Dorchester for the day

[weirdwalking]

What can I do with a grumpy 12yo when in Dorchester for the day? We are on foot so it has to be walkable.

Thank you.

Is it by chance that you just happen to be in Dorchester? It would seem a strange choice for a 12 year old.
You could visit the Museum, if you think your daughter might be interested. If you are up for walking Max Gate, Thomas Hardys house, is a 1.2 mile walk from the centre. It is a National Trust property and the house and gardens are open to the public.
I don’t think your daughter will like the shopping. I like going there because it has all shops for an older woman together: Seasalt, White Stuff, Fat Face and Hotter. Not much for a 12 year old.

The museum has a gladiators event on at present I think.

Thanks both. Looks like a trip to the museum then!
I might get the train down to Weymouth??

There's a treasure hunt you can do.... I think it'll come up if you Google it?

If the weather's dry, there's the Roman Town House, Maumbury Rings or a longer walk to Maiden Castle.

I loved the museum at that age - I was a junior member there. (I still love museums. I spent most of today in one.) I liked the Shire Hall museum too (which was just council offices when I was 12.)

If you don't mind a longer walk there are footpaths that take you to Kingston Maurward, the agricultural college on the outskirts of Dorchester. You can wander round and look at all the animals that the students practice on 😁and some beautiful formal gardens. It's free to visit. There's a cafe and farm shop too.
You go through the village of Stinsford en route where Thomas Hardy's heart is buried, also Cecil Day Lewis, poet laureate.

Forgot - if it rains you could go to the pictures at the Plaza Cinema. Got dragged there a couple of days ago by the grandkids to see the Minecraft Movie, but it has several other options.