The county town of Dorset is a market town with a rich and varied history. The Casterbridge of Thomas Hardy novels, Dorchester has many places of interest to visit, including museums, attractions and the nearby hill-top earthworks at Maiden Castle. Its market, which is held every Wednesday, is a focal point for many of the communities that surround the town. The main shopping area is South Street where you will find a mixture of local businesses rubbing shoulders with national chains.