What’s On At Open Dorchester – Heritage Open Day

Tuesday, September 10th, 2019

Find out what’s on and where at Open Dorchester Heritage Open Day on Sunday 15th September 2019.

open dor-chester heritage open day in dorchester

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.

celebrate dorchester's fine heritage at open dorchester

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!

Hokey Cokey outside tom browns on high east street for heritage open day dorchester

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.