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.


  • Opening hours:

    Daily: 9.00am - 4.30pm
    Sunday: 10.00am - 4.00pm
    Bank Holidays: 10.00am - 4.00pm

  • Admissions:

    10% discount for Annual Pass or Day Entry booked online using discount code DM01

    Book now
  • Dorset Museum

    High West Street
    Dorchester DT1 1XA

    View Map


https://www.dorsetmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Under-26s-Go-Free.jpg

Under 26-year-olds FREE Museum entry at weekends during the ARTIST ROOMS Louise Bourgeois exhibition from 22 March – 25 June 2023.

Exhibitions

Community Exhibition

18 February - 22 June 2023

The Art of Seeing: An exhibition of photographs by Dorchester Camera Club

The Club is delighted to have this opportunity to exhibit some of their members’ prints in the Dorset Museum together with an audio-visual presentation.

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Special Exhibition

22 March - 25 June 2023

ARTIST ROOMS Louise Bourgeois

Explore the work of Louise Bourgeois (1911–2010), one of the most important figures of modern and contemporary art. This spring Dorset Museum will show a major presentation of her work in this ARTIST ROOMS touring exhibition featuring works jointly owned by Tate and the National Galleries of Scotland.

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Special Display

29 March - 9 July 2023

PJ Harvey – Orlam

Dorset Museum is now displaying an archive of material relating to PJ Harvey’s verse novel Orlam.

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Workshop

1 April 2023, 10:00am to 4:30pm

One day life painting pose

This is a structured class that will take students through the traditional monochrome underpainting approach to painting the figure in oils. Same pose all day…

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Special Event

1 April 2023, 3:00pm - 7:00pm

The Great Museums Easter Trail 2023

Have an egg-stra special start to the Easter holidays with The Great Museums Easter Trail. A family-friendly event from Dorset Museum, The Keep Military Museum, and Shire Hall Museum, you can visit all three museums in one extraordinary afternoon.

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Family Activity

4 April 2023, 10:00am-12:00noon

Louise Bourgeois’ Spirals | ArtyFacts

Make patterns, shapes, and spirals by drawing, painting, printing, and paper crafting. Inspired by Louise Bourgeois' artworks.

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Tours

04 April 2023, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Archaeology Highlights Tour

Explore archaeological treasures held by Dorset Museum – from Bronze Age gold to medieval silver -  in this volunteer-led tour.

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Family Activity

6 April 2023, 10:00am-12:00noon

Louise Bourgeois’ Spirals | ArtyFacts

Make patterns, shapes, and spirals by drawing, painting, printing, and paper crafting. Inspired by Louise Bourgeois' artworks.

Find out more

Museum after hours

20 April 2023, 5:00pm - 6:30pm

FREE | Museum After Hours

Join us for an opportunity to explore the Museum at this FREE late opening.

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Galleries

Venue Hire

Victorian-Hall-Wedding

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.

News

March 28, 2023

Items gifted by singer-songwriter PJ Harvey go on display at Dorset Museum

A display of items gifted to Dorset Museum by PJ Harvey on the publication of her Dorset dialect poem Orlam, has gone on display.

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News

March 20, 2023

Dorset Museum to take part in Athelhampton Attic and Charity sale this Saturday

Dorset Museum is one of two charities taking part in an ‘Attic and Charity auction’ at Athelhampton House this coming Saturday 25 March from 2:00pm.

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News

March 16, 2023

Dorset Museum acquires rare gold and rock crystal pendant dating to the 6th or 7th century

Dorset Museum is delighted to announce that it has acquired a rare gold and rock crystal pendant dating to the 6th or 7th century…

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Projects

March 6, 2023

This is Now!

Working in partnership with Weymouth College and The Friendly Society of Artistic Labourers,’ This is Now’ explores Dorset Museum’s collection and looks at how creative…

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News

February 8, 2023

Free Wedding Fair at Dorset Museum this March

To help couples plan their forthcoming nuptials, the Museum is holding its Spring Wedding Fair on Sunday 5 March 2023, from 11:00…

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News

February 7, 2023

The Art of Seeing: An exhibition of photographs by Dorchester Camera Club

One Step Closer to Heaven by Tony Gill Dorchester Camera Club is presenting its The Art of Seeing exhibition at the Dorset Museum in Dorchester from…

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News

February 6, 2023

Dorset Museum to reunite Gainsborough husband and wife portraits

Portraits of Elizabeth and John Bragge by Thomas Gainsborough Dorset Museum is delighted to announce that it has taken guardianship of A Portrait of Elizabeth Bragge by…

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News

January 30, 2023

Dorset Museum celebrates winning four awards at Dorset Tourism Awards, including Gold for Accessible tourism

Staff and volunteers are celebrating after picking up four trophies at the 10th Dorset Tourism Awards held at the Tank Museum in Bovington last…

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News

November 29, 2022

Dorset Museum named finalist in four Dorset Tourism Awards

Dorset Museum has been named a finalist in four Dorset Tourism Award categories.   After their Silver Award in the 2021/22 Dorset Tourism…

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