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
Bank Holidays: 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
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Find out more20 January 2022
Tom Sharpe – Mary Anning, the fossil woman
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Find out more16 December 2021
Dr Clare Randall – ‘Anciently a manor’: the medieval manor at Lower Putton Lane, Chickerell
Excavations of the medieval manor at Lower Putton Lane, Chickerell 16 December 2021, 7 pm Join Dr Clare Randall to find out more about…
Find out moreDecember
Christmas Crafts
Sunday Craft Activity Feel the festive spirit and join in our winter and Christmas themed crafts in December. Sunday, 5 December 2021 Sunday, 12 December…
Find out moreOctober and November
Colourful Creatures
Sunday Craft Activity Create some colourful critters inspired by the Elmer and Friends exhibition to take home. Sunday, 3 October 2021 Sunday, 10 October 2021…
Find out more26 and 27 October 2021
Patterned Pals
26 and 27 October 2021, 10am to 11.30am | 12.30pm to 2pm | 2.30pm to 4pm. Artist-led event with Chesil Creatives Join artist Ellie Newbury,…
Find out more17 November 2021
Barbican Quartet
17 November 2021, 7.30 pm Acclaimed for their “gusto, comradeship and sharp attack” (The Times), the Barbican Quartet was formed at the Guildhall School…
Find out moreVolunteer
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