The Dorset Teddy Bear Museum, Dorchester, England, July 2024

The Dorset Teddy Bear Museum first opened in Bournemouth in 1990. It moved to a Victorian building in Dorchester in South-West England in 1995 and is now regarded as the oldest teddy bear museum in Britain. The museum features displays with life-sized teddy bears families and also includes famous bear characters such as Paddington Bear, Rupert Bear and Winnie the Pooh.

Thursday, 18th July 2024

A very large colourfully dressed bear in the Teddy Bear Museum in Dorchester. This is the first bear seen at the entrance to the upstairs exhibition. The bear is about life-sized and is similar in height to an adult human. She is part of a family of life-sized bears.
A very large colourfully dressed bear in the Teddy Bear Museum in Dorchester. This is the first bear seen at the entrance to the upstairs exhibition. The bear is about life-sized and is similar in height to an adult human. She is part of a family of life-sized bears.
A plush teddy bear sat by a red armchair. He appears to be a child bear, part of a bear family, in the same room as the bear in the previous photo.
A plush teddy bear sat by a red armchair. He appears to be a child bear, part of a bear family, in the same room as the bear in the previous photo.
View of the room housing the bear family. It is traditionally decorated with red and cream floral wallpaper and Victorian dark wooden furniture.
View of the room housing the bear family. It is traditionally decorated with red and cream floral wallpaper and Victorian dark wooden furniture.
A life-sized male teddy bear in formal attire with dark suit and white shirt. Part of the same bear family as shown in the previous photos. This bear is called Edward.
A life-sized male teddy bear in formal attire with dark suit and white shirt. Part of the same bear family as shown in the previous photos. This bear is called Edward.
Another large bear sitting at an upright piano. One paw is raised above the keyboard ready to play. He is wearing smart Victorian or Edwardian style dress with a black waist coat and white shirt. He is called Uncle Baloo.
Another large bear sitting at an upright piano. One paw is raised above the keyboard ready to play. He is wearing smart Victorian or Edwardian style dress with a black waist coat and white shirt. He is called Uncle Baloo.
A display of Winnie the Pooh themed bears. There are four Winnie the Pooh bears in red shirts. There are also other characters from the stories including Tigger and Eeyore.
A display of Winnie the Pooh themed bears. There are four Winnie the Pooh bears in red shirts. There are also other characters from the stories including Tigger and Eeyore.
Statue of a bear made of wood or resin. The bear's teeth are bared giving him or her a slightly aggressive looking posture. A fish is held under a paw.
Statue of a bear made of wood or resin. The bear’s teeth are bared giving him or her a slightly aggressive looking posture. A fish is held under a paw.
Tatiana engaging with a bear who is wearing a vintage white dress. The bear is in a kitchen and is holding a spoon and mixing bowl perhaps making a cake.
Tatiana engaging with a bear who is wearing a vintage white dress. The bear is in a kitchen and is holding a spoon and mixing bowl perhaps making a cake.
The same bear as in the last photo dressed in a traditional white dress with a ruffled collar. She has a very large head compared to her body. The scene is set in a Victorian or Edwardian kitchen.
The same bear as in the last photo dressed in a traditional white dress with a ruffled collar. She has a very large head compared to her body. The scene is set in a Victorian or Edwardian kitchen.
Another view of the kitchen. Another bear in a white floral dress can be partly seen at the side of the photo.
Another view of the kitchen. Another bear in a white floral dress can be partly seen at the side of the photo.
An Edwardian or late Victorian bathroom. A row of stoneware bottles on a window sill.
An Edwardian or late Victorian bathroom. A row of stoneware bottles on a window sill.
An antique wooden commode with a chamber pot inside.
An antique wooden commode with a chamber pot inside.
Tony and Tatiana in front of a big bear dressed as a military guard in a red tunic and a black cap.
Tony and Tatiana in front of a big bear dressed as a military guard in a red tunic and a black cap.
Tatiana outside the entrance to the Teddy Bear Museum in Dorchester, Dorset, England.
Tatiana outside the entrance to the Teddy Bear Museum in Dorchester, Dorset, England.