Many are reaching out to wider audiences and are committed to making their visitors' experiences as stimulating as possible through their changing exhibitions and learning programmes.

The vast majority of our museums are independently run through charitable trusts. Some receive council funding but all rely on admission charges and/or fundraising.

All museums have their own policies regarding children who are unaccompanied by an adult. Please contact the individual museum for more details.

Find opening times and details for museums in Dorset (please ring to check opening times and admissions before travelling as these may change from time to time).

• Beaminster Museum

  The museum is housed in the old Congregational chapel and displays the history of the town from medieval to modern times. Archaeology and agriculture of the surrounding area and the history of the surrounding villages are also displayed. Special exhibitions are presented during the year.

• Blandford Museum

  Blandford Town Museum is the centre for collections relating to all aspects of life in the Blandford Forum area. Exhibits cover prehistoric and historic periods with exhibits on archaeology, Roman occupation, Georgian and Victorian life and Blandford during the war years.

• Bridport Museum

  From Romans to ropemaking, discover Bridport's unique history in this Tudor building. The story of the town and its people is told in exhibitions. The local history centre for family and local research is open year round in the Coach House nearby.

• Blandford Fashion Museum

  Founded by the late Mrs Betty Penny, the museum is housed in a fine Georgian building. The growing costume collection covers 250 years. New exhibits regularly displayed. Returning visitors will always find the experience friendly and enjoyable. Pretty tea-room and shop.

• Dorset County Museum

  In effect, this is the Museum of Dorset. It's brought to life with free audio guides and features Thomas Hardy's study, great galleries on archaeology, wildlife, geology and local history. Interactive elements include film on the Roman invasion of Maiden Castle, dinosaur footprints and Roman mosaic flooring - a great day out for visitors of all ages.

• Gillingham Museum

  Features the history of Gillingham and surrounding villages from prehistoric times, through Roman and medieval occupation to the Victorian rebuilding; a 1790 manual fire engine; John Constable display; interactive quiz and photographic presentation. Parking and toilets in adjoining public car park.

• Gold Hill Museum

  Situated at the top of Gold Hill, the Town Museum has many items of local interest providing an insight into Shaftesbury's long history and its association with crafts such as the Dorset button-making industry. The museum's cottage garden enjoys views to Melbury Hill.

• Langton Matravers Museum

  Enjoy the heritage of Purbeck stone with an audio-visual introduction, displays of fossils, geology worked stone, tools, photographs and a reconstruction of a section of quarry mine and its capstan. There are also special temporary exhibitions from the Parish's extensive social history collection.

• Lyme Regis Museum

  Here you'll find the story of Lyme in its landscape, housed in a beautiful building overlooking the Cobb and the sea. See its award winning displays of the history of Lyme Regis and the Cobb, its geology, fossils, literary connections and notable people.

• Military Museum of Devon and Dorset

  A modern military museum with stunning rooftop views of Dorchester, computers and creative displays to tell stories of courage, humour, tradition and sacrifice of those who served in the Devon and Dorset regiments for over 300 years.

• Museum of Electricity

  The museum is set in an Edwardian power station with unique displays of electrical items ranging from a Bournemouth tram car to boot warmers. The displays fit in with the school curriculum but there is novelty and nostalgia for all. You'll find it five minutes from the town centre.

• Nothe Fort

  Museum of coastal defence. 70 rooms of exhibits, models, artefacts. Great views and heritage architecture. For events, exhibitions, school WWII days and living history - contact the curator. Great family day-out for all the family.

• Poole Museum

  With its stunning new entrance and atrium, the museum's new public facilities include a terrace and visitor lounge with magnificent views over Poole Harbour and Old Town. The original fabric of the 18th century harbour warehouse which houses the main displays has been carefully revealed to provide the perfect setting for the story of Poole and its people to be told. Contemporary display methods have been used to provide increased access to the museum's rich collections and to engage, inform, educate and inspire everyone who comes to explore Poole's rich heritage.

• Portland Museum

  The Museum is based in two thatched 17th century cottages above Church Ope, one of which was a known location from Thomas Hardy's novel, "The Wellbeloved".

• Priest's House museum and garden

  The Priest's House is an historic town house dating from the 16th century, located in the heart of Wimborne Minster. This Grade 2 listed building retains many original architectural features. There are period room settings, such as the Victorian kitchen with working Beetonette range. The building also houses displays covering the rich local history and archaeology of East Dorset and its communities.

• Red House Museum and Gardens

  Lots of variety and interesting objects - local history, costume, geology, natural history and archaeology. Temporary exhibitions change every few weeks. Formal garden with culinary/medicinal herbs; secluded informal garden with old fashioned roses and less common shrubs and trees.

• Royal Signals Museum

  Interactive Communications, Science and Technology. Displays include ENIGMA, Special Operations Executive, Elite Special Forces, Long Range Desert Group, Women at War, Despatch Riders, Motorcycle Collection, Animals at War, How does Radio Work? Many displays designed for children. Prize winning fun and discovery trails.

• Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum

  Discover Bournemouth's beautiful award winning Museum and Art Gallery. Once the home of Sir Merton and Lady Russell-Cotes, the house holds fascinating collections from their travels around the world. World famous Victorian art collection and Japanese art and artefacts. New displays, a delightful family gallery and newly restored Victorian gardens.

• Shaftesbury Abbey museum and garden

  This was once the most important Benedictine community for women in the country and the supposed resting place of the murdered boy king Edward the Martyr.

• Sherborne Museum

  Close to historic Abbey and Almshouse, the museum features local history, geology and agriculture, a model of the old Norman castle, displays on the Sherborne silk and glass fibre industry and a beautifully displayed dolls' house.

• Sturminster Newton Museum and Mill

  Small local museum showing aspects of life in a country market town. The working mill still grinds flour in a traditional way using a 1904 turbine. Milling days arranged for visitors during the season.

• Swanage Museum and Heritage Centre

  Learn about the history of 'Old London by the Sea'

• Tank Museum

  The Museum houses the world's most comprehensive and important collection of armoured fighting vehicles including a unique collection of WWI tanks and a recently restored German Tiger tank. Free audio guides, large car park, gift shop and licensed restaurant. Tanks in Action displays throughout the summer bring history to life.

• Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum

  The museum tells 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 multimedia screens. Celebrate their memory on the third Sunday in July at the free family festival.

• Tudor House

  One of Weymouth's few remaining Tudor buildings and furnished as the home of an early 17th century middle class family. Guided tours explain aspects of the life of the times.

• Wareham Town Museum

  The museum tells the history of Wareham from Pre-historic times up to the present day with a special exhibition on Lawrence of Arabia. The museum is staffed entirely by volunteers

• Water Supply Museum

  Housed in a Victorian pumping station still supplying Weymouth with water. The museum tells how water has influenced our lives from the Romans to the present day and contains a water turbine pump dating from 1857.

• Weymouth Museum

  Collections of local and social history, costumes, prints and paintings - including the Bussell Collection, and Borough Archives. Regular exhibitions during the year.

• Museums and galleries - information and advice

  The Dorset County Museums Advisory Service, as part of Dorset County Council Cultural Services, exists to advise and support Dorset's museums.