Dorset Events
Blandford Forum Cemetery Chapel
Fri 11 Sep 26
Blandford Forum Cemetery Chapel, Salisbury Road, Market Place., Blandford Forum DT11 7UX
Heritage Open Day: A beautiful chapel in the heart of Blandford Blandford Forum's cemetery chapel was built in 1855 and is an important...
Sherborne Literary Society & Sofka Zinovieff
Wed 9 Sep 26
Durbevilles Cafe, Cheap Street, Sherborne DT6 3BJ
Sofka Zinovieff will be in conversation with Lou Troup (Chair of SLS), discussing her latest book “Stealing Dad” at D’Urbevilles...
Morval - Open Garden for NGS
Sun 6 Sep 26
Morval, Swanage BH19 3AQ
Large 3 acre coastal garden that has recently undergone extensive renovation. Deep, informal, mixed borders surround the front lawn, planted in a...
Manor Farm, Hampreston - Open Garden for NGS
Sun 6 Sep 26
Manor Farm, Hampreston, Wimborne BH21 7LX
Traditional farmhouse garden designed and cared for by 3 generations of the Trehane family for over a 100 years...
Journeys - a concert given by the Dorset Bridge Choir & Orchestra
Sun 6 Sep 26
Lytchett Minster Parish Church, Dorchester Road (B3067), Lytchett Minster BH16 6JE
Dorset Bridge Choir & Orchestra present: Journeys. A concert of music exploring journeys through time, through our world, through life...
The Blue Pool Outdoor Cinema - The Devil Wears Prada 2
Sat 5 Sep 26
The Blue Pool, Furzebrook Rd, Wareham BH20 5AR
The Blue Pool have teamed up with Purbeck Film Festival to screen The Devil Wears Prada 2!
The queen of fashion is back, this time under the...
Bird Fest 2026 at RSPB Arne
Sat 5 Sep 26
RSPB Arne, Arne Road, Arne, Wareham BH20 5BJ
Don't miss our mini festival, celebrating all things bird! We have a fantastic weekend of bird-themed guided-walks, talks, local producer...
Bennetts Water Gardens - Open Garden for NGS
Fri 4 Sep 26
Bennetts Water Gardens, Weymouth DT3 4AF
A tranquil, beautifully landscaped garden spread over about 8 acres. It is particularly celebrated for its extensive collection of water lilies...
The Blue Pool Outdoor Cinema - Labyrinth
Fri 4 Sep 26
The Blue Pool, Furzebrook Rd, Wareham BH20 5AR
The Blue Pool have teamed up with Purbeck Film Festival to screen the cult classic - Labyrinth. 40 years of magic, mayhem & David Bowie – celebrate...
Purbeck Folk Club
Thu 3 Sep 26
Village Hall, High Street, Langton Matravers BH19 3HA
Our next gig will be Thursday 3rd September when we welcome back Marine Club plus The Fieldcaps, who join us for the first time...
Block Printing
Tue 1 Sep 26
The Treehouse, Merritown Lane, Christchurch BH23 6DT
Master the basics of printing on card and fabric in this workshop.
Led by Sunny Bunny Crafts, this workshop will teach you all about the basics...
Knoll Gardens - Open Garden for NGS
Tue 1 Sep 26
Knoll Gardens, Wimborne BH21 7ND
A wonderfully calming garden with naturalistic plantings of ornamental grasses interspersed with an array of flowering perennials...
Santa's Winter Wonderland Tickets Go Live
Tue 1 Sep 26
Stewarts Broomhill Garden Centre, God's Blessing Lane, Broomhill, Wimborne BH21 7DF
BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW!
Santa and his elves will be in his magical Winter Wonderland at Stewarts Garden Centres to meet with boys and girls who have...
Santa's Winter Wonderland Tickets Go Live
Tue 1 Sep 26
Stewarts Christchurch Garden Centre, Lyndhurst Road, Christchurch BH23 4SA
BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW!
Santa and his elves will be in his magical Winter Wonderland at Stewarts Garden Centres to meet with boys and girls who have...
St Andrew’s Church’s ‘All Weather’ Fete 2026
Mon 31 Aug 26
Stoney Hills Field, Sans Lane, Donhead St Andrew SP7 9LL
Traditional Village Summer Fete
This annual fete is regarded as one of the best traditional village fetes in Wiltshire and Dorset, as well as...
St Andrew’s Church Fete Classic Car Show
Mon 31 Aug 26
Stoney Hills Field, Sans Lane, Donhead St Andrew SP7 9LL
Classic Car & Bike Show
This year’s line up of vehicles promises not to disappoint with 50+ vehicles due to attend...
St Andrew’s Church Fete Dog Show
Mon 31 Aug 26
Stoney Hills Field, Sans Lane, Donhead St Andrew SP7 9LL
Annual Dog Show
The Annual Dog Show will take place on August Bank Holiday Monday, 31st August 2026, on Stoney Hills Field, Sans Lane, Donhead St...
3 Willow Hamlet - Open Garden for NGS
Sun 30 Aug 26
3 Willow Hamlet, Christchurch BH23 7PA
A vibrant garden with rich seasonal colour, extensive range of plants to cascading hanging baskets. Paths weave through borders to a pergola framed...
Sunrise Guided Walk at RSPB Arne - 30th August
Sun 30 Aug 26
RSPB Arne, Arne Road, Arne, Wareham BH20 5BJ
Immerse yourself in the peace and quiet of beautiful RSPB Arne, while watching the breath-taking spectacle of sunrise over Poole Harbour...
Osprey & Heathland Bird guided Walk at RSPB Arne
Sat 29 Aug 26
RSPB Arne, Arne Road, Arne, Wareham BH20 5BJ
Explore the heathland and see stunning reserve views, while spotting Osprey, shore birds and heathland birds with our expert guides...
Ardhurst - Open Garden for NGS
Sat 29 Aug 26
Ardhurst, Sturminster Newton DT10 1JZ
This garden is organic and has been 10 yrs in the making. A plantsmans garden with deep perennial borders, large netted vegetable area, water...
Bank Holiday BBQ
Sat 29 Aug 26
Stewarts Broomhill Garden Centre, God's Blessing Lane, Broomhill, Wimborne BH21 7DF
Make the most of the Bank Holiday with a tasty BBQ in our Coffee Shops!
Our chefs will be grilling freshly cooked favourites, with delicious...
Bank Holiday BBQ
Sat 29 Aug 26
Stewarts Christchurch Garden Centre, Lyndhurst Road, Christchurch BH23 4SA
Make the most of the Bank Holiday with a tasty BBQ in our Coffee Shops!
Our chefs will be grilling freshly cooked favourites, with delicious...
Half Price Kids Meals for Summer Holidays
Fri 28 Aug 26
Stewarts Broomhill Garden Centre, God's Blessing Lane, Broomhill, Wimborne BH21 7DF
Join us this Summer Holidays and enjoy 1/2 price kids meals for under 12s with every adult main meal purchased...
Half Price Kids Meals for Summer Holidays
Fri 28 Aug 26
Stewarts Christchurch Garden Centre, Lyndhurst Road, Christchurch BH23 4SA
Join us this Summer Holidays and enjoy 1/2 price kids meals for under 12s with every adult main meal purchased...
Charity Kids' Sunflower Hunt
Fri 28 Aug 26
Stewarts Broomhill Garden Centre, God's Blessing Lane, Broomhill, Wimborne BH21 7DF
Pick up a form from the tills then collect a coloured sticker from each giant Sunflower hidden around the Garden Centre to earn a biscuit from the...
Charity Kids' Sunflower Hunt
Fri 28 Aug 26
Stewarts Christchurch Garden Centre, Lyndhurst Road, Christchurch BH23 4SA
Pick up a form from the tills then collect a coloured sticker from each giant Sunflower hidden around the Garden Centre to earn a biscuit from the...
Handlebards open-air theatre - Macbeth
Thu 27 Aug 26
Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, Poole BH13 7EE
Experience Shakespeare's classic, 'Macbeth' with the HandleBards' signature blend of energy, humour, and creativity...
Fireworks Cruise
Thu 27 Aug 26
Coastal Cruises Fortuna
The Quay, Poole BH15 1HJ
Join us for an evening on the seas of Poole Harbour, treat yourself to a chip supper, and enjoy the spectacular fireworks...
Playtime!
Wed 26 Aug 26
The Treehouse, Merritown Lane, Christchurch BH23 6DT
Come along to The Treehouse for an afternoon where our giant soft play is open to everyone!
Most suitable for ages 3 - 9, our soft play has...
Staddlestones - Open Garden for NGS
Sun 23 Aug 26
Staddlestones, Wimborne BH21 5DE
A beautiful setting for a cottage garden with colour themed borders, pleached limes and hidden gems, leading over a chalk stream to a shady area...
Holme Bush Inn Summer Fair
Sun 23 Aug 26
Holme Bush Inn
35 Waterloo Road
Corfe Mullen
Wimborne
Dorset BH21 3QD
A family-friendly summer fair packed with over 60 stalls, live music, delicious BBQ food, a bouncy castle, climbing wall, and a full dog show run by...
Osprey & Heathland Bird guided Walk at RSPB Arne
Sat 22 Aug 26
RSPB Arne, Arne Road, Arne, Wareham BH20 5BJ
Explore the heathland and see stunning reserve views, while spotting Osprey, shore birds and heathland birds with our expert guides...
Summer of Play: The Bee Circus
Sat 22 Aug 26
Brownsea Island
Poole BH13 7EE
You might have heard of a Flea Circus before, but have you ever heard of a Bee Circus? Dr Albina and his Buzztastic show are in town to give you a...
The Duck Race 2026
Sat 22 Aug 26
Lower Gardens, Bournemouth BH2 5AH
WHO LET THE DUCKS OUT!!
Plants and Minds and MacMillan Caring Locally are going “QUACKERS”
Join us for a waddle and a splash with all the...
Nature at Night - Family Sunset Walk at RSPB Arne
Fri 21 Aug 26
RSPB Arne, Arne Road, Arne, Wareham BH20 5BJ
An amazing opportunity for families to experience the reserve during the spectacle of a summer sunset and connect with our nocturnal nature...
Dorchester Mediumship Evening with Nikki Kitt
Fri 21 Aug 26
Dorchester Corn Exchange
High East Street Dorchester DT1 1HF
Evening of Mediumship with Psychic Medium Nikki Kitt
Psychic Medium Nikki Kitt is a Spiritualist Medium who is currently touring the UK with her...
Farrs - Open Garden for NGS
Thu 20 Aug 26
Farrs, Beaminster DT8 3NB
Enjoy several distinctive walled gardens, rolling lawns, sculpture and giant topiary around one of Beaminster's historic town houses...
Playtime!
Thu 20 Aug 26
The Treehouse, Merritown Lane, Christchurch BH23 6DT
Come along to The Treehouse for an afternoon where our giant soft play is open to everyone!
Most suitable for ages 3 - 9, our soft play has...
Art Exhibition - Imagination Unlocked 7
Wed 19 Aug 26
Eype Centre for the Arts
St Peter's Church, Mount Lane, Eype, Bridport DT6 6AR
This exhibition features the work of David Brooke, Caroline Ireland and Elaine Dixon, all painters who work from the imagination, but in very...
Osprey & Heathland Bird guided Walk at RSPB Arne
Tue 18 Aug 26
RSPB Arne, Arne Road, Arne, Wareham BH20 5BJ
Explore the heathland and see stunning reserve views, while spotting Osprey, shore birds and heathland birds with our expert guides...
Sip & Paint
Tue 18 Aug 26
The Four Horsemen, 77-79 Commercial Road, Bournemouth BH2 5RT
Whether you are a beginner or a pro, you will have a relaxing fun evening of painting - and sipping!
We’ll be joined by Eleanor Indigo Art who is...
1C Rectory Road - Open Garden for NGS
Sat 15 Aug 26
1C Rectory Road, Poole BH15 3BH
An unusual character house and garden. With a passion for maximalist design the house and garden has been designed and built by the owner over the...
The Beehive Summer Fayre
Sat 15 Aug 26
The Beehive
15 Manor Avenue, Poole, England, , United Kingdom BH12 4LB
Local charity Diverse Abilities is inviting the community to enjoy a fun-filled day at The Beehive, adult activity and therapy day centre, at the...
Limitless
Fri 14 Aug 26
Bar Coast
156-164 Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, England, , United Kingdom BH1 1NL
We’re excited to welcome you to LIMITLESS, our inclusive SEND club nights in Bournemouth!
We’ve created a welcoming space where individuals with...
Circus Cortex at Poundbury, Dorset13-17 August 2026
Thu 13 Aug 26
The Great Field, Peverell Avenue East, Poundbury, Dorchester/Dorset. DT1 3RH
Circus Cortex: BizZZar – Poundbury, Dorchester, Dorset
Experience the spectacular Circus Cortex: BizZZar under the Big Top at The Great Field,...
Osprey & Heathland Bird guided Walk at RSPB Arne
Tue 11 Aug 26
RSPB Arne, Arne Road, Arne, Wareham BH20 5BJ
Explore the heathland and see stunning reserve views, while spotting Osprey, shore birds and heathland birds with our expert guides...
Treehouse Theatre Panto
Tue 11 Aug 26
The Treehouse, Merritown Lane, Christchurch BH23 6DT
Treehouse Theatre Group is bringing its colourful, interactive, and family-friendly panto to The Treehouse!...
Dorset Dollhouse and Miniature Fair 9th August 2026
Sun 9 Aug 26
Charminster Community Hall,
Weir View,
Charminster,
Dorset DT2 9QY
Dollhouse and Miniature Fair at
Charminster Community Hall, Weir View, Charminster, Dorset, DT2 9QY
Our fairs specialise in traders selling a...
Charles Chesshire Garden & Nursery - Open Garden for NGS
Sun 9 Aug 26
Charles Chesshire Garden & Nursery, Bridport DT6 6HH
Set in heavenly Dorset countryside, the ½ acre garden is composed of an intricate web of gravel paths weaving between deep and colourful borders to...
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Things to do around Dorset
Here's an extended summary of delightful activities for a day out in Dorset:
1. Eat Around Shaftesbury:
- Shaftesbury, a historic working town with roots dating back to Saxon times, offers a charming day out. Don't miss the iconic Gold Hill, made famous by an advertisement for 'Hovis' bread. Enjoy spectacular views over Blackmore Vale. Explore the town's markets – Thursdays for the charter market, regular farmer's markets, flea markets, and book fairs. Take a leisurely stroll along Park Walk for panoramic vistas. For wine enthusiasts, visit Melbury Vine Vineyard, where you can learn about English wines and their growing prominence.
2. Visit Castles & Coast on the Isle of Purbeck:
- Hop on the steam train to Corfe Castle, an iconic defensive fortress with a rich history. Explore the castle ruins and the historic village below. Guided walks and story trails are perfect for families. Venture further into the Isle of Purbeck, where cycling allows you to appreciate the stunning landscape sustainably. Don't forget to take the scenic Breezer Bus.
3. Learn the History of Dorchester:
- Dorchester, the county town of Dorset, is steeped in history. Visit the Dorset County Museum to delve into local heritage, including the famous Dorset Giant, Thomas Hardy, and Roman artifacts. Explore the charming streets, perhaps stopping for a traditional cream tea or browsing independent shops.
4. Hive Beach to Lyme Regis Coastal Walk:
- Embark on a coastal adventure from Hive Beach to Lyme Regis. The scenic walk offers breathtaking views of the Jurassic Coast, fossil-rich cliffs, and the dramatic coastline. Explore the charming town of Lyme Regis, known for its beaches, fossils, and literary connections (think Jane Austen and Mary Anning).
5. Sherborne Castles & Abbey:
- Discover the historic town of Sherborne. Visit the magnificent Sherborne Castle, built by Sir Walter Raleigh, and explore its beautiful gardens. Don't miss Sherborne Abbey, a stunning medieval church with intricate architecture. Wander through the town's quaint streets and enjoy a leisurely lunch at a local eatery.
6. Relax at a Day Spa in Dorset:
- Treat yourself to relaxation and rejuvenation at one of Dorset's day spas. Unwind with massages, facials, and soothing treatments amidst tranquil surroundings. Whether it's a coastal spa or a countryside retreat, pamper yourself and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Remember, Dorset offers a blend of natural beauty, history, and coastal charm – perfect for a memorable day out! 🌿🏰🌊¹³.
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