Every year in September, Heritage Open Days offers the public the opportunity to visit hundreds of attractions, castles, churches, theatres, town halls, museums, and more for FREE!

In 2025, the event runs from Friday 12th to Sunday 21st September however you will need to check with each location which dates their event applies.

Below are just a few attractions and places of interest that you can visit in Dorset.

 

CASTLES, COUNTRY PARKS, ESTATES & HISTORIC BUILDINGS

 

• LULWORTH CASTLE & PARK •

Info: Visit and discover the stunning 17th Century Lulworth Castle and the Chapel of St Mary.

Dates: Tuesday 16th & Wednesday 17th September 2025
Address: Lulworth Castle, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QS

 

• LULWORTH CASTLE HOUSE •

Info: Visit the Weld family home in the grounds of Lulworth Castle.  The Entrance Hall and Drawing Room will be open to view.  Please note the gardens are not open.

Dates: Tuesday 16th & Wednesday 17th September 2025
Address: Lulworth Castle House, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QS

 

• KINGSTON LACY • 

Info: Enjoy a picnic on the south lawn, or let the kids run wild in the play areas.  Wander through the Japanese Garden to the Kitchen Garden, which is being restored to Victorian splendour.  Explore the vast 8,500 acres of estate, featuring Iron Age hill forts, colourful heathland, water meadows and the world's oldest pedigree herd of Red Ruby Devon cattle.

Dates: Thursday 18th - Saturday 20th September 2025
Address: Kingston Lacy, Wimborne Minster, Dorset, BH21 4EA

 

• INSIDE OUT DORSET ARTS FESTIVAL AT CORFE CASTLE •

Info: Experience Idiòfona, a large-scale sound installation by Joan Català inviting audiences to find harmony in shared vibration.  Discover Consequences, a monumental new giant inspired by the mystery of the Cerne Abbas Giant, and part of the Nature Calling arts project, encouraging everyone to better understand and connect with their local natural landscapes.

Dates: Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st September 2025
Address: The Square, Corfe Castle, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5EZ

 

• NOTHE FORT •

Info: Nothe Fort was built as a coastal defence and is now one of Dorset’s best loved heritage attractions.  Join the team of volunteers for a unique insight into how this much-loved Victorian fort was secretly utilised during the latter part of the Cold War.

Date: Sunday 14th September 2025
Address: Nothe Fort, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8UF

 

• HIGHCLIFFE CASTLE GUIDED TOURS •

Info: Visit Highcliffe Castle for a Behind the Scenes guided tour to discover areas not usually on the visitor route.

Date: Thursday 18th September 2025
Address: Rothesay Drive, West Borough, Highcliffe, Dorset, BH23 4LE

 

• HARDY MONUMENT •

Info: Climb to the 120 steps to the top of the monument and enjoy breathtaking views across Dorset.

Dates: Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th September 2025
Address: Hardy Monument, Portesham, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 9HY

 

• UPTON HOUSE •

Info: Explore the ground floor of Upton House to discover the families that have called it home and their links to the local and global community.  You can also pre-book a free, below-stairs guided tour of the House’s basement level to find out more about the people that kept the place running.

Dates: Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st September 2025
Address: Upton Country Park, Poole Road, Upton, Poole, Dorset, BH17 7BJ

 

• MAX GATE •

Info: Max Gate, home to Dorset's famous author and poet, Thomas Hardy, was designed by the writer himself and built by the Hardy family building firm in 1885.  Join a guided tour with a volunteer guide and discover the stories of Hardy's home.

Dates: Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st September 2025
Address: Max Gate, Alington Avenue, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 2FN

 

• PORTLAND HOUSE OPEN DAY •

Info: A hidden gem on the Dorset coastline, Portland House looks over the glittering water and basks in the tropical climate of the South Coast, which rivals the Mediterranean on a sunny day.

Dates: Friday 19th - Sunday 21st September 2025
Address: 24 Belle Vue Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8RZ

 

• MELBURY HOUSE TOUR •

Info: Supervised tour of parts of private house and contents including the entrance hall, breakfast room, saloon, square drawing room, dining room and long drawing room.  Visits to Melbury Church are also permitted if requested in advance.

Dates: Monday 15th & Tuesday 16th September 2025
Address: Melbury House, Melbury Sampford, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 0LF

 

• BELMONT OPEN DAYS •

Info: This fine 18th-century maritime villa in Lyme Regis is listed Grade II* and once belonged to the remarkable businesswoman, Mrs Eleanor Coade.

Dates: Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th September 2025
Address: Belmont, 16 Pound Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3HZ

 

• WHITE MILL •

Info: An 18th-century corn mill in a peaceful, rural setting.  Rebuilt in 1776 on a site marked in the Domesday Book, this substantial mill was extensively repaired in 1994 and still retains its original elm and applewood machinery (now too fragile to be used).  Enjoy a stroll over White Mill bridge or sit in the garden and enjoy the tranquillity of the River Stour.

Dates: Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th September 2025
Address: White Mill, Sturminster Marshall, Wimborne Minster, Dorset, BH21 4BX

 

• STURMINSTER NEWTON TOWN MILL OPEN DAY •

Info: Recently discovered evidence suggests this Mill largely dates from 1566, on a more ancient milling site which could date back to 1016.  Powered by a 100 year old turbine, the machinery should be running for this open day, and volunteers will be available for more information about this historic site.

Date: Wednesday 17th September 2025
Address: Sturminster Newton Town Mill, Quay Road, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 2HW

 

• CLAVELL TOWER •

Info: Clavell Tower is a circular tower high on the cliffs above Kimmeridge Bay.  Enjoy a rare chance to see inside this well-loved landmark.

Dates: Saturday 13th - Sunday 14th September 2025
Address: Clavell Tower, Kimmeridge, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5PE

 

CHURCHES

 

• ABBOTSBURY ABBEY & ST CATHERINE’S CHAPEL WALKING TOURS • 

Info: Set high on a hilltop overlooking Chesil Beach and the Isle of Portland, this barrel-vaulted 14th century chapel was built by the monks of the nearby Abbotsbury Abbey as a place of pilgrimage and retreat.

Date: Saturday 13th September 2025
Address: Chapel Hill, Abbotsbury, Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 4JH

 

• BLANDFORD FRUM PARISH CHURCH OPEN DAYS & ROOF TOURS •

Info: You will get a brief history of the church and a chance to admire the newly repainted and regilded apse ceiling and then will be taken up a small, stone, spiral staircase to the ringing chamber, the clock chamber and then to walk above the nave ceiling in the ‘attic’.

Dates: Friday 12th - Sunday 14th September 2025
Address: St Peter & St Paul's Church, Church Lane, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 7AD

 

• WIMBORNE MINSTER CHURCH & BELL TOWER TOURS •

Info: A rare opportunity to visit the Bell Tower of Wimborne Minster which was built in 1464.  Sit in the Ringing Chamber and watch the ringers in action.  Discover the history of the bells and hear about ringing for special events such as The Coronation.  Guided tours will also allow you to see some Norman architecture with many historical treasures.

Date: Monday 15th September 2025
Address: Wimborne Minster, Dorset, BH21 1EB

 

• ST PETER’S CHURCH BELL TOUR TOURS •

Info: Unique access to the bell tower of St Peter's Church along with a guided tour of the historic church.

Date: Sunday 21st September 2025
Address: St Peters Church, 26 High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1EZ

 

• CHRISTCHURCH PRIORY CHURCH & TOWER TOURS •

Info: The Priory Church in Christchurch is over 900 years old.  Enjoy a tour around the church which includes the Great Quire with ancient Misericords, two crypts, four Chantries, the Miraculous Beam and Cloister Way with stained glass story of the church and other parts not normally open to the public.

Date: Monday 15th September 2025
Address: Christchurch Priory, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 1BU

 

• SHERBORNE ABBEY TOURS •

Info: Discover 1300 years of history with a guided tour of Sherborne Abbey, led by an experienced tour guide.

Dates: Friday 12th – Saturday 20th September 2025
Address: Sherborne Abbey, Abbey Close, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3LQ

 

• KNOWLTON CHURCH AND EARTHWORKS TOUR •

Info: This Norman church, which was built in the 12th century, is situated at the centre of a Neolithic ritual henge earthwork.  The unusual pairing of the henge and the church symbolises the transition from pagan to Christian worship.  The 12th century church is built of stone and flint, and the line of the roof remains clearly visible on its eastern face.

Dates: Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st September 2025
Address: Knowlton Church and Earthworks, Knowlton, Buildwas Abbey, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 5AE

 

MUSEUMS & HERITAGE CENTRE’S

 

• DORSET MUSEUM & ART GALLERY TOURS •

Info: An exclusive opportunity to be guided by a museum expert and discover 250 million years of Dorset's story.

Date: Sunday 21st September 2025
Address: Dorset Museum, 66 High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XA

 

• SHIRE HALL HISTORIC COURTHOUSE MUSEUM GUIDED TOUR •

Info: Participants will take part in a tour of the Shire Hall Museum focusing on “Conviction Politics” and the tumultuous relationship between convictions and conviction.

Date: Sunday 21st September 2025
Address: Shire Hall Museum, High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1UY

 

• MUSEUM OF EAST DORSET MUSEUM GUIDED TOUR •

Info: Guided tour of the museum house, with particular emphasis on the history of the building and its architectural heritage.

Dates: Saturday 13th & Tuesday 16th September 2025
Address: Museum of East Dorset, 23-29 High Street, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 1HR

 

• BOURNEMOUTH NATURAL SCIENCE SOCIETY GUIDED TOUR •

Info: This tour looks at the detailed architectural features externally and internally as well as the history of the building.  After the tour there is a chance to view the Victorian natural history and antiquarian collections in the building.

Date: Wednesday 17th September 2025
Address: BNSS, 39 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 3NS

 

• THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF SCAPLEN’S COURT •

Info: Join for a fascinating guided tour of Scaplen’s Court and Garden with archaeologist Peter Bellamy of Terrain Archaeology.  Discover the layers of history uncovered as part of the archaeological investigations during the Poole Museum redevelopment.

Date: Friday 19th September 2025
Address: Scaplen’s Court, Sarum Street, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1JW

 

• BLANDFORD FASHION MUSEUM OPEN DAY •

Info: Visitors are welcome to visit and appreciate the Georgian building, plus the Museum's collection of historical costumes and textiles.

Date: Saturday 20th September 2025
Address: Blandford Fashion Museum, 11 The Plocks, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 7AA

 

• GROVE PRISON MUSEUM •

Info: The convict prison at Portland was established in 1848 to Quarry stone for the Breakwaters creating Portland Harbour in Dorset for the Admiralty.  Learn more about the fascinating history of the Prison at the Grove Prison Museum.

Dates: Thursday 18th & Saturday 20th September 2025
Address: Grove Road, HMP Portland gatehouse, Community Gardens, Portland, Dorset, DT5 1DL

 

• DORSET HISTORY CENTRE TOURS •

Info: Visit the Dorset History Centre, the home of the county’s archives, to see plans, film and photos of Dorset’s coastal architecture.

Date: Sunday 21st September 2025
Address: Dorset History Centre, Bridport Road, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1RP

 

• SHERBORNE STEAM AND WATERWHEEL CENTRE •

Info: See the vintage waterwheel and steam engines in operation, together with other machinery, visiting attractions and audiovisual displays of restoration work.

Date: Sunday 14th September 2025
Address: Sherborne Steam and Waterwheel Centre, Oborne Road, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3RX

 

• NEW FOREST HERITAGE CENTRE •

Info: The FONFA Heritage Centre is the only display and reference library dedicated to protecting the history and heritage of the airfields that were operational in the New Forest.

Date: Saturday 20th September 2025
Address: Mosquito Way, Bransgore, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 8HE

 

MORE OPEN DAYS, TOURS & EXPERIENCES

 

• VICTORIAN ARTILLARY RE-ENACTMENT DISPLAY •

Info: Witness the Nothe Fort Artillery in their splendid uniforms and displays including musketry and cannon firing drills.

Date: Sunday 21st September 2025
Address: Borough Gardens, Cornwall Road, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1RG

 

• HISTORICAL TOUR OF PORTLAND PORT •

Info: A rare opportunity to have a private tour of parts of the Port, focussing on the history of the breakwaters, the harbour, the naval defences and the maritime history of the area.  Please note, a government issued photo ID and car registration is a required.

Date: Saturday 20th September 2025
Address: Details given when booked

 

• STUDLAND BAY IN WWII GUIDED WALK •

Info: Discover how Britain prepared to defend it's coastline and the later shift to preparing for invasion, with a full scale rehearsal for the D-day landings called Exercise Smash.  Join a guided walk or take a self-guided walk around some of our remaining WW2 remnants.  There's also kids activities including a mini obstacle course, make a clay tile and code cracking.

Date: Sunday 14th September 2025
Address: Knoll Beach visitors Centre, Ferry Road, Studland, Dorset, BH19 3AQ

 

• WWII BOMBING DECOY BUNKER OPEN DAY •

Info: The decoy bunker at Moors Valley was used during World War II to power and control lights to mimic the nearby RAF airfields at Hurn and Ibsley, including a 1km flare path whose location has been identified.  This is an opportunity to take a closer look at the bunker, which is not normally open to the public.

Date: Sunday 21st September 2025
Address: Moors Valley Country Park, Ashley Heath, Ringwood, BH24 2ET

 

• WWII DOUBLE ANDERSON AIR RAID SHELTER •

Info: This WWII air raid shelter in Blandford Forum remarkably survives over 80 years later.  Situated in a lovely garden and kindly made available for you to experience.

Date: Saturday 20th September 2025
Address: Details given when booked

 

GUIDED WALKS & TALKS

There are numerous guided walks also happening in Dorchester, Blandford Forum and Wimborne Minster.  Learn all about the local history which can include Roman archaeology and aqueducts, architecture and more.

 

There are so many more places of interest to explore in Dorset and beyond so please visit Heritage Open Days for further information including if pre-booking is required.

Please note that dates may be subject to change.