Music, theatre, steam fairs, wood fairs, sailing regattas and much more.

There are many events throughout the year in Dorset.  It is a flourishing society of shows, exhibitions, fetes and fun days.  Whatever your interest, let us know and we will keep an eye out for something special. 

Artsreach

Artsreach which is a festival of music, dance and theatre across Dorset. 

Festivals and fairs

There are many events including the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival, Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival, Stock Gayland Oak Fair and then the Dorset Show and the Dorset Steam Fair.

Classic Car Show.  Stock Gaylard Oak Fair.  

Buckland Newton Goose Fair is in May and a second one in September. 

The Royal Bath and West show is in early June.

Dorset Arts Week - June/July.  An amazing array of small artists all over Dorset show their work in their homes and studios. 

The Boogie Woogie music event in July in Sturminster Newton is great fun.   Watch http://youtu.be/CNYVhN5BDQg  or visit www.ukboogiewoogiefestival.co.uk

There are a number of Oak Fairs in the area and one of the best is just ten minutes drive from us at Stock Gaylard.  It is held in August.  See www.stockgaylard.com.

The Dorset County Show is a big event in early September in Dorchester.

The Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show is in August.  This is an excellent farm animal show with a wide variety of interesting exhibits, food tents etc.

The Dorset Steam Fair is a very special event early September.  Book early because in this area almost every Bed and Breakfast gets booked up.  We know a way to the show by back ways that can save hours of queueing.

The cheese fair in Sturminster Newton is very good.  Not too big, but plenty of cheeses to sample. 

For more information on music and performing arts events visit www.artsreach.co.uk

Bryanston School and Abbey in Blandford Forum and Sherborne Abbey have many concerts.

Other ideas for places to visit in Dorset

The beach is just 45 minutes away!

How about the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy?  In Portland the new venue for sailing is now completed.  A brilliant sailing facility is available to the public before the Olympics in 2012.  You can hire a range of sailing dinghies from the Laser centre.  For more details visit abcsailing.co.uk

If you are planning to be in Dorset for the Olympics in 2012 you need to consider your options in plenty of time as it will be a massive event.

For something smaller try the Gartell Light Railway at Templecombe, a small part of the old Somerset and Dorset Railway. Telephone 01963 32444.  There is also an active group working at the old Shillingstone station.

Beaulieu and Sparkford have fine classic car collections. 

If you like aeroplanes we recommend the Fleet Air Arm museum.  It is good fun.  Don't miss the aircraft carrier experience.