Welcome
Welcome to Dorset Museum, a place to connect with 250 million years of Dorset’s history.
We invite people from everywhere to discover and enjoy the richness of our county’s natural, historical and cultural heritage through our world-class collections.
We believe everybody will find something here to interest, fascinate or inspire them. We hope it will ignite you with an appreciation of our county and a desire to explore it.
About the Museum
Dorset Museum is cared for by the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, an educational charity and custodians of four million objects in the Museum’s collection.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
The Victorian Hall will be hosting a private event all day from Sunday 15th to Monday 16th May 2022 and therefore will be closed to visitors.
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Opening hours:
Daily: 9.00am - 4.30pm
Sunday: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Bank Holidays: 10.00am - 4.00pm -
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Make a donation
Your donations allow us to conserve and research Dorset’s most extensive historical collections
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Exhibitions
Hardy's Wessex
22 January to 30 October 2022
Take a fresh look at the Victorian novelist and poet, Thomas Hardy, in the stunning Wessex landscapes that shaped his view of the world. His story will be retold in exciting new ways by our museum collections, from period costumes to personal letters, art to archaeology.
A Virus a Day: Art by Antje Rook
14 March to 12 June 2022
Antje Rook created the A Virus a Day quilt created in response to Covid-19. The Portland artist embroidered one virus for every day of the 2020 lockdown while she was isolating with her partner. Intrigued by the magnified images of the colourful virus everywhere she created them in different shapes and textures. The quilt gave her days structure throughout her isolation, giving her something to hold onto.
What's on
14 March to 12 June 2022
A Virus a Day Textile Art by Antje Rook
Antje Rook created the A Virus a Day quilt created in response to Covid-19. The Portland artist embroidered one virus for every day of the first 2020 UK lockdown while she was isolating with her partner.
Find out more25 May 2022, 7:30pm
Ruisi Quartet
Celebrated for their deeply engaging performances of early repertoire alongside championing progressive new music, the critically-acclaimed Ruisi Quartet has established a reputation as a charismatic and expressive young ensemble.
Find out more28 May – 30 October 2022
Take a fresh look at the Victorian novelist and poet, Thomas Hardy, in the stunning Wessex landscapes that shaped his view of the world. His story will be retold in exciting new ways by our museum collections, from period costumes to personal letters, art to archaeology.
Find out more31 May 2022, 10:00am - 12noon
Half Term ArtyFacts
Model theatre-making based on Hardy's novels and the model by Thomas Tilley for the Hardy Players in the Hardy's Dorset Gallery.
Find out more2 June 2022, 10:00am - 12noon
Half Term ArtyFacts
Create your own wooden Victorian decoupage box using Victorian images and decoration in association with the Thomas Hardy exhibition and the Hardy's Dorset gallery. Younger children will be able to create simple Victorian collages.
Find out more11 June 2022, 10:30am - 12:00noon
Roman Town House Tours
A guided tour of one of the best examples of a Roman Town House in England.
Find out more17 June - 11 July 2022, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Hardy’s Wessex: Drawing on the ancient past
This six-week course led by artist Helen Garrett will take you on a creative journey through Thomas Hardy’s work, inspirations and Dorset Museum’s collections.
Find out more18 June 2022, 11:30am - 4:00pm
Dorset Button making day
Join Dorset button maker and artist Anna McDowell to explore the history of Dorset button-making and take part in a workshop to make your own buttons.
Find out more19 June 2022, 10:30am – 12:30pm
Sunday ArtyFacts
Create colourful wax resist and collaged patchwork patterns and shapes inspired by Valentine Ackland's jacket from our Dorset Artists gallery. Make your own cards and bookmarks with colourful designs to take home.
Find out moreGalleries
Natural Dorset
See 250 million years of natural history come alive as Natural Dorset reveals the secrets of the county’s geology, landscapes, habitats and wildlife.
Peoples Dorset
Sweep through around 500,000 years of people’s history, from the Palaeolithic to the present day, on Dorset’s key themes of land, sea and community.
Hardy's Dorset
Discover the life and work of Dorset’s famous novelist and poet Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) and dive into key themes of his personal and professional life.
Artists' Dorset
Enjoy a beautiful gallery full of the Museum’s superb collections of paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, textiles, and fine and decorative art.
Venue Hire
Dorset Museum is the perfect venue to hold any corporate or private events. Offering exclusive hire the wonderful spaces and facilities we can create the perfect setting tailored directly to your needs.
The committed bookings and events team are highly experienced in managing and holding a variety of events, from small conferences to evening parties, and are available to assist with any queries you may have.
TASTE Café
Visitors can enjoy and relax at the TASTE café at Dorset Museum without needing to pay for admission to the museum. We’ve also got free Wi-Fi available to our customers.
Gifts and Souvenirs
Remember your visit with a little something from our wonderful selection of pocket money goodies for all ages.
Roman Town House
The Roman Town House in Dorchester is the only example of a fully exposed Roman Town House in the country. It is free to visit and tours are offered by Dorset Museum.
April 28, 2022
P J Harvey visits Dorset Museum and gifts Orlam proofs and exclusive photograph to collection
The Dorset-born singer-songwriter, musician and poet, has visited Dorset Museum ahead of the publication of her Dorset dialect narrative poem Orlam. Dorset Museum Interim…
Read moreApril 27, 2022
Bridport Prize Black Writer Residency winners at the Dorset Museum
Grace Peters-Clarke and Stephenjohn Holgate from Birmingham recently arrived in Dorchester for a visit ahead of their residencies in April and June as winners of…
Read moreApril 22, 2022
Dorset Museum to display star painting from Victoria and Albert Museum
A star object from the Victoria and Albert Museums collection is due to go on display in a new exhibition being held at Dorset Museum.
Read moreApril 20, 2022
Awards Success for Dorset Museum!
Dorset Museum had a busy day on Thursday 7th April 2022 with award wins in both the South West Tourism Awards and the Dorchester and…
Read moreMarch 14, 2022
Artwork that became an inspiration during the coronavirus pandemic is on display at Museum
A Virus a Day is an exhibition of textile art by Antje Rook which tells a personal story of living with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Read moreMarch 8, 2022
Solidarity with Ukraine
Dorset Museum stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and supports them in their fight to preserve their independence. As museum workers, we support…
Read moreFebruary 16, 2022
Dorset Museum appoints Elizabeth Selby as Interim Director and Jean Lang as Chair of Trustees
Elizabeth Selby has been appointed Interim Director of Dorset Museum and the Dorset and Natural History and Archaeological Society by the Society’s Board of Trustees,…
Read moreFebruary 16, 2022
Dorset Museum lends objects to landmark Stonehenge exhibition at British Museum
Dorset Museum is one of a number of major institutions across Europe lending objects to a major exhibition at the British Museum, opening on 17…
Read moreFebruary 11, 2022
Alex takes on Dorset community engagement role
We’re pleased to announce that Alex Briggs has been appointed as Learning and Community Co-ordinator at Dorset Museum. In this important role, she will be…
Read moreSupport Us
Become A Member Today!
Become a member of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society today and get a deeper insight into 250 million years of Dorset’s history, while you help protect its rich heritage for future generations.
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Every grant and donation helps us to do more for more people. Find out how you could make a difference.