The Museum of East Dorset is the cultural hub and place to visit to learn more about the history of the area.  It's collections include rare and unique exhibits of local and national significance, which preserve and celebrate the culture and stories of the local people from prehistory to the present day.

The Museum of East Dorset rightly has a reputation for excellence in its schools’ programmes.  It engages with the local community through changing exhibitions, events and outreach and offers enjoyment, learning and inspiration to visitors of all ages.

The museum and information centre are housed in a Grade II* listed building, which dates from late Elizabethan/early Jacobean times, with its own heritage-planted garden.

HALLOWEEN AT THE MUSEUM OF EAST DORSET

There’s ghostly goings-on in Wimborne!  The ghouls, ghosts, spooks and spectres of East Dorset have all come to the Museum of East Dorset in time for Halloween and half-term week.

Visitors are invited to become ghost hunters and join a special Spooks and Spectres Museum Trail to track down the spirits and learn some spooky local legends.  The trail starts runs from Saturday 19th October until Saturday 2nd November and along the way, junior visitors can enjoy lots of hands-on activities with colouring and craft activities and dressing up too.

Aidan Hill, Programming Officer for Museum of East Dorset said: “It’s been brilliant researching the ghosts of Wimborne.  I’ve talked to lots of local businesses and it seems Wimborne is still very popular with inhabitants from its past!.”

He revealed that The Oddfellows pub in Church Street has a poltergeist called George, a pint-pulling prankster who gets up to mischief behind the bar.  The ghost of Granny Snow, the last resident at No 9 on the Green before it became a tearoom, is known to rattle many a teacup and rearrange the kitchen!

And of course, the museum itself has its own resident ghost!  Aidan said: “There have been reports of strange murmurings at the bottom of the main staircase, a man being seen surrounded by newspapers in our second-hand bookshop and books being thrown off the shelves during the museum restoration a few years ago.”

He added: “There are so many spooky local stories that adult visitors can enjoy whilst our interactive ghost trail will appeal to children of all ages who can get involved and join in the spooky hands-on history activities!”

The Trail is free to visitors paying museum entry.  Children up to 4 years are eligible for FREE admission.  Children 5 - 16 years £5.50 and adults £12 each.  Family admission tickets are also available.  And don’t forget the amazing offer that with your admission price you get 12 month’s FREE entry to Wimborne’s award-winning museum.

For more information, please visit the Museum of East Dorset or call 01202 882533.