The country town of Dorset, and a popular tourist destination in its own right, Dorchester sees hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to its historic streets every year. It’s hardly surprising, it sits just north of Weymouth on the thoroughfare between Poole and Bridport. And, just a few miles to the south is Maiden Castle, an Iron Age hillfort which was one of the most powerful settlements in pre-Roman Britain. But the history of Dorchester itself is a Roman one, originally founded as a garrison before developing into a settlement named Durnovaria - which loosely translates as ‘place with fist-sized pebbles’. Dorchester is also the site of the notorious 17th-century ‘Bloody Assizes’ held in what is today the Antelope Hotel tea rooms.
As you’d expect, Dorchester is home to many museums and attractions, along with plenty of cafes and pubs where you can rest your museum-worn feet. Dorchester restaurants are varied, diverse, and ever-popular. From cosy pub pints by the fire to award-winning fine dining restaurants, town centre cafes and spots with stunning views of the River Frome there’s something for everyone. Once you’ve found the place for you, simply click ‘book now’ to find out more, and reserve your table.