Right in the heart of Dorset, the town of Dorchester is an idyllic backdrop for a weekend in the countryside. Set only a few miles from the Dorset coastline, you can also spend your weekend exploring award-winning Blue Flag beaches.
There are plenty of things to do in Dorchester. Here we’ll highlight the town’s best attractions and places to eat easily accessible using public transport. With SWR Rewards, travelling on our network could mean discounts on things like dinners out and theatre trips simply by buying your tickets through us. Even more reason to use public transport during your trip!
Start your weekend right with a delicious breakfast at Taste Brasserie. You’re spoilt for choice with places to eat in Dorchester, and this café is just a ten-minute walk from both Dorchester stations.
We’d recommend getting the classic full English, complete with locally sourced sausages, eggs and bread.
There are many Dorchester museums to discover, one of which is Max Gate. This Victorian townhouse is a 20-minute walk or 5-minute bus ride from Taste Brasserie.
Thomas Hardy, the famous writer and poet, built Max Gate in the 1800s to establish himself in the area’s middle-class society. Today, you can spend time inside the Victorian property where Hardy wrote his most famous works, including Tess of the d’Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure.
Max Gate is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 16:00, and tickets need to be pre-booked.
Head to the X12 bus stop and take the 20-minute journey to Langham Wine Estate. Set up in 2009, this estate has won several awards for its English sparkling wine. The produce is so successful that the estate has opened its doors to visitors, with tours now a top attraction in Dorchester.
Although Langham has different tour options, we recommend the guided tour. In a two-hour session, you can explore the vineyard and winery, learning about the production process from the experts. After the tour, it’s time for a wine tasting session, sampling Langham’s best labels.
To enjoy a whole afternoon on-site, purchase the picnic lunch. You can then feast on a delicious picnic in the vineyard, including a glass of Langham sparkling wine.
On your journey back to Dorchester, make a pit stop at Athelhampton House and Gardens, a five-minute bus ride on the X12. This Tudor manor house-turned-museum dates back to the fifteenth century, and you can still see original features today!
Athelhampton is one of the top things to do in Dorchester, open from 10:00 to 17:00, Friday to Sunday during the spring and summer seasons. Note that opening times vary during off-peak months, so always check the website before your visit.
A short walk and ten-minute bus journey from Athelhampton House and Gardens, Yalbury Cottage is an award-winning restaurant that’s a firm favourite among locals. The unique spot is set in a picture-perfect more-than 300-year-old thatched cottage. Yalbury’s menu changes with the seasons, making the most of local produce.
As it’s one of the best restaurants in Dorchester, we recommend booking a table in advance to avoid disappointment.
End your first day in Dorchester by taking the bus back to the town centre for a drink. Dorchester town is home to fantastic traditional pubs popular with visitors and locals alike. Here are our top Dorchester pubs, all found in the town centre:
The Blue Raddle
The Duchess of Cornwall
Brewhouse and Kitchen
Convivial Rabbit
Day 2: Your second day in Dorchester
Grab breakfast at The Posh Partridge
Time for the most important meal of the day! At The Posh Partridge, you can fuel up with a classic, home-cooked breakfast. They also make fantastic homemade cakes, so we’d suggest taking one for the road.
As one of the largest and most impressive hillforts in the UK, Maiden Castle is worthy of a visit during your time in Dorchester. Take a stroll through the vast area (where 50 football pitches could easily fit) and admire its substantial ramparts that were primarily built in the 1st century BC. Maiden Castle is free to enter for all ages. Dogs are welcome, so even your four-legged friends can come along.
The castle is a short bus journey from Dorchester South and the town centre. From Brewery Square, hop on the number 10 towards Weymouth and get off when you reach Tesco. It’s a brisk 27-minute walk, so have your comfy shoes ready!
After all that walking, it’s time to slow down the pace and put your feet up at Monart Day Spa. This five-star luxury day spa is the best way to round off a busy day. Treat yourself to a massage in one of the seven treatment rooms before taking a dip in the hydrotherapy pool. There’s also a sauna, steam room, salt grotto and more in the thermal suite, so you’ll feel rejuvenated from head to toe.
After your relaxing day in Dorchester, head to Brewery Square for dinner. This small shopping centre is home to some fantastic restaurants, including Luciano’s.
Luciano’s is run by renowned chef Marco Pierre White’s son and is among the best restaurants in Dorchester. There’s plenty to choose from on the Italian inspired menu, from sourdough pizzas to classic pasta dishes.
Brewery Square also includes familiar chain restaurants, including:
Plan your idyllic country getaway and book your Dorchester train tickets in advance to bag yourself a bargain. Browse our ticket types and take advantage of our Railcards and discounts for even more savings!
