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.

Hod Hill, Sunday 28 September 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 12:30am

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

Book your place and more information

You can:

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.

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.

Poole Central Library, Tuesday 23 September 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: Poole Central Library, Dolphin Centre, Poole BH15 1QE

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

Sturminster Newton Museum, Thursday 25 September 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: Sturminster Newton Museum, 1 Old Market Cross House, Market Cross, Sturminster Newton DT10 1AN

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

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.

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. Organised in partnership with the Dorchester Association for Research into Local History and Archaeology.

Venue: Dorchester

Give feedback on events

If you have been to one of our events recently, we would like to know what you think. Help us improve and develop new events by completing our short survey.

Start the survey