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.

Community Exhibition

18 February - 22 June 2023

The Art of Seeing: An exhibition of photographs by Dorchester Camera Club

The Club is delighted to have this opportunity to exhibit some of their members’ prints in the Dorset Museum together with an audio-visual presentation.

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Special Exhibition

22 March - 25 June 2023

ARTIST ROOMS Louise Bourgeois

Explore the work of Louise Bourgeois (1911–2010), one of the most important figures of modern and contemporary art. This spring Dorset Museum will show a major presentation of her work in this ARTIST ROOMS touring exhibition featuring works jointly owned by Tate and the National Galleries of Scotland.

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Special Display

29 March - 9 July 2023

PJ Harvey – Orlam

Dorset Museum is now displaying an archive of material relating to PJ Harvey’s verse novel Orlam.

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CANCELLED

3 June 2023, 10:00am - 1:00pm

Louise Bourgeois | Drawing and Printmaking Workshop

Explore some of the themes and techniques in the Artist Rooms: Louise Bourgeois exhibition with fine art practitioners from Dorset Museum

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Tours

3 June 2023, 10:00am - 12:00noon

Roman Town House Tours

A guided tour of one of the best examples of a Roman Town House in England.

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ArtyFacts Workshop

4 June 2023, 10:00am-12:00noon

Louise Bourgeois’ Weaving | ArtyFacts

Help us to create a wonderful woven installation in our Sculpture Courtyard inspired by spider's webs and the artworks of Louise Bourgeois.

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FULLY BOOKED

4 June 2023, 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Dorchester Through the Lens of Thomas Hardy | Mark Chutter

Join Mark Chutter, Chairman and Academic Director of the Thomas Hardy Society, to explore how Hardy presents the town of Dorchester in his writing.

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Tours

10 June 2023, 10:00am - 12:00noon

Roman Town House Tours

A guided tour of one of the best examples of a Roman Town House in England.

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Tours

17 June 2023, 10:00am - 12:00noon

Roman Town House Tours

A guided tour of one of the best examples of a Roman Town House in England.

Find out more