News

Kids Go Free Every Weekend

November 2, 2022

Dorset Museum is offering free children’s entry every weekend this Winter!

Dorset Museum is allowing visitors to explore 250 million years of Dorset’s history with ease this Winter with their ‘Kids Go Free Every Weekend’ offer.

To help families find affordable things to do, the Museum is offering free children’s day entry every Saturday and Sunday throughout Winter 2022, when accompanied by a full-paying adult, annual pass holder, or member. There is no need to book online prior to visiting.

Dorset Museum’s interactive galleries cover 250 million years of history. Visitors can come face to face with the prehistoric marine reptiles of the Jurassic Coast and uncover the archaeology of ancient Wessex. Discover the tales of Thomas Hardy and be inspired by the creativity of Dorset’s artists.

The Museum prides itself in regularly holding family-friendly events such as its Sunday and half-term art and craft activities, ArtyFacts, which are included with admission.

Visitors of all ages this Winter can also explore the popular culture of 1980s Britain through the eyes of a child. Revisiting the colourful vibrancy and innovation that defined the decade in the upcoming exhibition I Grew Up 80s which will be open between Saturday 3 December 2022 until Sunday 26 February 2023.

Temporary Display

3 February - 30 May 2024

John Brown in Dorchester: Rebuilding a Life after slavery

Discover the little-known story of John Brown, in this new showcase display outside the Collections Discovery Centre.

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Tours

11 May 2024, 10:00am - 12:00noon

Roman Town House Tour

Join our trained guides through the history of the Roman Town House site and and the precious artifacts recovered and now on display at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery.

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Storytelling

16 May 2024, 10:00am- 10:30am

Storytime at the Museum

Come and join us for fun-filled Storytime where you can listen to some amazing tales in our Community Space at the Museum.

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FULLY BOOKED

16 May 2024, 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Paul Nash in Dorset | Professor Paul Gough

This richly illustrated lecture explores over 80 Paul Nash artworks created from the mid-1930s until his death in 1946. They range from ancient places such as Maiden Castle and Badbury Rings to the limestone promontories and fossilised forests on the Purbeck coast.

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Tours

22 May 2024, 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Collections Discovery Centre Tour

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

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Dorset Museum Music Society

22 May 2024, 7:30pm

Horn Trio

Ben Goldscheider, French Horn Callum Smart, Violin Richard Utterly, Piano

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Tours

25 May 2024, 10:00am - 12:00noon

Roman Town House Tour

Join our trained guides through the history of the Roman Town House site and and the precious artifacts recovered and now on display at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery.

Find out more

Family Activity

30 May 2024, 10:00am - 12:00noon

May Customs and Ooser Mask Making

Our themed event will delve into the customs and traditions surrounding the merry month of May, learn about the famous horned Ooser mask displayed in the museum, and have a go at making one.

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Storytelling

6 June 2024, 10:00am- 10:30am

Storytime at the Museum

Come and join us for fun-filled Storytime where you can listen to some amazing tales in our Community Space at the Museum.

Find out more