Festival of Archaeology
HengeFest 2023
30 July 2023
Celebrating Dorchester’s Neolithic, Bronze, and Iron Age Landscape
Following on from last year’s successful event, HOME OF HILLFORTS & HENGES is back in 2023 from 29th to 30th July.
Celebrating a landscape rich in earthworks and the people that have lived here for over 6,000 years, activities will take place at multiple locations across the town.
There will be lectures, guided walks and other activities. The event concludes with an epic day of discovery and fun at Maumbury Rings with HENGEFEST on Sunday, 30th July.
The open countryside around Dorchester contains many ancient scheduled monuments and falls within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. As well as demonstrating pride in our ancient heritage, Home of Hillforts & Henges aims to promote well-being and good mental health through appreciation and enjoyment of nature and the local habitat.
The schedule is just being put together – SAVE THE DATES and keep checking back for the full programme.
The event is part of the national CBA Festival of Archaeology 2023
Important Announcement
The lift in the Museum is currently out of action.
We hope to resolve this very soon and apologies for the inconvenience.
Maumbury Rings, Dorchester DT1 1QN
Home of Hillforts & Henges is an exciting new event from 21st to 31st July that will celebrate Dorchester’s neolithic and iron age landscape, rich in earthworks and the people that have lived here for over 6,000 years.
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Co-ordinated by the Council for British Archaeology, the Festival offers hundreds of events nationwide, organised by museums, heritage organisations, national and country parks, universities, local societies, and community archaeologists.
The Festival of Archaeology will take place between 15 July 2021 – 30 July 2023.
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What's On
4 July – 6 September 2024
Fashioning our World
This exhibition special display showcases a project with local young people working alongside Dorset Museum & Art Gallery team as part of Fashioning our World with Salisbury Museum.
Find out more10 July - 26 September 2024.
Sensing the Past
"Sensing the Past" was a collaborative and co-produced project involving The Dorset Blind Association, Dorset Museum & Art Gallery, and Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre.
Find out more13-28 July 2024
Festival of Archaeology | Events
Co-ordinated by the Council for British Archaeology, the Festival offers hundreds of events nationwide, organised by museums, heritage organisations, national and country parks, universities, local societies, and community archaeologists.
Find out more19 July - 3 November 2024
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Wildlife Photographer of the Year, the world-famous exhibition from the Natural History Museum, is returning to Dorset Museum & Art Gallery
Find out more19 July - 1 September 2024
Summer Animal Trail
Get ready to embark on a wild adventure! This summer, join in on our animal-spotting trail around the museum.
Find out more27 July 2024, 9:00am - 10:00am
Relaxed Opening
Explore the Museum and take part in drop-in activities during our relaxed openings. Especially suitable for visitors with autism or other sensory conditions, and their siblings, parents and carers. The sessions are also suitable for any group or individual who would like to visit our museums and galleries at a quieter time.
Find out more31 July 2024, 10:00am - 12:00noon
Wildlife Wednesday
Come and join us every Wednesday during the school holidays for a wild adventure in the galleries.
Find out more7 August 2024, 10:00am - 12:00noon
Wildlife Wednesday
Come and join us every Wednesday during the school holidays for a wild adventure in the galleries.
Find out more14 August 2024, 10:00am - 12:00noon
Wildlife Wednesday
Come and join us every Wednesday during the school holidays for a wild adventure in the galleries.
Find out more