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Dorchester, A354 from  Weymouth, A35 from Poole
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West DorsetDorchester

Dorchester, a large country town with Roman origins, lots of shops, and a market on Wednesday. Georgian buildings off the main streets.

Famous for Judge Jefferies' Bloody Assizes, sentencing 282 men to death, and the trial of the Tolpuddle Martyrs who were deported and later pardoned, as well as being the home of Thomas Hardy who used the town as the basis of The Mayor of Castlebridge as well as Far from the Madding Crowd, Jude the Obscure, and the Return of the Native.

Tourist Information Centre in the town.

Don't forget to visit Cerne Abbas, north on the A352, and visit The Giant, etched into the hillside.

         Location Map of Dorchester
What To See -

Dorchester Tourist Attractions

 
Shire Hall,  High West Street, the trial of the Tolpuddle Matryrs was here and the room is preserved.Map
 
Judge Jefferies Lodgings, High West Street, is where the notorious judge stayed, and possibly his ghost is still there.Map
 
Elbridge Pope's Brewery, tours on Wednesday in the summer,Tel: 01305 251251 Map
 
County Museum, local exhibits and Hardy's study from his house, new gallery on Thomas Hardy and other Dorset authors which opened in 1996, shop, etc Tel: 01035 262735 Admission Charge Map
 
Dinosaur Museum, Icen Way, a hands-on museum of Dorsets famous fossils and dinosaurs, shop, etc, Tel: 01305 269741 Admission Charge Map
 
Tutankhamun Exhibition, High West Street, Tel: 01305 269571 Admission Charge Map
 
Max Gate, east on A351, Hardy's home designed by himself and he lived here until his death in 1928, National Trust, drawing room and gardens, the study is in the County Museum, shop, Tel; 01305 262538 Admission Charge Map
 
Keep Military Museum, in Victorian Barracks, Bridport Road, recently renovated with modern displays, 300 years of military history in Dorset and neighbouring Devon. Tel: 01305 264066 Admission Charge Map
 
Maiden Castle, Iron Age fort over 47 acres, take the A354 south. Map
 
Kingston Maurward Gardens, 2 miles north east, 35 acres of gardens around a Georgian house, Tel: 01305 215003  Admission Charge More On The Gardens Map
 
Cerne Abbas, north on A352, nice village with ruined abbey, famous for The Giant, etched into the chalk hills above the village, and there is a walk along the ridge.Map
 
Minterne Gardens, north on A352, to Minterne Magna, gardens with lakes, etc Tel: 01300 341370 More On The Gardens Map
 
Hardys CottageHardy's Cottage, at Higher Brockhampton, 3 miles east of the town on the A35, Hardy was born here 1840 in this small thatched cottage.National Trust, walks, garden, Tel: 01305 262366 Admission Charge More On Hardy's Cottage
Open: Easter - end Oct garden only, house by appointment Map
 
Stinsford, A35, visit this small village on the way to Hardy's Cottage, this is where his heart is buried, next to his wife in the churchyard, he set his book Mellstock here. Map
 
Clouds Hill, north of the A352 between Dorchester and Wareham, a small cottage used by T.E. Lawrence, better known as 'Lawrence of Arabia'.   Admission Charge More On Clouds Hill Map
 
Ilsington House, east on A35 at Puddletown, A William & Mary house with paintings and sculptures  Admission Charge More On Ilsington House Map
 
Athelhampton House, east on A35 a few miles, 15th century, with a Great Hall, all rescued from a fire in 1993, gardens, Tel: 01305 848363 Admission Charge
Open: Mar-Oct Sun-Fri; Nov-Feb Sundays.More On Athelhampton HouseMap
 
Bovington Camp Tank Museum , head north of the A352 between Dorchester and Wareham, to see armoured vehicles from all over the world, last Sunday in July is Battle Day, and on Thursdays Jul-Sep the tanks are used, assault course, shop, etc.Tel: 01929 405096 Admission Charge Map
 
Wolfeton House , north on the A37 outside Dorchester, a  Tudor and Elizabethan manor house with furnished rooms and paintings Admission Charge  More On Wolfeton House Map
 

Where To Stay in Dorchester

Call our Hotel Telephone Reservations Line: 0870 4786316

Hotels


Wessex Royale Hotel 32 High West Street Dorchester DT1 1UP MAP
A warm and pleasant stay is always guaranteed.

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Kings Arms Hotel High East Street Dorchester DT1 1HF MAP
A renowned local landmark in the very centre of Dorchester.Excellent rooms with en suite bathrooms. Recently refurbished to a very high standard , all rooms have complimentary high speed internet access

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George Albert Hotel Wardon Hill Dorchester DT2 9PW MAP
Situated between Dorchester and Yeovil, George Albert Hotel is surrounded by scenic Dorset countryside. It features 2 modern restaurants and stylish bedrooms with free Wi-Fi.

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Guest Houses Bed & Breakfasts Inns and Other Hotels


Little Court Charminster Dorchester DT2 9PZ MAP
Little Court is a delightful Edwardian Country House in the Lutyens style with fabulous gardens. The accommodation designed for business and leisure travellers combines high standards with excellent value.

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The Sydney Arms 11 Bridport Road Dorchester DT1 2NG MAP
Set in the lovely market town of Dorchester in Dorset, the heart of Hardy County, this traditional English pub provides 5 newly-built letting rooms finished to a high standard.

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New Property High West Street Dorchester DT1 1UP MAP
Situated in Dorchester centre, Westwood House is a 20-minute drive from the scenic coast at Weymouth. Set in a historical building, the hotel offers free Wi-Fi and cooked breakfasts.

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Holiday Cottages


Orchard View Lower Bookham Buckland Newton near Dorchester DT2 7RP Tel: 0844 847 1200  MAP
In an elevated setting affording the most wonderful panoramic views from almost every window this very comfortable single storey property makes an ideal base for exploring one of England's loveliest counties. Cerne Abbas with its famous chalk giant Sp...
Sleeps 4

Phone Bookings & Enquiries: 0844 847 1200
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Dorchester Apartments Po Box 5304 Dorchester DT1 1ZN
These one and 2-bedroom apartments are close to Dorchester town centre. The train station, local attractions, pubs, bars and restaurants are all within a short walk.

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Westfield Farm Cottages Coombe Road Winterbourne Steepleton near Dorchester DT2 9HD Tel: 0844 847 1200  MAP
Nestling in beautiful countryside just 5 miles from West Bay these comfortable lodge style properties offer an ideal base from which to explore the Jurassic Coast and glorious landscape inland. Along with five caravans tucked into a field behind them they...
Sleeps 4

Phone Bookings & Enquiries: 0844 847 1200
More Information


Days Out in and around Dorchester

Visit Abbotsbury and then view the dramatic Chesil Beach before going on to the resort of Weymouth.

Towns near Dorchester To Visit - straight line distance:

Weymouth Tourist Information (7.00 miles) Abbotsbury Tourist Information (7.82 miles) Wool Tourist Information (9.71 miles) Bere Regis Tourist Information (9.92 miles)

Info
Tourist Information Centre

Where To Stay

What To See

Around The Area
Area Telephone Code
01305
Information Centre
1 Ackland Road
Tel:
01305 267992
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