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Dorchester, Dorset, England: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Napier%27s_Mite,_Dorchester_-_geograph.org.uk_-_101121.jpgAuthor: Dave Napier
Dorchester, the county town of Dorset, is a town on the banks of the River Frome, on the southern part of England. Located between the Dorset Downs to the north and the South Dorset Ridgeway to the south, Dorchester has a population of around 20,000 people (2012 estimate).
The history of Dorchester can be traced to the Iron Age and probably even earlier. Maiden Castle, an Iron Age hill fort, is believed to be the site of one of the earliest settlements there. It was also one of the most powerful pre-Roman settlements in Britain.
When the Romans arrived in the Dorchester ares in AD 43, it was already inhabited by the Durotriges, a Celtic tribe which the Romans swiftly defeated. The Romans put in place a garrison, which later evolved into a town called Durnovaria. They built a wall around the town. This is still visible in some places of Dorchester.
Dorset County Museum: Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dorset_County_Museum_-_geograph.org.uk_-_32713.jpgAuthor: Nigel Freeman
After the Romans withdrew from Britain, the area was left in British hands until the mid-7th century, when the Saxons established their rule. The name Dorchester had its origin around this time, a combination of the Latin/Celtic "Dor" with the Anglo-Saxon "cester".
Dorchester is the hometown of famous British author and poet Thomas Hardy, who based many of his stories on fictionalized towns based on Dorchester.
Visiting Dorchester
From London, take the M3 motorway towards Southampton. at Junction 14, head west on the M27 motorway. After Cadnam, it continues as the A31 road until Bere Regis. There, continue west on the A35 road until arriving in Dorchester.
Town Pump monument and Corn Exchange, Dorchester: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Town_Pump_and_Corn_Exchange_-_Dorchester.jpgAuthor: Alex Liivet
Places of Interest in Dorchester
- Dinosaur Museum: Museum providing an educational insight on dinasaurs.
- Dorset County Museum: Museum explaining the history of Dorset and its environment.
- Dorset Teddy Bear Museum: Museum with a collection of bears including Paddington Bear, Rupert Bear and Winnie the Pooh.
- Maumbury Rings: Ancient British henge earthwork converted by the Romans into an amphitheater.
- The Keep Military Museum: Military museum representing The Devonshire Regiment, The Dorset Regiment, The Devonshire and Dorset Regiment, the Dorset Yeomanry, The Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry, The Dorset Militia, The Royal Devon Yeomanry and 94 Field Regiment RA.
- Tutankhamun Exhibition: A permanent exhibition established in 1986 displaying a re-creation of the tomb of the ancient Egyptian Pharaoh, Tutankhamun. All artifacts are replicas, being exact facsimiles of the actual items, even using real gold.
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