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.
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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.
Plastics are not Fantastic
20 June – 16 September 2022
In this exhibition students from Weymouth College express their thoughts about the environment through posters, pledges and artwork.
To raise awareness of the ongoing climate emergency 64 students contributed ideas and created posters during the 2021 COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow. A selection of posters, artwork and posters are on display.
I Grew Up 80s
3 December 2022 – 26 February 2023
This winter visitors to Dorset Museum are invited to take a trip back in time with the nostalgia-filled exhibition I Grew Up 80s.
What's on
28 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 more20 June – 16 September 2022
Plastics are not Fantastic
In this exhibition students from Weymouth College express their thoughts about the environment through posters, pledges and artwork.
Find out more18 August 2022, 10:00am - 12noon
Summer ArtyFacts
Inspired by Dorset Museum’s collection and Special Exhibitions, our volunteer-led craft activities are fun and creative.
Find out more23 August 2022, 10:00am - 11:00am
Dorset Museum Highlights Tour
Explore 250 million years of Dorset’s history in this volunteer-led highlights tour of Dorset Museum. Discover Roman mosaics, fossils from the Jurassic Coast, Thomas Hardy manuscripts and the sculptures of Elisabeth Frink – and plenty more along the way.
Find out more23 August 2022, 10:00am - 12noon
Summer ArtyFacts
Victorian cameo silhouettes and gilt frames. Create your own Victorian silhouette and Victorian-style frame, inspired by the Thomas Hardy exhibition, the Hardy gallery and portraits in the Dorset Artists gallery.
Find out more25 August 2022, 10:00am - 12noon
Summer ArtyFacts
Victorian cameo silhouettes with gilt frames. Create your own Victorian silhouette portrait and Victorian style frame inspired by the Thomas Hardy exhibition, the Hardy gallery and portraits in the Dorset Artists gallery.
Find out more25 August 2022, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
An Afternoon with Elizabeth Lowry
Spend the afternoon with Elizabeth Lowry for a book signing and reading of her highly praised novel 'The Chosen'. The novel was inspired by Thomas Hardy and his marriage to Emma Gifford.
Find out more30 August 2022, 10:00am - 11:00am
Dorset Museum Highlights Tour
Explore 250 million years of Dorset’s history in this volunteer-led highlights tour of Dorset Museum. Discover Roman mosaics, fossils from the Jurassic Coast, Thomas Hardy manuscripts and the sculptures of Elisabeth Frink – and plenty more along the way.
Find out more30 August 2022, 10:00am - 12noon
Summer ArtyFacts
Inspired by Dorset Museum’s collection and Special Exhibitions, our volunteer-led craft activities are fun and creative.
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.
August 9, 2022
Campaign to unlock Thomas Hardy archive
Dorset Archives Trust is leading a fundraising effort to permanently unlock the internationally significant, UNESCO-listed archive of author Thomas Hardy, gifted to Dorset Museum in…
Read moreJune 22, 2022
Home of Hillforts and Henges
Home of Hillforts and Henges is an exciting new event from 21st to 31st July that will celebrate Dorchester’s neolithic and iron age landscape,…
Read moreJune 17, 2022
Community Quilt Making Project
We are currently undertaking a community quilt project in relation to Antje Rook’s “A virus a day” quilt which was on display in the community…
Read moreMay 27, 2022
Hardy’s Wessex Exhibition opens on Dorset Museum’s one year anniversary.
Dorset Museum’s new exhibition, Hardy’s Wessex: The Landscapes that Inspired a Writer, opened last night at a VIP and Members preview evening. The exhibition opens to the…
Read moreApril 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 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.
Donations Make The Difference
Every grant and donation helps us to do more for more people. Find out how you could make a difference.