Dorchester hotels and self catering cottage accommodation in Dorchester

Dorset » Dorchester accommodation

Dorset's county town, Dorchester, is immediately reminiscent of Thomas Hardy's Wessex novels, as Hardy was born nearby, and then lived and worked here, and is now honoured with a statue. Hardy's house can also be visited by appointment, and is located in Higher Brockhampton.

The town has been occupied for centuries, and even remains from Roman times can be found in Dorchester, such as the Roman Town House, unearthed around 1930. Most of the artefacts found there can be seen at the County Museum. Other than that, a large number of local buildings date back to Georgian times.

Maiden Castle is located just a couple of miles to the south of town, and is the country's biggest hill fort. Its earth walls, some as high as 6 metres, encircle remains from very different time periods. A Neolithic burial site lies next to remains of a Durotriges’ settlement and parts of a temple built by the Roman Empire in the 4th century.

Maumbury Rings, even closer to Dorchester, is a stone henge, also from the Neolithic age, which the Romans later turned into one of the largest British amphitheatres. Part of it was made into a fort later on, to block attacks on Dorchester during the 17th century.

Back in town, there's a weekly market, while the Borough Gardens feature a playground and bowling and tennis facilities. The Military Museum and the Dinosaur Museum are just some of the many cultural options Dorchester has to offer, as well as interesting shops and restaurants. Nearby is the small village of Cerne Abbas, featuring the remains of an abbey which is known for its enormous giant carved in chalk right into the hill.