thumb|upright|alt= photograph of The Keep Military Museum in Dorchester|The Keep Military Museum in Dorchester As a largely rural county, Dorset has fewer major cultural institutions than larger or more densely populated areas. Major venues for concerts and theatre include the Lighthouse arts centre in Poole; the Bournemouth International Centre, Pavilion Theatre and O2 Academy in Bournemouth; and the Pavilion theatre in Weymouth. The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1893, is based in Poole.
thumb|upright|alt= photograph of The Keep Military Museum in Dorchester|The Keep Military Museum in Dorchester As a largely rural county Dorset has fewer major cultural institutions than larger or more densely populated areas Major venues for concerts and theatre include the Lighthouse arts centre in Poole; the Bournemouth International Centre Pavilion Theatre and O2 Academy in Bournemouth; and the Pavilion theatre in Weymouth The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra founded in 1893 is based in Poole