Top Things to do in Dorchester
The 10 Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Dorchester, England
Discover the best top things to do in Dorchester, United Kingdom including Plaza Cinema, Monart Spa Poundbury, Athelhampton House and Gardens, Dorset County Museum, The Keep Military Museum, Max Gate, Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum, Convivial Rabbit Micropub, Wardon Hill Trading Post, Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum.
Restaurants in Dorchester
1. Plaza Cinema
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 890 reviews
Reviewed By 54donnay
The plaza is excellent value, it has really friendly staff and offers a good range of films - they have good covid secure restrictions in place
2. Monart Spa Poundbury
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By 439clarea - Gloucester, United Kingdom
My sister and I having experienced some stressful family loss and related issues following decided we needed a good pampering. She lives in Winterbourne Abbas just a few miles away from Poundbury and fancied trying the introductory offer at Monart Spa. We chose a half day with a treatment which included lunch. We were greated in the beautiful reception and had an introductory guide to the changing rooms and allocated a locker. I am a lady of larger stature and was very glad to find the robe fit me! A lovely touch was the waterproof basket with towel to put any belongings you wanted to have with you for the visit. Once changed into our swim wear we had a tour of all the facilities and allocated a lounger in the relaxation room. Another lovely touch, hot chamomile tea, a Monart blend. Beautiful!!! And more!!! Infused water on tap in the spa area. I can not go into detail about ALL the spa rooms/grottos but we tried them all. Steam rooms, saunas, sanarium, the salt grotto (oh wow!!!!!), shower with various global experiences, and an infra red treatment chairs. The hydro pool had amazing massaging jets and hydro beds. On top of all of this the decor is stunning, such attention to detail and beautiful relaxing background music. The treatment was the best I've ever had, attention taken to the pressure you want your massage!! I feel I am waffling but it was a wholesome, relaxing, mindful experience, the best spa I have ever visited. And not to forget lunch, delicious. We will be back. Thank you.
3. Athelhampton House and Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 755 reviews
Athelhampton House is one of England's finest Tudor Manor Houses. Dating from 1485, the Great Hall is a fine example of domestic Tudor architecture, the house has many interesting rooms, filled with antique furnishings and art. The Gardens remodelled in 1891 surround the House, with many 'compartments' built with Ham stone, each with a different style or theme, each with a water feature of a pond or fountain. The Great Court features the 12 world famous giant yew tree pyramids. The House and Gardens are protected by a Grade 1 listing, and are well maintained to protect for future generations. An excellent visitor centre with restaurant, tea room, gift shop and plant sales area complete the attraction. Enjoy a great Lunch or afternoon tea. See our website for special offers.
Reviewed By Li33iet
We had a fantastic day out at Athelhampton House & Gardens. The house was a complete joy to explore and still retains a lived in feel with masses of history. The visit was very relaxed, we were able to come and go as we pleased , breaking off for a superb lunch in the restaurant before returning to the house. The gardens were beautiful, a delight to explore with plenty of places to sit and rest or take in the views. All staff were very friendly and welcoming and knowledgeable about the property and it’s history. Little touches such as being able to borrow a guide book while touring the house and gardens and being invited to sit on the chairs while exploring the house were exceptional. Returning to the restaurant for superb tea and cake rounded off a perfect day. Would happily revisit when next in the area.
4. Dorset County Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 428 reviews
Dorset County Museum closed in October 2018 for a two-year multi-million pound redevelopment. Complete with new galleries, a learning centre, collections storage, a library and visitor facilities the new Museum will become a cultural destination at the he The Museum is continuing to inspire, educate and entertain all generations on its county-wide tour exhibiting in towns and at events across Dorset. Dorset County Museum Offices The Old Warehouse 31a Durngate Street Dorchester Dorset DT1 1JP Open: Monday to Friday, 10am - 4pm
5. The Keep Military Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 273 reviews
Please note that due to COVID-19 you will have to pre-book your tickets. Please visit our website for more details. We are a family friendly museum and we attract all ages. We aim to educate, inspire and to honour the sacrifices made by the members of our Regiments. Our displays cover four floors and take you on a 300 year journey through time. Our artifacts have amazing stories to tell, some will surprise you! Don’t forget to visit the roof for panoramic views of Dorchester and the Dorset countryside. The Museum is fully accessible with a lift to every floor (apart from the roof), we encourage people to take photographs – no flash and share their visit to the Museum with us. Due to the nature of our collection only Assistance Dogs are allowed in the building. We have a small car park at the back of the Museum for visitor use. If you are a UK Taxpayer you can Gift Aid your admission. With your ticket you can enjoy a free annual museum pass at no extra cost!
Reviewed By malc1005 - Kettering, United Kingdom
Brilliant museum, with very friendly and knowledgeable staff inside. Be aware it is by prior appointment so phone, before you go, but is free during September, due to covid 19, and reopened 1st Sept. Highly recommended.
6. Max Gate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 325 reviews
Reviewed By U5296PJdavidk - Worthing, United Kingdom
After a horrendous journey by train to get to Max Gate , 20 mins walk from town of Dorchester ,Dorset i well recommend Thomas Hardy's house . National Trust owned , Non members to pay to get in £8:30 per adult (Jan 2020 prices) The staff make you very welcome and there was a brilliant guide book which has been written by a member of the house tells you all you need to know about Max Gate . You start off downstairs next to the Drawing room and as you go round you feel the presence of Hardy himself, and his famous guests as well . Everything is in situ and as you make your way upstairs you come to his third study study room where he used to write and look out onto the garden ,You will also see the attic room where his wife Emma had her privacy . His master bedroom was very neat and tidy ..And even had a mock cooked breakfast on the bed ! Downstairs was a small kitchen area where you could make yourself a cup of tea & enjoy a slice of cake where you pay a donation and also the toilets . Outside the garden was lovely , Large , Plenty of lawn and plenty of flowers i imagine coming out in the summer , Look out for the second hand book shop and his pet cemetery .
7. Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 175 reviews
Shire Hall is a brand new Historic Courthouse Museum in Dorchester, Dorset. Walk in the footsteps of people whose lives were forever changed in the historic court at Dorset's Shire Hall. Immerse yourself in the cells before ascending to the dock. Experience it for yourself.
Reviewed By andrews971 - Dorchester, United Kingdom
It was realy good to visit the old court. I have lived in or around Dorchester for most of my life and had not been in the court for at least 45 years. It was like someone had just closed the doors when it closed and had now reopened them. The information on the court and the cells were very good, and it's well worth spending a couple of hours there. Gift shop and cafe are also very good.
8. Convivial Rabbit Micropub
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
A simple independent bar focussing on ever-changing real ale from the cask plus local food and drinks including ciders, wine, gins and bar snacks. A rustic and cosy place for drinks and banter with old and new friends. Folk music meeting every Sunday evening plus occasional live music performances.
9. Wardon Hill Trading Post
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Antiques, Vintage, Collectable, Craft and so much more.. Over 60 traders under one roof. Garden Centre and Cafe with plenty of free parking on site. Open Mon - Sat 9-5 / Sun 9-4. A37 Dorchester - Yeovil DT2 9PW.
Reviewed By allans928 - Yeovil, United Kingdom
A very interesting place to visit with Antiques and collectibles to suit every purse, also a very good cafe with a vast menu to choose from
10. Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 209 reviews
Reviewed By 2gordonw
The museum iis modest in size but the story of the martyrs is well-displayed and is a sobering reminder of the oppression suffered by the working man in the early part of the nineteenth century.
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