Dorchester

Dorchester is the county town and is full of history including elegant houses built in the 18th century and broad walks, and was the model for the 'Casterbridge' of Thomas Hardy's novels.   There is also the 4000 year old hill fort of Maiden Castle and the Roman Town House.

And why not visit the Old Crown Court which appears as it did during trial of the Tolpuddle Martyrs in c1834, with the cells and stocks below the court.

But if 1834 is to recent for you then perhaps the Tutankhamun Exhibition is more your thing which allows visitors to experience the wonder of the world's greatest discovery of ancient treasure or how about the Dinosaur Musuem which combines life-sized reconstructions of dinosaurs with fossils and skeletons to create an hands-on experience.

Website: http://www.westdorset.com/site/about-the-area/towns/dorchester