Dorchester is a market town in southern central Dorset, England, on the River Frome at the junction of the A35 and A37 roads, 20 miles (32 km) west of Poole and 8 miles (13 km) north of Weymouth. In 2001 the town had a population of 16,171 and a catchment population of approximately 40,000. There were 7,386 dwellings in 2001 and 205 shops in 1991. Dorchester has been the county town of Dorset since 1305. A market is held on Wednesdays. Major employers include Dorset County Council, West Dorset District Council and Dorset County Hospital.
In 1833, The Tolpuddle Martyrs formed the Friendly Society of Agricultural Labourers. Trade unions were now legal, but due to them actually swearing an oath of allegiance, they were arrested and tried in the Shire Hall in Dorchester. This building still remains and is preserved as it was at the time. Under the court are the cells in which prisoners were kept while waiting for their appearance in court. Dorchester remained a compact town within the boundaries of the old town walls until the latter part of the 19th century, due to the ownership of all land immediately adjacent to the west, south and east by the Duchy of Cornwall. Source : www.wikipedia.org.uk Local Attractions: Dinosaur Museum : http://www.thedinosaurmuseum.com/ Dorset Teddy Bear Museum : http://www.teddybearhouse.co.uk/ Hardy's Cottage : http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-hardyscottage/ Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum : www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk Tutankhamun Museum : http://www.tutankhamun-exhibition.co.uk/