Discover Dorset's wonderful heritage on walks and at other events with archaeologists from Dorset Council and other archaeologists working in the county.
Hod Hill, Sunday 5 October 2025 from 10:30am to 1pm
Learn about the splendid prehistoric hill-fort of Hod Hill on a walk with Claire Pinder of Dorset Council. This walk takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes. There are some slopes, and sensible clothing and footwear are recommended. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Booking is required as numbers are limited and in case of any last-minute changes. If you enjoy your walk, please give a donation to the walk leader on the day.
Meet in the car park at Stourpaine church, DT11 8JZ, grid reference ST 8602 0936.
To find the meeting point on the What3Words website use: ///cringe.senders.notices
Badbury Rings 4,000 BC to 1945 - temple, barrows and hillfort, Saturday 4 October 2025 from 2pm to 4pm - Fully booked
This walk is fully booked. If you would like to go on the waiting list, please send an email to claire.pinder@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.
Explore the archaeology of the Kingston Lacy Estate as seen from Badbury Rings and High Wood with Martin Papworth. This walk takes around 2 hours, and there are some easy slopes. Sensible clothing and footwear are recommended.
Booking is required as numbers are limited and in case of any last-minute changes. There is a charge of £5 (adults) for this walk, to be paid to the walk leader on the day. Children go free but must be accompanied by an adult.
Meet at the National Trust car park at Badbury Rings where there is free parking for National Trust members but a charge for non members. DT11 9JL, grid reference ST 965 030.
To find the meeting point on the What3Words website use: ///choppers.allowable.sends
Burton Bradstock from prehistory to World War 2, Saturday 11 October 2025 from 2pm to 4:30pm FULLY BOOKED
This walk is fully booked. If you would like to go on the waiting list, please send an email to claire.pinder@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Learn about the archaeology around Hive Beach on a walk with Mike Trevarthen of RMA Trevarthen Archaeological Services. This walk will take 2 to 2.5 hours, and there are some slopes. Sensible clothing and footwear are recommended. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
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 donation to the walk leader on the day.
Meet on the beach side of the National Trust car park at Hive Beach, Burton Bradstock (DT6 4RF, SY 491 888). There is a charge for parking in this car park (free to National Trust members).
To find the meeting point on the What3Words website use: ///newsprint.spite.gown
Bokerley Dyke, Sunday 12 October 2025 from 10:30am to 12:30pm
The mysterious linear earthwork Bokerley Dyke runs for almost four miles across Cranborne Chase. Join Claire Pinder of Dorset Council to explore the dyke in its prehistoric and later landscape setting. This walk will take about 2 hours and there are some slopes. Sensible clothing and footwear are recommended. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
This walk is free to attend but booking is required as numbers are limited and in case of any last-minute changes. If you enjoy your walk, please give a donation to the walk leader on the day.
Meet in the lay-by on the A354 at Bokerley Junction, SP5 5QY, grid reference SU 0325 1987.
To find the meeting point on the What3Words website use: ///pitch.snowboard.smelter
Portland in prehistory, Sunday 19 October from 10:30am to 12:30pm
Explore Portland’s deep history with archaeologist Andrea Frankham-Hughes and discover the hidden stories of the north of the Island in prehistoric times. In the mid-1800s the areas around the High Angle Batteries were intensively quarried, revealing Iron Age and Romano British cemeteries that are now mostly forgotten. The Verne and the Grove were rich in burials and significant artefacts. These along with earlier lost barrows and stone circles reveal the fascinating remains of the Islands’ ancestors.
The walk is over some stony ground and is across an exposed location so please wear sturdy shoes and bring layers, water and a hat.
Booking is required as numbers are limited and in case of any last-minute changes. There is a charge of £5 (adults) for this walk, to be paid to the walk leader on the day. Children go free but must be accompanied by an adult.
Meet at the High Angle Batteries car park DT5 1FR and grid reference SY 6935 7332
To find the meeting point on the What3Words website use: ///requires.strutted.motivate
There is also parking outside Fancy’s Farm at grid reference SY 6945 7333 and also in the DT5 1FR postcode. To find this parking area on the What3Words website: ///trickling.irrigated.funky
Book your place and more information
You can:
- book online
- email claire.pinder@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
- call us on 01305 224921
If you email or leave a voicemail message, please remember to include your name and contact details and tell us which event you are interested in.
We're working on our next Finding Dorset events. More information will be available here as soon as the arrangements are confirmed.
Museum of East Dorset, Wimborne Minster, Tuesday 25 November 2025 from 10am to 1pm
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.
Venue: Museum of East Dorset, 23-29 High Street, Wimborne Minster BH21 1HR
To find the venue on the What3Words website use: ///cover.fallen.reference
Blandford Town Museum, Thursday 27 November 2025 from 10am to 1pm
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.
Venue: Blandford Town Museum, Bere's Yard, Blandford Forum DT11 7HQ
To find the venue on the What3Words website use: ///release.viewer.vipers
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.
A date for your diary: Maiden Castle, Saturday 1 November 2025
A day-school celebrating the 40th anniversary of Professor Niall Sharples' excavations at Maiden Castle, the spectacular prehistoric hillfort on the outskirts of Dorchester in Dorset. This day-school looks at the current understanding of the site and its place in prehistory.
Venue: Dorford Centre, Bridport Road, Dorchester DT1 1RR
Tickets including lunch and refreshments are £35 for members of the Dorchester Association, Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, East Dorset Antiquarian Society, and the Prehistoric Society, and £45 for non-members.
Find out more and buy tickets.
Organised in partnership with the Dorchester Association, the Prehistoric Society, and Dorchester Town Council.
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