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Dorchester tourist information
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.
Gardens
Minterne Gardens Minterne Magna, Dorchester DT2 7AU
A lovely garden, with lakes, to visit. Minterne Gardens information
Kingston Maurward Gardens Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester DT2 8PY
Enjoy the 35 acres of gardens set around a Georgian house. Kingston Maurward Gardens information
Historic Houses
Judge Jefferies Lodgings 6 High West Street, Dorchester
Where the notorious judge stayed in 1865. Judge Jefferies Lodgings information
Athelhampton House Athelhampton, Dorchester DT2 7LG
15th century, with a Great Hall, all rescued from a fire in 1993, gardens. Athelhampton House information
Old Crown Court and Cells Stratton House, 58-60 High West Street, Dorchester DT1 1UZ
The court that held the trial of the Tulpuddle Martyrs. Old Crown Court and Cells information
Hardy's Cottage Higher Brockhampton, Dorchester DT2 8QJ
Hardy was born here 1840 in this small thatched cottage. National Trust, walks, garden. Hardy's Cottage information
Ilsington House Puddletown, Dorchester
A William & Mary house with paintings and sculptures. Ilsington House information
Wolfeton House Wolfeton, Dorchester DT2 9QN
A Tudor and Elizabethan manor house with furnished rooms and paintings. Wolfeton House information
Max Gate Alington Avenue, Dorchester DT1 2AA
Visit the home of Thomas Hardy. Max Gate information
Clouds Hill, Bere Regis BH20 7NQ
A small cottage used by T.E. Lawrence, better known as 'Lawrence of Arabia' Clouds Hill information
Museums
Dinosaur Museum Icen Way, Dorchester DT1 1EW
A hands-on museum of Dorset's famous fossils and dinosaurs. Dinosaur Museum information
Keep Military Museum Bridport Road, Dorchester DT1 1RN
The history of Dorset and Devon regiments. Keep Military Museum information
County Museum High West Street, Dorchester DT1 1XA
Find out about Dorset's history from archaelogy and social history to art and costumes. County Museum information
Tutankhamun Exhibition High West Street, Dorchester DT1 1UW
See a recreation of Tutankhamun's treasures. Tutankhamun Exhibition information
Bovington Camp Tank Museum Bovington, Bere Regis BH20 6JG
A famous military museum. Bovington Camp Tank Museum information
Mummies Exhibition Amarna Centre, Alington Street, Dorchester
Recreations of Egyptian Mummies and treasures. Mummies Exhibition information
Teddy Bear Museum Eastgate, Corner of High East Street & Salisbury Street, Dorchester DT1 1JU
See our cuddly friends ! Teddy Bear Museum information
Terracota Warrier Museum High East Street, Dorchester DT1 1JU
Find out about the history of the warriers. Terracota Warrier Museum information
Out & About
Maiden Castle, Dorchester
Visit this extensive Iron Age Fort. Maiden Castle information
Hotels
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High East Street Dorchester DT1 1HF MAP A well-known local landmark in the centre of Dorchester, The Best Western Kings Arms has excellent rooms with en suite bathrooms. The Best Western Kings Arms Hotel was built in 1720 and has many interesting and classical Georgian features. Many monarchs... More Information and Book ... |
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32 High West Street Dorchester DT1 1UP MAP The Wessex Royale is a delightful Georgian hotel with an excellent location in the centre of Dorchester. It has free Wi-Fi and an á la carte restaurant. All rooms have premium digital TV channels, free Wi-Fi and modern en suite bathrooms with a bath and... More Information and Book ... |
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Wardon Hill Dorchester DT2 9PW MAP Situated between Dorchester and Yeovil, George Albert Hotel is surrounded by scenic Dorset countryside. It features a modern restaurant and stylish bedrooms with free Wi-Fi. Weymouth & Portland Sailing venue for the 2012 Olympics is only 20 miles away fr... More Information and Book ... |
Guest Houses, Bed and Breakfasts, Inns and other Hotels
Little Court 5*
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Charminster Dorchester DT2 9PZ MAP Little Court is a delightful Edwardian Country House with fabulous gardens, just 1 mile from the centre of historic Dorchester, and just 20 minutes’ from the World Heritage ‘Jurassic Coast’. All of the bright rooms at Little Court offer private en ... More Information and Book ... |
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16, Main Street, Broadmayne Dorchester DT2 8EB MAP A charming country house in the village of Broadmayne, Old Church Farm was once part of an estate belonging to King Henry VIII. It still retains many traditional 16th-century features. The bedrooms all feature scenic views of the garden and surrounding v... More Information and Book ... |
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9 Dorchester Rd, Grimstone Dorchester DT2 9NA MAP The Royal Yeoman is a charming roadside B&B with plenty of parking and a large garden with a mill stream and access to beautiful walks along the River Frome. The house is 3 miles from Dorchester and located on the main A37 road, in the village of Grimsto... More Information and Book ... |
We have another 7 Dorchester Guest Houses, Bed and Breakfasts, Inns and other Hotels Just Click Here
Holiday Cottages
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Po Box 5304 Dorchester DT1 1ZN MAP 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. Apartments have modern self-catering facilities including a fitted kitchen with a fridg... More Information and Book ... |
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Lower Bookham Buckland Newton near Dorchester DT2 7RP 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... More Information and Book ... |
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Coombe Road Winterbourne Steepleton near Dorchester DT2 9HD 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... More Information and Book ... |
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)
Where to Stay in Dorchester
tourUK Newsletter
Dorchester Tourist Information Centre
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Antelope Walk
Dorchester
DT1 1BE
Tel: 01305 267992
Email: dorchester.tic@westdorset-weymouth.gov.uk
Area Telephone Code
- 01305
