DORCHESTER HERITAGE OPEN DAY

Free entry to The Keep Military Museum!
Free Guided Tours at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery – FULLY BOOKED
Free Guided Tours at Shire Hall Museum – Book in advance!
Book onto a free guided tours at 1030, 1130, 1230, 1330 and 1430 (places are limited) to have an insight into Shire Hall’s fascinating history – from the architectural value of the building to the important stories of people who were tried at Shire Hall. Museum will only be open those booked onto a guided tour. Cafe and shop will be open for all between 1000 and 1600.
Free Bell-ringing tower tours at St Peters Church
Free Exhibition at Dorset History Centre – Visit an exhibition of architectural plans which shaped Dorset, alongside a selection of Dorset’s archaeological finds curated by the Portable Antiquities Scheme. A free family activity and behind the scenes tours will run every hour from 1000 – 1500.
Free Exhibition and Tours at Corn Exchange
- Join Dorchester Arts to see a free exhibition showing new plans for improving the front-of-house area at Corn Exchange and drop into Council Chamber and Town Hall to view Civic Memorabilia with Dorchester Town Councillors 1100 – 1600
- Take part in ‘The Corn Exchange: a heritage building for the 21st century’ – a free guided tour looking at the recent renovations and extensions to the Corn Exchange and how they inform and complement its history and heritage. Tours running at 1100, 1300 and 1500. No booking required, just turn up.
Free Guided Walks – Book in advance!
- 0930 – Mary Channing and Martha Brown Walk with Mark Damon Chutter
- 1030 – Dorchester Old and New Talk and Walk with Steve Wallis
- 1030 – Heritage Heroes around the Town Centre with Joy Wallis
- 1100 – Judge Jeffreys Walk with Mark Damon Chutter
- 1230 – Fordington Walk with Mark Damon Chutter
- 1300 – Heritage Heroes around the Town Centre with Joy Wallis
- 1400 – Roman Aqueduct Talk and Walk with Steve Wallis
- 1500 – Heritage of Brewery Square – Site of the Eldridge Pope Brewery with Jeremy Pope
Free Kids Activity Trail – Dorchester town centre has lots of fascinating clues dotted about that give a glimpse into the town’s past. This free children’s activity sheet helps you explore together as a family and find out some amazing facts. Pick up your sheet from the gazebo positioned near the Town Pump at Cornhill, South Street between 1000 – 1600. Bring your completed sheet back to the Town Pump to claim a small prize.