Discover Dorset's wonderful heritage on walks and at other events with archaeologists from Dorset Council and other archaeologists working in the county.
We're working on Dorset Archaeological Days events for later in the year. More walks will appear here as soon as the arrangements are confirmed.
Badbury Rings 4,000 BC to 1945 - temple, barrows and hillfort - Fully booked
Saturday 12 September 2026 from 2pm to 4pm
This walk is fully booked.
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.
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.
To go on the waiting list
Booking is required as numbers are limited and in case of any last minute changes.
Email [email protected] or phone 01305 224921.
If you email or leave us a voicemail message, remember to include:
- your name
- contact details
- tell us which event you are interested in
Meeting point
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
Sunday 18 October 2026, 2pm to 4.30pm
Learn about the archaeology around Hive Beach on a walk with Mike Trevarthen of RMA Trevarthen Archaeological Services. This walk will take 2 to 2½ hours, and there are some slopes. Sensible clothing and footwear are recommended.
This walk is FREE to attend but if you enjoy your walk, please give a donation to the walk leader on the day. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
To book your place and for more information
Booking is required as numbers are limited and in case of any last-minute changes.
Book online or email [email protected] 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.
Meeting point
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
We're working on our next Finding Dorset events. More information will be available here as soon as the arrangements are confirmed.
In the meantime, look out for walks, talks and gallery tours at the Dorset Museum and Art Gallery where the splendid Treasure! Lost and Found exhibition is running until September.
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.
Poole Central Library
Appointment only from 10am to 1pm.
Dates:
- Tuesday 22 September 2026
- Tuesday 26 January 2027
- Tuesday 25 May 2027
- Tuesday 28 September 2027
Location: Poole Central Library, Dolphin Centre, Poole BH15 1QE
To find the library on the What3Words website use: ///vibrate.occurs.react
Sturminster Newton Museum
Appointment only from 10am to 12pm.
Drop-in from 12pm to 1pm.
Dates:
- Thursday 24 September 2026
- Thursday 28 January 2027
- Thursday 27 May 2027
- Thursday 30 September 2027
Location: 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
Museum of East Dorset, Wimborne Minster
Appointment only from 10am to 1pm.
Dates:
- Tuesday 24 November 2026
- Tuesday 23 March 2027
- Tuesday 27 July 2027
- Tuesday 23 November 2027
Location: Museum of East Dorset, 23-29 High Street, Wimborne Minster BH21 1HR
To find the museum on the What3Words website use: ///cover.fallen.reference
Blandford Town Museum
Appointment only from 10am to 12pm.
Drop-in from 12pm to 1pm.
Dates:
- Thursday 26 November 2026
- Thursday 25 March 2027
- Thursday 29 July 2027
- Thursday 25 November 2027
Location: Blandford Town Museum, Bere's Yard, Blandford Forum DT11 7HQ
To find the museum on the What3Words website use: ///release.viewer.vipers
Beaminster Museum
Appointment only from 11am to 2pm.
Drop-in from 2pm to 3pm.
Dates:
- Saturday 9 January 2027
- Saturday 10 July 2027
Location: Beaminster Museum, Whitcombe Road, Beaminster DT8 3NG
To find the museum on the What3Words website use: ///sniff.provider.buildings
Dorset History Centre
Appointment only from 9am to 1pm.
Dates:
- Saturday 3 April 2027
- Saturday 7 August 2027
- Saturday 4 December 2027
Location: Dorset History Centre, Bridport Road, Dorchester DT1 1RP
To find the museum on the What3Words website use: ///grumbling.hammer.crib
Contact us
To make an appointment email [email protected]. Regular contacts please note that the Finds Liaison Officer is taking up to 10 finds per person per visit.
We're working on our next introduction to metal detecting event. More information will be available here as soon as arrangements are confirmed.
If you are organising a history or archaeology event and would like us to list it here, please contact us.
Dorset Archaeology and Heritage Forum
Beads, Beakers and Barrows. Papers in honour of Dr Ann Woodward.
Date: Saturday 10 October 2026.
Time: 9:30am arrival for a 10am start, finishing at 4pm.
This conference is a celebration of the archaeological career of Dr Ann Woodward, with talks presented by many who have worked with Ann over the years on subjects to which she has contributed extensively and remain an interest to her.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Julian Richards. Stonehenge - old rocks new theories
- Alison Sheridan. Early Bronze Age faience beads in Britain, Ireland and the Continental fringe: the state of our knowledge in 2026
- Prof. Richard Bradley. How Ann settled the Bronze Age
- Clare Randall. Revisiting Cadbury Castle: New insights into the early medieval South West
For more information and to book your place on the Dorset Archaeology and Heritage Forum website
Dorchester Association
Maritime Archaeology
Date: Saturday 31 October 2026.
Time: 9:30am arrival for a 10am start, finishing at 4pm.
A half-day event on the theme of maritime and coastal archaeology.
Speakers and subjects include:
- the new marine Historic Environment Record. Hefin Meara, Historic England
- Heritage Crime. Paul Jeffery, Historic England
- the Earl of Abergavenny, a Dorset Scheduled site. Terry Newman, Historic England
- Salcombe's Mystery Wreck. Dave Parham, Bournemouth University
For more information and to book your place via the Dorchester Association website.
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