Discover Dorset's wonderful heritage on walks and at other events with Dorset Council's archaeologists and other archaeologists working in the county.

To book your place or for more information about an event, please send an email or contact us by telephone on 01305 224921. If you email or leave us a voicemail message, please remember to include your name and contact details, and tell us which event you are interested in.

Dorset Archaeological Days

Guided walks, car tours and other outdoor events on archaeological themes.

Booking is required as numbers are limited and in case of any last-minute change of plan. We keep group sizes small to ensure everyone feels comfortable. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Sensible clothing and footwear are recommended.

 

Badbury Rings 4,000 BC to 1945, Temple, barrows and hillfort, Saturday 5 October 2024, 2pm to 4pm

Explore the archaeology of the Kingston Lacy Estate as seen from Badbury and High Wood on a guided walk with Martin Papworth. This walk will take around two 2 hours, some easy slopes. Sensible clothing and footwear are recommended. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Please note that there is a charge of £5 (adults) for this walk, to be paid to the walk leader on the day. Children go free.

Meeting point

Meet at the National Trust car park at Badbury Rings.

Postcode: DT11 9JL
Grid reference: ST 965 030
What3words: ///choppers.allowable.sends  

Parking

Free parking for National Trust members but there is a charge of £1 per hour or £3 all day for non-members.

 

Lyscombe Bottom, Saturday 12 October 2024, 10.30am to 1pm

A guided walk to discover prehistoric monuments and a medieval chapel in its magnificent landscape setting. The walk lasts about 2 and a half hours and is about 3 and a half miles long, with one fairly steep downhill slope. 

This walk is free to attend but if you enjoy your walk, please give a donation to the walk leader on the day.

Meeting point

Meet at the grass parking area just off Drake’s Lane between Piddletrenthide and Cheselbourne at the entrance to Lyscombe Farm. 

Postcode: DT2 7RF
Grid reference: SY 733 005

Easting: 373291.72
Northing: 100426.31

What3Words: ///delight.choppers.mountain

Finding Dorset

Talks and finds handling sessions looking at different kinds of archaeological finds.

Metal detecting - getting it right!

Saturday 7 September 2024, 10am to 12.30pm

An event for those new to metal detecting, or anyone who would like a refresher.

We’ll be talking about some of the ‘dos and don’ts’ with short presentations on topics including the Treasure Act and the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

We’ll be talking about:

  • the law and finding out about protected monuments and areas
  • the Portable Antiquities Scheme
  • the Treasure Act 1996 and how to report your finds
  • how to do grid references
  • basic care and storage of finds

Experienced detectorists will be on hand to chat about their experience of starting the hobby. The event is free to attend but numbers are limited so booking is required.

Venue

Dorset History Centre, Bridport Road, Dorchester DT1 1RP

Booking

Send an email to claire.pinder@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or telephone 01305 224921

Ask an archaeologist

Meet Dorset Council's archaeologist at venues around the county to discuss your research and bring finds for identification.

Poole Central Library, Tuesday 24 September 2024, 10am to 1pm

The event is in two parts. The first part of the morning, from 10am to 12pm, is bookable slots for local researchers and metal detectorists to meet face-to-face to discuss their research, make Historic Environment Record Enquiries or drop off and collect finds for identification. From 12pm to 1pm is a drop-in session with archaeological objects on display for you to see and handle.

How to book

To book a 30-minute slot for finds identification send an email to finds@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

General enquiries

For general research and Historic Environment Record enquiries email her@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Venue

Poole Central Library, Dolphin Centre, Poole BH15 1QE
What3Words: ///vibrate.occurs.react

Sturminster Newton Museum, Thursday 26 September 2024, 10am to 1pm

This event is in two parts. The first part of the morning, from 10am to 12pm, is bookable slots for local researchers and metal detectorists to meet face-to-face to discuss their research, make Historic Environment Record Enquiries or drop off and collect finds for identification. From 12pm to 1pm is a drop-in session.

How to book

To book a 30-minute slot for finds identification send an email to finds@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

For general research and Historic Environment Record enquiries email her@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Venue

Sturminster Newton Museum, Market Cross House, Old, Market Cross, Sturminster Newton DT10 1AN

What3Words: ///wing.elsewhere.blemishes

Museum of East Dorset, Wimborne Minster, Tuesday 26 November 2024, 10am to 1pm

Bookable slots for local researchers and metal detectorists to meet face-to-face to discuss their research, make Historic Environment Record Enquiries or drop off and collect finds for identification. 

How to book

To book a 30-minute slot for finds identification send an email to finds@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

For general research and Historic Environment Record enquiries email her@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Venue

Museum of East Dorset, 29 High Street, Wimborne Minster BH21 9HR

What3Words: ///elections.fetching.rungs

Blandford Forum Town Museum, Thursday 28 November 2024, 10am to 1pm

This event is in two parts. The first part of the morning, from 10am to 12pm, is bookable slots for local researchers and metal detectorists to meet face-to-face to discuss their research, make Historic Environment Record Enquiries or drop off and collect finds for identification. From 12pm to 1pm is a drop-in session with archaeological objects on display for you to see and handle.

How to book 

To book a 30-minute slot for finds identification send an email to finds@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

For general research and Historic Environment Record enquiries email her@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Venue

Blandford Forum Town Museum, Bere's Yard, Blandford Forum DT11 7HQ

What3Words: ///amounting.require.parkland

Beaminster Museum, Saturday 11 January 2025, 11am to 2pm

Drop in to show your finds to the Finds Liaison Officer, Portable Antiquities Scheme. Archaeological objects will be on display for you to see and handle.

Venue

Beaminster Museum, Whitcombe Road, Beaminster DT8 3NB

What3Words: ///sniff.provider.buildings

Day schools, talks and other events

Occasional events such as day schools on different periods and themes, online talks, and training for volunteers and amateur archaeologists including metal detectorists

Metal detecting - getting it right!

Saturday 7 September 2024, 10am to 12.30pm

An event for those new to metal detecting, or anyone who would like a refresher.

We’ll be talking about some of the ‘dos and don’ts’ with short presentations on topics including the Treasure Act and the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

We’ll be talking about:

  • the law and finding out about protected monuments and areas
  • the Portable Antiquities Scheme
  • the Treasure Act 1996 and how to report your finds
  • how to do grid references
  • basic care and storage of finds

Experienced detectorists will be on hand to chat about their experience of starting the hobby. The event is free to attend but numbers are limited so booking is required.

Venue

Dorset History Centre, Bridport Road, Dorchester DT1 1RP

Booking

Send an email to claire.pinder@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or telephone 01305 224921

Give feedback on events

If you have been to one of our events recently, we would like to know what you think. Help us improve and develop new events by completing our short survey.

Start the survey