Venue Hire
Are you looking for an iconic venue for your event?
With its Gothic facade, spectacular Victorian Hall and stunning new galleries, Dorset Museum is a memorable choice.
The jewel among our event spaces is the Victorian Hall – a true masterpiece of Gothic architecture designed by G. R. Crickmay in 1884.
Its Roman mosaic floor and cast iron framework make it the perfect setting for corporate events, weddings, and special occasions. The café, Learning Base and Community Room are more informal spaces.
Complement your event with a light lunch, refreshments, a guided tour, or a walk around our four fascinating galleries.
Our events team are trained welcome hosts, first aiders, safeguarders, and baristas.
- Available day and/or evening from 6.00 pm.
- Catering and/or bar provision.
- AV, Hearing Loop, WiFi.
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Opening hours:
Daily: 9.00am - 4.30pm
Sunday: 10.00am - 4.00pm -
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For more information
[email protected]
Dorset Museum is a member of:
The Spaces
The Victorian Hall
This magnificent space at the heart of the Museum is the perfect venue for corporate and private entertainment, lectures, concerts, and wedding parties.
Bar Provision: Available all day.
Event Capacity Seated: 80
Standing Buffet: 120
Theatre-style: 120
TASTE café at Dorset Museum
Displaying photographs from our collections, the newly refurbished TASTE café at Dorset Museum is fully licensed and serves locally sourced food.
Also available for evening hire.
Bar Provision: Available from 06:00 PM
Event Capacity Seated: 52
Standing Reception: 60
John White Rectory
The 16th-century rectory and courtyard can be booked for lectures, meetings and events.
Catering and bar provision can be arranged: Available all day.
Event Capacity Boardroom: 16
Theatre-style: 45
Alice Ellen Cooper Dean Community Room
This space can be booked for meetings and small events with a kitchenette for making coffee and tea.
You can also book light lunches from our café Taste at Dorset Museum.
Available all day.
Event Capacity Boardroom: 16
Theatre-style: 24
What's On
28 May – 5 September 2021
Alchemy: Artefacts Reimagined
Wessex Museums invited artist Ann-Marie James to explore the collections of our four partner museums, then choose an object from each to inspire a series…
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Wildlife in the Red
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Find out more13 October 2021 - 9 January 2022
Elmer and Friends
Elmer and Friends: The Colourful World of David McKee An exhibition from Seven Stories: The National Centre for Children’s Books. For the first time ever,…
Find out more28 May – 24 October 2021
A Museum in the Making
Dorchester artist Peter Runeckles was given unique access to the Museum construction site between 2018 and 2020. Working alongside the team from Acheson Construction, a…
Find out more25 July 2021
Amazing Archaeology
25 July 2021 We are celebrating the Festival of Archaeology in July. Roll up your sleeves and dig deep into our craft activities this month…
Find out more27 July 2021
Amazing Archaeology
27 July 2021 We are celebrating the Festival of Archaeology in July. Roll up your sleeves and dig deep into our craft activities this month…
Find out more28 July 2021
Amazing Archaeology
28 July 2021 We are celebrating the Festival of Archaeology in July. Roll up your sleeves and dig deep into our craft activities this month…
Find out more30 July 2021
Mosaic Art Day
30 July 2021 Join artist Ann-Marie James at this informal drop-in session and create artwork inspired by Roman mosaics in the Museum’s Victorian Hall. Families…
Find out more31 July 2021
Amazing Archaeology
31 July 2021 We are celebrating the Festival of Archaeology in July. Roll up your sleeves and dig deep into our craft activities this month…
Find out moreVolunteer
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Our volunteers help make great things happen at Dorset Museum every day. Why not become a part of it all by sharing your expertise and enthusiasm with us?