Free Things To Do In Dorchester

We take a look at some of the great free things to do in Dorchester.

Going out for the day can be an expensive experience however it does always have to be that way. In Dorset’s county town there are plenty of activities to do which won’t hit you hard in the wallet. We’ve shortlisted some of the great free things to do in Dorchester.

Watch the skills on show at Dorchester’s Skatepark

It doesn’t matter whether you’ve got the skills yourself to pull off a back flip on a scooter or a flare on BMX. Just hanging out at Dorchester’s skate park is great experience as you can enjoy watching people of all ages enjoying the facility and landing some sick tricks! The state of the art permanent concrete skatepark was opened in April 2009. It is open for free use everyday, the park is suitable for BMX, scooter and inline skates as well as skateboards.

Relax by the Brewery Square fountains

Opened in May 2013 the Brewery Square fountains provide a fantastic focal point and draws locals and visitors to the newest town square in Dorchester. This area now forms the hub of the £100 million old Eldridge Pope Brewery development. On warm days youngsters enjoy playing in the multi-jet fountain with many parents bringing swimsuits and towels in preparation for their children getting a good soaking in the jets. Just make sure they don’t make too many screams as the jets have a sensor which will turn the water off if the noise gets too loud. At night they are illuminated with multi-coloured lights which makes a great spectacle.

Picnic in Dorchester’s green spaces

Dorset’s County Town boasts some of the best parks in the area. From the quiet large open space of Salisbury Field to the majestic Victorian park which is The Borough Gardens, you can find your own bit of glorious greenery to enjoy. For more information on these and other areas have a look at our best places to picnic in Dorchester blog.

Window shopping in Dorchester town centre

Browsing the shop windows in town is a great way to while away the time and it doesn’t cost you a penny. From the large independent departments stores such as Woods Furniture and Goulds Fashion and Household Stores to the small boutique stores such as Mirari Lingerie and Jordan’s Jewellers, there is plenty of shops to keep you amused.

Enjoy the walks in Dorchester

A wander along the many miles of footpaths that criss cross and encircle Dorchester is a great way to enjoy the town and its surrounding countryside. You can get some stunning views of the town from places like Maiden Castle and The Hardy Monument. Check out our guide to some of the best walks around Dorchester.

Wednesday is Market Day

In the Fairfield car park and the old livestock market area you can enjoy the weekly market. Every Wednesday hundreds of people are attracted to Dorchester from far afield due to the diversity of the produce on offer. Wander through the stalls and enjoy all the sights, sounds and smells of this traditional style town market.

Dorchester car boot sale

Every Sunday morning sees the setup of Dorchester’s car boot sale. Browse through the boot loads of bric-a-brac, toys, garden tools and clothes on offer at this weekly sale. If you’re thinking of selling though remember to set your alarm as most sellers arrive at before 7am.

Borough Gardens Play Park

If you’ve got little ones to entertain and the weather is fine then a trip to the play park in the Borough Gardens is a must.It really is one of the best free things to do in Dorchester. The high quality play equipment attracts children of all ages throughout the year. In the summer there are water spouts which the little ones love running through.

Explore the Roman Town House

Near County Hall is the only fully exposed example of a Roman Town House in Britain. It is open everyday and doesn’t cost a penny to experience. The earliest part of the Town House dates from the first part of 4th Century. The building was expanded and adorned with fine mosaics around AD350. Use the following link for more information of on the Roman Town House in Dorchester.

So if you’re in the area, maybe staying in one of the touring caravan parks, holiday parks in Dorset or campsites in Dorset. Or perhaps in one of the hotels in Weymouth then head over and discover all the free things to do in Dorchester.

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