Dorset History Centre
Bridport Road
Dorchester DT1 1RP
Home to the archives of Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole.
Gold Hill Museum
Gold Hill
Shaftesbury SP7 8JW
Gold Hill Museum is housed in two historic buildings, themselves a feature of the collection. You'll see a squint into the adjacent St Peter's Church in the medieval Priest's House. A blocked entry from the 1700s cottage into a cellar under the old church is adorned with a mural depicting the beer kegs it once held.The cottage once functioned as a doss house for the important weekly market held outside on Gold Hill. Collections include ancient and Roman archaeology, Saxon roots, agricultural and market heritage, local traditions, domestic life, cottage industries and politics.
Poole Museum
4 High Street
Poole BH15 1BW
Poole Museum is housed in a 19th century quayside mill, extended in 2007. Poole's rich history is revealed in four floors of galleries, with displays and exhibitions ranging from archaeology to art and pirates to potteries.
Swanage Museum
The Square
Swanage BH19 2LJ
A fascinating insight into the history and heritage of this unique town and its residents: the museum specialises in local and family history. Our permanent interpretive panels tell the story of Swanage from dinosaurs to the Second World War. The quarrying of Purbeck stone and the local stone trade are included in the displays.
Tank Museum, The
The Tank Museum
Bovington BH20 6JG
The Tank Museum in Dorset holds the world's largest collection of tanks and armoured fighting vehicles. From the first tank ever built to the modern Challenger II, the museum houses examples from 28 different countries; Our definitive collection comprises over 250 vehicles dating back to 1909. In our bursting programme of live action displays, you can witness the awesome power of tanks in action.