Free events across town give residents a fresh look at Dorchester’s past
"Heritage Open Day returns to Dorchester with a range of free events and experiences planned across the town."
The annual Heritage Open Day returns to Dorchester on Sunday 13 September, offering a programme of free walks, talks and behind‑the‑scenes tours aimed at people who want to explore the town’s varied history.
Organisers will base the day at the Discover Dorchester stall by the Town Pump on Cornhill, open from 10:00 to 16:00, which will serve as the starting point for many of the scheduled activities. The stall will also feature a Second World War jeep from D‑Day Dorset, alongside stands from The Keep Military Museum and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.
Visitors can join guided tours of civic and historic sites, or attend talks that delve into Dorchester’s social and economic past. Among the places taking part are the 16th‑century Colliton House and the Corn Exchange, where guided visits will include an update on the building’s ongoing major restoration and a chance to view civic memorabilia in the council chamber.
The Dorset Museum & Art Gallery Collections Discovery Centre will open its doors for behind‑the‑scenes tours that focus on the social history of the town, while St Peter’s Church will offer unique access to its bell tower and demonstrations of bell ringing by the church’s team, with regular tours from 12:00 to 16:00.
Walks and talks that trace local stories
Guided walks form a central part of the day, with routes covering a range of themes that reflect Dorchester’s layered past. Programmes include walks that examine:
- Life in Dorchester during the Second World War
- The stories of Mary Channing and Martha Brown
- Architectural developments in Poundbury
There will also be a talk at Sunninghill School by Jeremy Pope, addressing the town’s economic growth in the late 19th century. Some tours and talks require pre‑booking; organisers advise checking Eventbrite or the Dorset Museum website for booking details specific to each activity.
Local heritage, public access and what it means for the town
For many residents, Heritage Open Day is a chance to see parts of Dorchester that are not normally accessible or to refresh their knowledge of familiar places. The inclusion of restoration updates at the Corn Exchange and the behind‑the‑scenes centre at the Dorset Museum highlights how conservation and interpretation are ongoing, local concerns.
Free entry to talks and guided visits helps widen access so that people on modest incomes, families and older residents can all take part without cost. The visible presence of military heritage exhibits and organisations such as The Keep Military Museum also underlines the town’s continuing engagement with wartime memory and commemoration.
Volunteers and local groups will be prominent on the day, stewarding walks, running stalls and leading tours. Their involvement sustains much of Dorchester’s heritage offer and provides an avenue for local voices to shape how history is presented to visitors and neighbours.
Practical information
| What | Where | When |
|---|---|---|
| Discover Dorchester stall | Town Pump, Cornhill | 10:00–16:00 |
| St Peter’s bell tower tours | St Peter’s Church | 12:00–16:00 |
| Heritage Open Day (whole town) | Various venues across Dorchester | Sunday 13 September |
Anyone planning to attend should check the Dorset Museum and Eventbrite listings for details and to book places where required. For many, the day will be an opportunity to take fresh notice of the buildings and stories that define Dorchester, and to learn more about ongoing efforts to conserve them for the future.
The Heritage Open Day offers a compact but varied programme, from bell ringing and wartime vehicles to conservation conversations in civic spaces — all free and arranged to encourage residents and visitors to look again at the town they live in.
