Beaminster Museum

About

Beaminster Museum in West Dorset is a small museum of local history which visitors from far and wide have declared “delightful” and “fascinating” with plenty to see and do for all ages. 

Beginning with our Jurassic fossils from internationally renowned Horn Park Quarry, our permanent collection highlights all aspects of life and work in Beaminster and its surrounding villages since geological times. Three stone axes from 500,000 years ago, before Neanderthal times, found in a local hedge-line, lead into Iron Age and Bronze Age artefacts. 

The Roman Army left behind its mark as it marched from Dorchester to Exeter, then see agriculture though the centuries, and a special flax and sailcloth display, from the growing of the crop to the weaving of linen to produce canvas, nets, smocks and sailcloth. This was a special local industry in this area of Dorset.

And there’s so much more! Exhibits about the World Wars and their impact in our area, historic trades and skills that served this rural community, an example of a local schoolroom, pubs and social events, local industries, catastrophic fires, how the poorer members of the area lived. Come and try out all sorts of activities requiring pushing, prodding, trying on, observing, for all ages.

For local researchers we hold a comprehensive reference section which is available for your own research, with files covering Beaminster and local villages.  There is an enthusiastic research team who may already be able to answer your queries.  Sit and browse old photographs or books of local interest. 

Our shop is full of things associated with our area. It is ideal for finding exclusive gifts with a local flavour, including books written by our own volunteers. And a select range of new and previously owned books and literature.   

Although the Museum does not have its own refreshments facilities, the town centre has a wide choice of eateries, from cheap and cheerful welcoming cafes to national award winning restaurants, so  you can have an enjoyable visit to both the Museum and the town (yes, it is a town, not a village, as you will discover when you visit us!). 

A stair-lift enables access to the upper gallery.