Things to do in Dorchester

Greenhill Gardens

Maiden Castle

Maidenborg is an Iron Age castle built in 600 BC and conquered by the Romans in 48 AD. After that, it was once requisitioned as a military exercise base, and later opened to the outside world as a key protected area. The entrance to the base is located on the west side, and it is difficult to navigate through twists and turns. It is not difficult to imagine its majestic appearance back then.

2026 Europe 50 - Best Things to Do

Windsor Castle

• Stroll through the family castle of the Windsor dynasty • View the exquisite treasures in the state suite • Enjoy the audio guide and savor the beauty of the castle Windsor Castle sits on a hill on the south bank of the Thames and is one of the official residences still in use by the British royal family today. The castle was first built by William I in the 11th century, and after subsequent expansions and renovations by many monarchs, it blends a variety of architectural styles, including a Norman fortress, a medieval palace, and Georgian state apartments, and is also one of the few medieval castles in Europe that are still inhabited today. The castle is divided into the upper, middle, and lower wards. The upper ward centers on the state rooms, which display famous paintings, armor, and fine furniture collected by monarchs over the centuries, including works by masters such as Holbein, Van Dyck, and Rubens; the Waterloo Chamber was built by George IV to commemorate the defeat of Napoleon, and its walls hang portraits of allied monarchs and commanders. The upper area also houses Queen Mary's Dolls' House, created by architect Edwin Lutyens in the 1920s, with exquisitely detailed interiors that even include electricity and running water. The central area is marked by a round tower, which was originally built of wood and later rebuilt in stone. Today, it houses royal documents and a photography collection, and the moat garden below the tower is planted with roses and other flowers. St. George's Chapel in the Lower Ward is a masterpiece of English Gothic architecture, founded in the 15th century and renowned for its magnificent stone fan vaulting and stained glass windows—looking up at the vaulting is an unmissable experience when visiting. The chapel is also the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter, has hosted numerous royal weddings, and is the burial place of several British monarchs.

Weymouth Harbour

Lodmoor Country Park

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British monarch and the venue for the royal family's state events and major ceremonies. The palace has nineteen state rooms used to receive visiting heads of state and hold official ceremonies, furnished with paintings by Van Dyck and Canaletto, sculptures by Canova, and exquisite Sèvres porcelain and English and French furniture. The tour route connects magnificent halls such as the White Drawing Room, the Music Room, the Blue Drawing Room, and the Green Drawing Room. The gallery linking these rooms is about 50 m long and hangs paintings by masters such as Rembrandt, Rubens, and Vermeer, making it the essence of the Royal Collection. The highlight of the entire tour is the Throne Room. The archway and canopy were designed by architect John Nash, inspired by his experience in theater set design, creating a highly dramatic visual effect. The pair of thrones in the hall were used in the coronations of Elizabeth II and Charles III respectively, and the official portraits specially created by painters of the King and Queen are also on permanent display here. The Throne Room once served as the backdrop for the wedding photographs of the Prince and Princess of Wales, and to this day remains the venue for court ceremonies such as investitures. The changing of the guard ceremony in the palace forecourt is equally captivating. During the ceremony, a detachment of guards marches from Wellington Barracks to the palace accompanied by music, relieving another detachment to become the King's Guard—a classic scene for experiencing British ceremonial tradition.

Southside Funfair

Bowleaze Cove

2026 Europe 50 - Best Things to Do

Stonehenge

On the Salisbury Plain southeast of Bath, England, numerous stone circles stand amidst the vast wilderness—this is the mysterious prehistoric site of Stonehenge in the British Isles. In 1130 AD, a British priest accidentally discovered Stonehenge during a journey. These majestic stones, with an average weight of nearly 30 tons, still puzzle researchers today regarding their arrangement and exact purpose. On the way to the prehistoric Stonehenge, signs are posted along the route, and railings surround the site, allowing visitors to view it from a distance of 30 m. Research suggests its construction spanned over a thousand years: approx. 3000 BC, ancient people built embankments here, creating a circular earthwork with 56 pits arranged inside; by approx. 2500 BC, the massive stones were gradually transported and erected. The main sandstone blocks were sourced from the Marlborough Downs, approx. 30 km away, with each averaging approx. 25 tons, and the heel stone weighing approx. 30 tons. The smaller bluestones came from the Preseli Hills in Wales, over 200 km away. The fact that such transportation was accomplished without metal tools or wheels still astonishes researchers today.

Lulworth Cove

Lulworth Bay is a naturally formed moon bay on the Jurassic coastline in southern England. Millions of years of geological changes have created Lulworth's intricate coastline, with bays, caves, rock mounds and peculiar rock formations that make up a stunning natural landscape. Pleasant thatched huts and fishing boats form a perfect circle around the white cliffs, of which the famous Durdle Door is also part. In the midsummer season, a large number of tourists will come to take a long-distance bus for vacation, which is very lively.