Dorset Museum & Art Gallery
Dorchester, Dorset
About Dorset Museum & Art Gallery
Deadly Dinosaurs
Wonder at Jurassic Coast discoveries that put Dorset on the map for fossil hunters – and archaeological objects that show how early people shaped the land. Touch ancient objects, get a close-up view of microfossils and crawl through a pliosaur head if you’re small enough. You’ll discover how people have used, investigated and enjoyed Dorset’s landscape and resources, as the wonders of its scenery and wildlife play out beautifully on film.
Amazing Archaeology
Marvel at objects from some of Britain’s most important archaeological sites, from spectacular Bronze Age gold and finds from Maiden Castle – one of Britain’s largest Iron Age hillforts – to treasures from Roman Dorchester. Let your fingers walk Dorset’s ancient landscape on a large touchscreen. Then head forward in time to see the belongings of Dorset’s prestigious families alongside items revealing agricultural workers’ hard lives. Move on to 20th-century Dorset to see how inventive people, creativity and enterprise helped shape its recent history
Literary Legends
A recreation of Hardy’s study includes his desk and personal belongings from his home at Max Gate on Dorchester’s outskirts. The Hardy’s Life room has childhood toys, family portraits, musical instruments – and music from the Hardy family’s music books. Hardy’s Writing features original manuscripts and touchscreens for browsing digital manuscripts and personal letters. In Hardy’s Wessex, you can explore his inspirations for locations on a touchscreen map, and see paintings that bring them alive.
Creative Minds
An important part of the gallery is dedicated to the sculptor Elisabeth Frink who lived and worked in Dorset for many years. Portraits by Thomas Gainsborough and George Romney are here too, alongside works by Cornish artist Alfred Wallis and Dorset-born sculptor Alfred Stevens. Get to know Chaldon Herring’s 1920s and 1930s creative community, including novelist Sylvia Townsend Warner and her partner, poet Valentine Ackland. Then marvel at the beauty of men’s waistcoats from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Roman Mosaics
The Victorian Hall is at the heart of Dorset Museum & Art Gallery and our geology, archaeology and natural history collections were once on show here. The hall has a stained-glass rose window and mezzanine overlooking genuine Roman mosaic floors – one of the very few in Europe that you can actually stand on.
Collections on view
Look through a glass wall into our main collection store and watch important conservation and curatorial work take place in our Conservation studio. We also have a programme of temporary showcase displays on view outside the Collections Discovery Centre. We hold regular Store Tours that take visitors behind-the-scenes of the Collections Discovery Centre.
Books, books, books
Spend some time in our stunning, light-filled library with its magnificent Victorian oriel window, coat of arms, carved arches and fireplace.
Accessible information for families
There is a separate baby change facility on the Ground Floor.
All of our accessible toilets are also baby change facilities.
Our Story Space on the first floor is a quieter space within the galleries.
Our Calm Space is provided for those who may need some time out during their visit. Please ask our Welcome Team if you’d like to use our Calm Space.
You are welcome to take buggies around the museum. There is also a small buggy park behind the Welcome area, along with lockers.
Our sensory backpacks are filled with activities and resources for the galleries including ear defenders. Ask at the Welcome Desk to borrow one, or email ahead to book one. There is a small refundable deposit of £5 to pay.
TASTE Café has a great selection of fresh snacks, lunches and drinks with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
Remember your visit with a little something from our museum shop. We have a wonderful selection of pocket-money goodies for all ages.
Explore archaeology, dinosaurs, fossils, Thomas Hardy, Elizabeth Frink and more!
We have interactives for children throughout the Museum & Art Gallery. Step into the mouth of our pliosaur, make your impression on our giant pinboard, dress up as characters from Thomas Hardy's novels and get up close with Roman mosaics.
Kids under 16 go free with a paying adult
There are several free children's trails to choose from and a craft area with activities that change throughout the year. We have new exhibitions in the temporary gallery and a family learning centre for family activities and crafts during school holidays.
Every adult ticket is an annual pass so you can keep coming back and making the most of our seasonal programme and changing activities, never having to pay for your children.
Award winning and fully accessible for all
The entire Museum & Art Gallery is fully accessible and we have sensory resources, a calm space and changing place toilet.
Our staff and volunteers are trained to support all of our visitors, whatever their needs.
We are award winning for our accessibility and many visitors appreciate the facilities and resources we have for all children, including those with access, neurodiverse and other needs.
Look our for our monthly quiet sessions, the first Saturday of every month until 12pm, when our interactives are muted and visitors are invited to enjoy a quieter time in the galleries and exhibitions.
Visit our website for all access guides and more information to help plan your visit, as well as links to our AccessAble Guide.
Facilities
Toilets
Free Wifi
Gift Shop
Accessible Toilets
Baby Changing
Food Available
Wheelchair Friendly
Pushchair Friendly
Card Payments Accepted
Wheelchair Hire
Opening Times
- Monday, 10:00 - 17:00
- Tuesday, 10:00 - 17:00
- Wednesday, 10:00 - 17:00
- Thursday, 10:00 - 17:00
- Friday, 10:00 - 17:00
- Saturday, 10:00 - 17:00
- Sunday, 10:00 - 17:00
Thursday, December 25 2025: Closed
Friday, December 26 2025: Closed
We may close for a short period in January, check our website for details.
Pricing & Tickets
- Child (0-16) : Free
- Adult (17-18+) : £15.00
All tickets provide access for a year.
Students and young people can access a concession rate.
Book in advance for cheapest tickets
Find other attractions similar to Dorset Museum & Art Gallery by visiting our attraction tickets section.
Plan Your Visit
Typical visit time 2 - 3 hours
Suitable for Kids and Adults too
Food & Drink Options
Hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, cakes, snacks and meals
FAQs
Parking
Toilets
Family Friendly Options
Food & Drink
Accessibility Information
Tickets & Bookings
Private Hire & Birthday Parties
Public Transport
Contact Details
Dorset County Museum
66 High West Street
Dorchester
Dorset
DT1 1XA
England
Tel: 01305262735
Visit WebsiteTransport Information
Dorchester has two railway stations, both of which are less than 12 minutes’ walk from Dorset Museum & Art Gallery. There is no step-free platform access at either Dorchester South or Dorchester West station.
Buses stop outside the Museum entrance (what3words: overheard.holidays.blurs). Services can change, so please check with the bus companies before travelling. All First Wessex Dorset buses have disabled access with a ramp or hydraulic system to lower the bus to the kerb level
Verification & Last Updated
Verified Status:
This attraction has been claimed and verified. All information has been recently checked.
Last Updated: 09:43 23/01/2025
Dorset Museum & Art Gallery Reviews
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