Special Display

The Askerswell Hoard

4 August – 29 December 2023

Showcase display | Collections Discovery Centre

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.

The Askerswell Hoard was found in the parish of Askerswell in west Dorset in 2017 during a metal detecting rally. A total of 627 silver denarius coins were recovered, the earliest dating to the Roman republic. It is the largest hoard of its date in Britain, and nothing like it has previously been seen in Dorset.

The hoard was declared as Treasure and acquired by Dorset Museum in 2022, with the support of Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, the Headley Trust Archaeological Acquisitions Fund, Richard Beleson and a number of other private donors.

 

  • Opening hours:

    Dorset Museum & Art Gallery
    Daily: 10.00am - 5.00pm

    TASTE Café
    Daily: 9.00am - 4.00pm
    Sunday: 10:00am - 4:00pm

  • Admissions:

    10% discount for Adult and Young Person Unlimited Ticket booked online using discount code DM01

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  • Dorset Museum

    High West Street
    Dorchester DT1 1XA

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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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Storytelling

2 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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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.

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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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