Europe > UK > England > South West > Dorchester
Dorchester Attractions in, Dorchester
Dorchester attractions, local Dorchester attractions, Dorset England
When the Romans first settled in this picturesque area they called it Dornovaria, which later became known as Dorchester, the county town of Dorset. Because of the Roman settlement here, numerous Roman relics have since been discovered in and around the local area, the most famous of which include a Roman villa and a stone circle, known as Maumbury Rings, that the Romans used as an amphitheatre.
Dorchester has endured a fascinating history, including strong links with the Monmouth rebellion of the 1600s. It was in Dorchester that Judge Jeffreys presided over the Bloody Assize where mass executions took place amongst the rebels and their sympathizers of the famous rebellion. Whilst in 1834 Dorchesters Old Crown Court, that can still be visited today, was where the trial of the Tolpuddle Martyrs took place, who were each sentenced to seven years transportation for their crime of trying to achieve fair working rights.
Despite this rich history, Dorchester is undoubtedly best known as Hardy country. It was Dorchester that novelist Thomas Hardy, based his famous Mayor of Casterbridge novel on. In fact of the many 18th century buildings that line South Street, number 10, now a bank, was the house that Thomas Hardy wrote of as belonging to the Mayor of Casterbridges. With so many references to Dorchester in his books the town now pays homage to the great writer with a statue of him in the town and many visitors choose to visit the cottage where he was born at Higher Bockhampton.
Other local specialities that Dorchester is famous for include a varied selection of gourmet goodies, which are all widely available at the towns markets. Well worth sampling is the Dorset Blue Vinney cheese and locally made chocolate, fudge and biscuits, that also make great gifts for visitors to take back home.
