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 our next Dorset Archaeological Days events. More information will be available here as soon as the arrangements are confirmed.

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. 

 

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 25 November 2025
  • 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 27 November 2025
  • Thursday 26 March 2026
  • Thursday 30 July 2026
  • Thursday 26 November 2026

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

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

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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