Shire Hall Museum

Museum · Dorchester

Shire Hall Museum

Museum · Dorchester
High W St, Dorchester DT1 1UY, United Kingdom

Photos

Shire Hall Museum by null
Shire Hall Museum by null
Shire Hall Museum by null
Shire Hall Museum by null
Shire Hall Museum by null
Shire Hall Museum by null
Shire Hall Museum by null
Shire Hall Museum by null
Shire Hall Museum by null
Shire Hall Museum by null
Shire Hall Museum by null
Shire Hall Museum by null
Shire Hall Museum by null
Shire Hall Museum by null
Shire Hall Museum by null
Shire Hall Museum by null
Shire Hall Museum by null
Shire Hall Museum by null
Shire Hall Museum by null
Shire Hall Museum by null

Highlights

Historic court and cells museum with cafe  

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High W St, Dorchester DT1 1UY, United Kingdom Get directions

shirehalldorset.org
@shirehalldorset

Information

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High W St, Dorchester DT1 1UY, United Kingdom Get directions

+44 1305 261849
shirehalldorset.org
@shirehalldorset
𝕏
@shirehalldorset

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Last updated

Nov 3, 2025

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dave chamberlain

Google
Nice depiction of life back then - plus the old court plus tollpuddle martyrs

Vicky H

Google
Amazing museum full of the rich history of the England court system. The staff/volunteers are welcoming and very informative. It is a great experience for anyone interested in the legal system how often do you get to stand in a holding cell/dock without being in trouble? how often can you dress up as a barrister/judge and hold court in a real court room. Amazing cafe with a good choice of food and friendly staff.

Martin Lawrence

Google
Started with a visit to the museum cafe for coffee and tea cakes. The museum is very interesting taking you through the history of the court house and cells. Small museum so be sure to take your time and read about everything or use a free audio guide. The ticket is valid for unlimited return visits for one year.

Terry Graves

Google
Excellent venue especially the old court house. Very informative and with very helpful staff

Steven Goodchild

Google
Well worth a visit and also to learn about the conditions that prisoners were held very nice cafe would recommend a visit.

Bea

Google
This is a fabulous place to visit, interesting atmospheric and lots to see. Losers a star though for selling books aimed at young children about a girl who addresses herself as ‘ they’. At the time of our recent visit, there was a fabulous photographic display of local people, but we are unsure why it included a woman with a Palestinian flag protesting?

Chris Dancer

Google
We loved our visit to Shire Hall, it's a beautiful building and a really interesting piece of social history, and the volunteers are lovely and very helpful. The cafe is very nice too. We particularly enjoyed seeing the cells, and dressing up in the courtroom!

Emma C

Google
A very interesting small museum, well worth your time. The audio guide is superb with lots of extra information, it does a great job of drawing parallels to the modern justice system. Fantastic cafe, with gluten free and vegan options. Cheese scone is highly recommended.