The name is likely a combination of a Celtic or Pre-Celtic element "-Dor" with the common suffixation "Chester" (Old English: "A Roman town or Fort").

Two of the Sinodun Hills bear distinctive landmarks of mature trees called Wittenham Clumps.

The Romans built a vicus[4] here, with a road linking the settlement to a military camp at Alchester, 16 miles (25 km) to the north.

The settled nature of the bishopric made Dorchester in a sense the de facto capital of Wessex, which was later to become the dominant kingdom in England.

King Henry VIII dissolved the Abbey in 1536, leaving the small village with a huge parish church.

[10] Bishop's Court Farm offers alpaca walking, a cafe, a livery, mooring on the Thames, as well as lambing events in the spring.