Special Exhibition

I Grew Up 80s

3 December 2022 - 26 February 2023

This winter visitors to Dorset Museum are invited to take a trip back in time with the nostalgia-filled exhibition I Grew Up 80s.

In this fascinating time capsule of over 200 objects, you’ll experience the youthful exuberance of this iconic decade through the eyes of a child. Embark on a colourful adventure and discover toys, technology, fashion, rock bands, food, and even an iconic car, a Volkswagen Golf GTI, 1981, on loan from the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu.

From Betamax to BMX, Dirty Dancing to Donkey Kong, the Thompson Twins to Transformers there is plenty for all generations to see, enjoy and share.

Curated by collector and social commentator Matt Fox, I Grew Up 80s is a colourful, immersive and family-friendly exhibition. It shows how different life was 30- 40 years ago when Matt was a child and ‘roamed about on our bikes, away from our parents and without the umbilical cord of mobile phones. In cinemas, Star Wars had ushered in a new era of special FX movies, music was a feel-good riot of colour and sound, and games consoles and home computers had transformed the humble telly into a host of imaginary worlds.’

  • 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

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Image Credit: Dorset Echo

Special Display

4 August – 29 December 2023

The Askerswell Hoard

Discover a rare Roman coin hoard recently acquired by Dorset Museum, and find out about the work going on to preserve, research and catalogue it, in this special showcase display outside the Collections Discovery Centre.

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Community Exhibition

2 December 2023 - 21 April 2024

Awakened by Frink

Awakened by Frink is a community exhibition of artwork by members of the Deaf community created during a series of workshops at Dorset Museum and Art Gallery.

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Special Exhibition

2 December 2023 - 21 April 2024

Elisabeth Frink: A View from Within

Experience the inner world of famous sculptor Dame Elisabeth Frink (1930-1993) in a major new exhibition exploring her artistic and personal life in Dorset. Showcasing over 80  sculptures, drawings and prints, this exhibition will explore her artistic process, personal life, and the influences that shaped her work.

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Family Activity

10 December 2023, 11:30am - 12:30pm | 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Elf Workshop

The Elves need your help in the workshop. Join them and lend a hand! You're invited to embark on a magical journey filled with Christmas crafts, fun activities, and the chance to learn all the secrets of the elves

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Storytelling

14 December 2023, 10:00am- 10:30am

Storytime at the Museum

Come and join us for Storytime in our Community Space at the Museum. Hear fabulous tales about dinosaurs and animals.

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Lecture

14 December 2023, 7:00pm - 8:30pm

What’s new in the British and Irish Neolithic? | Dr Alison Sheridan

While the past doesn’t change, our knowledge and understanding of it are being transformed by new discoveries and new research – and this is especially the case with the Neolithic period, the time of the first farming communities from the late 5th millennium to around 2500 BCE. This lecture offers some highlights from the past decade or so.

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Family Activity

17 December 2023, 11:30am - 12:30pm | 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Elf Workshop

The Elves need your help in the workshop. Join them and lend a hand! You're invited to embark on a magical journey filled with Christmas crafts, fun activities, and the chance to learn all the secrets of the elves

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Tours

20 December 2023, 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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Family Activity

21 December 2023, 11:30am - 12:30pm | 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Elf Workshop

The Elves need your help in the workshop. Join them and lend a hand! You're invited to embark on a magical journey filled with Christmas crafts, fun activities, and the chance to learn all the secrets of the elves

Find out more