Dorset Museum & Art Gallery

27/08/2026

Don't forget to book your tickets to this exciting talk next Thursday!

Dr Neil Wilkin from the British Museum will be examining intentional deposits of valuable objects and considering what they tell us about social relationships and prehistoric beliefs.

Why Did Dorset's Bronze Age Communities Sacrifice Valuable Things?
📅 3 September 2026, 6:00pm – 7:00pm
📍 Dorset Museum & Art Gallery, Dorchester DT1 1XA
🎟️ Members £13 | Non-Members £15

Why did Dorset's Bronze Age communities sacrifice valuable things?

In this talk, Dr Neil Wilkin from the British Museum will reveal what these ancient acts of sacrifice can tell us about how Bronze Age people understood wealth, loss, and obligation.

During the Bronze Age (c. 2500–800 BCE), remarkable collections of beautiful metalwork and treasured objects were deliberately buried in the ground – often never to be recovered.

Join us to discover what these intentional burials reveal about Bronze Age concepts of giving, sacrifice, and value.

Why Did Dorset's Bronze Age Communities Sacrifice Valuable Things?
📅 3 September 2026, 6:00pm – 7:00pm
📍 Dorset Museum & Art Gallery
🎟️ Members £13 | Non-Members £15

Pre-booking required via Dorset Museum & Art Gallery website: https://www.dorsetmuseum.org/whats-on/why-did-dorsets-bronze-age-communities-sacrifice-valuable-things-dr-neil-wilkin/

25/08/2026

Our final Hardy's Dorchester Tour of the year is taking place next weekend (Sunday 6 September) - book your tickets now to secure your place!

During the tour, you will discover how the historic market town shaped Thomas Hardy's life, stirred his imagination, and became the backdrop to The Mayor of Casterbridge.

📅 6 September, 10:30am - 12:30pm
🎟️ Adult £20 | Young Person (16-24) £16 | Child (under 15) £8 | Tickets include day entry to the Museum

Book online on the Dorset Museum & Art Gallery website: https://www.dorsetmuseum.org/whats-on/hardys-dorchester-tour_06_09_2026/

24/08/2026

Less than a month left to see Treasure! Lost and Found ⏰

If you’ve already visited, we’d love to hear what you thought – take our quick survey here: https://uk.culturecounts.cc/s/4gx1eP

Last chance - don't miss out. The⁠ Treasure! Lost and Found⁠ exhibition closes on 13 September 👀🪞🎫
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This is your final opportunity to see remarkable objects brought together from Britain's most⁠ prestigious museums and Dorset Museum & Art Gallery 's own collection – many on public display for⁠ the very first time. Discover what these treasures reveal about ancient daily life, conflict, and⁠ community. ⁠
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Immersive digital experiences created by Arts University Bournemouth students bring the⁠ past to life, helping visitors of all ages connect with the people behind the finds.⁠
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Plan your visit on the Dorset Museum & Art Gallery website 👇
www.dorsetmuseum.org/whats-on/treasure

📍 Dorset Museum and Art Gallery, Dorchester

20/08/2026

If you're visiting us this Saturday (22 August), don't forget we have some great family activities planned, including:

✨ Make your own shimmering gold lunula – a crescent-shaped piece of ancient jewellery!

Guided by Finds Liaison Officer Ciorstaidh Hayward-Trevarthen and the Portable Antiquities team, you'll discover why these beautiful objects were so precious to ancient Dorset people – then create your own to wear or treasure.

Two free sessions available to book on the Dorset Museum & Art Gallery website: 10:30am – 11:30am or 2:00pm – 3:00pm

⛏️ Metal detecting – have a go!

Join metal detectorists Karen Brown and Brian Read for an exciting family digging experience where you will search for hidden coins and uncover the secrets of the past.

Free with Museum entry, no booking required.

Explore all current and upcoming family events: https://www.dorsetmuseum.org/whats-on/?fwp_event_topic=family-activity

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A special family craft session for the summer holidays!

✨ Make your own shimmering gold lunula – a crescent-shaped piece of ancient jewellery!

Looking for something fun to do with the kids? Join us for a hands-on craft session inspired by our Treasure! Lost and Found exhibition. Guided by Finds Liaison Officer Ciorstaidh Hayward-Trevarthen and the Portable Antiquities team, you'll discover why these beautiful objects were so precious to ancient Dorset people – then create your own to wear or treasure.

Perfect for families who want to make something special together and learn about Dorset's incredible ancient history.

📅 Saturday 22 August 2026
🕙 Two sessions: 10:30am – 11:30am or 2:00pm – 3:00pm
🎟️ Free with Museum entry – booking required via Dorset Museum & Art Gallery website: https://www.dorsetmuseum.org/whats-on/?fwp_event_topic=family-activity

19/08/2026

This partnership with Dorchester Library and Learning Centre brings PJ Harvey's work to readers and writers in the heart of their community, extending access beyond Dorset Museum & Art Gallery's walls.

The display will offer a rare opportunity to see how a contemporary artist has drawn inspiration from Dorset's distinctive dialect and folklore featuring copies of PJ Harvey's hand-corrected proofs of 'Orlam' and a signed photograph of Harvey wearing a brooch of traditional Dorset buttons.

The display will be on view at Dorchester Library and Learning Centre 2 September – 12 October 2026 and is free to visit during library opening hours.

Dorset Libraries Dorset Council

15/08/2026

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A special family craft session for the summer holidays!

✨ Make your own shimmering gold lunula – a crescent-shaped piece of ancient jewellery!

Looking for something fun to do with the kids? Join us for a hands-on craft session inspired by our Treasure! Lost and Found exhibition. Guided by Finds Liaison Officer Ciorstaidh Hayward-Trevarthen and the Portable Antiquities team, you'll discover why these beautiful objects were so precious to ancient Dorset people – then create your own to wear or treasure.

Perfect for families who want to make something special together and learn about Dorset's incredible ancient history.

📅 Saturday 22 August 2026
🕙 Two sessions: 10:30am – 11:30am or 2:00pm – 3:00pm
🎟️ Free with Museum entry – booking required via Dorset Museum & Art Gallery website: https://www.dorsetmuseum.org/whats-on/?fwp_event_topic=family-activity

14/08/2026

Why did Dorset's Bronze Age communities sacrifice valuable things?

In this talk, Dr Neil Wilkin from the British Museum will reveal what these ancient acts of sacrifice can tell us about how Bronze Age people understood wealth, loss, and obligation.

During the Bronze Age (c. 2500–800 BCE), remarkable collections of beautiful metalwork and treasured objects were deliberately buried in the ground – often never to be recovered.

Join us to discover what these intentional burials reveal about Bronze Age concepts of giving, sacrifice, and value.

Why Did Dorset's Bronze Age Communities Sacrifice Valuable Things?
📅 3 September 2026, 6:00pm – 7:00pm
📍 Dorset Museum & Art Gallery
🎟️ Members £13 | Non-Members £15

Pre-booking required via Dorset Museum & Art Gallery website: https://www.dorsetmuseum.org/whats-on/why-did-dorsets-bronze-age-communities-sacrifice-valuable-things-dr-neil-wilkin/

12/08/2026

Your support will help us create programming and experiences that do justice to Mary Anning's remarkable legacy and reach far wider audiences than we could otherwise.

Visit our website for more details (link in comments)

'The Mary Anning exhibition is a significant moment for Dorset Museum & Art Gallery'