Dorchester

Tourist Information Centre

• Dorchester Tourist Information CentreInformation about the Dorchester area and accommodation.

By train

By bus

• Maiden Castle

  address: Winterborne Monkton
  The largest surviving hillfort in England. Dating from around 3000BC, the site is of great historical significance and is maintained by English Heritage.

• The Old Crown Court & Cells

  phone: +44 1305 252241
  address: Stratton House, 58-60 High West St, DT1 1UZ
  Famous for the trial of the Tolpuddle Martyrs in 1834. Open during the summer, take a tour around the courts and learn about the Martyr heritage.

• Roman Town House

  address: The Grove and Northernhay
  A Roman ruin on the County Hall site, the Town House has two principal ranges of rooms. The South Range has flint and stone walls on the grass-covered site. The West Range was mosaic floored. This range has been re-excavated and covered with a steel and glass building with a stone tiled roof perched on the original foundations.

• Hardy's Cottage

  phone: +44 1305 262366
  address: Higher Bockhampton, DT2 8QJ
  The cottage where Thomas Hardy was born.

• Max Gate

  phone: +44 1305 262538
  address: Alington Avenue, DT1 2AB
  The home of author and poet Thomas Hardy, who designed the house in 1885.

• Cerne Abbas Giant

  phone: +44 1297 489481
  address: Cerne Abbas, DT2 7AL
  A giant figure carved into the side of a hill by removing turf to expose white chalk.

• Maumbury Rings

  address: Maumbury Road at Weymouth Avenue
  A large circular earthwork, 85 metres in diameter. During the Roman period, it was adapted for use as an amphitheatre. During the English Civil War, it was used as an artillery fort guarding the southern approach to Dorchester. It is now a public open space, and used for open-air concerts, festivals and re-enactments, and as a dog-walking park.

Museums

• The Tutankhamun Exhibition

  phone: +44 1305 269571
  address: 25 High W St, DT1 1UW
  A recreation of the famous pharaoh's tomb and treasures.

• Teddy Bear Museum

  phone: +44 1305 2660401
  address: Eastgate, DT1 1JU
  A children's favourite. The Terracotta Army (replica) exhibition is in the same building.

• Terracotta Warriors Museum

  phone: +44 1305 266040
  address: High East St, DT1 1JU
  A recreation of the famous Chinese terracotta army.

• Sienna

  phone: +44 1305 250022
  address: 36 High West Street
  Three AA Rosettes restaurant. Small and intimate. £20-30.

• The Royal Oak

  phone: +44 1305 755910
  address: 21–22 High West St, DT1 1UW
  Wetherspoon's pub.

• The Casterbridge

  phone: +44 1305 264043
  address: 49 High E St

• Weymouth and Isle of Portland