Welcome

Dorset Museum Building

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 Adult and Young Person Unlimited Ticket booked online using discount code DM01

    BOOK ONLINE SAVE 10%
  • Dorset Museum

    High West Street
    Dorchester DT1 1XA

    View Map

 

Exhibitions

Community Exhibition

21 July - 29 October 2023

Nature Heals | Photography by Trevor Parsons

Dorset Museum and Dorchester Arts co-present Nature Heals, an exhibition of nature photography by Trevor Parsons.

Find out more

Special Exhibition

21 July - 29 October 2023

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Wildlife Photographer of the Year, the world-famous exhibition from the Natural History Museum, is coming to Dorset Museum this summer.

Find out more

CANCELLED

6 October 2023, 10:00am -1:00pm, 

Creative Journeys Through Time | 6 week art workshop with Helen Garrett

Designed for adults interested in art, prehistory and archaeology, and running as a six-week block, this course is an exciting opportunity to get up close with some extraordinary artefacts in the collection at Dorset Museum.

Find out more

Adult Workshop

9 October 2023, 2:00pm to 4:30pm

Life Drawing at Dorset Museum – Eight-week course led by James Meiklejohn

This eight-week structured course is suitable for complete beginners to those with some experience.

Find out more

Talk

10 October 2023, 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Wildlife friendly gardening | Mitch Perkins

Would you like to make your garden more wildlife friendly?  Join Mitch Perkins to find out how.

Find out more

Museum after hours

19 October 2023, 5:00pm - 6:30pm

FREE | Museum After Hours

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

Find out more

Lecture

19 October 2023, 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Real Dorset | Jon Woolcott

In this lecture, let Jon Woolcott take you on an amusing whistle-stop tour through some of the discoveries and oddities that make Dorset unique.

Find out more

Tours

25 October 2023, 2:00pm - 2:45pm

Collections Discovery Centre Tour

Join our Collections Team for an opportunity to explore behind the scenes in the Museum’s Collections Discovery Centre.

Find out more

Halloween Event

27 October 2023 5:00pm-9:00pm

Museums After Dark 2023

Discover three incredible Dorchester museums on one unforgettable night.

Find out more

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

September 19, 2023

Getting back to nature with a FREE science-based workshop at Dorset Museum

As part of a national project, Dorset Museum is offering schools free curriculum-linked workshops.  Aimed at Key Stage 2, pupils will gain a unique…

Read more

Volunteers

September 8, 2023

Dorset Museum are looking for volunteer stewards for upcoming exhibition

Dorset Museum are looking for new volunteers to support the stewarding of a major new exhibition opening on 2 December 2023. Elisabeth Frink: A View…

Read more

Exhibitions and Events

September 4, 2023

Dorset Museum presents major exhibition of Elisabeth Frink’s Dorset life and work

An exhibition that will reveal an intimate portrait of the celebrated British sculptor Elisabeth Frink is to open at the beginning of December at Dorset…

Read more

News

August 10, 2023

A rare Roman coin hoard acquired by Dorset Museum in 2022 has gone on display

The hoard of Roman coins was found in the parish of Askerswell in West Dorset in 2017 during a metal detecting rally.  A selection…

Read more

News

July 12, 2023

Vikings invade Dorset Museum as part of special events during the Festival of Archaeology

Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the Vikings at Dorset Museum on Sunday 16 July 2023. This is part of a series of special…

Read more

News

July 3, 2023

Kids go free every day of the year at Dorset Museum

Dorset Museum is delighted to announce that from Monday 3rd July all children under 17 will be able to come and enjoy 250 million years…

Read more

News

June 5, 2023

Dorset Museum will now hold wedding ceremonies at the Roman Town House in Dorchester

Dorset Museum has extended its wedding portfolio and are now able to hold outdoor wedding ceremonies at the Roman Town House in Dorchester. Just a…

Read more

Exhibitions and Events

June 5, 2023

Stunning images unveiled as Wildlife Photographer of the Year comes to Dorset in July

The prestigious exhibition showcasing the best photography globally is not to be missed The Wildlife Photographer of the Year is a world-renowned exhibition…

Read more

News

April 13, 2023

Dorset Museum appoints new Executive Director

Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society are delighted to announce it has appointed Claire Dixon as its new Executive Director. Claire is currently Director of…

Read more

Support Us