Dorchester

The market town of Dorchester in the beautiful county of Dorset lies on the River Frome, just inland from the famous Jurassic Coast World Heritage site. The town has a long history, evident in Maiden Castle, the largest hill fort in Britain that was constructed about 600 BC and underwent redevelopment and expansion around 450 BC. Probably the best place to begin to explore Dorchester is at the Dorset County Museum founded in 1846, it tells the story of Dorset's history through exhibits housed in the Gothic style building. There are over two million archaeological, geological, historical and scientific artefacts here as well as a wonderful section devoted to the local poet and author, Thomas Hardy. The author based the fictional town of Casterbridge on his childhood home of Dorchester.

Dorchester offers a good choice of shops, restaurants, pubs, cultural and visitor attractions plus a colourful market every Wednesday. This historic town of elegant 18^th century houses and broad walks is still considered to be every bit the 'Casterbridge' of Thomas Hardy's novels and attracts visitors throughout the year who come to enjoy the beauty of the town, the scenic countryside that surrounds it and the majestic coast nearby.

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