Dorchester Shops & Services

With such a good mix of well-known retailers and numerous individual shops, it’s not surprising that our county town attracts shoppers from all the surrounding towns and villages.

Dorchester has retained a number of those specialist shops that in many towns seem to have fallen by the wayside. Arts and crafts materials, fine china, hardware, toys, furnishing fabrics, musical instruments, clocks and watches and so much more can be found in shops dedicated to providing an excellent range of individual goods.

Many of the well-known high street fashion names are here too, either in the town centre or in Brewery Square, the vibrant new quarter just a short walk from the main shopping streets. And there are numerous shops to be found at Poundbury, the development growing under the watchful eye of HRH Prince Charles.

Wednesday is market day when there’s a real buzz in town. You’ll also find street traders in South Street; and a popular farmers’ market is held at Poundbury on the first Saturday of each month.  

Feel the need to take the weight off your feet? No problem, there are numerous cafes and coffee shops for those all-important refreshment breaks. 

The parking charges are very reasonable in Dorchester, and many of the town’s shops are participating in the parking voucher scheme, which refunds shoppers the cost of two hours’ parking when spending £10 or more in their stores. Look out for the tear-off voucher on your parking ticket and the blue ‘P Free’ logo in shops supporting the scheme.