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An Historical Photographic Archive of National Importance

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Nostalgic memories of Dorchester's local history

Share your own memories of Dorchester and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

Add a Memory!

It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin

Add Your Memory for Dorchester

Displaying Memories 11 - 17 of 17 in total

Parallel Parking In South Street In The 1960s
I had recently passed my driving test and drove a Morris Minor Saloon, to practice my parallel parking I used to drive down South Street after work or on a Sunday and park outside of Woolworths or Marks and Spencers and try various manoeuvres with the aid of the reflection of the car in the plate glass windows.
Dorchester, South Street c1965
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Added 17 January 2011

Milk Bar
I used the milk bar regularly in 1964. The woman who owned it was named Adams. She had a daughter named Carol , anyone any idea what happened to her ?
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Added 24 June 2010

South Street
I was 10 years old when this photo was taken, and I always remember South Street being busy. There was a market stall just up a bit from Kay's almost in front of the Antelope Hotel. My mates and i always used to hang out in the "Milk Bar" cafe a bit further down the street. There used to be a lot of good "hang outs" then, the Wimpy Bar, the park. The cars used to come all the way down the street then.
Dorchester, South Street c1965
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Added 13 May 2010

Thomas Hardy
I don't have a specific memory of anything except that my ancestor is Thomas Hardy, author and poet. I am in awe of his writing abilities and his life. I hope to find many things here about him. My search will continue and hopefully I will get a dream visit to England and see his cottage.
Dorchester, Max Gate, Thomas Hardy's Home 1930
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Added 17 September 2009

A Family Business
To anyone local to Dorchester this was a familiar scene day in and day out for almost 50 years. My grandfather Ben Courtney started selling 'fruit and veg' in 1947 from hand-carts on the roadside. His son Doug started in 1950 and various members of the family helped out through the week. This picture shows my Aunt Isabel serving a regular customer with his two sons. Her father Ben is behind in his hat, ...see more
Dorchester, Market Day 1955
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Added 18 April 2009

'when We Were Young'
‘I remember when’ - yes, I remember market day in Dorchester very well – when your picture was taken I was 10 years old, and could well have been one of the children in your picture. On Wednesdays, during school holidays Mum took my brother and I to Dorchester on the bus and we would go'‘into town’ first to do the weekly shop. This photograph shows South Street (facing south) where they also (and still do) ...see more
Dorchester, Market Day 1955
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Added 11 April 2009

My Gt Grandparents Lived At Hangmans Cottage
My great-grandparents lived at Hangmans Cottage sometime during the late 1800s or early 1900s. My dad Robert Mitchell was born at Friary Cottage in 1904 which is a short walk from Hangmans Cottage. He used to tell me about his time spent with his grandparents at Hangmans Cottage when he was a boy. Sadly I am not sure as to whether it was his paternal grandparents which would have ...see more
Dorchester, Hangman's Cottage 1898
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Added 17 May 2008