Dorset Museums

Bournemouth Aviation Museum

The only UK Charitable Museum dedicated to preserving and presenting to the public at large, amongst others, operational examples of historic military jets and its aircraft are appreciated by the many hundreds of thousands attending UK airshows - including Farnborough.
The Museum occupies a 30,000 sq ft hanger at Bournemouth International Airport and employs a limited number of staff together with over 70 unpaid volunteers.

Hanger 600, Bournemouth Airport, Christchurch,  BH23 6SE Tel: 01202 580858  Email

Dinosaur Museum

The only museum on mainland Britain dedicated to dinosaurs, the award-winning Dinosaur Museum is a treat, especially for children. The museum combines life-sized reconstructions of dinosaurs with fossils and skeletons to create an exciting hands-on experience. Multimedia displays tell the story of the giant prehistoric animals and their enthralling world millions of years ago. Life-size dinosaur reconstructions - including Tyrannosaurus rex, Stegosaurus, and Triceratops - beg to be touched by little hands - that's encouraged. Make the Museum part of your Jurassic Coast experience.

Icen Way, Dorchester    DT1 1EW  Tel: 01305 269880  E mail

Dorset County Museum

Welcome to the Dorset County Museum, where the story of Dorset’s rich landscape unfolds in a range of fascinating displays. The Museum was founded in 1846 to help protect and record the county’s unique historical and natural environment. Visitors to the Museum can find out about local writers,history, archaeology, geology and the natural sciences in one of the Museum’s many galleries. There are also video displays, activity carts for children and an audio-guide to take you round the exhibits.

High West Street, Dorchester,   DT1 1XA  Tel: 01305 262735   Email

Dorset Teddy Bear Museum

Visit this unique family museum with its evocative and atmospheric displays of teddy bears from throughout the last century. From the earliest teddy bears right up until today’s TV favourites they are all there to be seen and enjoyed. The museum is set in the ‘house’ of Edward Bear – a human sized teddy bear – who with his family have been avid bear collectors! Famous bears such as Rupert Bear, Winnie the Pooh and Paddington are also on display. The whole visit is great nostalgic fun!

High East Street, Dorchester  DT1 1BE Tel: 01305 266040   Email

The Keep Military Museum

Probably one of Dorset’s best kept secrets, until now... This modern military museum uses touch screen computers and creative displays to tell the stories of courage, humour, tradition and sacrifice of those who served in the regiments of Devon and Dorset for over 300 years. An added bonus to your visit is the spectacular view from the battlements of Dorchester and surrounding countryside brought to life in the novels of Thomas Hardy. Open:

Bridport Road, Dorchester, DT1 1RN  Tel: 01305 264066    Email

Poole Waterfront Museum

In the Waterfront Museum is 2000 years of history about Poole and the surrounding area. The museum is housed in a fine eighteenth century warehouse adjoining the medieval Town Cellars.

High Street,  Poole BH15 1BW  Tel: 01202 262600   Email

Portland Museum

The Museum was founded in 1930 by Dr.Marie Stopes, the Museum’s first curator and famous birth control pioneer. House in two thatched picturesque cottages nestling above Church Ope Cove. One cottage inspired the author Thomas Hardy to centre his famous novel "The Well Beloved" around it, making it the home "Avice", the novel’s heroine

217 Wakeham, Portland  DT5 1HS  Tel: 01305 821804

Royal Signals Museum

Science & technology of communications with hands on experiments.

Blandford Camp, Blandford  DT11 8RH  Tel: 01258 482248   Email

Tank Museum

Live 3 hr demonstrations, 150 armoured vehicles

Bovington, BH20 6JG  Tel: 01929 405096

Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum

From arrest, through hell, to freedom The story of the six agricultural workers transported to Australia in 1834 after forming a trade union.

Tolpuddle, Nr Dorchester,  DT2 7EH Tel:01305 848237   Email