Dorchester news
Dorchester news, newest first, from The Dorset Post: planning, roads, schools, business and what's on in Dorchester, with every story linked to its source.
Top story
Boxing Day Walks in Dorset: 8 Hills, Coast Paths and Parks Open on 26 December
We checked 8 Boxing Day walks in Dorset, from the Cerne Abbas mummers to Old Harry Rocks, for what is open on 26 December and when it gets dark. Updated November 2026.
More stories
Dorchester
Two Graves Found Under Fairfield Road in Dorchester
Two graves with human remains were found on 2 November during the Fairfield Road improvements. Their age is not yet known; earlier digs there found Roman burials.
Heritage
Tracy Chevalier Backs Bid to Save Dorset's 96% Full Archive
The archive stores at Dorset History Centre in Dorchester are 96% full. Novelist Tracy Chevalier narrates a film for the £5.28m project to expand them.
Christmas
Christmas Shopping in Dorset: 20 Independents Worth the Drive
We checked 20 independent Dorset shops, from Goulds in Dorchester to Folde in Shaftesbury, for opening hours and what they sell. Updated November 2026.
Christmas
Where to Buy a Christmas Tree in Dorset 2026 With Prices
We checked 6 places to buy a real Christmas tree in Dorset, from Trinity Street in Dorchester to Moors Valley, for prices and dates. Updated November 2026.
Crime
Dorchester Appeal: Woman Found Injured Off Herringston Road
A woman in her 60s was found with potentially life-changing injuries in an alleyway off Herringston Road, Dorchester, on 29 October. Police want witnesses and footage.
Dorchester
£1,495 Grant Helps Dorchester Mum's Cleaning Firm Double
Cailin Lambrechts, 30, set up a Dorchester cleaning firm after leaving an abusive relationship. A £1,495 grant paid for rebranding; she now has four cleaners.
Food & Drink
Christmas Dinner in Dorset 2026: Where to Book, With Prices
14 Dorset venues for Christmas dinner: nine serve Christmas Day lunch at £90 to £155 a head, and five serve December menus from £27. Checked October 2026.
Food & Drink
Afternoon Tea in Dorset: 9 Places Worth the Drive, From Lyme to Swanage
Nine places for afternoon tea in Dorset with prices, notice and deposits, at about £20 to £36 a head, from Sherborne Abbey to Lyme Regis. Checked October 2026.
Days out
Days Out in Dorset With Children, Checked October 2026
Dorset days out with children that stay open this winter: Tank Museum, Monkey World, Corfe Castle and 10 more, with prices, under-5s rules and closed dates.
Dorchester
Poundbury Mental Elf Fun Run: £12 Entry Until 13 November
Dorset Mind's first festive 5K is at The Great Field, Poundbury, at noon on Sunday 13 December. Walk, jog or run; Early Elf tickets £12 adults, £5 children.
Playgrounds
Dorset Playgrounds and Parks for Children
14 Dorset playgrounds are listed with ages, fencing, toilets, parking charges and dog rules, from Moors Valley to Lyme Regis. Checked October 2026.
Walks
Walks in Dorset: Hill Forts, Coast Paths and Country Parks
We checked 12 Dorset walks, from Old Harry Rocks to Hambledon Hill, for length, parking charges, dog rules and storm closures. Updated October 2026.
Food & Drink
Brunch in Dorset: 9 Places Worth Getting Up For, From Lyme to Wimborne
Nine Dorset brunch spots with prices, hours and hygiene ratings, from Turkish eggs in Lyme Regis to £35 bottomless brunch in Weymouth. Checked October 2026.
Dorchester
Dorchester Roadworks: Road Closures and Traffic Orders Near Dorchester
Dorchester roadworks: Dorchester Road (now, until 19 Mar) and every other traffic order within 3 km, checked each morning with the council's notice linked.
Dorchester
Dorchester Weather: 7-Day Forecast and Today's Hourly Outlook
Dorchester weather today: light rain, 9°C by day and 8°C overnight, with a 78% chance of rain and winds up to 8 mph. Seven-day forecast, updated every morning.
Tourism
Dorset Museum Wins Gold and Two Silvers at Tourism Awards
Dorset Museum & Art Gallery in Dorchester won gold for international tourism and two silvers at the Dorset Tourism Awards in Bournemouth on 22 October.
Dorchester
Mary Anning Exhibition, Dorchester: 30 Jan to 2 May 2027
Mary Anning: Fossil Hunter runs at Dorset Museum in Dorchester from 30 January to 2 May 2027, curated by Tracy Chevalier, with her only known portrait on show.
Christmas
Dorchester ice rink 2026: dates due, Bournemouth from 12 Nov
Skating in the Square has opened on Brewery Square's switch-on day three years running; this year that is 28 November. Last winter's price, £11.50.
Dorchester
Dorset Autumn Afternoon: £25 Folk and Ploughman's, 15 Nov
Folk musicians Alastair Braidwood and Tim Laycock play Dorchester Corn Exchange at 1pm on Sunday 15 November; £25 buys a ploughman's lunch and a drink.
Weymouth
Weymouth Medieval Dig Finds on Show Free at County Hall
Finds from two Weymouth digs are on show free at County Hall, Dorchester, to 23 October. The artefacts are out only on 14 and 21 October, 11am to 2pm.
Dorchester
Shire Hall Museum Dorchester Closes After 3 Years of Losses
The courtroom where the Tolpuddle Martyrs were tried shut to visitors at 1pm on 8 October. Its accounts show three years of spending over income.
Roadworks
Dorchester Road Weymouth Closure: Buses Diverted From 23 Oct
Dorchester Road in Radipole is closed from 19 October to Christmas. Buses 2, 10 and X51 divert from 23 October via Weymouth Way and miss six stops.
Dorchester
Liza Pulman Sings Streisand: Dorchester, Played 30 October
Liza Pulman of Fascinating Aïda brings her Streisand show to Dorchester Corn Exchange on Friday 30 October at 7.30pm. Tickets £32, or £30 for members.
Fire
Weymouth Fire: Keel House Flats Evacuated on Dorchester Road
About 30 firefighters fought the Keel House fire, 68a Dorchester Road, Weymouth, from a 00:38 call on 20 September to 6.19pm. Police are part of the inquiry.
Poole
Poole students record Graham Kendrick song in Dorchester
Poole students and young adults with disabilities sang, signed and danced on Joy oh Joy in Dorchester, a song Graham Kendrick wrote for Shaftesbury.
Remembrance
Remembrance Sunday in Dorset: 2027 Is on 14 November
Remembrance Sunday 2027 falls on 14 November. This is how Weymouth, Dorchester and Lyme Regis marked it on 8 November 2026, with times and road closures.
Business
New companies in Dorchester: 26 registered in August
A festival company named for the Dorset Ooser, a pizza business, two personal trainers and six building firms are among 26 companies registered in DT1 and DT2 last month.
Roads
Weymouth Esplanade to close overnight from 28 September
Dorset Council will shut the Esplanade 8pm to 6am from 28 September to 17 October for resurfacing, with Wessex Roundabout to follow. The full autumn list.