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.
Important Announcement
Friday 22 September 2023, The Victorian Hall will also be closed all day for a private function. The Fine Foundation Dorset Story Space, next the the Thomas Hardy's Dorset Gallery will also be closed for an hour around Midday.
What's on
21 July - 29 October 2023
Nature Heals | Photography by Trevor Parsons
Dorset Museum and Dorchester Arts co-present Nature Heals, an exhibition of nature photography by Trevor Parsons.
Find out more21 July - 29 October 2023
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Wildlife Photographer of the Year, the world-famous exhibition from the Natural History Museum, is coming to Dorset Museum this summer.
Find out more4 August – 28 September 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.
Find out more6 October 2023, 10:00am -1:00pm,
Creative Journeys Through Time | 6 week art workshop with Helen Garrett
Designed for adults interested in art, prehistory and archaeology, and running as a six-week block, this course is an exciting opportunity to get up close with some extraordinary artefacts in the collection at Dorset Museum.
Find out more9 October 2023, 2:00pm to 4:30pm
Life Drawing at Dorset Museum – Eight-week course led by James Meiklejohn
This eight-week structured course is suitable for complete beginners to those with some experience.
Find out more10 October 2023, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Wildlife friendly gardening | Mitch Perkins
Would you like to make your garden more wildlife friendly? Join Mitch Perkins to find out how.
Find out more19 October 2023, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
FREE | Museum After Hours
Join us for an opportunity to explore the Museum at this FREE late opening.
Find out more19 October 2023, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Real Dorset | Jon Woolcott
In this lecture, let Jon Woolcott take you on an amusing whistle-stop tour through some of the discoveries and oddities that make Dorset unique.
Find out more25 October 2023, 2:00pm - 2:45pm
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 more