England
Dorset

Museums in Dorset

Chesil Beach Visitor Centre   The Chesil Beach Centre near Portland tells the story of the region's unique geology through a series of interactive displays. Visitors can also take a trip on the glass-bottomed Fleet Observer boat to examine the marine world of Chesil more closely. Portland Beach Road, Portland, Dorset, England, DT4 9XE Attraction Type: Museum Location: off the A354 between Weymouth and Portland Website: Chesil Beach Visitor Centre Email: reserve@chesil.fsworld.co.uk Phone: 01305 760 579 Fax: 01305 759 692 Location map Details of Chesil Beach Visitor Centre OS SY669 756 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Dorset County Museum    The County Museum traces the natural, archaeological, social, and geological history of the county. High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset, England, DT1 1XA Attraction Type: Museum Website: Dorset County Museum Email: enquiries@dorsetcountymuseum.org Phone: 01305 262 735 Fax: 01305 257 180 Location map Details of Dorset County Museum OS SY692 908 Photo Credit: Joanne Paul Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Dorset Teddy Bear Museum    The charming Dorset Teddy Bear Museum is a delight for children and adults who haven't forgotten what it is like to have fun! A century's worth of teddy history, from such old favorites as Rupert Bear and Winnie the Pooh to today's TV stars. If you just have to take a friend or two home with you, there is now a teddy bear shop in a separate location on Trinity Street. Eastgate, Dorchester, Dorset, England, DT1 1JU Attraction Type: Museum Location: corner of High East Street and Salisbury Street Website: Dorset Teddy Bear Museum Email: info@teddybearmuseum.co.uk Phone: 01305 266 040 Fax: 01305 268 885 Location map Details of Dorset Teddy Bear Museum OS SY695 906 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Keep Military Museum of Devon and Dorset    Modern displays outline the history of the Regiments of Devon and Dorset. Fantastic views out over Hardy country from the keep battlements. Bridport Road, Dorchester, Dorset, England, DT1 1RN Attraction Type: Museum Location: at the top of High West Street Website: Keep Military Museum of Devon and Dorset Email: info@keepmilitarymuseum.org Phone: 01305 264 066 Fax: 01305 250 373 Location map Details of Keep Military Museum of Devon and Dorset OS SY687 906 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Lulworth Heritage Centre    The importance of Lulworth as a natural habitat and area of geologic importance has been recognized by its designation as a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and Heritage Coast. This diversity is explored in the Heritage Centre, which offers educational material as well as providing excellent views of the Cove. Lulworth Cove, East Lulworth, Dorset, England, BH20 5QS Attraction Type: Museum Website: Lulworth Heritage Centre Phone: 01929 400 587 Location map Details of Lulworth Heritage Centre OS SY852 821 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Mill House Cider Museum    The Cider Museum traces the heritage of cider-making in Dorset, with displays of antique presses and other traditional equipment dating as far back as the 18th century. A video in the museum explains the process of cider making, and visitors can shop for cider and other West Country goodies in the museum shop. Owermoigne, Dorchester, Dorset, England, DT2 8HZ Attraction Type: Museum Location: on the A352 Website: Mill House Cider Museum Email: contact@millhousecider.com Phone: 01305 852 220 Fax: 01305 854 760 Location map Details of Mill House Cider Museum OS SY771 868 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Royal Signals Museum    The Royal Signals Museum depicts the history of military communications, science and technology from the Crimea to the Gulf. With displays on the Great War, Second World War, Korea, The Falklands and the Gulf War. The Museum also depicts the stories of the Special Operations Executive (SOE), the ATS, the Long Range Desert Group and SAS Signals. Featuring military vehicles and motorbikes, uniforms and equipment, medals and memorabilia, plus special displays on Codes and Codebreaking, Women at War, and much more. Blandford Camp, Blandford Forum, Dorset, England, DT11 8RH Attraction Type: Museum Location: off A354 Website: Royal Signals Museum Email: info@royalsignalsmuseum.com Phone: 01258 482 258 Location map OS ST913 077 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Shaftesbury Abbey Museum and Garden    Only the excavated foundations remain of Shaftesbury's 9th century Benedictine Abbey, but the story of the abbey is brought to life in this excellent museum. Park Walk, Shaftesbury, Dorset, England, SP7 8JR Attraction Type: Abbey Location: in the town centre Website: Shaftesbury Abbey Museum and Garden Email: user@shaftesburyabbey.fsnet.co.uk Phone: 01747 852 910 Fax: 01747 852 910 Location map OS ST863 229 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Shaftesbury Town Museum    Behind the Town Hall at the top of Gold Hill is Shaftesbury's Town Museum, boasting displays of the town's unique heritage. Included are examples of Dorset Buttons, made locally in the early 19th century, and a variety of regional agricultural implements such as billhooks, scythes, and Shepherd's crooks. A wooden fire engine dating to 1744, and even earlier 17th century set of Shaftesbury's own weights and measures are on display. Sun and Moon Cottage, Gold Hill Shaftesbury, Dorset, England, SP7 8JW Attraction Type: Museum Location: up from Town Hall, via walkway Website: Shaftesbury Town Museum Email: sdhs@waitrose.com Phone: 01747 852 157 Location map OS ST863 229 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

The Dinosaur Museum    The only museum in Britain dedicated to dinosaurs, the award-winning Dorchester Dinosaur Museum is a treat, especially for children. The museum combines life-sized models of dinosaurs with actual fossils to create an enjoyable hands-on educationalk experience. Audio visual and computer displays tell the story of the giant lizards and what the earth was like millions of years ago. Icen Way, Dorchester, Dorset, England, DT1 1EW Attraction Type: Museum Location: off the High Street Website: The Dinosaur Museum Email: info@thedinosaurmuseum.com Phone: 01305 269 880 Location map Details of The Dinosaur Museum OS SY694 906 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Tutankhamun Exhibition    A little bit of Ancient Egypt in the heart of Hardy Country! The Tutankhamun Exhibition is a meticulously crafted recreation of the original Tutankhamun artefacts found when the pharoah's tomb was reopened in the early 20th century. The artefacts are displayed in an authentic model of the tomb chamber, as it looked in 1922 when archaeologist Howard Carter unearthed it. High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset, England, DT1 1UW Attraction Type: Museum Website: Tutankhamun Exhibition Phone: 01305 269 571 Location map Details of Tutankhamun Exhibition OS SY691 907 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering