William Barnes

There's something rather special about stumbling across a gallery dedicated to William Barnes, Dorset's beloved dialect poet, though many visitors to the county have never heard of him. This modest gallery celebrates the 19th-century writer who captured rural Dorset life in verse, writing in the local dialect that was disappearing even in his own time.

Families might find the literary focus a bit dry, but anyone with an interest in local history or English literature will appreciate the insight into Dorset's cultural heritage. Barnes taught himself multiple languages and became a respected clergyman, but his poetry about shepherds, farmers and village life remains his lasting legacy.

The exhibition gives you a proper sense of how different rural England was 150 years ago. Children studying Victorian England for school projects could find it useful, though you'd need to explain quite a bit about dialect and rural customs.

Since it's close to Weymouth, you could easily combine a visit with a day at the seaside. The gallery makes a good rainy-day alternative if you're staying at one of the holiday parks along this stretch of coast - Warmwell Holiday Park and Weymouth Bay are both within a few miles. Allow about an hour unless you're really keen on poetry, in which case you might linger longer over the manuscripts and local history displays.