Discover Dorset's wonderful heritage on walks and at other events with archaeologists from Dorset Council and other archaeologists working in the county.
We're working on this year's Dorset Archaeological Days events. More walks will appear here as soon as the arrangements are confirmed.
Two pickaxe handles long and one pickaxe handle wide!
The archaeology of Studland in World War Two
Monday 18 May 2026, 10.30am to 12.30pm
Studland, known for its nature conservation and sandy beaches, became one of Britain's heavily defended coastlines during World War Two. Join us as we explore the remaining anti-invasion defences and hear stories from those who defended the coast and trained here for D-Day - some unsettling, others reminiscent of 'Dad's Army'.
Led by Pam White, National Trust.
This walk is around 2 miles long and will take about 2 hours. The walk is along the beach and sandy/gravel tracks. Sensible clothing and footwear are recommended.
To book your place and for more information
Book online or email claire.pinder@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or contact us by telephone on 01305 224921. If you email or leave us a voicemail message, please remember to include your name and contact details and tell us which event you are interested in.
Booking is required as numbers are limited and in case of any last minute changes. Children must be accompanied by an adult. This walk is free to attend but if you enjoy your walk, please give a donations to the walk leader on the day.
Meeting point
Meet at the Shell Bay car park (National Trust), Ferry Road, Studland BH19 3BA, grid reference SZ 0351 8635. Parking is free for National Trust members but there is a charge for non-members.
To find the meeting point on the What3Words website use: ///sleeps.bond.speeds
Historic Wareham
Saturday 20 June 2026,10.30am to 12.30pm
Explore the famous defences of this important Saxon town and other aspects of the town's history with Ben Buxton of Wareham Museum.
The walk includes some short but steep slopes, please wear sturdy footwear.
To book your place and for more information
Book online or email claire.pinder@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or contact us by telephone on 01305 224921. If you email or leave us a voicemail message, please remember to include your name and contact details and tell us which event you are interested in.
Booking is required as numbers are limited and in case of any last minute changes. Children must be accompanied by an adult. This walk is free to attend but if you enjoy your walk, please give a donations to the walk leader on the day.
Meeting point
Streche Road car park, Wareham, BH20 4PQ, grid reference SY 9205 8728 There is a charge for parking in this car park.
To find the meeting point on the What3Words website use: ///swan.sunshine.headstone
Bokerley Dyke
Saturday 18 July 2026, 10.30am to 12.30pm
The mysterious linear earthwork Bokerley Dyke runs for almost four miles across Cranborne Chase. Explore the dyke in its prehistoric and later landscape with Claire Pinder of Dorset Council.
This walk will take around 2 hours. There are some slopes and sensible clothing and footwear are recommended.
To book your place and for more information
Book online or email claire.pinder@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or contact us by telephone on 01305 224921. If you email or leave us a voicemail message, please remember to include your name and contact details and tell us which event you are interested in.
This walk is free to attend but booking is required as numbers are limited and in case of any last-mute changes. Children must be accompanied by an adult. If you enjoy your walk, please give a donation to the walk leader on the day.
Meeting point
Meet in the lay-by on the A354 at Bokerley Junction, SP5 5QY, grid reference SU 0325 1987.
To find the meeting point on the What3Words website use: ///pitch.snowboard.smelter
Hod Hill
Sunday 26 July 2026, 10.30am to 1pm
Learn about the splendid prehistoric hill-fort of Hod Hill on a walk with Claire Pinder of Dorset Council. This walk takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes. There are some slopes, and sensible clothing and footwear are recommended. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
This walk will take around 2 and a half hours, and there are some slopes. Sensible clothing and footwear are recommended.
To book your place and for more information
Book online or email claire.pinder@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or contact us by telephone on 01305 224921. If you email or leave us a voicemail message, please remember to include your name and contact details and tell us which event you are interested in.
This walk is free to attend but booking is required as numbers are limited and in case of any last-mute changes. Children must be accompanied by an adult. If you enjoy your walk, please give a donation to the walk leader on the day.
Meeting point
Meet in the car park at Stourpaine church, DT11 8JZ, grid reference ST 8602 0936
To find the meeting point on the What3Words website use: ///cringe.senders.notices
A Barrowload of Barrows
Wednesday 12 August 2026, 10:30am to 13:30pm
A circular walk looking at the barrows and barrow cemeteries on the ridge above the village of Littlebredy. We will also visit the Poor Lot barrow cemetery which has examples of different types of barrows. The walk is very much a tribute to Leslie Grinsell, a self-taught archaeologist who recorded 10,000 barrows in his lifetime, travelling all over the country by public transport and on foot, always taking the time to visit nearby tea rooms! He published 'Dorset Barrows' in 1952.
Walk leaders: Caroline Uwins and Ruth Worsley, National Trust Heritage Archaeology Ranger Team Volunteers.
This walk is around 5 miles long and will take about 3 hours. It includes some slopes. Sensible clothing and footwear are recommended.
To book your place and for more information
Book online or email claire.pinder@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or contact us by telephone on 01305 224921. If you email or leave us a voicemail message, please remember to include your name and contact details and tell us which event you are interested in.
Booking is required as numbers are limited and in case of any last minute changes. Children must be accompanied by an adult. This walk is free to attend but if you enjoy your walk, please give a donations to the walk leaders on the day.
Meeting point
Meet at the bus shelter in Littlebredy DT2 9HG, grid reference SY58734 89096.
To find the meeting point on the What3Words website use: ///months.elephant.trudges
Please park considerately at the top of the village green next to the bus shelter.
The Walled Garden, a small volunteer run cafe in Littlebredy, may be open from 2pm. More information will be provided nearer the time.
Badbury Rings 4,000 BC to 1945 - temple, barrows and hillfort
Saturday 12 September 2026, 2pm to 4pm
Explore the archaeology of the Kingston Lacy Estate as seen from Badbury Rings and High Wood with Martin Papworth.
This walk takes around 2 hours and there are some easy slopes. Sensible clothing and footwear are recommended.
There is a charge of £5 (adults) for this walk, to be paid to the walk leader on the day. Children go free but must be accompanied by an adult.
To book your place and for more information
Email claire.pinder@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or contact us by telephone on 01305 224921. If you email or leave us a voicemail message, please remember to include your name and contact details and tell us which event you are interested in.
Meeting point
Meet at the National Trust car park at Badbury Rings where there is free parking for National Trust members but a charge for non-members. DT11 9JL, grid reference ST 965 030
To find the meeting point on the What3Words website use: ///choppers.allowable.sends
We're working on our next Finding Dorset events. More information will be available here as soon as the arrangements are confirmed.
Claire Pinder, Dorset Council's Senior Archaeologist, and Ciorstaidh Hayward Trevarthen, Finds Liaison Officer for Dorset, will be available to answer your questions about Dorset's historic environment and identify your finds.
Beaminster Museum
Appointment only from 11am to 2pm
Drop-in from 2pm to 3pm
Beaminster Museum, Whitcombe Road, Beaminster DT8 3NG
To find the museum on the What3Words website use: ///sniff.provider.buildings
- Saturday 11 July 2026
Museum of East Dorset, Wimborne Minster
Appointment only from 10am to 1pm
Museum of East Dorset, 23-29 High Street, Wimborne Minster BH21 1HR
To find the museum on the What3Words website use: ///cover.fallen.reference
- Tuesday 28 July 2026
- Tuesday 24 November 2026
Blandford Town Museum
Appointment only from 10am to 12pm
Drop-in from 12pm to 1pm
Blandford Town Museum, Bere's Yard, Blandford Forum DT11 7HQ
To find the museum on the What3Words website use: ///release.viewer.vipers
- Thursday 30 July 2026
- Thursday 26 November 2026
Poole Central Library
Appointment only from 10am to 12pm
Drop-in from 12pm to 1pm
Poole Central Library, Dolphin Centre, Poole BH15 1QE
To find the library on the What3Words website use: ///vibrate.occurs.react
- Tuesday 26 May 2026
- Tuesday 22 September 2026
Sturminster Newton Museum
Appointment only from 10am to 12pm
Drop-in from 12pm to 1pm
Sturminster Newton Museum, 1 Old Market Cross House, Market Cross, Sturminster Newton DT10 1AN
To find the museum on the What3Words website use: ///wing.elsewhere.blemishes
- Thursday 28 May 2026
- Thursday 24 September 2026
Contact us
To make an appointment email finds@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk. Regular contacts please note that the Finds Liaison Officer is taking up to 10 finds per person per visit.
We're working on our next day-school, training for metal detectorists, and other events. More information will be available here as soon as the arrangements are confirmed.
If you are organising a history or archaeology event and would like us to list it here, please contact us.
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