Ancient Dorchester

Join Alastair Simpson for a walk around the town, as a fun introduction to the pre-Roman and Roman history and sites still seen in our modern age.

The Roman town of Dorchester, called Durnovaria, was protected on three sides by walls and ditches, and on the north side by a wall and the river. The walls were replaced by avenues of trees, still known today as the town walks, which means the town is the same size now as it was in ancient times.

The tour will start at Maumbury Rings and visit the sites of the Roman baths and Dorchester Henge, the Forum and a fountain fed by the aqueduct. Find out where hoards of coins and mosaics were discovered and finish at the Roman town house.

Children welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult.

John Hodgson's artistic interpretation of how Dorchester's Roman baths may have looked, based on the archaeology

Alastair Simpson is a man of many talents - As well as resembling a Victorian archaeologist and intrepid explorer, he plays the organ, trombone, hurdy-gurdy, guitar, tin whistle and is a conductor, composer, folk & choral singer, actor, bellringer, knitter, and dog-walker.

He leads popular folk music walks around Dorset and is performing with touring theatre group Sisata

Home of Hillforts & Henges is an exciting event from 28th to 30th July that will celebrate Dorchester’s neolithic, bronze and iron age landscape, rich in earthworks and the people that have lived here for over 6,000 years.

The event is included in the National CBA Festival of Archaeology 2023 and activities will take place at multiple locations across the town.

With grateful thanks to our headline sponsors, Kingston Maurward, Dorset Hideaways and Dorchester Town Council.

Also, Humphries Kirk, Duchy of Cornwall, Grassby Funeral Service and our Partners, Dorchester Association

Host or Publisher Discover Dorchester