Roman Town House, Dorchester

29/07/2026

Yesterday, the Roman Town House became the stage for an unforgettable performance.

Wey Valley Academy brought Thomas Hardy's The Withered Arm to life, with scenes unfolding across different locations throughout Dorchester – and it all began here among our Roman ruins.

The Thomas Hardy Society's annual conference brought this moving adaptation to our doorstep, creating a unique theatrical experience that blended fiction with history. What a wonderful way to experience both!

22/06/2026

The Roman Town House is home to diverse plant and insect life 🌿🪲

Join a guided tour to explore the site, discover the mosaics and artefacts, and learn about daily life in Roman Dorset.

Upcoming tour dates: 27 June | 11 July | 25 July
Book via the Dorset Museum & Art Gallery website

06/03/2026

Conservator Alex Heal is back for the annual clean of the mosaics at the Roman Town House – and the results are already looking good!

Alex will be on site for the next week or two, but please do not disturb her as the work needs lots of concentration.

Want to see the mosaics up close? Book your place on a guided tour - multiple dates now available throughout spring and summer. Find out more on the Dorset Museum & Art Gallery website: https://www.dorsetmuseum.org/whats-on/?fwp_event_topic=tours

05/08/2025

This summer, explore Dorchester’s Roman past with a guided tour led by our expert volunteers!

👣 Roman Town House Tours
Explore the grounds of the Roman Town House and get exclusive access inside the structure to see the mosaics up close.
📆 Dates: 9 & 23 August, 6 & 20 September
🕦 Times: 10:30am – 12:30pm (duration 2 hours)

👣 Roman Dorchester Tours
Step into history and explore the bustling streets of Dorchester, spot remnants of its Roman past and visit lesser-known sites.
📆 Dates: 12 & 26 August, 9 & 23 September
🕦 Times: 10:30am – 12:30pm (duration 2 hours)

Each tour is limited to 12 participants. Tickets include full day access to Dorset Museum & Art Gallery.

👉 For more information and to book tickets visit dorsetmuseum.org/whats-on/?fwp_event_topic=tours

18/06/2025

The Roman Town House is buzzing with life at the moment 🌷🐝

Visit the grounds for free or book yourself onto a guided tour with Dorset Museum & Art Gallery to explore inside the structure.

Upcoming tour dates:

📅 28 June, 10:30am-12:30pm
Booking link: dorsetmuseum.org/whats-on/roman-town-house-tour-28-6-2025/

📅 12 July, 10:30am-12:30pm
Booking link: dorsetmuseum.org/whats-on/roman-town-house-tour-28-6-2025/

More dates to be released soon!

15/05/2025

Guess we're not the only ones who enjoy a visit to the Roman Town House 🦆

If you're looking to soak up a bit of history in the sunshine, the grounds of the Roman Town House are free to visit. Tours of the internal structure are also available and can be booked on the Dorset Museum & Art Gallery website: dorsetmuseum.org/whats-on/?fwp_event_topic=tours

17/04/2025

🎙️ Did you hear Saira, one of our Roman Town House Tour guides, on the Steve Harris Dorset Breakfast Show on Radio Solent earlier this week?

If you missed it, don't worry - listen back on bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0l0mwqv (around 1:24:00)

📆 Our next tour is happening this Saturday (19 April), 10:00am - 12:00noon and we have even more dates lined up for the spring and summer.

View our full list of tour dates and book your tickets on the Dorset Museum & Art Gallery website: dorsetmuseum.org/whats-on/?fwp_event_topic=tours

10/02/2025

This weekend, discover finds from Colliton Park and the Roman Town House and learn about its excavation and conservation during a Roman Town House tour.

Our first tour of the year is on Saturday 15 February 10:00am – 12:00noon starting at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery.

Book your place now at dorsetmuseum.org/whats-on/roman-town-house-tour_15_02_2025/

This pottery fragment was excavated at Colliton Park, Dorchester (the area around the Roman Town House) and is decorated with the image of a running deer.

It is currently on display in the Gladiators of Britain exhibition as part of a section exploring the Romans’ love of hunting - the most popular sport of the wealthy elite.

Discover more finds from Colliton Park and the Roman Town House and learn about its excavation and conservation during a Roman Town House tour. The first is on Saturday 15 February 10:00am – 12:00noon starting at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery.

Book your place now at dorsetmuseum.org/whats-on/roman-town-house-tour_15_02_2025/