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: 42

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
3061 reviews
Swanage Railway

Type

Type:

Railway

SWANAGE
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2021
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 to Swanage, passing through Corfe…
Price Free to £49.00 Per Ticket
The Great Dorset Steam Fair

Type

Type:

History & Heritage

BLANDFORD FORUM

CANCELLED - This event has been cancelled for 2021. 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…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
104 reviews
Museum of East Dorset

Type

Type:

Museum

WIMBORNE MINSTER

Located in the heart of the beautiful market town of Wimborne Minster, visitors can discover the story of East Dorset with stunning Roman wall paintings, the fascinating childhood gallery and a unique Victorian Valentine card collection. Explore…

Price Free to £16.00 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1834 reviews
Kingston Lacy

Type

Type:

Historic House/Palace

WIMBORNE

Kingston Lacy is an elegant 17th century Italian inspired country mansion set in attractive formal gardens and extensive parkland. Wander around Kingston Lacy house and discover the Spanish Room with its gilded leather and gilded ceiling brought…

Price Free to £45.00 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1489 reviews
Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park

Type

Type:

Animal Collection

Verwood
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2021
Come along and enjoy a unique experience visiting one of the very last Heavy Horse Centres left in Great Britain. The Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park is a multi-award-winning day out for all ages recognised as both a family attraction and conservation…
Price Free to £49.95 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
669 reviews
Highcliffe Castle

Type

Type:

Castle/Fort

Highcliffe, CHRISTCHURCH

A family-friendly, magnificent Grade I Listed 1830s mansion, built by Lord Stuart de Rothesay, surrounded by beautiful wooded grounds. There is direct access to the nearby sandy beach and Steamer Point nature reserve.

Price Free to £35.00 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
4621 reviews
The Tank Museum

Type

Type:

Museum

BOVINGTON, Wareham
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2021
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
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
163 reviews
Keyneston Mill

Type

Type:

Botanic Garden

BLANDFORD FORUM

Keyneston Mill is a botanic garden and 50-acre private working estate, dedicated to perfume and scented plants. Come and enjoy the creative home of Parterre Fragrances, where the key ingredients for the perfumes are grown, harvested and distilled.

Price Free Per Ticket to £75.00 Per person per day
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
207 reviews
Museum of Jurassic Marine Life - The Etches Collection

Type

Type:

Museum

Kimmeridge, WAREHAM
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2021
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 Etches MBE, all from the Kimmeridge…
Price Free to £20.00 Per Ticket
Helen Biles Artist Studio & Gallery

Type

Type:

Open Studios & Art Trails

Soldiers Road, Wareham

Helen Biles Studio is an artist studio and gallery located in the beautiful setting of Hartland Stud, overlooking the heathland, nr Corfe Castle, and is open to the public.
Here you will find an interesting mix of abstract and still-life work on…
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
1385 reviews
Haynes International Motor Museum

Type

Type:

Museum

Sparkford, YEOVIL
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2021
This multi-award winning Museum is home to the UK’s largest Collection of cars and motorbikes and is truly a must-see attraction for the whole family.
Situated in Sparkford, close to the A303, the Museum takes you on a journey through time…
Price £7.00 to £54.00 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
34 reviews
West Bay Discovery Centre

Type

Type:

Heritage/Visitor Centre

Bridport
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2021
West Bay Discovery Centre is a unique award-winning attraction that has something for all interests and ages.
Discover a treasure trove of stories, activities, and ideas - explore the area’s hidden history, learn about the Jurassic Coast and…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
15 reviews
Beaminster Museum

Type

Type:

Museum

BEAMINSTER

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. Following building work over spring 2021, displays in the old…

Price £1.00 to £2.00 Per Ticket
Dorset Museum

Type

Type:

Museum

DORCHESTER

*LATEST UPDATE* The Museum is currently closed for re-furbishment and will reopen on Friday 28th May 2021. Dorset County Museum closed in October 2018 for a two-year multi-million pound redevelopment. Complete with new galleries, a learning centre,…
Shaftesbury Abbey Museum & Gardens

Type

Type:

Abbey/Priory

SHAFTESBURY
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2021
Shaftesbury Abbey Museum tells the story of the Abbey founded by King Alfred the Great in AD888. The foundations of the Abbey lie in a peaceful walled garden with traditional roses and extensive herb garden. The museum brings to life the…
Free
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
2132 reviews
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

Type

Type:

Museum

BOURNEMOUTH
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2021
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
Nothe Fort

Type

Type:

Castle/Fort

WEYMOUTH
Awards
- Visit Britain We're Good to Go 2021
Nothe Fort is now open to visitors with new measures in place to ensure the safety of visitors, staff, and volunteers. More information on what has changed can be found on the Covid-19 Nothe Fort webpage.
Special Offers
- With an annual pass into Nothe Fort, you can gain access for free whenever you wish until the end of 2021.
  More offers like this - Attraction Offers
Town Mill

Type

Type:

Water Mill

LYME REGIS

The Town Mill is a unique mix of working watermill, art galleries and creative artisanal businesses. Centred around a beautiful mediaeval cobbled courtyard and featuring a landscaped ‘Miller’s Garden’, the Town Mill is one of Lyme Regis’ leading…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
300 reviews
Gold Hill Museum

Type

Type:

Heritage/Visitor Centre

SHAFTESBURY

*LATEST UPDATE* Open every day from Monday 31 May to Sunday 31 October 2021. Please check details on our website
Gold Hill Museum and Garden can be found at the top of picturesque Gold Hill, with its steeply inclined cottages and cobbled surface.…

Free

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A trip down memory lane

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