Visit Sherborne Castle

If you’re planning to stay in Dorset, don’t miss one of the county’s finest attractions, Sherborne Castle. The castle was built by Sir Walter Raleigh around 1594. The Digby family took residence in 1617 and the castle has remained with them to the present day.

When you visit you will see that the Castle reflects various styles from the Elizabethan hall to the Victorian solarium. You will enjoy the collections or art, furniture and porcelain, plus the grounds landscaped by 'Capability' Brown. Sherborne Castle has hosted a range of eminent guests, including Prince William of Orange in 1688 and George III in 1789 and played a starring role in the ITV series, 'A Tale Of Two Castles'.

If you’re planning a visit you can view three floors of the Castle and 30 acres of beautiful lakeside gardens. Sherborne Castle is open all year round, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 am. Last admission to the Castle and Gardens is at 4:30pm. You can enjoy morning coffees, light lunches and afternoon teas in the tearoom. There is also a gift shop. Find out more at the Sherborne Castle website.

For self-catering holidays Dorset and B&B accommodation in Burton Bradstock, Bridport, Dorset

Chesil Beach Lodge: Sustainable Travel and Transport

Chesil Beach Lodge offers unique sustainable holiday accommodation near Bridport in Dorset. As part of our aim to be sustainable and minimise use of resources, we support you to use public transport and leave the car at home.

We encourage guests to arrive by public transport. Whether you drive or not, once you arrive we make it easy for you to leave the car. We keep a wide selection of local maps and guides, which you are free to borrow: walking is a great way to explore beautiful Dorset.

The CoastLink X53 is our regular local bus service. It passes our door and provides a partial tour of the Jurassic coastline as well as a local service into Lyme Regis, Bridport, Weymouth and towns further afield from Exeter to Poole. It runs approximately every two hours, and you can find timetable details for the CoastLink X53 here.

Thomas Hardy Anniversary

If you are on holiday in Dorset in June, take time to commemorate the 170th anniversary of the birth of one of Dorset’s famous sons, Thomas Hardy. The author of Tess of the D’Urbervilles and Far from the Madding Crowd was born at Higher Bockhampton, a hamlet in the parish of Stinsford to the east of Dorchester.

Cinnabar eco creative has organised two Art Walks to celebrate his birthday on Wednesday 2nd June, with the support of Dorset’s Countryside Ranger Service. Both will take place in Thorncombe Woods, close to Hardy’s childhood home, and will focus on interpreting Hardy’s relationship with nature through a series of creative activities.

Art Walk Two will run from 10am till 1pm and Art Walk Three will start at 7pm and continue through to 10pm. The cost of the walk will be £10 with 10% donated to the Dorset Ranger Services work with schools. Find out more by calling 07925175872. The Thomas Hardy Society has further events.

What’s on in Dorset: June

Here’s our pick of some Dorset events during June. We’re focusing on Dorset Art Weeks which take place from 29th May to 13th June. It is a great chance to view one or more of the 370 studios which open their doors to the public to showcase artwork.

You can see work from photography to ceramics, wood crafts to print making and visit special events throughout the weeks including an Art Market at Bridport Arts Centre.
It is a great event for all the family: there are interactive exhibitions and a Creative Creatures Treasure Trail where you can hunt for the clues hidden around the Avon Heath Country Park, decipher the riddles and claim a chocolate prize. The trail is open between 11am and 3pm and costs £2.50.

At the Courtyard Gallery and Workshops, Wareham, you can see local artisan Matt Wilding, from Winterborne Bakery providing a series of creative performances of all things 'bread'. On Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th June between 10am and 3pm Matt will use a specially built outdoor wood-fired oven, and you will be able to see and participate in a range of traditional bread making activities. There is an exhibition throughout the fortnight from Simon Thomas Pirie, the renowned furniture designer and maker, Liz Tyler - jewellery, Aline Johnson - glasswork and Martyn Brewster – painter and printmaker, as well as sculptor Martin Debenham, The exhibition is open everyday 10am till 5pm including lunchtimes, throughout the event.

If you’re visiting Dorset, don’t forget to book self catering holidays in Dorset or B&B in Dorset as soon as possible.