Visit Days Out | Things To Do | Events | Map | 2023 www.visit-dorset.com
Get ready to fill your days full of fun and adventure! From the chalk downlands in the north to the rugged beauty of Purbeck in the south, natural harbours in the east to the fossil flecked World Heritage coastline in the west, you will never be short of something to do. Dorset is a county of contrasts offering the very best of countryside, coastline, events, attractions and outstanding natural beauty. This is the landscape that novelist Thomas Hardy used as a backdrop for his tales of love and tragedy, it’s easy to imagine life as it was portrayed in his fictional Wessex hamlets. Each turning leads to a new adventure, a secret hiding place or an atmospheric, mellow-stoned village. Head to a peaceful nature reserve or climb one of Dorset’s prominent Iron Age hill forts for breathtaking views. There are animals to meet and museums, castles, houses, parks and gardens to explore. Vibrant towns offer high street brands, independent shops, unique handcrafted gifts, art and antiques. Feed your appetite at some of the south west’s finest restaurants, cosy pubs or tempting tearooms – you might even find one of the nation’s top chefs in the kitchen! Dorchester, Dorset’s County Town. Bridport Sherborne Hardy’s cottage VIBRANT TOWNS PICTURESQUE JURASSIC COAST NATURAL BEAUTY I I I Old Harry Rocks
Indulge with an abundance of fresh local produce. Sherborne visit-dorset.com #visitdorset a foodie’s haven ... Abbotsbury, Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon. Lyme Regis Poole Harbour, Studland, Sandbanks and Brownsea Island. Turn to the middle to find a useful map to help you plan a great day out in Dorset ... Isle of Portland Sturminster Mill Christchurch Quay Miles of magnificent coastline make Dorset a natural attraction. Sandcastle building, crazy golf and buckets of traditional seaside fun spill along premier coastal resorts from Lyme Regis in the west to Christchurch in the east. Secluded coves invite you to explore rock pools and colourful harbours are perfect for young crabbers. Jet-skis, rib rides, sail boats, fishing boats, kayaks and watersportsof-all-sorts launch from all along the coast. And for divers and snorkellers, there are superb reef and drift dives with diverse marine life to discover. To find your perfect beach or water sport activity see www.visit-dorset.com I STAR ATTRACTIONS VILLAGES I GOLDEN SANDS Bournemouth Swanage Weymouth
For up to date information on everything to see and do in Dorset visit: visit-dorset.com Dorset has miles of coastal and country walks to roam. Climb to the highest point on the South Coast – Golden Cap, where the views are breathtaking. Explore the stunning Jurassic Coastline on a 25 mile hike, part of the South West Coast Path, take a guided town trail, or, for something completely different, try trekking FOSSIL HUNT: Hire the right equipment and get advice from the wardens at Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre. FERTILE GROUND: The Cerne Abbas Giant has been attracting visitors for centuries. A real Dorset is famous for its Jurassic Coast – a stunning stretch of 185 million-year-old shoreline that has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The loose material on the beaches between Lyme Regis and Charmouth are the best places to look for fossils, or, you can join a guided fossil hunt walk from Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre or Lyme Regis Museum. Always check the Fossil Collecting Code of Conduct before setting out. Visit www.charmouth.org for details. At the centre of the Jurassic Coast lies Chesil Beach, an 18 mile pebble beach separated from the mainland by the Fleet Lagoon Nature Reserve. Drop in at the Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre run by Dorset Wildlife Trust to find out more. Jurassic World The Great Outdoors Bournemouth hosts the country’s largest free Air Festival each year. Portland North Dorset Trailway Old Harry Rocks Moors Valley Country Park & Forest Sandsfoot Castle with donkeys or llamas. Cycle routes take bikers into wooded vales, over windswept plains and through honey-hued villages en route to some of the UK’s loveliest pubs. Horse riders can enjoy an excellent choice of riding centres, stables and bridleways and golfers have superb courses on which to play a round. You will find plenty of opportunities to fish both inland and off the coast. For the family there’s leisure centres, swimming pools, softplay areas and sport activities such as archery, rock climbing, abseiling, paragliding and the heart-pumping, thrills of coasteering, quad biking, paintballing and dirt buggy riding. FOOD FESTIVALS: From cheese and chillies to seafood and organic gin, food festivals are very popular across Dorset. Enjoy the hustle and bustle of market day. You will find one somewhere in the county each day of the week. Regular Farmers’ Markets also offer fresh local produce directly from the producers. For details see: www.visit-dorset.com Market days ... Lulworth Castle Athelhampton House and Gardens What’s on ? Festivals, fairs and fireworks, shows, regattas and carnivals, Dorset is buzzing with events all year round. Art centres and theatres across the county provide a full programme of shows, concerts and exhibitions. Below is just a taster of what’s happening in 2023, you will find a full, regularly updated list online at www.visit-dorset.com. AUGUST CONTINUED... 5 - 12 Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival 10 - 14 We Out Here Festival, Wimborne St. Giles 11 - 20 Swanage Lifeboat Week 12 & 13 Christchurch Carnival 14 - 20 Bridport Carnival & Torchlight Procession 16 & 17 Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Show 17 - 20 Purbeck Valley Folk Festival 24 Melplash Show, West Bay 25 & 26 Corfe Castle Open Air Cinema 25 - 28 Lyme Regis Folk Weekend 26 & 27 The Oak Fair, Sturminster Newton 31 - 3 Sep Bournemouth Air Festival SEPTEMBER 2 Bridport Hat Festival 2 & 3 Dorset County Show, Dorchester 2 - 9 Gillingham Walking Festival 7 - 10 B-Side Festival, Portland 8 - 10 Swanage Folk Festival 9 & 10 Bournemouth Film & Comic Con 9 & 10 Dorset Seafood Festival, Weymouth 9 & 10 Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival 15 - 24 Inside Out Dorset Festival 17 Weymouth Ironman 70.3 24 Wessex Heavy Horse Show, Gillingham 30 Shaftesbury Carnival OCTOBER 1 - 7 Gillingham Carnival Week 5 - 8 Swanage Blues Festival 14 - 21 Dorchester Literary Festival 15 Weymouth Beach Motocross 20 - 4 Nov Purbeck Film Festival 21 - 23 Sherborne Castle Autumn Colours Weekend 23 - 31 Halloween events in Dorset NOVEMBER 4 & 5 Bonfire and fireworks events in Dorset 5 - 11 Bridport Literary Festival 18 - 10 Dec Town Christmas lights switch on 24 - 22 Dec Illuminate at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens 25 & 26 Dorset Food & Drink Christmas Fair, Athelhampton 26 Candles On St. Catherine’s Hill, Abbotsbury Mid Nov Christmas Tree Wonderland, - early Jan Bournemouth DECEMBER Across Dorset there are Christmas markets, carols by candlelight, ice skating, pantomimes and festive shopping events. Weymouth Harbour Swim takes place on Christmas Day. APRIL Easter Easter Egg hunts across Dorset 8 Abbotsbury Food Fair 9 Easter Bonnet Parade, Lyme Regis 21 - 23 Bournemouth Writing Festival 26 - 30 Bridport Film Festival 27 - 4 May Sherborne Abbey Music Festival 28 - 30 Teddy Rocks Festival, Blandford Forum MAY Mid May Baby swans at Abbotsbury Swannery - end June 6 Sherborne Summer Festival 12 - 14 Swanage Railway Heritage Diesel Gala 20 & 21 Christchurch Cheese & Chilli Festival 21 Lulworth Castle Motor Show 27 - 29 Christchurch Food Festival 27 - 11 Jun Purbeck Art Weeks 29 Sherborne Castle Country Fair JUNE 1 - 3 Swanage Fairy Festival 2 - 4 Poole Seafood Festival 3 & 4 Wessex Folk Festival, Weymouth 9 - 11 Wimborne Folk Festival 10 & 11 Highcliffe Food & Arts Festival 11 - 24 Bridport Food Festival 16 - 17 DorsetFest, Blandford Forum 17 Harry Paye Day, Poole 17 Chesil Rocks, Weymouth 17 & 18 Swanage Fish Festival 17 - 19 Weymouth Armed Forces Celebrations 23 - 25 TankFest at the Tank Museum 24 Poole Folk on the Quay 24 & 25 Shake & Stir, Southbourne 25 - 2 Jul Beaminster Festival JULY 1 & 2 Gold Hill Festival, Shaftesbury 7 & 8 Poole Sand Polo 7 - 9 Swanage Jazz Festival 9 Shaftesbury Food & Drink Festival 14 - 16 Jurassic Fields Music Festival, Bridport 14 - 16 Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival, Tolpuddle 16 Sherborne Classic & Supercars Show 21 - 23 Wilkswood Reggae Festival, Swanage 22 - 29 Lyme Regis RNLI Lifeboat Week 23 Wareham Carnival 27 - 30 Camp Bestival, Lulworth Castle 28 - 30 Poole Harbour Festival 29 & 30 Mudeford Arts Festival 29 & 30 Weymouth Food & Family Festival 29 - 5 Aug Swanage Regatta & Carnival AUGUST 5 Stompin’ On The Quomps, Christchurch 5 Dorset Food & Arts Festival, Poundbury 5 & 6 Great Dorset Chilli Festival, Sturminster Newton Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre Shire Hall Museum Russell-Cotes Wimborne Model Town
© Published by Visit Dorset. Permission must be requested in writing before any part of this leaflet is reproduced in any form. Whilst every effort has been taken to ensure that the information in this leaflet is correct at the time of going to print, Dorset Council does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information given or imply any recommendation by the inclusion of any advertisement. Photography: James Loveridge. www.marmaladephotos.co.uk. Daniel Rushall. Neil Barnes. Visit Britain Rod Edwards. Mark Simons. www.dawnpotter.co.uk. Julien Lightfoot. Lyme Bay Rib Charter. Simon Emmett Photography. Camp Bestival. Graham Rains. Brewery Square. Saeed Rashid. Stephen Bath. www.lymeregismackerelfishing.com. BCP Council. Wimborne Model Town and Gardens, Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum and Folio Creative. Sherborne Town Council. For details e: tourism@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk Design: Creative Studios e: neil@creative-studios.com PEFC Certified. This product is from sustainably managed forests and controlled sources. For Tourist Information Centres in Dorset see www.visit-dorset.com @visit_dorset /VisitDorset @visitdorsetofficial OfficialVisitDorset Download brochures, itinerary ideas, videos, maps and travel information. Sign up to our e-newsletter on visit-dorset.com for exclusive offers, competitions and inspiring ideas! Follow us ... visit-dorset.com/sherborne SHERBORNE It’s yours to discover A magnificent Abbey | Two Castles | Museum Specialist shops and boutiques | Cafes, pubs & restaurants Markets | Festivals & events One of the most beautiful towns in the South West Sherborne Town Council Hire Form for Digby Hall (Multiple Booking) Hound Street, Sherborne, DT9 3AA To book contact Sherborne Town Council - 01935 812807 (office hours 9.30am – 12.30pm) or visit our website – www.sherbornetown.com Caretaker – 07870 621097 (emergency out of office hours) Organisation Reg. charity no. (if appl) Date of hire Event Hirer’s details Invoice details Name: Name: Address: Address: Postcode: Postcode: Phone: Phone: Email: Email: Excl use Main Hall Kitchen Stage Dressing Room Bar Small Hall Wingfield Date Access times Date Access times Date Access times Date Access times Data Protection: Sherborne Town Council complies with the Data Protection Act 1998. The information provided on this form will be used to process your request and to provide you with any relevant further information. Please complete both sides of this form. Start planning your visit today at visit-dorset.com/lyme-regis Heart of the Jurassic Coast Discover fossils • World-famous Cobb Packed programme of events C2 A4
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