Dorchester Local Information: 10 top things to know... more
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1. History
Dorchester was originally called Durnovaria by the Romans, and tree-lined walks around the town follow the route of the original Roman town’s walls. This is known as the Durnovaria Town Walk. The Roman Town House, excavated in the North West corner of the town, also attracts many visitors. The Fordington area of Dorchester has a rich history containing stories of Alfred the ...Read more
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2. Now
Dorchester sits on the banks of the River Frome and is a traditional market town and the county town of Dorset. There are plenty of historic buildings and monuments to be seen in the town, as well as many modern attractions.
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3. Events
The Dorset County Show takes place over two days in September at the Dorchester Showground. This popular agricultural show includes a list of attractions as well as competitions and displays. Dorchester Carnival takes place in June and includes a day of fun and entertainment as well as the main carnival procession. A street fair and party in the park are among the attractions ...Read more
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4. Attractions
Maiden Castle is the site of an Iron Age hillfort, and is maintained by English Heritage. The site is free to visit and includes information panels detailing its 4,000-year history. Dorset County Museum contains different galleries covering subjects such as natural sciences, geology, art, history and literature. The galleries include video displays, interactive exhibits and ac...Read more
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5. Things To Do
The gardens of privately owned Miterne House are open to visitors and include a great selection of plants and trees all year round, as well as lakes, streams and a wooded valley. Henley Hillbillies, in nearby Buckland Newton, offers visitors a chance to ride a quad bike, shoot a clay pigeon, accelerate a mini out of the bends of a dirt track, fly a hovercraft and more. There ...Read more
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6. Business
A busy and popular market takes place in the town every Wednesday and a farmers’ market is held on the first Saturday of every month. A country market is held every Friday in the Corn Exchange. The town centre includes a good mix of popular high street names and independent specialist stores, cafes and restaurants. Visitors travel here from across the region.
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7. Transport
By car, the A37 is the main road running north of the town. The A35 runs to the east and west and the A354 runs to the south. The nearest airport to Dorchester is Bournemouth Airport, which is about 26 miles away and has international flights. Exeter International Airport is 43 miles away and Bristol Airport is 48 miles away. Train services are good from Dorchester to the res...Read more
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8. Entertainment
Many live events take place in the town’s Corn Exchange, including dance, comedy and music. Dorchester Arts Centre has a varied programme of live entertainment, including theatre, dance and visual arts.
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9. Famous Landmarks
St George’s Church sits at the top of a hill in the Fordington area of Dorchester. Its tower dates back to the 15th century and the church contains the treasure of an engraved Roman stone. Author Thomas Hardy was once a member of the church’s restoration committee.
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10. Interesting Fact
Author Thomas Hardy was born and grew up in Dorchester and the town was the setting for many of his novels, including The Mayor of Casterbridge, Tess of the d'Urbervilles, Under the Greewood Tree and Far from The Madding Crowd.
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Dorchester Events
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The Bournemouth Great Dorset Steam Fair
At the beginning of every September, the Bournemouth Great Dorset Steam Fair is held in the beautiful Dorset countryside. From humble beginnings, the fair has grown into one of the leading steam events in Britain. If you are interested in how people worked, lived and pl ...more
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01 December 2012 - 31 December 2012
Santa Fun Run
Santas of all ages turn up to take part in the annual Family Santa Fun Run in Dorchester. The event is held in December to raise money for the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust. Runners dressed in their Santa outfits set off from the Dorchester Town Football Club, Weymouth Aven ...more
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01 June 2013 - 30 June 2013
Dorchester Carnival
All the costumes come out for the annual Dorchester Carnival in June. The carnival procession is a popular event in which many local groups and individuals take part. Prizes are given out for children walking, floats and organisations. Members of the public line the str ...more
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01 September 2012 - 30 September 2012
Dorset County Show
The Dorset County Show is an agricultural show that also offers plenty of fun and entertainment for all ages. The show takes place over two days at the beginning of September at the Dorchester Showground, and attracts thousands of visitors every year. Many of the events ...more
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Dorchester Marketplace
Dorchester Blog
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Donation keeps swimming club afloat
More young people in Dorchester can be taught the vital skill of swimming thanks to a generous donation of equipment. The donation of essential floats and armbands have been donated to the Natterjacks Swimming Club in Dorchester by the Rotary Club...
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Builder saves life after first aid course
Quick-thinking builder Martin Turner saved the life of a pensioner just weeks after taking a first aid course. Mr Turner, 40, from Puddletown, carried out CPR on 84-year-old Roy Hardy after he saw him collapsed on a chip shop...
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Schools carry Olympic flame
An Olympic flame was transported by limousine as part of its journey around schools in Dorchester. Schools in the Dorchester Area Schools Partnership are transporting their own Olympic flame to each other in as many different and unusual ways...
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Rare piece of time on display
A rare piece of time is on display at the Dorset County Museum. The 14th century timepiece, worth more than £200,000, is on display at the Dorchester museum and is one of only four of its kind in the world. The gilt brass...
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