Discover Dorset's wonderful heritage on walks and at other events with archaeologists from Dorset Council and other archaeologists working in the county.

Dorset Archaeological Days

Guided walks, car tours and other outdoor events on archaeological themes organised in partnership with the Dorset Archaeology and Heritage Forum

We're working on Dorset Archaeological Days events for later this year and in 2027. More walks will appear here as soon as the arrangements are confirmed. 

Finding Dorset

Talks and finds handling sessions looking at different kinds of archaeological finds.

We're working on our next Finding Dorset events. More information will be available here as soon as the arrangements are confirmed.

Ask an archaeologist

Meet Dorset Council's archaeologist at venues around the county to discuss your research and bring finds for identification.

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.

Poole Central Library

Appointment only from 10am to 1pm.

Dates:

  • Tuesday 26 January 2027
  • Tuesday 25 May 2027
  • Tuesday 28 September 2027

Location: Poole Central Library, Dolphin Centre, Poole BH15 1QE

To find the library on the What3Words website use: ///vibrate.occurs.react

Sturminster Newton Museum

Appointment only from 10am to 12pm.

Drop-in from 12pm to 1pm.

Dates:

  • Thursday 28 January 2027
  • Thursday 27 May 2027
  • Thursday 30 September 2027

Location: 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

Museum of East Dorset, Wimborne Minster

Appointment only from 10am to 1pm.

Dates:

  • Tuesday 24 November 2026
  • Tuesday 23 March 2027
  • Tuesday 27 July 2027
  • Tuesday 23 November 2027

Location: Museum of East Dorset, 23-29 High Street, Wimborne Minster BH21 1HR

To find the museum on the What3Words website use: ///cover.fallen.reference

Blandford Town Museum

Appointment only from 10am to 12pm.

Drop-in from 12pm to 1pm.

Dates:

  • Thursday 26 November 2026
  • Thursday 25 March 2027
  • Thursday 29 July 2027
  • Thursday 25 November 2027

Location: Blandford Town Museum, Bere's Yard, Blandford Forum DT11 7HQ

To find the museum on the What3Words website use: ///release.viewer.vipers

Beaminster Museum

Appointment only from 11am to 2pm.

Drop-in from 2pm to 3pm.

Dates:

  • Saturday 9 January 2027
  • Saturday 10 July 2027

Location: Beaminster Museum, Whitcombe Road, Beaminster DT8 3NG

To find the museum on the What3Words website use: ///sniff.provider.buildings

Dorset History Centre

Appointment only from 9am to 1pm.

Dates:

  • Saturday 3 April 2027
  • Saturday 7 August 2027
  • Saturday 4 December 2027

Location: Dorset History Centre, Bridport Road, Dorchester DT1 1RP

To find the museum on the What3Words website use: ///grumbling.hammer.crib

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.

Family activities, day-schools, talks and other events

Occasional events such as events for families with activities like badge making and quizzes, day schools on different periods and themes, online talks, and training for volunteers and amateur archaeologists including metal detectorists.

We're working on our next introduction to metal detecting event. More information will be available here as soon as arrangements are confirmed.

If you are organising a history or archaeology event and would like us to list it here, please contact us.

Dorchester Association

Maritime Archaeology

Date: Saturday 31 October 2026.

Time: 9:30am arrival for a 10am start, finishing at 4pm.

A half-day event on the theme of maritime and coastal archaeology.

Speakers and subjects include:

  • the new marine Historic Environment Record. Hefin Meara, Historic England
  • Heritage Crime. Paul Jeffery, Historic England
  • the Earl of Abergavenny, a Dorset Scheduled site. Terry Newman, Historic England
  • Salcombe's Mystery Wreck. Dave Parham, Bournemouth University

For more information and to book your place via the Dorchester Association website.

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