Discover Dorset's wonderful heritage on walks and at other events with archaeologists from Dorset Council and other archaeologists working in the county.

Dorset Archaeological Days

Guided walks, car tours and other outdoor events on archaeological themes.

We're working on this year's Dorset Archaeological Days events. More walks will appear here as soon as the arrangements are confirmed.

 

A Barrowload of Barrows

Wednesday 12 August 2026, 10:30am to 13:30pm

A circular walk looking at the barrows and barrow cemeteries on the ridge above the village of Littlebredy. We will also visit the Poor Lot barrow cemetery which has examples of different types of barrows. The walk is very much a tribute to Leslie Grinsell, a self-taught archaeologist who recorded 10,000 barrows in his lifetime, travelling all over the country by public transport and on foot, always taking the time to visit nearby tea rooms! He published 'Dorset Barrows' in 1952.

Walk leaders: Caroline Uwins and Ruth Worsley, National Trust Heritage Archaeology Ranger Team Volunteers.

This walk is around 5 miles long and will take about 3 hours. It includes some slopes. Sensible clothing and footwear are recommended.

To book your place and for more information

Book online or email claire.pinder@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or contact us by telephone on 01305 224921. If you email or leave us a voicemail message, please remember to include your name and contact details and tell us which event you are interested in.

Booking is required as numbers are limited and in case of any last minute changes. Children must be accompanied by an adult. This walk is free to attend but if you enjoy your walk, please give a donations to the walk leaders on the day.

Meeting point

Meet at the bus shelter in Littlebredy DT2 9HG, grid reference SY58734 89096. 

To find the meeting point on the What3Words website use: ///months.elephant.trudges

Please park considerately at the top of the village green next to the bus shelter. 

The Walled Garden, a small volunteer run cafe in Littlebredy, may be open from 2pm. More information will be provided nearer the time.

Finding Dorset

Talks and finds handling sessions looking at different kinds of archaeological finds.

We're working on our next Finding Dorset events. More information will be available here as soon as the arrangements are confirmed.

Ask an archaeologist

Meet Dorset Council's archaeologist at venues around the county to discuss your research and bring finds for identification.

Claire Pinder, Dorset Council's Senior Archaeologist, and Ciorstaidh Hayward Trevarthen, Finds Liaison Officer for Dorset, will be available to answer your questions about Dorset's historic environment and identify your finds. 

Beaminster Museum

Appointment only from 11am to 2pm

Drop-in from 2pm to 3pm

Beaminster Museum, Whitcombe Road, Beaminster DT8 3NG

To find the museum on the What3Words website use: ///sniff.provider.buildings

  • Saturday 10 January 2026
  • Saturday 11 July 2026

Museum of East Dorset, Wimborne Minster

Appointment only from 10am to 1pm

Museum of East Dorset, 23-29 High Street, Wimborne Minster BH21 1HR

To find the museum on the What3Words website use: ///cover.fallen.reference

  • Tuesday 24 March 2026
  • Tuesday 28 July 2026
  • Tuesday 24 November 2026

Blandford Town Museum

Appointment only from 10am to 12pm

Drop-in from 12pm to 1pm

Blandford Town Museum, Bere's Yard, Blandford Forum DT11 7HQ

To find the museum on the What3Words website use: ///release.viewer.vipers

  • Thursday 26 March 2026
  • Thursday 30 July 2026
  • Thursday 26 November 2026

Poole Central Library

Appointment only from 10am to 12pm

Drop-in from 12pm to 1pm

Poole Central Library, Dolphin Centre, Poole BH15 1QE

To find the library on the What3Words website use: ///vibrate.occurs.react

  • Tuesday 27 January 2026
  • Tuesday 26 May 2026
  • Tuesday 22 September 2026

Sturminster Newton Museum

Appointment only from 10am to 12pm

Drop-in from 12pm to 1pm

Sturminster Newton Museum, 1 Old Market Cross House, Market Cross, Sturminster Newton DT10 1AN

To find the museum on the What3Words website use: ///wing.elsewhere.blemishes

  • Thursday 29 January 2026
  • Thursday 28 May 2026
  • Thursday 24 September 2026

Contact us

To make an appointment email finds@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk. Regular contacts please note that the Finds Liaison Officer is taking up to 10 finds per person per visit.

Family activities, day-schools, talks and other events

Occasional events such as events for families with activities like badge making and quizzes, day schools on different periods and themes, online talks, and training for volunteers and amateur archaeologists including metal detectorists

We're working on our next day-school, training for metal detectorists, and other events. More information will be available here as soon as the arrangements are confirmed.

If you are organising a history or archaeology event and would like us to list it here, please contact us. 

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