List of museums in Dorset facts for kids
Dorset is a beautiful county in England, full of history, nature, and exciting places to explore! One of the best ways to learn about Dorset's past and present is by visiting its many museums. These special places collect and take care of interesting objects from history, art, science, or local life. They then share these collections with you through cool exhibits.
This guide will help you discover some of the amazing museums in Dorset, perfect for curious minds aged 12-14. Get ready to explore everything from ancient dinosaurs and powerful tanks to historic homes and fascinating local stories!
Discover Dorset's Amazing Museums
- Anvil Point Lighthouse
- Location: Swanage
- What you'll find: Explore a real lighthouse! You can take tours and learn how lighthouses guide ships safely. It's located in the beautiful Durlston Country Park.
- Athelhampton
- Location: Dorchester
- What you'll find: Step back in time at this stunning 15th-century manor house. Wander through its historic rooms and beautiful gardens.
- Beaminster Museum
- Location: Beaminster
- What you'll find: Discover the history of Beaminster, from ancient archaeology to how people lived and farmed in the past.
- Bennetts Water Gardens
- Location: Chickerell
- What you'll find: Enjoy 8 acres of beautiful gardens, famous for their collection of water lilies. There's also a small museum about local history.
- Blandford Fashion Museum
- Location: Blandford
- What you'll find: See amazing costumes and accessories from the 1730s all the way to the 1970s. It's like a fashion show through history!
- Blandford Town Museum
- Location: Blandford
- What you'll find: Learn about Blandford's local history, old trades, archaeology, military stories, and even its railway past.
- Bridport Museum
- Location: Bridport
- What you'll find: Explore Bridport's local history, including its textile industry, amazing fossils, and local art.
- Bournemouth Aviation Museum
- Location: Hurn
- What you'll find: Get up close to real airplanes, engines, and even sit in cockpits! They even have a double-decker bus.
- Bournemouth Natural Science Society
- Location: Bournemouth
- What you'll find: This museum is open for special events. It has collections of preserved plants, birds, mammals, insects, fossils, rocks, and even ancient Egyptian artifacts.
- Bournemouth University Atrium Gallery
- Location: Bournemouth
- What you'll find: See cool art created by both university students and other talented artists.
- Castletown D-Day Centre
- Location: Isle of Portland
- What you'll find: Learn about the important role Portland Harbour played in the Normandy landings during World War II.
- Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre
- Location: Charmouth
- What you'll find: Discover incredible fossils and rocks from the famous Jurassic Coast. You might even find your own!
- Chettle House
- Location: Chettle
- What you'll find: A beautiful 18th-century Queen Anne house with lovely gardens.
- Clouds Hill
- Location: Wareham
- What you'll find: Visit the former home of T. E. Lawrence, also known as "Lawrence of Arabia." It's looked after by the National Trust.
- Corfe Castle Town Museum
- Location: Corfe Castle
- What you'll find: Explore the local history of Corfe Castle, its geology, and the story of its marble industry.
- Dinosaur Museum
- Location: Dorchester
- What you'll find: Roar with excitement as you see full-size dinosaur models and real fossils from the Jurassic Coast.
- Dinosaurland Fossil Museum
- Location: Lyme Regis
- What you'll find: Dive into the world of local Jurassic marine fossils, dinosaurs, and the geology of the Jurassic Coast.
- Dorset Museum
- Location: Dorchester
- What you'll find: This big museum covers lots of topics! You'll find local history, natural history, art, archaeology, farming, and even exhibits about the famous author Thomas Hardy. Don't miss the fossils and dinosaurs!
- Dorset Teddy Bear Museum
- Location: Dorchester
- What you'll find: A whole museum dedicated to Teddy bears! See bears of all shapes and sizes.
- The Etches Collection
- Location: Kimmeridge
- What you'll find: A fantastic collection of fossils, especially those found along the local coastline.
- Fiddleford Manor
- Location: Sturminster Newton
- What you'll find: A medieval stone manor house, looked after by English Heritage. It's a glimpse into life long ago.
- Forde Abbey
- Location: Chard
- What you'll find: Once a Cistercian monastery, this historic house and its beautiful gardens are now open to visitors.
- TheGallery at Arts University Bournemouth
- Location: Bournemouth
- What you'll find: A modern art gallery showcasing contemporary art.
- Gillingham Museum
- Location: Gillingham
- What you'll find: Learn about Gillingham's local history, old trades, geology, and industries.
- Gold Hill Museum
- Location: Shaftesbury
- What you'll find: Discover the local history, culture, and industries of Shaftesbury, including the famous Gold Hill.
- Grove Prison Museum
- Location: Isle of Portland
- What you'll find: Explore the history of HM Prison Portland.
- Highcliffe Castle
- Location: Highcliffe
- What you'll find: A stunning 19th-century castle with beautiful grounds designed by Capability Brown.
- Keep Military Museum
- Location: Dorchester
- What you'll find: Learn about the history of the Dorset and Devon regiments, with uniforms, weapons, and stories of brave soldiers.
- Kingston Lacy
- Location: Wimborne Minster
- What you'll find: A grand 17th-century house managed by the National Trust. It's filled with fine art, ancient Egyptian artifacts, and lavish rooms, surrounded by beautiful gardens.
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- Langton Matravers Museum
- Location: Langton Matravers
- What you'll find: Discover the local history, geology, and the story of the limestone industry in the area.
- Lulworth Castle
- Location: East Lulworth
- What you'll find: A 17th-century mock castle manor house with a fascinating history.
- Lyme Regis Marine Aquarium
- Location: Lyme Regis
- What you'll find: See local fish and marine life from the Jurassic Coast. Also, learn about the history of The Cobb harbour wall.
- Lyme Regis Museum
- Location: Lyme Regis
- What you'll find: A treasure trove of fossils, geology, and local history. Learn about famous figures like Jane Austen and the town's maritime heritage.
- Mangerton Mill
- Location: Bridport
- What you'll find: Explore a three-story watermill and learn how it used to grind grain.
- Mapperton House
- Location: Beaminster
- What you'll find: An Elizabethan manor house with stunning gardens to explore.
- Max Gate
- Location: Dorchester
- What you'll find: The former home of the famous author Thomas Hardy, managed by the National Trust.
- Museum of Design in Plastics
- Location: Bournemouth
- What you'll find: A unique collection of plastic items, showing how plastic has been used in design throughout history and today.
- Nothe Fort
- Location: Weymouth
- What you'll find: A 19th-century fort that played an important role in World War II. See military memorabilia and vehicles.
- Place Mill
- Location: Christchurch
- What you'll find: A restored Anglo-Saxon watermill that also houses an art gallery.
- Poole Museum
- Location: Poole
- What you'll find: Discover Poole's local history, including its famous Poole Pottery, archaeology, maritime stories, and old trades.
- Poole Old Lifeboat Museum and Shop
- Location: Poole
- What you'll find: Visit a former lifeboat station and see a historic lifeboat.
- Portland Bill Lighthouse
- Location: Isle of Portland
- What you'll find: Take a tour of this iconic lighthouse and learn about its role in guiding ships.
- Portland Castle
- Location: Weymouth
- What you'll find: A 16th-century armed castle fort, managed by English Heritage.
- Portland Museum
- Location: Isle of Portland
- What you'll find: Learn about Portland's local history, geology, maritime heritage, and archaeology.
- Priest's House Museum
- Location: Wimborne Minster
- What you'll find: See rooms furnished from different historical periods and explore local history and archaeology.
- Purbeck Mineral and Mining Museum
- Location: Corfe Castle
- What you'll find: Located at the Norden railway station, this museum tells the story of ball clay mining with equipment and exhibits.
- Red House Museum, Dorset
- Location: Christchurch
- What you'll find: Explore local and social history, natural history, geology, archaeology, and costumes.
- Royal Signals Museum
- Location: Blandford Forum
- What you'll find: This is the national museum of army communications, showing how the army sends messages.
- Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
- Location: Bournemouth
- What you'll find: A beautiful Victorian mansion filled with fine art and Japanese art.
- Scaplens Court Museum
- Location: Poole
- What you'll find: A medieval building used for educational programs, with special demonstrations of domestic life in August.
- Shaftesbury Abbey Museum
- Location: Shaftesbury
- What you'll find: See artifacts from the ruins of a 15th-century Benedictine nunnery.
- Sherborne Castle
- Location: Sherborne
- What you'll find: A 16th-century Tudor mansion with beautiful gardens, managed by English Heritage.
- Sherborne House Arts
- Location: Bridport
- What you'll find: An art gallery that is part of the Bridport Arts Centre.
- Sherborne Museum
- Location: Sherborne
- What you'll find: Discover Sherborne's local history, old trades, industries, and household items from the past.
- Sherborne Steam & Waterwheel Centre
- Location: Sherborne
- What you'll find: See a restored 19th-century waterwheel that used to supply the town's water.
- Shire Hall Dorset
- Location: Dorchester
- What you'll find: Also known as Old Crown Court and Cells, this historic building has been restored to show how it looked during the trial of the Tolpuddle Martyrs in 1834.
- Stock Gaylard
- Location: Sturminster Newton
- What you'll find: A small Georgian country house with lovely gardens and estate.
- Sturminster Newton Mill
- Location: Sturminster Newton
- What you'll find: A working watermill where you can see how grain was milled.
- Sturminster Newton Museum
- Location: Sturminster Newton
- What you'll find: Learn about the local history and culture of Sturminster Newton.
- Sutton Poyntz Water Supply Museum
- Location: Weymouth
- What you'll find: Discover the history of water supply and the natural history of watersheds.
- Swanage Museum
- Location: Swanage
- What you'll find: Explore Swanage's local history, the geology of the Jurassic Coast, the stone industry, and even the development of early radar during World War II.
- Swanage Railway
- Location: Corfe Castle
- What you'll find: Ride a heritage railway and visit the museum located in the converted Goods Shed at Corfe Castle railway station.
- The Tank Museum
- Location: Wool
- What you'll find: Get ready for an incredible collection of tanks and armoured vehicles from around the world!
- Terracotta Warriors Museum
- Location: Dorchester
- What you'll find: See amazing replicas of the famous Terracotta Army warriors found in China.
- Thomas Hardy's Cottage
- Location: Higher Bockhampton
- What you'll find: Visit the birthplace of the famous author Thomas Hardy, managed by the National Trust.
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- Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum
- Location: Tolpuddle
- What you'll find: Learn about the inspiring story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of 19th-century farm workers who fought for fair treatment.
- Town Mill, Lyme Regis
- Location: Lyme Regis
- What you'll find: A restored working watermill, surrounded by art galleries, craft studios, a bakery, and a café.
- Tudor House
- Location: Weymouth
- What you'll find: Step inside an early 17th-century merchant's house, showing what life was like long ago.
- Tutankhamun Exhibition
- Location: Dorchester
- What you'll find: Experience a re-creation of the tomb of the ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun.
- Wareham Town Museum
- Location: Wareham
- What you'll find: Discover Wareham's local history, including stories about T. E. Lawrence, archaeology, and local pottery.
- West Bay Discovery Centre
- Location: West Bay
- What you'll find: This visitor centre, housed in a former chapel, tells the history of West Bay.
- Weymouth Museum
- Location: Weymouth
- What you'll find: Located in Brewers Quay, this museum covers Weymouth's local history, culture, and maritime past.
- White Mill, Sturminster Marshall
- Location: Sturminster Marshall
- What you'll find: A restored watermill, part of the Kingston Lacy estate, managed by the National Trust.
- Wolfeton House
- Location: Charminster
- What you'll find: An early Tudor and Elizabethan manor house with a rich history.
Museums That Are No Longer Open
Sometimes museums close down. Here are a few that used to be in Dorset:
- Discovery: This museum had interactive science exhibits and was once part of Brewers Quay.
- Museum of Electricity, Christchurch: This museum closed in 2012.
- Timewalk: This museum, also at Brewers Quay, told the story of 600 years of local history and brewing. It closed in 2010.
See also
- Category:Tourist attractions in Dorset
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List of museums in Dorset Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.