museum brings history to life, with the world’s best collection of tanks and explosive live displays. Our exhibitions tell the story of armoured warfare spanning over 100 years of history. Exploring ten powerful exhibitions, you will come face to face with almost 300 armoured vehicles. This unique collection includes the world’s first ever tank, the feared German Tiger and the modern Challenger 2. There are special events going on throughout the year at The Tank Museum including TANKFEST, Tiger Day and the Vintage Christmas Festival and Craft Fayre, as well as special activity programmes during the School Holiday.
Reviewed By RodneyAtwood - Shaftesbury, United Kingdom
My seven-year-old grandson and I visited together. He is an enthusiast for tanks of all sizes. I served in the RTR in the 1970s. This was our fourth visit together, but the pleasure of seeing the displays and the eagerness of getting to the museum have not lessened. We are a bit disappointed the Tiger display is being dispersed, but appreciate you have to introduce new ideas. We enjoy seeing the scale models and the semi-Lego, although grandpa whose pocket is not bottomless sees this as an advertisement for your shop. The layout of the museum, the great variety of tanks on display, the information boards, the background history, the helpful guides -- all make this an unsurpassed museum experience for both grandson and grandfather. Even our enthusiasm for toy soldiers can be indulged. We look forward further visits with our year entry, another good feature.
2. Castletown D-Day Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 354 reviews
The Castletown D-Day Centre is a family friendly, interactive WWII museum that tells the story of the thousands of US military personnel who in June 1944 sailed from Dorset to the beaches of Normandy.
Reviewed By FamilyManWessex
A great WW2 museum where you are invited to touch guns and sit in and on the vehicles including a jeep, motorbike and sidecar troop carriers anti-aircraft gun and Sherman tank. Really friendly and helpful staff. A great family experience for our children aged between 5 and 15.
3. Ancient Technology Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By tahita - Fordingbridge, United Kingdom
There are lots of events held here including music evenings and story telling in the big halls which have been built out of wood, straw and brush along the old ways. During the day time there are often activities for school groups to learn ancient crafts and history. This is a little gem with something for everyone. Some of the events have food and drink available.
4. West Bay Discovery Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 33 reviews
A treasure trove of information about West Bay in a beautifully restored Methodist Chapel on the beach. There is something to interest all ages and the interactive activities are particularly popular with families. A fun way to learn about the Jurassic coast, forces of nature, shipbuilding, tourism, local industry, trails and walks and information about the filming of Broadchurch. We have a range of visitor information and a small gift shop that includes quality local products. We are operated by a local charity and mainly run by volunteers, admission is free but donations are invited to help with our running costs. PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE/FACEBOOK FOR WINTER OPENING HOURS
Reviewed By Noo473
Visited here this morning for the first time and was very impressed by everything in there. Although only a small building, it is well set out and full of interesting artefacts, pieces of local history and wonderful old photographs all creating a snapshot of West Bay and it’s past. It brought back memories of monthly visits made, as children, to visit a Great-Aunt who lived in The Old Shipyard. Very friendly and approachable staff which all added to the ambience. Thank you very much; have already recommended it to friends!
5. Poole Museum and Scaplen's Court Museum and Herb Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 354 reviews
At Poole Museum discover the colourful history of this ancient port town and its people, and learn about the amazing environment of Poole Harbour, on four floors of art, archaeology and social history. The recently extended and re-displayed museum (all year, except Mons in Winter)has a terrace with stunning harbour views, and activities for all. Medieval Scaplen's Court Museum is open Aug and its tranquil herb garden May - Sept afternoons. ALL FREE.
Reviewed By 851LauraG - Hastings, United Kingdom
Very interesting visit to this museum on a rainy day. Entry is free but donations are welcome - they even have a nifty contactless donation point. It was a very rainy day in the town and this offered shelter and some lovely displays on local life, from home life to industry, trade, and wildlife. Some lovely interactive displays, including a pirate story and the magnetic tiles.
6. Dorset County Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 428 reviews
Dorset County Museum closed in October 2018 for a two-year multi-million pound redevelopment. Complete with new galleries, a learning centre, collections storage, a library and visitor facilities the new Museum will become a cultural destination at the he The Museum is continuing to inspire, educate and entertain all generations on its county-wide tour exhibiting in towns and at events across Dorset. Dorset County Museum Offices The Old Warehouse 31a Durngate Street Dorchester Dorset DT1 1JP Open: Monday to Friday, 10am - 4pm
7. Red House Museum & Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 140 reviews
A former Georgian workhouse, the Red House is now a museum exploring the story of Christchurch from before the Ice Age to modern times. Find out about the town’s ancient past with our displays about Saxon princes and Iron Age dwellers at Hengistbury Head, then take a glimpse at life in the 19th century in our Victorian bygone gallery. In our family area, you’ll find hands-on activities and dressing-up costumes, as well as quizzes and spotter trails. There are plenty of corners to escape to at the museum, including our charming herb garden and south garden, which holds unexpected dinosaur surprises. The Red House has a charming shop with a wide selection of gifts to browse or buy and the café is the perfect setting for a bite to eat or something to drink, inside or out. Throughout the year, we also run a programme of fun, family-friendly events.
Reviewed By Mike1717 - Christchurch, United Kingdom
Free to enter, this is a lovely place to visit. It’s building is big, in mellow red brick, and in the past has been a workhouse and a fusee factory. A fusee is a small chain used in clock and watchmaking. There is an eclectic mix of exhibits, ranging from the prehistoric to ictorian times. There is a small shop. An exhibition room attracts varying displays of art, photography and crafts. The garden is small, but beautifully maintained by volunteers. An hour will allow you to see everything, after which, cross the road to the exquisite priory church, the longest in England, and then stroll the 200 metres to the town High Street.
8. Bridport Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 118 reviews
Reviewed By andrewtB695HG - Rugby, United Kingdom
This week we've loved the Tuesday and Thursday walking tours. John and Mike were both excellent hosts delivering a wealth of fascinating details, without being overwhelming, always engaging, and providing a diverse history of this cheek by jowl town. Great stuff, well done. ????????
9. Sturminster Newton Mill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 92 reviews
Sturminster Newton Mill is one of the few remaining working mills on the Stour. Visitors can tour the Mill on their own or, at no extra cost, choose a guided tour by the miller who will explain the history of the Mill, the machinery and how it works.
Reviewed By matthH1659YD - Sturminster Newton, United Kingdom
Enjoyed some quiet reflection down at Sturminster Newtown mill.. lovely place to just sit and watch nature do its thing.. also great for dog walkers/ramblers with a ample carpark and toilet facilities. Ideal to meet with friends and relax in the picnic area
10. Royal Signals Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 164 reviews
Nestled in beautiful countryside, this modern museum traces the history of the British Army’s Royal Corps of Signals and the story of battlefield communications from the telegraph to cyber warfare and satellites! Learn about this fascinating subject through excellent interactive displays: guide a laser beam, "direction find" the enemy, set up satellite networks, learn about encryption, practice Morse code and more! Adults must bring photo ID as we are located in a military camp. Open 10-5 weekdays and 10-4 at weekends. Adults please bring Photo ID.
Reviewed By rojan76 - Biddulph, United Kingdom
An excellent museum giving a fascinating insight into the development of communications with a military role. In addition to the historical artefacts, there is a lot of ‘hands on’ exhibits that might appeal to a younger visitor. Personally I had never realised the role the signals Corp played in the Cold War.
