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
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
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.
Find out more2 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.
Find out more11 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 more16 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.
Find out more16 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.
Find out more22 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.
Find out more22 May 2024, 7:30pm
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 more30 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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