Top Things to do in Dorchester
What to do and see in Dorchester, England: The Best Things to do Good for Couples
Discover the best top things to do in Dorchester, United Kingdom including Sculpture by the Lakes, Plaza Cinema, Xtreme Falconry at Dorset Falconry Park, Monart Spa Poundbury, Athelhampton House and Gardens, Dorset County Museum, Hardy's Cottage, Max Gate, Borough Gardens, Langham Wine Estate Vineyard.
Restaurants in Dorchester
1. Sculpture by the Lakes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,366 reviews
Beautiful 26 acre Sculpture Park & Gardens, with Gallery cafe. Due to deep water NO CHILDREN UNDER 14 years of age (including babies) and NO DOGS are allowed. Open Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm, hut bookings are from 10am to 4.45pm. Entry is £12.50 per person. The Gallery Cafe is now open serving tea, coffee, light meals, delicious cakes, cream tea's, ice creams etc., visitors can choose to eat inside, outside (at the newly created seating area), or take it out into the Sculpture Park using one of the picnic baskets provided, complete with rug. Visitors are able to enjoy the Gallery & Gallery Cafe without entry to the Sculpture Park. Described as one of the most beautiful & unique sculpture parks in the United Kingdom, Sculpture by the Lakes marries the soft beauty of nature's wild river landscape with the more formal presentation of monumental outdoor sculpture. It is that combination of art and landscape that inspires Sculpture by the Lakes.
Reviewed By matttJ1645KV
So so Tranquil.easy to find on Sat Nav.some beautifully thought out by some very friendly and approachable staff.going to go again as soon as.Alot of thought and sensitivity about and how each sculpture is placed.i highly recommend this venue for sculpture newbies.
2. 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
3. Xtreme Falconry at Dorset Falconry Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 130 reviews
We are a bird of prey collection with over 100 birds in the collection ranging from owls, hawk, falcons to vultures and eagles. We have two daily shows free flying some of the team and a tea room for you to relax and enjoy the quiet and tranquility of the site. Come and see conservation in action in our butterfly garden or bring a picnic.
Reviewed By AndyB822
We had an absolutely fantastic day out at Xtreme Falconry - it's a relatively new family run falconry centre with so many birds. The owner Martin and his side kick Pete are both extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the birds. There is even time for his daughters to help bring the birds out and do some training themselves. We experienced a flying training session and a bird show which was delivered superbly with plenty of time to ask questions during and after the sessions. Definitely recommend this truly wonderful day out
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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
7. Hardy's Cottage
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 561 reviews
Reviewed By Alan0566 - Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Had a lovely trip around hardy’s cottage this week it starts with a nice stroll though the woods from the visitor centre to the cottage we then walk through the garden to get into the cottage from there the knowledgeable staff give a fascinating insight to hardy’s early life in mid 1800’s Dorset
8. 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 .
9. Borough Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 95 reviews
Reviewed By Paulmcvey - Peterborough, United Kingdom
An oasis of paradise away from the current madness in the world with Covid 19. It was a nice pleasant walk through each day to the high street from where i was staying. The Gardens include a traditional Bandstand, clock tower and fountains along with beautiful flower area and modern facilities include a children play area along with Gym equipment. This place is well worth a visit and you can lose yourself in time at this location.
10. Langham Wine Estate Vineyard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 111 reviews
Wine Estate. Single site vineyard based just outside Dorchester in Dorset with winery, cafe, tasting room and shop on site selling sparkling wine and tours.
Reviewed By FoodieStephie
I would highly recommend making a trip to this vineyard. We went as a group of five 21-26 year olds to do a self-guided tour of the vineyard before a tasting. It was lovely to have the time to walk through the vineyard at our own pace with an information sheet telling us about the grapes. We then sat down for the tasting. Emma, who talked us through the three sparkling wines we sampled, is an excellent speaker. She managed to talk about wine in a totally unpretentious and incredibly informative way. Our group had different levels of prior knowledge about wine but we all felt engaged during the tasting. It was one of the highlights of our holiday in Dorset. And of course the wine tastes excellent too! We bought a bottle of each of the ones we had tasted.
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