Support and discover a range of local businesses at Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum's mid-summer market this month.

On Saturday, June 19 and Sunday June 20, Dorchester's Shire Hall is welcoming visitors to its first mid-summer market.

Free to enter, the market will host more than 20 businesses, selling everything from food and drink to jewellery and photography.

Kirsty Campbell, catering and events manager at Shire Hall, said: "Following the success of our Christmas market last year, everyone at Shire Hall is thrilled to be hosting our first mid-summer market this June.

"This market is a unique opportunity for people to browse and support local businesses, whilst exploring our historic building.

"The last year has been incredibly difficult for small businesses, with so many not being able to work for months. We wanted to offer local businesses an opportunity to showcase their products and engage with new customers."

Shire Hall was Dorset's courthouse from 1797 until 1955. Through that time, Shire Hall played an important part in local and national history, from the 1834 trial of the Tolpuddle Martyrs to the 1856 case that inspired Thomas Hardy to write 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles' and much more.

The museum at Shire Hall will not be open to visitors over the market weekend, however, people will still have the chance to look around the Grade I listed building.

Market stalls will be spread across Shire Hall, from the café and exhibition rooms to the historic courthouse and cells.

Shire Hall's mid-summer market is an indoor event and will be following all current Covid-19 guidelines.

Shire Hall has been given the 'Good to Go' mark by Visit England to conform to the latest government and industry Covid-19 guidelines.

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