Cerne Abbas

Getting there

A new park and ride service is now available, see National Park and Ride Directory

By train Dorchester has two train stations. The tourism website has advice on https://www.visit-dorset.com/visitor-information/travel-information/getting-here/by-train/ travelling via rail].

1 Dorchester South, Station Approach, DT1 1QX. Rail links to stations to Weymouth and London Waterloo. 2 Dorchester West, Damers Road, DT1 2LB. Rail links to stations to Weymouth and Bristol.

By bus National Express Coaches stop at Dorchester from London Victoria.

Getting around

Travelling around Dorchester in particular and West Dorset as a whole is easy by private or public transport.

See

1 Maiden Castle, Maiden Castle Road, DT2 9PP (About a one-hour walk or 15-min drive south from the town centre along Weymouth Avenue and Maiden Castle Road. (The #10 bus will take you only part way.)). Open any reasonable time during daylight hours. The largest surviving hillfort in England. Dating from around 3000 BC, the site is of great historical significance and is maintained by English Heritage. Free. (updated Mar 2016) 2 Shire Hall Historic Courthouse, High West Street DT1 1UY, ☏ +44 1305 261849. M-Sa 10AM-5PM. Brings over 200 years of justice and injustice to life. Walk in the footsteps of people whose lives were forever changed in the historic court at Dorchester’s Shire Hall. Famous for the trial of the Tolpuddle Martyrs in 1834. Adult £9.50, child £5. 3 Roman Town House, The Grove and Northernhay (just north of High Street). A Roman ruin on the County Hall site, the Town House has two principal ranges of rooms. The South Range has flint and stone walls on the grass-covered site. The West Range was mosaic floored. This range has been re-excavated and covered with a steel and glass building with a stone tiled roof perched on the original foundations. Free. (updated Sep 2017) 4 Hardy's Cottage, Higher Bockhampton, DT2 8QJ (3 miles (5 km) east of Dorchester), ☏ +44 1305 262366, [email protected]. Thatched cottage where Thomas Hardy was born and penned some early novels, plus country garden. 5 Max Gate, Alington Avenue, DT1 2FN, ☏ +44 1305 262538, [email protected]. Thomas Hardy's former townhouse, designed by him in 1885, with furnished rooms and a walled garden. 6 Cerne Abbas Giant, Cerne Abbas, DT2 7AL, ☏ +44 1297 489481, [email protected]. A giant figure carved into the side of a hill by removing turf to expose white chalk. 7 Maumbury Rings, Maumbury Road at Weymouth Avenue (A 15-min walk south of the town centre). A large circular earthwork, 85 metres in diameter. During the Roman period, it was adapted for us

Do

Come on a Wednesday and experience the lively atmosphere of market day in town. On the first Saturday of the month you can take a trip to Prince Charles' internationally renowned Poundbury and enjoy the Farmers' Market.

Buy

Local produce from the regular markets and farmers' markets in town. These are a great opportunity to discover local handcrafted and home-produced items and pick up a bargain!

Eat

Dorchester has a varied selection of restaurants, but is fairly limited in quality.

Drink & nightlife

There are many excellent pubs and bars in the county town of Dorchester, so prepare to be spoilt for choice!

1 The Royal Oak, 21–22 High West St, DT1 1UW, ☏ +44 1305 755910. Wetherspoon's pub. (updated Jan 2018)

Sleep

1 The Casterbridge, 49 High E St, ☏ +44 1305 264043. 2 King's Arms, 30 High E St DT1 1HF, ☏ +44 1305 238238. Pleasant coaching inn with restaurant and rooms in town centre. B&B double £100. (updated May 2021) 3 Yalbury Cottage, Lower Bockhampton DT2 8PZ, ☏ +44 1305 262382. Charming thatched country restaurant with 8 rooms surrounded by sheep. Open mid-Jan to mid Dec. B&B double £110. (updated Jun 2020) 4 Cheesemans Cottage, Muckleford, ☏ +44 1929 481547, [email protected]. Check-in: 15.00, check-out: 10.00. English country cottage in traditional village - pet friendly (updated Jul 2025)