Amazing art collections at the Russell-Cotes Museum and Gallery
Explore new exhibitions at TheGallery in Poole

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Museums & Galleries in Dorset

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Highlights

Dorset's rich historical roots are displayed through its wide collection of museums dotted across the county.

From impressive military exhibitions to traditional thatched breweries; charming collections to historic birthplaces, you will find a fantastic variety of museums and galleries here in Dorset.

So if you want to inject a bit of culture into your life, book a holiday or short break today.

Museums that grab your attention

For days out that pack a punch, you’ll be pleased to know that some of the South West’s top attractions are right here in Dorset.

If you’re visiting Dorchester, don’t miss the Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum, this new immersive museum is a fantastic for visitors of all ages and explores the history of law and order.

And if you are looking for a museum that really brings history to life, the Tank Museum’s live tank action displays and interactive exhibitions will thrill both young and old.

The family will have a great day out at the Fleet Air Arm Museum based just outside Dorset - the world's second largest naval aviation museum.

A trip down memory lane

Find out about the fascinating history of Christchurch at the Red House Museum. Step into a bygone age and experience the charm and harsh reality of life in the workhouse when children worked from dawn to dusk making watch parts.

The Gold Hill Museum has an award-winning cottage garden and wonderful views over Thomas Hardy’s Blackmore Vale. At the top of picturesque Gold Hill, this modern museum tells the story of rural and town life, starting even before Shaftesbury’s notional foundation by Alfred the Great

For a relaxing afternoon, take a picnic to Sturminster Newton Mill and enjoy a country walk, the riverside views and a guided tour of the Mill.

Extraordinary days out

In Dorset we have an eclectic collection of museums that dedicate themselves to some wonderful themes.

In Dorchester, you can learn all about the young Pharaoh Tutankhamun at the Tutankhamun Museum with stunning replicas that transport you to Ancient Egypt.

Also in the county town of Dorchester you can visit the house of Edward Bear at the Teddy Bear Museum. Young children will love the larger than life teddy bears, each with their own story to tell.

On the Somerset border, the Montacute TV, Toy and Radio Museum has a fantastic assortment of nostalgic memorabilia from all your favourite TV shows. Just beware of the daleks!

In the small village of Kimmeridge, you'll find the fantastic Museum of Jurassic Marine Life which is full of fossil finds from the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. Find out about how they were collected and prepared by local fossil hunter Dr. Steve Etches MBE. And you can watch 'real' marine dinosaurs swimming above you as you look closer at the exhibits. You might be lucky enough to see Steve working in his laboratory or join him for a guided walk in Kimmeridge Bay.

Art galleries and exhibitions

There are some fantastic art collections and touring exhibitions in Dorset.

The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum in Bournemouth houses important collections of paintings, sculpture, furniture, ceramics, world-wide collections and contemporary craft commissions.

At Kingston Lacy house near Wimborne you can view paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck, Titian and Brueghel and explore the largest private collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts in the UK.

View work by contemporary artists and designers at TheGallery in Poole. As well as displaying pieces by nationally and internationally recognised artists, the collections also include artwork on loan from major galleries and museums. They also run a number of events throughout the year.

Changing throughout the year, you can find touring exhibitions at Highcliffe Castle near Christchurch, Durlston Castle in Swanage and Exbury Gardens in the New Forest.

You may also like to visit some of our art gallery shops to browse or buy a piece of art created locally.

Book your stay today

If you’re looking to book somewhere to stay you will find the very best selection with Visit Dorset.

Luxury hotels, home-from-home guest houses and beautiful bell tents, it’s all to choose from.

Click the links below to easily book your accommodation online now:

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Number of results:

Number of results: 41

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
3030 reviews
Swanage Railway

Type

Type:

Railway

SWANAGE
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
Swanage Railway has now re-opened. Enjoy a nostalgic steam-train ride on the Purbeck line. Trains run for most of the year - daily from April to October and most weekends throughout the year. Park at Norden then catch a train to travel 6 miles south…
Price Free to £49.00 Per Ticket
The Great Dorset Steam Fair

Type

Type:

History & Heritage

BLANDFORD FORUM

If you are looking for an excellent fun and action packed day out for all the family, you'll love the Great Dorset Steam Fair. If its heritage related, you'll find it. Stand amazed at the variety of exhibitions and the sheer scale of the show means…
Brewery Square

Type

Type:

Family Fun

DORCHESTER

Brewery Square is a vibrant and stylish regeneration in the heart of Dorchester which currently boasts a variety of shops, eateries and leisure facilities including; Nando's, Zizzi, Hobbs, Phase Eight, a Premier Inn Hotel, Anytime Fitness and an…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
200 reviews
Museum of Jurassic Marine Life - The Etches Collection

Type

Type:

Museum

Wareham
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
The Museum has now re-opened. The finest single collection of Late Jurassic age fossils in Britain, housed in a purpose built, brand new immersive museum in the village of Kimmeridge, Dorset. Discovered and collected by just one man, Dr Steve…
Price Free to £20.00 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
4570 reviews
The Tank Museum

Type

Type:

Museum

BOVINGTON, Wareham
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
Bringing history to life, with the world’s best collection of tanks and explosive live displays. Our exhibitions tell the story of armoured warfare spanning over 100 years of history. Exploring eight powerful exhibitions, you will come face to face…
Special Offers
- Book online & save
  Book in advance on tankmuseum.org and save money on your entry ticket.
  More offers like this - Attraction Offers
Price Free to £39.00 Per Ticket
Sandworld Sculpture Park

Type

Type:

Craft Centre

Weymouth
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
Sandworld Sculpture Park has now re-opened. If you love the sand sculptures on the beach, you will absolutely love SandWorld. A unique gallery with a difference, as you get to have-a-go yourself, with tools & friendly staff at hand! 2019 theme to…
Price Free to £7.00 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1445 reviews
Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park and Rescue Centre

Type

Type:

Animal Collection

Verwood
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
COVID-19 VISIT ENGLAND WE’RE GOOD TO GO ACCREDITED BUSINESS. Come along and enjoy a unique experience visiting one of the very last Heavy Horse Centres left in Britain. The Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park is a multi-award-winning attraction located in…
Price Free to £39.95 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
659 reviews
Highcliffe Castle

Type

Type:

Castle/Fort

Highcliffe, CHRISTCHURCH

The Castle and grounds of Highcliffe Castle and the car park are open. A family-friendly, magnificent Grade I Listed 1830's mansion, built by Lord Stuart de Rothesay, surrounded by beautiful wooded grounds. There is direct access to the nearby sandy…

Price Free to £35.00 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
137 reviews
Keyneston Mill

Type

Type:

Botanic Garden

Blandford Forum

Keyneston Mill is open from 10am - 5pm (everyday except Tuesday). The Scented Botanist bistro has a new lunch menu, socially distanced inside seating is now available and we are taking reservations. Alternatively, our picnics and takeaways are also…

Price Free to £25.00 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1776 reviews
Kingston Lacy

Type

Type:

Historic House/Palace

WIMBORNE

Kingston Lacy parkland, garden, takeaway cafe, shop and toilets are now open. The ground and state floors in the house are open but with limited availability. Pre-purchased tickets are required. Please check the National Trust website before…

Price Free to £25.00 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
424 reviews
Lulworth Castle & Park

Type

Type:

Castle/Fort

EAST LULWORTH, Wareham
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
The Castle and Parklands are now open. Welcome to Lulworth Castle and Park, situated at the heart of the privately owned Lulworth Estate. Follow the fascinating story of the castle and the inspiring past of its dedicated owners. Discover…
Price Free to £6.00 Per Ticket
The Keep Military Museum

Type

Type:

Museum

DORCHESTER
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
*LATEST UPDATE* The museum is currently open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am until 4pm. There is currently no entry fee but tickets must be pre-booked. The Keep is the Military Museum of Devon and Dorset. Housed in an extraordinary…
Shaftesbury Abbey Museum & Gardens

Type

Type:

Abbey/Priory

Shaftesbury
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
Under the current government guidelines, the museum gardens is now open at the weekends ONLY. 10am-4pm. Social distancing applies. Donations gratefully received. Shaftesbury Abbey Museum tells the story of the Abbey founded by King Alfred the Great…
Price Free to £4.00 Per Ticket
Dorset County Museum

Type

Type:

Museum

DORCHESTER

*LATEST UPDATE* The Museum is currently closed for re-furbishment and will reopen in 2021. Dorset County Museum closed in October 2018 for a two-year multi-million pound redevelopment. Complete with new galleries, a learning centre, collections…
Beaminster Museum

Type

Type:

Museum

BEAMINSTER

*The museum will be closed for the 2020 season. They provisionally plan to re-open on Good Friday 2021*. Beaminster Museum in West Dorset is a small museum of local history which visitors from far and wide have declared “delightful” and…

Price £1.00 to £2.00 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
2116 reviews
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

Type

Type:

Museum

Bournemouth
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum has now re-opened. The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum houses important collections of paintings, sculpture, furniture, ceramics, world-wide collections and contemporary craft commissions.
Price Free to £20.00 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1229 reviews
Haynes International Motor Museum

Type

Type:

Museum

Sparkford, Yeovil
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
*LATEST UPDATE* The Museum will be re-opening on 24th October. The Haynes International Motor Museum is the UK’s largest exhibition of great cars from around the world. A living and working museum, with over 400 amazing cars and bikes from…
Price £7.00 to £50.00 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1235 reviews
Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway

Type

Type:

Garden

Exbury

Exbury Gardens are now open. Please check their website for which facilities will be open. You can watch virtual garden tours on their social media channels. Now more than 100 years old, Exbury Gardens is a spectacular collection of woodland,…

Price Free to £8.80 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1143 reviews
Durlston Country Park National Nature Reserve

Type

Type:

Country Park/Nature Reserve

SWANAGE
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2020
Durlston Castle and Country Park, situated 1 mile from Swanage in Dorset, is a fabulous 320 acre countryside paradise and National Nature Reserve, consisting of sea-cliffs, coastal limestone downland, haymeadows, hedgerows and woodland.
With…
Free
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
75 reviews
Sherborne Museum

Type

Type:

Museum

SHERBORNE

*Temporarily closed*. Sherborne Museum is housed in what used to be the gatehouse and almonry of the monastery once associated with the Abbey.

Free

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Museums & Galleries in Dorset

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A trip down memory lane

Extraordinary days out

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