Dorchester is a market town situated just five miles away from Weymouth. Immortalised as “Casterbridge”, the fictional town featured in Hardy’s novels, Dorchester continues to act as an agricultural centre for the area.
On the outskirts of Dorchester lies one of the most important Roman sites in England and the largest hill fort in Europe, Maiden Castle. Other attractions include the Maumbury Rings, once home to bloody gladiatorial battles and the more peaceful, Athelhampton House with its spectacular gardens.
