Private Hire
Dorset Museum is not only the home of 250 million years of Dorset’s history but is also the perfect venue to hold any corporate or private events.
Offering exclusive hire the wonderful spaces and facilities we can create the perfect setting tailored directly to your needs.
The committed bookings and events team are highly experienced in managing and holding a variety of events, from small conferences to evening parties, and are available to assist with any queries you may have.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
The Victorian Hall will be hosting a private event on Friday 10th June 2022, all day and Saturday 11th June 2022, 12 noon to 5:00 pm, and therefore will be closed to visitors.
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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]
The Spaces
The Victorian Hall
At the heart of the museum is the magnificent Victorian Hall. Designed by G R Crickmay in 1884, it acts as the perfect venue for larger events, such as lectures, concerts and parties. With its roman mosaic flooring and cast-iron framework, the masterpiece of neo-gothic architecture will help in making your event one to remember.
Capacity: Theatre: 120 | Standing: 120 | Ballroom: 100
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
Capacity: Seated: 52 | Standing: 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.
Capacity: Boardroom: 16 | Theatre-style: 24
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.
Capacity: Boardroom: 16 | Theatre 24
Library
Hold intimate meetings in our stunning library, surrounded by over 30,000 books on Dorset’s history. The light-flooded space acts as the perfect setting for groups or meetings.
Capacity: Boardroom: 10
Facilities
We offer a range of facilities to accompany your booking at no extra charge, please feel free to contact us for more details.
- Digital Projector
- Screen
- Stage
- PA System
- Spotlights
- Lectern
- Chairs and Tables
- Piano (separate booking form required and extra charges do apply).
Catering
From light lunches to banquet dinners, our catering partners at Taste offer a range of food and drinks options to suit your budget. Please see attached a sample menu for your reference.
Contact
For all enquiries or any questions, please contact our booking team at [email protected]. Thank you.
What's On
14 March to 12 June 2022
A Virus a Day Textile Art by Antje Rook
Antje Rook created the A Virus a Day quilt created in response to Covid-19. The Portland artist embroidered one virus for every day of the first 2020 UK lockdown while she was isolating with her partner.
Find out more28 May – 30 October 2022
Take a fresh look at the Victorian novelist and poet, Thomas Hardy, in the stunning Wessex landscapes that shaped his view of the world. His story will be retold in exciting new ways by our museum collections, from period costumes to personal letters, art to archaeology.
Find out more31 May 2022, 10:00am - 12noon
Half Term ArtyFacts
Model theatre-making based on Hardy's novels and the model by Thomas Tilley for the Hardy Players in the Hardy's Dorset Gallery.
Find out more2 June 2022, 10:00am - 12noon
Half Term ArtyFacts
Create your own wooden Victorian decoupage box using Victorian images and decoration in association with the Thomas Hardy exhibition and the Hardy's Dorset gallery. Younger children will be able to create simple Victorian collages.
Find out more11 June 2022, 10:30am - 12:00noon
Roman Town House Tours
A guided tour of one of the best examples of a Roman Town House in England.
Find out more17 June - 11 July 2022, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Hardy’s Wessex: Drawing on the ancient past
This six-week course led by artist Helen Garrett will take you on a creative journey through Thomas Hardy’s work, inspirations and Dorset Museum’s collections.
Find out more18 June 2022, 11:30am - 4:00pm
Dorset Button making day
Join Dorset button maker and artist Anna McDowell to explore the history of Dorset button-making and take part in a workshop to make your own buttons.
Find out more19 June 2022, 10:30am – 12:30pm
Sunday ArtyFacts
Create colourful wax resist and collaged patchwork patterns and shapes inspired by Valentine Ackland's jacket from our Dorset Artists gallery. Make your own cards and bookmarks with colourful designs to take home.
Find out more22 June 2022, 7:30pm
Connaught Brass
Connaught Brass are quickly making a name for themselves as a fresh talent in the chamber music world
Find out more