What’s On At Open Dorchester – Heritage Open Day
Tuesday, September 10th, 2019Find out what’s on and where at Open Dorchester Heritage Open Day on Sunday 15th September 2019.

Tours
High Street tours
Time: 11:00 – 15:30
Location: High East Street – 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00.
High West Street – 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30
Starting point: Gazebo near Town Pump
High Street Tours of Dorchester’s historic buildings will take place from 11:00 – 15:30 on High East Street and High West Street. The 30 minute tours are led by Blue Badge Guides.
Roman Town tours
Time: 11:30 – 14:30
Starting point: Gazebo near Town Pump
This is your chance to explore Roman Durnovaria with special tours led by Roman soldiers, including a visit to the Roman Town House.

Dorchester Prison tours
Time: 11:00 – 15:30
Starting point: Dorchester Prison, North Square
Tours of the Prison by former Prison Officers. Booking a tour on the door.
Accessibility: The Prison has open tread stairs and some dark areas. Not suitable for children under 12 or those with visual or mobility impairment.
St Peter’s Church bell-ringing chamber tours
Time: 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00 (with bell-ringing at 11:30 and 15:45)
Starting point: St Peter’s Church, High West Street
Take a tour of the church with trips up the tower to the bell-chamber.
Accessibility: The church tower has spiral stairs in an enclosed space. Not suitable for children under 8 years.
Brewery Square tours
Time: 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00
Starting point: Brewery Square
Tours led by local residents will tell the story of the Eldridge Pope Brewery. The tour ends at Copper Street Brewery with a brewing demonstration. Len Watts will display his original Eldridge Pope Dray and a vintage film of the Brewery will be shown on the screen on the square.
Activities
Pavement art
Time: 11:00 – 15:00
Location: Brewery Square
Help to create a ‘People Power’ pavement banner with the artist Sarah Hough. Families and children are invited to help draw the chalk union banner.
Giant Hokey Cokey
Time: 14:00
Location: Tom Brown’s pub and High East Street
Participate in the mass Hokey Cokey dance to help make it the biggest and best yet!

Attractions and unusual buildings
Shire Hall – free opening
Time: 11:00, 13:00 – 17:00 (last admission 16:00)
Make the most of day of free admission to Shire Hall, courtroom and cells. Collect a HOD children’s activity card from here.
Corn Exchange
Time: 11:00 – 16:00
Listen to fascinating talks and visit the Council Chamber and see displays of Civic Regalia and costumes.
Judge Jeffreys
Time: 11:00 – 16:00
Have a look around one of Dorchester’s oldest buildings, which survived the Fire of Dorchester in 1613, now a restaurant.
The Keep Military Museum
Time: 14:00 – 16:00
See a unique view of Dorchester from the rooftop of The Keep Military Museum!
Colliton House
Visit The Colliton Club on the Open Dorchester day to take a look around the former home of the Churchill family. During the First Word War, Colltion House was a VAD hospital so there’s plenty of history associated with the building.
Talks
Dorchester’s Secret Tunnels by David Taylor
Time: 11:30 and 14:30
Location: Corn Exchange
Dorchester Through Time by Steve Wallis
Time: 13:00
Location: Corn Exchange
Restoring the King’s Arms by Rob Acton
Time: 11:45, 12:45 & 13:45
Location: Outside the King’s Arms, High East Street

Visit the Dorchester Town Council Open Dorchester Facebook event page for more information.