Museum of East Dorset (Wimborne Minster) - Visitor Information & Reviews

Museum of East Dorset and its collection

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Come and enjoy a family day out at Wimborne’s award-winning museum. Step off the busy High Street into an historic town house in the heart of beautiful Wimborne Minster. Wander around the house and explore 11 fascinating galleries at your leisure. Get your hands on history and archaeology with lots of interactive exhibits. Experience face-to-face encounters with Wimborne people from the past and discover their incredible stories. The museum is also home to one of the UK’s most precious collection of Victorian Valentine cards including some with less than sweet sentiments! A vibrant heritage hub, children of all ages will love the free craft activities, dressing-up fun and a chance to learn through play in the Victorian-themed kitchen. There are also free family trails inviting you to explore the museum and grounds, discovering lots of wonderful facts along the way. The museum boasts a beautiful walled garden offering a tranquil setting of heritage fruit trees and stunning flowers. Here you can enjoy refreshments in the museum’s award-winning tearoom and maybe buy a homegrown plant, lovingly nurtured by the museum gardeners. Other highlights include a second-hand bookshop and a gift shop offering the perfect mementos to take home with you. Everyone is welcome at Museum of East Dorset with accessibility and inclusion at the forefront. There is a lift to upper galleries and exhibitions, free mobility aids including large print and Braille, sensory SEN backpacks available and dementia and elderly-friendly eating aids in the tearoom. Visitors will discover a welcoming, accessible space offering interaction, participation, engagement and plenty of fun. Please book your ticket in advance through the museum website to guarantee entry. Your admission ticket gives you FREE entry to the Museum of East Dorset for 12 months.

Images of Museum of East Dorset

Visitor information Museum of East Dorset

Opening hours

Monday	10:00 – 16:30
Tuesday	10:00 – 16:30
Wednesday	10:00 – 16:30
Thursday	10:00 – 16:30
Friday	10:00 – 16:30
Saturday	10:00 – 16:30
Sunday	Closed

Opening times 1st April to 31st October 10am until 4.30pm
Opening times 1st November to 31st March 10am until 4pm
Please check prior to your visit for bank holiday and seasonal opening times, as these may change.

Garden Tea Room
Mon - Sat 10:00am - 4:00pm

Information Centre at Museum of East Dorset
Mon - Sat 10:00am - 4:00pm

More opening hours

Admission

0 – 4	£0.00 discount
5 – 16	£5.50
Adults	£12.00
Family ( 2 adults, up to 4 children)	£33.00
Family (1 adult up to 4 children)	£22.00
Seniors	£10.50

Paid admission to the museum gives you FREE ENTRY for a further 12 months.

More ticket prices

Facilities

Museum shop

Wheelchair accessible

Coffee

Child-friendly

Location & Map

23-29 High Street, Wimborne Minster

Discover all museums in Wimborne Minster

Exhibitions

No exhibitions in Museum of East Dorset have been found.

Museum of East Dorset Reviews

Museum of East Dorset has 1 rating.

Apollo's Insights AI-Generated

The Priest's House Museum and Garden in Wimborne Minster, England, offers visitors a glimpse into local history and rural life. Housed in a Grade II listed building, the museum showcases a collection of artifacts and exhibits that span several centuries.

The museum's strengths lie in its representation of domestic life from the 17th to early 20th centuries. Many visitors appreciate the well-preserved period rooms, which provide an authentic feel of how people lived in different eras. The Victorian kitchen and schoolroom are often mentioned as highlights, offering an immersive experience.

The garden attached to the museum is another positive aspect, with its well-maintained flowers and plants providing a pleasant outdoor space. Some visitors find it a tranquil spot to relax after exploring the museum.

However, some reviewers note that the museum is relatively small, which may disappoint those expecting a larger exhibition space. Additionally, a few visitors mention that some exhibits could benefit from more detailed explanations or interactive elements to enhance engagement, especially for younger audiences.

The museum's location in the heart of Wimborne Minster is generally seen as convenient, with easy access to other local attractions. Staff members are often praised for their friendliness and knowledge, contributing to a positive visitor experience.

While the museum provides an interesting look into local history, some visitors feel that the content might be more appealing to those with a specific interest in the area's past rather than casual tourists. The admission fee is generally considered reasonable, but a few reviewers suggest that the overall experience might be brief for the price.

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Museum of East Dorset

Museum of East Dorset and its collection

Images of Museum of East Dorset

Visitor information Museum of East Dorset

Opening hours

Admission

Facilities

Location & Map

Exhibitions

Museum of East Dorset Reviews

Write a review

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