Visit Dorchester

Dorchester – Thomas Hardy’s Casterbridge, or the Roman town of Durnovaria – and it is awash with history and sights to explore.

Whether it’s the two (where else has two?) Iron Age hill forts of Maiden Castle and Poundbury, the Roman Town House close to the line of the old Roman Walls (the only example of a fully exposed Roman town house in the country); the fantastic Georgian Architecture in the picturesque town centre; the house designed and lived in by Thomas Hardy; HRH King Charles III’s urban extension at Poundbury with its open spaces and interesting shops and eateries or the modern redevelopment of the former brewery with its dancing fountains – there is lots for everyone to enjoy.

Dinosaurs and Romans, literary giants, great scientists, military history, art and architecture, beautiful green spaces, interesting and independent shops and great places to eat – there really is something for everyone.

Discover Dorchester is the official website for Dorchester created by the Dorchester Tourism Partnership. The partnership was formed in 2020 and comprises of Dorchester Town Council, Dorchester BID, Dorchester Chamber of Commerce, Visit Dorset and representatives from Dorchester’s accommodation providers, attractions and food and drink outlets.

We all work together on different projects to promote Dorchester as a place to visit and develop new tourism opportunities too, especially ones that celebrate our amazing local heritage. We work to a strategy which can be found on the Dorchester Town Council website, along with notes from our meetings.