Although best known for its association with English novelist and poet Thomas Hardy, this quaint market town has a rich history dating back to the Iron Age.
The area also has Roman heritage, which can be observed at the County Museum and Roman Townhouse.
Dorchester is also home to rows of elegant Georgian-era houses, cobbled streets, and a busy shopping district, offering plenty for visitors to see and do.
If you’re looking for a breath of fresh air, head to the beach at Lyme Regis for a walk along the beautiful coastline or make your way over to the Maumbury Rings Henge for a picnic in the sun.
Want to know more? Keep reading for a comprehensive list of attractions and activities below!
The 38 Most Popular Things To Do In Dorchester, England
38. Black Down, Dorset
4.0 ★★★★☆ (1 review)
Credit: Memorialman, License, Wikimedia commons
37. Dorset Collection of Clocks
3.0 ★★★☆☆ (1 review)
Credit: Chris Talbot, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: The Millhouse 33 Moreton Rd. Owermoigne Dorchester
Tel: 1305-852220
Web Address: http://millhousecider.co.uk/
36. Black Head
5.0 ★★★★★ (2 reviews)
35. Waterston Manor
5.0 ★★★★★ (4 reviews)
Location: Puddletown Dorchester
34. Poundbury Hillfort
5.0 ★★★★★ (5 reviews)
Credit: Jim Champion, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Dorchester
Web Address: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1013337
33. Thomas Hardy Explorer
3.8 ★★★★☆ (6 reviews)
Credit: Sam Edwards, Google Maps
Location: 9 Orchard Street Dorchester
Tel: 7773-286197
Web Address: http://thomas-hardy-explorer.co.uk/
32. Thomas Hardy Statue
4.2 ★★★★☆ (9 reviews)
Credit: John Firth, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Dorchester
Web Address: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1110575
31. Little Waddon Vineyard
5.0 ★★★★★ (10 reviews)
Credit: Little Waddon Vineyard, Google Maps
Location: Winter’s Ln Waddon Weymouth
Tel: 7890-478634
Web Address: https://littlewaddonvineyard.co.uk/
30. St Peter’s Church
4.3 ★★★★☆ (16 reviews)
Credit: Jim, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 26 High E Street Dorchester
Tel: 1305-250719
29. Dorchester Art Gallery
4.7 ★★★★★ (17 reviews)
Location: 11 Pope Street Dorchester
Tel: 1305-267061
28. Hell Stone Dolmen
4.6 ★★★★★ (19 reviews)
Credit: darren cole, Google Maps
Location: Portesham Weymouth
27. Woodsford Castle
4.6 ★★★★★ (22 reviews)
Credit: Ben Bartram, Google Maps
Location: Woodsford Dorchester
Tel: 1628-825920
Web Address: http://landmarktrust.org.uk/
26. The Nine Stones
4.3 ★★★★☆ (25 reviews)
Location: A35 Dorchester
Tel: 370-333-1181
Web Address: http://english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/the-nine-stones/
25. Dorset Sunflower Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ (26 reviews)
Credit: Dorset Sunflower Trail, Google Maps
Location: Maiden Castle Road Dorchester
Tel: 7855-457522
Web Address: http://maidencastlefarm.co.uk/
24. Pallington Lakes
4.9 ★★★★★ (35 reviews)
Credit: André Hanemaaijer, Google Maps
23. Mill House Cider Museum
4.5 ★★★★★ (40 reviews)
Location: The Millhouse 33 Moreton Rd. Owermoigne Dorchester
Tel: 1305-852220
Web Address: https://millhousecider.com/
22. Thorncombe Wood Local Nature Reserve
4.7 ★★★★★ (41 reviews)
Credit: Thorncombe Wood Local Nature Reserve, Google Maps
Location: Thorncombe Wood Dorchester
Tel: 1305-251228
Web Address: https://dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/countryside-coast-parks/country-parks-and-visitor-centres/hardys-birthplace-visitor-centre/thorncombe-wood-local-nature-reserve.aspx
21. Terracotta Warrior Museum
3.4 ★★★☆☆ (51 reviews)
Credit: Elliott Brown, License, Flickr
Location: 10 Salisbury Street Dorchester
Tel: 1305-266040
Web Address: http://terracottawarriors.co.uk/
20. Jurassic Safari
4.7 ★★★★★ (65 reviews)
Credit: lorraine fegan, Google Maps
Location: Park Farm Wanchard Ln Charminster Dorchester
Tel: 7872-471973
Web Address: http://jurassicsafari.co.uk/
19. Shire Hall Museum
4.6 ★★★★★ (191 reviews)
Credit: Elliott Brown, License, Flickr
Location: High W Street Dorchester
Tel: 1305-261849
Web Address: http://shirehalldorset.org/
18. Osmington White Horse
4.4 ★★★★☆ (205 reviews)
Credit: Spixey, License, Flickr
Location: Weymouth
Web Address: http://osmingtonwhitehorse.info/
17. Dorset Snowsports Centre
4.6 ★★★★★ (223 reviews)
Credit: Dorset Snowsports Centre, Google Maps
Location: Warmwell Holiday Park 130 Warmwell Road Dorchester
Web Address: https://facebook.com/Warmwellsnowsportscentre
16. The Great Field Poundbury
4.5 ★★★★★ (269 reviews)
Location: 1 Peverell Ave E Poundbury Dorchester
15. Xtreme Falconry at Dorset Falconry Park
4.9 ★★★★★ (298 reviews)
Credit: Dorset Falconry Park, Google Maps
Location: Lewell Mill Lane Lewell Dorchester
Tel: 1305-250710
Web Address: http://dorsetfalconrypark.co.uk/
14. National Trust – Hardy Monument
4.5 ★★★★★ (406 reviews)
Location: Black Down
Tel: 1297-489481
Web Address: http://nationaltrust.org.uk/hardy-monument/
13. National Trust – Hardy’s Cottage
4.6 ★★★★★ (601 reviews)
Credit: Darren Gilbert, Google Maps
Location: Cuckoo Ln Dorchester
Tel: 1305-262366
Web Address: http://nationaltrust.org.uk/hardys-cottage/
12. Athelhampton House & Gardens
4.6 ★★★★★ (710 reviews)
Credit: Athelhampton House & Gardens, Google Maps
Location: Athelhampton Road Puddletown Dorchester
Tel: 1305-848363
Web Address: https://athelhampton.com/
11. Kingston Maurward Animal Park and Gardens
4.5 ★★★★★ (1,072 reviews)
Credit: stephen allen, Google Maps
Location: Kingston Maurward Dorchester
Tel: 1305-215000
Web Address: http://kmc.ac.uk/gardens/
10. Dorset AONB
4.6 ★★★★★ (6,479 reviews)
Location: Dorset AONB Partnership Dorchester
Tel: 1305-228246
Web Address: http://dorsetaonb.org.uk/
Our Top picks
9. Roman Town House entrance
4.4 ★★★★☆ (155 reviews)
Credit: Elliott Brown, License, Flickr
Location: County Hall Colliton Pk Dorchester
Web Address: https://dorsetmuseum.org/romantownhouse/
8. Dorset Teddy Bear Museum
3.8 ★★★★☆ (212 reviews)
Credit: Elliott Brown, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Salisbury Street Dorchester
Tel: 1305-266040
Web Address: https://teddybearmuseum.co.uk/
7. Maumbury Rings Roman Amphitheatre
4.5 ★★★★★ (243 reviews)
Credit: user:Thryduulf, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Weymouth Ave Dorchester
Web Address: https://discoverdorchester.co.uk/place/maumbury-rings/
6. The Keep Military Museum
4.8 ★★★★★ (338 reviews)
Credit: Jim, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Bridport Road Dorchester
Tel: 1305-264066
Web Address: http://keepmilitarymuseum.org/
5. The Tutankhamun Exhibitio3.9 n
★★★★☆ (419 reviews)
Credit: Jim Linwood, License, Flickr
Location: 25 High W Street Dorchester
Tel: 1305-269571
Web Address: http://tutankhamun-exhibition.co.uk/
4. National Trust – Max Gate
4.6 ★★★★★ (523 reviews)
Credit: Trevor Smith, Google Maps
Location: Alington Ave Dorchester
Tel: 1305-262538
Web Address: http://nationaltrust.org.uk/max-gate/
3. Maiden Castle
4.6 ★★★★★ (736 reviews)
Photograph, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Maiden Castle Road Dorchester
Tel: 370-333-1181
Web Address: http://english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/maiden-castle/
2. Dorset Museum
4.5 ★★★★★ (788 reviews)
Location: High W Street Dorchester
Tel: 1305-262735
Web Address: http://dorsetmuseum.org/
1. Borough Gardens
4.7 ★★★★★ (1,157 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Cornwall Road Dorchester
Tel: 1305-266861
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Dorchester, England! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
