Mother’s Day in Dorchester
Monday, March 6th, 2023Are you looking to make to make plans for Mother’s Day in Dorchester? If you don’t have anything in the diary yet, we’re here to give you our recommendations for things to do on Mothers Day in Dorset’s county town.
Whether you’re treating your mum, Nan, friend or friend there are a range of lovely ways to spend Mothering Sunday in Dorchester.

The best places to go for lunch in Dorchester
Dorchester is home to many brilliant places to go for a lavish Mother’s Day lunch. In addition to high street favourites like Nando’s and The Royal Oak (Wetherspoons), the town boasts many independents cafés serving everything from rustic sandwiches to delicious Sunday Roasts . Here are our top picks.
We love visiting The Posh Partridge for lunch. Boasting the #1 spot for cafés in Dorchester, The Posh Partridge serves up locally sourced, high quality food in a relaxed atmosphere. They’ll be offering an Afternoon Tea on Mothering Sunday this year, where you can enjoy hand-cut sandwiches, homemade scones, clotted cream jam, strawberries, cakes and patisseries!
You’ll also love Hendover Café – one of Dorchester’s best-rated spots for lunch. They have an extensive menu, which even includes a carvery. So, whether you’re going for a cream tea or a Mother’s Day Sunday Roast – Hendover is an ideal spot!
Potters Café Bistro is another popular option. Situated on Durngate Street, Potters offers fantastic food and excellent service. In addition to their large menu which caters to a range of dietary requirements, they also have a popular specials board, which is updated on a regular basis. Choose to sit in their comfy indoor seating areas, or enjoy dining al fresco.
These are just three out of many fantastic cafés we could have mentioned. Please check out our full list of cafés in Dorchester!
The best places for a Sunday Roast in Dorchester
A plentiful roast dinner is almost a passage of right on a Sunday in Britain – especially on a celebration like Mother’s Day!
Dorchester and the surrounding villages have an abundance of options for a Roast Dinner, which would make a perfect Mother’s Day visit. Our favourites in the town include The Junction, Brewhouse and Kitchen, The Kings Arms, The Blue Raddle and Walnut Grove.

Relax with a spa day in Dorchester
In the true spirit of Mother’s Day, you should plan a relaxing spa day in Dorchester! Enjoy a traditional massage, reflexology or ear candle treatment at Lotus Wellness Centre on Colliton Walk!
A joint pamper session is also a lovely mothers day gift. There are plenty of health and beauty salons in Dorchester, where you can get a glamorous hair treatment or your nails done. We particularly love Serenity Nails and Beauty, which offers a range of treatments. If you’d like to get your nails done, may we recommend The Highbrow Clinic in Brewery Square.
Enjoy a day out in Dorchester
Dorchester is home to some beautiful walks, National Trust properties and historic landmarks that make the perfect mothers day out. Sometimes, it’s the simple things in life that are the most special, so why not visit some of these stunning locations and spend some quality time with your mum.
Athelhampton House is sure to make a lovely full day out! After strolling around the beautiful grounds, re-energise and relax with a cream tea or an a la carte meal at their on-site restaurant. If you’d like a Carvery at Athelhampton House, we recommend booking well in advance.
Sculpture By The Lakes is another relaxing day out in Dorchester. With 26 acres of beautiful Dorchester countryside, we can see why this is known as ‘Dorset’s best kept secret’. Award-winning sculptor, Simon Gudgeon and his team invites you to explore their tranquil mix of art, nature and relaxation. When visiting, you simply must head to The Makers Yard Kitchen, where you can enjoy a lovely lunch, cream tea, homemade cakes and more.
Dorchester’s Hardy’s Cottage is one of the most popular national trust properties in Dorset. As the birthplace of Thomas Hardy, the thatch cottage is a fantastic place for a day out discovering the history of one of the nation’s most famous writers. If your mum enjoys the work of Hardy or other literary greats, a day out at Hardy’s Cottage will make a lovely Mother’s Day experience for her. They have a dog-friendly café on-site, too!

Treat your mum to a shopping spree in Dorchester
A bit of a retail therapy is the perfect way to spoil your mum. Dorchester boasts a wide range of brilliant shops – from national retailers to independent, family owned stores!
We’ve compiled a list of clothing, shoes and jewellery stores in Dorchester – all of which would are worth a visit in the lead up to Mother’s Day. We’re sure you’ll find a thoughtful gift that your mum will treasure for years to come.
If you’re looking for antiques, books and collectables shops in Dorchester you’re in for a treat – there are plenty to choose from around the town. Vinyl Van is ideal for music lovers, whilst Waterstones is a must for bookworms.
Pictured (below): Kooky Bloom, just one of the fantastic shops in Antelope Walk.
With so many shops to explore, we recommend you check out out full list of shops in the town, which will act as your guide for Shopping in Dorchester.

Don’t forget the flowers!
However you plan to spend Mothering Sunday, we recommend treating your mum to some flowers! There is a fantastic florist in Dorchester, where you can purchase some magnificent blooms.
Stems Florist in Brewery Square has glowing reviews. In addition to the beautiful, fresh bouquets you’ll be greeted with upon entering their shop, Stems can also cater to bespoke requests. Let them know your mums favourite flowers and they’ll create a unique bouquet the special lady in your life will love. We highly recommend them!
