Dorchester news
Dorchester news, newest first, from The Dorset Post: planning, roads, schools, business and what's on in Dorchester, with every story linked to its source.
Top story
Dorset Museum Wins Gold and Two Silvers at Tourism Awards
Dorset Museum & Art Gallery in Dorchester won gold for international tourism and two silvers at the Dorset Tourism Awards in Bournemouth on 22 October.
More stories
Dorchester
Mary Anning Exhibition, Dorchester: 30 Jan to 2 May 2027
Mary Anning: Fossil Hunter runs at Dorset Museum in Dorchester from 30 January to 2 May 2027, curated by Tracy Chevalier, with her only known portrait on show.
Christmas
Dorchester ice rink 2026: dates due, Bournemouth from 12 Nov
Skating in the Square has opened on Brewery Square's switch-on day three years running; this year that is 28 November. Last winter's price, £11.50.
Dorchester
Dorset Autumn Afternoon: £25 Folk and Ploughman's, 15 Nov
Folk musicians Alastair Braidwood and Tim Laycock play Dorchester Corn Exchange at 1pm on Sunday 15 November; £25 buys a ploughman's lunch and a drink.
Weymouth
Weymouth Medieval Dig Finds on Show Free at County Hall
Finds from two Weymouth digs are on show free at County Hall, Dorchester, to 23 October. The artefacts are out only on 14 and 21 October, 11am to 2pm.
Dorchester
Shire Hall Museum Dorchester Closes After 3 Years of Losses
The courtroom where the Tolpuddle Martyrs were tried shut to visitors at 1pm on 8 October. Its accounts show three years of spending over income.
Roadworks
Dorchester Road Weymouth Closure: Buses Diverted From 23 Oct
Dorchester Road in Radipole is closed from 19 October to Christmas. Buses 2, 10 and X51 divert from 23 October via Weymouth Way and miss six stops.
Dorchester
Liza Pulman Sings Streisand: Dorchester on Fri 30 October
Liza Pulman of Fascinating Aïda brings her Streisand show to Dorchester Corn Exchange on Friday 30 October at 7.30pm. Tickets £32, or £30 for members.
Fire
Weymouth Fire: Keel House Flats Evacuated on Dorchester Road
About 30 firefighters tackled the Keel House blaze at its height after a 00:38 call on Sunday. The stop came at 6.19pm, and a fire investigation with police is under way.
Poole
Poole students record Graham Kendrick song in Dorchester
Poole students and young adults with disabilities sang, signed and danced on Joy oh Joy in Dorchester, a song Graham Kendrick wrote for Shaftesbury.
Remembrance
Dorset Remembrance Sunday: 10.55am in Weymouth and Dorchester
Weymouth and Dorchester both start at 10.55am on Sunday 8 November at their war memorials. The Esplanade parade, the roads that shut and free parking.
Business
New companies in Dorchester: 26 registered in August
A festival company named for the Dorset Ooser, a pizza business, two personal trainers and six building firms are among 26 companies registered in DT1 and DT2 last month.
Roads
Weymouth Esplanade to close overnight from 28 September
Dorset Council will shut the Esplanade 8pm to 6am from 28 September to 17 October for resurfacing, with Wessex Roundabout to follow. The full autumn list.