Dorset Museums: West Dorset

Beaminster Museum

Whitcombe Road, Beaminster, Dorset (Tel: 01308 863623)

Beaminster Museum is housed in the old Congregational Chapel and its displays explain the history of the town and the surrounding villages. Exhibitions also cover the archaeology and agriculture of Beaminster as well as the people who lived there. The museum is open from April to the end of September on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays. There is a small admission charge for adults; concessions apply and entry for children is free.

Bridport Museum

South Street, Bridport, Dorset (Tel: 01308 422116)

Discover Bridport's unique history from the Romans to rope making by visiting the Bridport Museum, which is located in a beautiful Tudor building. It is open from Monday to Saturday between April and October. There is an admission charge for adults and a small charge for unaccompanied children; accompanied children may enter for free.

Dorset County Museum

High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset (Tel: 01305 262735, Web: www.dorsetcountymuseum.org)

Dorchester Gallery, Dorset County Museum, Dorchester

This museum has galleries on Dorset's archaeology, wildlife, geology and local history brought to life with free audio guides, interactive displays and films. It contains dinosaur footprints, Roman mosaic flooring and a reconstruction of Thomas Hardy's study. The museum is open daily from July to September and Mondays to Saturdays between October and June.

Lyme Regis Museum

Bridge Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset (Tel: 01297 443370)

This museum is located in a beautiful building overlooking the sea and it tells the story of Lyme Regis through the use of award-winning displays about the history of Lyme Regis and the Cobb, its geology, fossils, literary connections and famous people. The museum is open daily from April to October, and at weekends and during school holidays from November to March. There is an admission charge for adults but concessions apply and accompanied children may enter for free.

The Military Museum of Devon and Dorset

The Keep, Bridport Road, Dorchester, Dorset (Tel: 01305 264066, Web: www.keepmilitarymuseum.org)

Military Museum of Devon and Dorset, Dorchester (c)FreeFoto.com

Keep Military Museum, Dorset

The Keep is a modern military museum with computers and creative displays to tell the stories of courage, humour, tradition and sacrifice of those who served in the regiments of Devon and Dorset for over 300 years. The museum is open from April to September on Monday to Saturday and also on Sunday during July and August. From October to March it is open on Tuesday to Saturday. Admission fees are charged.

Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum

Tolpuddle, near Dorchester, Dorset (Tel: 01305 848237)

Tolpuddle Martyr's Grave, Dorset

The museum recounts the story of the six agricultural workers transported to Australia in 1834 after forming a trade union. Follow the Martyrs' fate by taking an exciting voyage of discovery via the interactive multi-media screens. It is open on Tuesday to Saturday from April until October and Thursday to Saturday from November until March. It is also open on Bank Holiday Mondays but is closed for two weeks over Christmas/New Year. Admission is free.