DORCHESTER is Dorset's county town, with shopping, markets and museums. Visit  www.westdorset.com or call the Tourist Information Centre on 01305 267992
Dorchester has a rich history dating back to prehistoric and Roman times. You can visit the remarkable Roman townhouse or walk out to the imposing hill fort at Maiden Castle. 
 
Dorchester  is  the 'Casterbridge' of Thomas Hardy's novels, and the tourist information centre has a range of good materials to guide you around the scenes from his novels. There is also an excellent literary section in  in the award-winning County Museum, which includes a careful  reconstruction of Hardy's study - right down to the pen he used to write Tess of the D'Urbevilles. 

There's also the Keep Military Museum, the Tutankhamun Exhibition, a Dinosaur Museum and the Teddy Bear House Exhibition. 

The historic Wednesday market takes place just a few steps from Dorchester West station, and is well worth a visit.

Nearby is the site of the Prince of Wales' award winning housing development at Poundbury.