There are many things to do in an around Dorchester. VIllage life is rich, there is plenty to see and do and our history is rich...
There are many hotels and guest houses in and around Dorchester, where you can enjoy a pleasant break in friendly, pleasant surroundings...
Dorchester is rich in places to eat out, whether in the day time or the evening. Some of our restaurants have won awards for their food too...
Here are a few special events happening in the village which may be of interest. If you wish to see more, please
click the events link at the bottom.
Come to the museum gift shop and buy your xmas presents early, with mulled wine and mince pies.
Treasure Island by Ben Crocker
20 – 23 November 2019
Dorchester Village Hall
Tickets from
We have speakers at the Abbey Guest House on the 3rd Wednesday at 7.30pm of the 6 winter months: January-April, October and November. In May, June, July and September we organise group garden visits. The annual subscription is £20. The cost of garden visits depends on how much the owners charge.
Chris is a plant biologist who is the Deputy Director and Head of Science & Public Engagement at Oxford Botanic Garden and Harcourt Arboretum.
In 2016 Chris published a Field Guide to the wild flowers of the Western Mediterranean where he has travelled extensively including teaching field botany to undergraduates in the Algarve.
Chris says” The Mediterranean Basin has one of the world’s richest floras. Indeed, up to 10% of all vascular plants occur in the Mediterranean Basin, which represents just 1.6% of the Earth’s surface. This large area has a complex and varied geology and topography but is united by its typically Mediterranean climate of hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
In 2018 Chris also published Weird Plants which features weird, wonky and wonderful plants seen on his travels and illustrated with his own oil paintings.
Treasure Island by Ben Crocker
20 – 23 November 2019
Dorchester Village Hall
Tickets from
Treasure Island by Ben Crocker
20 – 23 November 2019
Dorchester Village Hall
Tickets from
Treasure Island by Ben Crocker
20 – 23 November 2019
Dorchester Village Hall
Tickets from
Tim Healey on: ‘A 17th Century Christmas’
The talk presents a vibrant portrait of Christmas in a turbulent age, describing Lords of Misrule, Twelfth Night revels, wassails, Boar’s Head feasts, frost fairs on the frozen Thames – and the Puritan ban on Christmas itself.
[caption id="attachment_4778" align="alignnone" width="522"]
Bring in the Boar’s Head [Illustrated London News][/caption]
A freelance writer and broadcaster, Tim Healey has presented many programmes on BBC 3 and BBC 4. He is also director of the 17th-century costume band, the Oxford Waits. In researching material for the band’s Christmas shows he acquired a lasting fascination with the subject.
Looking forward:
22nd January 2020: short AGM and talk by David Miles on ‘The Land of the White Horse’.
Please do attend the AGM, as it is an opportunity for feedback and sharing ideas about future talks, research and outings, and for you to stand for the Committee.
Visitors and new members are always very welcome to our talks and outings.
Margot Metcalfe, Chairman
Our charming, historic village sits at the confluence of the rivers Thame and Thames, just 9 miles south of Oxford. As well as being a marvellous place to live, it is also the ideal centre for exploring some of England's finest countryside, loveliest villages, stateliest of homes and oldest seats of learning. The Chilterns, Berkshire Downs, Blenheim, and Henley, as well as Oxford are all within easy reach.
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