What to do and see in Dorset, England: The Best Art Museums

Artwave West, with its stylish open plan viewing space, specialist museum lighting and crisp uncluttered décor provides a superb place to enjoy looking at and contemplating artworks. The gallery has established itself as one of the principal independent contemporary art venues in the Southwest, by carefully selecting artists and attracting professional practitioners with impressive national and international exhibiting profiles. A number of regular Artwave West artists are frequently nominated for prestigious exhibitions and awards in cultural capitals such as London, New York and Venice. A lively programme of frequently changing exhibitions together with a large stock of additional artwork guarantees there is always something new to view. This year has seen the addition of a teaching Academy next to the gallery where a wide selection of Art Courses take place run by Exhibiting Artists and professional tutors.

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.

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

Private home of extensive travelers Sir Merton Russell-Cotes and his wife Lady Annie was one of the last Victorian manor houses ever built.

TheGallery at the Arts University Bournemouth is a major resource for contemporary art and design in the South of England. Showcasing work by contemporary artists and designers from around the world, our collections also include pieces on loan from major galleries and museums. Many of the exhibitions and artists’ commissions that have been produced have received both national and international recognition.