Welcome to The Keep Military Museum Web Site

The Keep

This is our new look website through which we intend to develop our services to the public, be they visitors to the Museum in Dorchester, visiting our virtual galleries and on-line archives or using our traditional research services. This is a huge task and will be a never ending job, so please visit again to see what is new.

The artefacts, weapons, uniforms, medals and of course the stories of the soldiers and their families and much more are on display over three floors. Computer and digital presentation, realistic battle environments, together with exhibitions, tell the tales of courage humour and sacrifice of the soldiers and their families who have served in the regiments of Devon and Dorset for over 300 years.

We aim to make our history available via the web, which is a key part of our outreach programme. Our virtual galleries provide in depth coverage of topics, documents can be downloaded and we will be developing educational services in support of Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3 and GCSE.

The Keep Museum' constituent Regiments are The Devonshire Regiment, The Dorset Regiment, The Devonshire and Dorset Regiment, The Dorset Yeomanry, The Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry, The Dorset Militia, The Royal Devon Yeomanry and 94 Field Regiment RA.

Spectacular views from the battlements of Hardy's Dorset are an added bonus.

Wheelchair access to all display floors by lift. Disabled toilet facilities are available.

Foreword by
His Royal Highness, The Duke of Kent,
Our Patron

Announcements

CHANGE TO WINTER OPENING HOURS

From 1st January 2010 our winter opening hours (Jan - Mar & Oct - Dec 2010) will be
10am - 4.30pm TUESDAY to FRIDAY only.

We will no longer be open on a Saturday. We will remain closed on a Sunday and Monday as before.

WEATHER CLOSURES

As you will be aware, the country is experiencing a harder than normal winter resulting in transport problems. We will endeavour to remain open, but if over- night conditions mean that staff are unable to reach the Museum, or if local conditions deteriorate during the working day, then we may need to close the Keep with no prior warning. We will also be obliged to close if our power supplies are interrupted.
We apologise in advance for any inconcenvenience caused, but the situation is beyond our control. If you are making a special journey to visit, or are coming from a long distance, we strongly recommend you ring to check we are open before setting out.