Welcome in the New Year in Dorset!

Here in Dorset we like to welcome in the New Year in style, and Lyme Regis certainly has its own unique approach to this!

Around a hundred hardy souls in fancy dress will be taking part in the Lyme Lunge on New Year’s Day, and taking a quick dip in the not so balmy waters of Lyme Bay! But it’s all for a good cause and this year they are raising money for ShelterBox and the RNLI. If you don’t fancy a freezing cold lunge on New Year’s Day, you can come along as a spectator and join in the fun by cheering on the lungers.

Before the Lyme Lunge is the traditional New Year’s Day Duck Race down the River Lym. The race starts at midday along Windsor Terrace and finishes at Jordan Flats. Everyone follows the ducks on the river path and the ducks are helped on their journey by volunteers from the RNLI Lifeboat crew. Anyone who’s quackers enough can join in – ducks are £1 and proceeds go towards the Christmas Lighting Fund.

Chesil Beach Lodge is the perfect location for your New Year holiday and celebrations and we invite you to celebrate the New Year and welcome in 2012 in one of our stunning apartments with their spectacular sea views.

You can blow away those cobwebs and burn off a few Christmas calories with walks on the nearby beaches and coastal paths, and at the end of a fun-filled days in the beautiful Dorset countryside come back to a cosy apartment and delicious home cooked and locally sourced meals.

Why not make your New Year extra special this year and book accommodation in Dorset for New Year? We very much look forward to welcoming you here and celebrating the arrival of 2012 with you and your family and friends

Christmas Trees: Real or Artificial?

Have you ever wondered which is more environmentally friendly: a real Christmas tree; or an artificial one? It’s an issue often discussed and debated at this time of year and we don’t claim to have the definitive answer, but here are a few thoughts on the issues surrounding the choice of real or artificial tree this Christmas (and a couple of suggestions about where to get your tree this year).

Artificial trees can seem to be a good option because they can last for many years, and avoid the need for a living tree to be cut down. On the other hand, artificial trees require large amounts of energy in the production process, which also results in by-products that can be harmful to the environment. Many artificial trees are also imported to the UK and travel large distances, adding to their use of energy resources. They are also not bio-degradable and when disposed of will add to potential landfill problems.

Providing they come from local managed woodlands, real Christmas trees are a carbon-neutral environmentally friendly renewable resource. However, not all Christmas trees are grown organically, and pesticides and herbicides are most definitely not environmentally-friendly!

You can make your Christmas even more environmentally friendly by buying a living Christmas tree in a pot. These can be re-used for several years and you can even plant your tree in your garden if you have room.

If you’re not saving your Christmas tree for another year, your local council is bound to offer chipping services and you can use the resulting mulch on your garden.

Dorset’s Christmas Tree Rental Company will deliver a live tree right to your front door. You tell them which tree you would like; they deliver it to you, and then come and collect it after Christmas. The idea is to rent the tree for the Christmas period so that the tree can return to its field to help combat carbon dioxide emissions, thus helping the environment.

Bailey Ridge Christmas Trees, near Sherborne, is a small family-run business that offers home grown trees from their sustainable plantation. You can wander among the trees and choose your perfect Christmas tree. For every tree they cut, they plant a further 6 trees in their plantation. They will deliver your tree to your home, and can recycle it after Christmas if you wish.

We are open over Christmas and New Year and are taking bookings for eco-friendly Christmas holiday accommodation in Dorset. We would love to welcome you here for your Christmas or New Year break so please contact us for more information, or to book your accommodation.

Christmas Markets and Fairs in Dorset

Local markets and fairs are wonderful places to buy unique and unusual gifts for Christmas, at the same time as supporting the local community and local businesses.

Here are a few of the many that Dorset has to offer…

Bournemouth Christmas Market - Inspired by the “Weihnachtsmarkt” traditional German Markets. Lots of alpine chalets decorated with Christmas lights and offering authentic seasonal gifts and traditional yuletide foods from German, British and other European crafts people. There’s also a traditional Victorian-style “Gallopers” carousel, animated figures, Christmas karaoke, school choirs, carol singing, church bands and dancing. Open until 3rd January – see their website for daily opening times.

Bridport Christmas Festival and Late Night Shopping, 7th December, Bridport Town Centre. Most shops in the town centre will be staying open until late (from 6pm). There will be a farmers’ market, and craft, food and charity stalls, Santa's Grotto, and entertainment. The Christmas tree lights will be switched on by the Mayor at 6pm and then Father Christmas will arrive to join in the celebrations.

Lyme Regis Christmas Market at The Town Mill, Mill Lane, Lyme Regis, from the 9th to 11th December. Quality handmade gifts including: wood, pottery, glass, jewellery, paintings, photos, prints, and metalwork. Friday 5pm - 9pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm.

Putlake Farm Christmas Market , near Swanage, Saturday 10th December 3pm to 6pm. There will be craft stalls, local produce, Christmas trees, wreaths, music, Santa’s Grotto and lots more.

For something a little different, why not try the Sherborne Antique and Fleamarket? Saturday 10th December 8.30 am to 4pm at the Digby Church Memorial Hall, Sherborne. There will be a large number of stalls selling vintage items including china, silver, jewellery, pictures, books, textiles, and furniture.

Wyke Christmas Fayre, Old Wyke Square, Wyke Regis, on Sunday 11th December, from noon to 4pm. Admission is free. Lots of local crafts and food including hot chestnuts and candy, Hundred-Aker-Wood Pottery, Clayford Farm Sausages, Woodland Preserves, Dorset Seafood, and Barrie's Pictures (old photos of Dorset, Devon Somerset).

Shaftesbury Christmas Market Street Fair, High Street, Shaftesbury. 18th December -10am to 4pm. With the colourful Anonymous Travelling Market and live music, and stalls selling items ranging from homemade felt, jewellery, glass, pottery, vintage clothes and china. to cheese, bread, paella, fresh oysters, tapas, hog roasts and much more.

A warm welcome and a sustainable holiday in the beautiful county of Dorset awaits you this winter, so why not contact us and find out more about our eco-friendly self-catering accommodation in Dorset. We look forward to welcoming you here.

What’s on in Dorset: December

Hello from an unusually mild West Dorset - it’s difficult to believe that this time last year we were enjoying cold wintry days and snow!

Before we give you our list of recommended activities and events in Dorset this month, we would like to remind you about a very special offer for visitors to Chesil Beach Lodge.

During December (up until Christmas) you can book three week nights for the price of two (Sunday to Thursday inclusive): making this a perfect time to book a winter break in Dorset!

Our accommodation is welcoming and cosy, with spectacular sea and coastal views, and it’s perfectly located for beach, cliff and countryside walks, or a little Christmas shopping and activities and events to get you and your family in the Christmas spirit.

Here’s our selection of just a few of the events in Dorset during December…

8th December – Loose Cannons at the Dorchester Film Society, The Corn Exchange, Dorchester. “An amusing film about secrets and lies in a family who own a successful pasta-making business.” 7.30pm. Founded in 1959, the Dorchester Film Society is a community cinema dedicated to showing its members the best of British and Worldwide Cinema.

14th December – Songs of Christmas Past at Highcliffe Castle. “La Nova Singers return to the Castle for this festive concert. The singers will be performing in the Castle's Great Hall with the magnificent Jesse window as a backdrop. La Nova Singers formed in 2004 and have become a highly acclaimed ensemble of female singers. They are directed and conducted by Michelle Nova, follow the discipline of the Bel Canto tehnique and have become well known for their unique sound, clarity, diction and eclectic mix of music. Mulled wine and mince pies will be available for purchase at the interval.” Box Office 01425 278807.

21st to 31st December - A Lyme Regis Christmas Shantymime – Griselda’s Grandad at The Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis. “Griselda's boring holiday unravels in a boring old house full of boring old books and boring old stories. But from behind the commemorative plates and between the drafty floorboards come tales of Christmases past. Is Grandad as boring as he seems? Will Griselda get more than she bargained for? Join Shanty at the Marine Theatre this December as they tell local tales from a time gone by and take a journey to the real heart of Christmas.”

22nd December - Noel Noel –The Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir at The Corn Exchange, Dorchester. 7.30pm for 8pm. A festive celebration of Christmas music and readings including the Fantasia on Christmas Carols by Vaughan Williams. Tickets are £12 (including refreshments) and areavailable from Dorchester Tourist Information Centre 01305 267992.

22nd December - Winter Solstice at Studland Beach and Nature Reserve from 7.15 to 10 am. Experience the sunrise on the shortest day of the year at Old Harry Rocks: followed by cooked breakfast at Knoll Beach Cafe. Bring a torch. Booking is essential so please contact Knoll Beach Visitor Centre on 01929 450259. Adults £10, children £6.

At this time of year, our cosy Chesil and Fossil self-catering apartments with their wood burners and central heating, really come into their own. All of our self-catering and bed and breakfast accommodation is cosy and luxurious with everything you need for a wonderful winter holiday. We are open all winter, right through Christmas and New Year, so to book bed and breakfast and self-catering accommodation in Dorset, please contact us.

Shopping for a Green Christmas in Dorset

With Christmas fast approaching, this week we thought we would give you a few of our suggestions for a greener Christmas.

Buy locally grown produce and visit local shops and farmers’ markets for your Christmas food and provisions.

Buy locally brewed beer or organic wine:

The Furleigh Estate in Dorset produces wines with wonderfully evocative names such as Sea Pink Rosé and Tyrannosaurus Red.

If cider is more to your taste; how about a bottle of Dorset Nectar Cider?

Reuse last year’s wrapping paper, or use colourful pages from magazines, or even fabric pieces.

Make your own Christmas cards, and use last year’s cards for labels.

Make your own Christmas decorations. Decorate your house with twigs, cuttings from the garden, ivy, fresh holly, nuts and dried fruit. Make garlands from pine cones, and dried oranges, lemons and limes.

Choose gifts that are organic, Fairtrade, handmade or second hand:

Organic food in Dorset

The Dorset Coffee Company – part of the Fairtrade network.

The Purbeck Chocolate Company – award-winning, luxury, fresh handmade chocolates

Handmade traditional Windsor Chairs from Fivepenny Chairs

Handmade dolls from Dorset

Bespoke knitwear, handmade in Dorset

Buy antique jewellery, ornaments or furniture from a local auction.

Buy gifts from local artists. Try the Dorset Art and Craft Show, at the Corn Exchange, Dorchester, on Saturday 10th December.

Make Christmas gifts in your kitchen, for example: cakes, biscuits, chutneys, and chocolates; or put together a hamper of local produce.

Buy your Christmas tree in a pot and then plant it outside when you have finished with it, or recycle it at your local recycling facility.

Shop from your favourite charity, for example:

UNICEF

World Wildlife Fund

Dorset Wildlife Trust shop

Chesil Beach Lodge provides a range of beautiful and sustainable holiday accommodation in Dorset. We look forward to welcoming you and your family and friends for a happy and green Christmas holiday. Please contact us to book accommodation for Christmas in Dorset.

Durlston Country Park and Nature Reserve

On the 18th November, after many months of restoration and transformation, Durlston Castle near Swanage opened to the public. Inside the newly restored castle is a new visitor centre with interactive geology, history and wildlife displays; and the Fine Foundation Gallery, with its regularly renewed art and craft displays. Durlston Castle will be open every day (except Christmas Day) and entry is free.

The castle is set in Durlston Country Park: 280 acres of spectacular Dorset countryside with fantastic walking trails taking in cliffs and sea views, limestone downland and woodland. The area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and a National Nature Reserve. The Durlston website details the amazing diversity of wildlife at Durlston Nature Reserve, including: 33 species of breeding butterfly, over 250 species of birds recorded, 500 wildflowers, 500 moths and thousands of other invertebrates.

Inside the Castle, is the Seventh Wave cafe & restaurant providing a delicious menu, made with lots of local produce. You can choose from early morning coffee and cake, lunchtime specials and snacks, and delicious evening meals in the restaurant in the evenings. The café and restaurant is open every day from 10.00 to 4.30, and on Wednesday to Saturday evenings from 6.00pm to 9.00pm during the winter.

You can follow updates from Durlston Country Park on their Facebook page

Here at Chesil Beach Lodge we offer a choice of delightful and sustainable bed and breakfast and self-catering accommodation in a stunning location on the Jurassic Coast, and within easy travelling distance of Durlston Counry Park and many other fantastic local events and attractions in Dorset.

Please contact us for more details, or to book Dorset accommodation.

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness

Autumn is a wonderful time of year to visit Dorset. The hedgerows and trees are laden with berries and nuts, providing a feast for both animals and people. And Dorset’s broadleaved woods provide plenty of fabulous autumn colour – perfect for woodland walks.

Autumn also heralds the arrival of winter migrant birds. Large flocks of Brent geese can be found in Christchurch Harbour, Poole Harbour, and on The Fleet Lagoon near Chesil Beach. The Radipole Lake nature reserve is right in the middle of Weymouth, and is a perfect place to see kingfishers and bearded tits, and wading birds such as dunlins, snipe, redshanks and lapwings. You can also see visiting winter birds at the Alder Hills reserve.

The Isle of Portland, and the Portland Bird Observatory, is a wonderful location for walking and enjoying not only the amazing scenery, but also a wide range of birds and other wildlife.

If you fancy a little fungi hunting, here are some of the best places to see the amazing variety of these fascinating and beautiful, and often weird and wonderful, organisms:

Kingcombe Meadows Nature Reserve

Kilwood Coppice and Meadows

Powerstock Common Reserves

To see just how amazing Dorset is in the autumn, have a browse through some of the stunning photos in the Dorset Autumn Weather gallery from the BBC.

And see our previous post for suggestions for woodland walks and some of the best places to see autumn colour in Dorset.

If you’d like to do a little nature watching from the comfort of your home, the Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Autumnwatch 2011 website has webcams and links to lots of wildlife videos, including barn owls, otters, bats, red squirrels, and the seahorses of Studland Bay.

Chesil Beach Lodge is set in a fantastic location on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. We offer a choice of eco-friendly accommodation in Dorset: right next to the South West Coast Path, and perfectly located for exploring the many beautiful areas of Dorset countryside, where you can enjoy everything that Dorset’s wildlife and countryside has to offer.

Please contact us for more details, or to book eco-friendly accommodation.

What’s on in Dorset: November

Well, here we are into November already, with its darker evenings, autumnal colours and a definite nip in the air. We hope you had a good October.

As usual for the beginning of the month, this week we have an update for you on events in Dorset in November.

Of course we couldn’t write about events for November without including Bonfire Night, so here’s a small selection of the many bonfire and firework displays in Dorset on the 5th November:

Firework Night on the Cobb at Lyme Regis: with a bonfire on the beach and fireworks over the Cobb. Fireworks from 6.30pm, and bonfire from 6.45pm.

'Firework Extravaganza' in the magnificent setting of Sherborne Castle. with live music, and food and refreshments. Gates open at 5pm, the bonfire is at 7pm, and fireworks from 7.30pm. See EventsCrew.com for ticket details.

Christchurch Community Bonfire and Fireworks Spectacular, at Stanpit Recreation Ground. Gates open at 5pm. Bonfire from 6.15pm and Fireworks from 7.45pm. There will also be a wide range of stalls offering food and entertainment. Tickets £5 per adult, and £2 per child

8th November – the Marine Theatre at Lyme Regis presents a “powerful, dynamic and colourful” performance of Flamenco dancing from Noelia Sabarea. You’re guaranteed a vibrant evening of pounding footwork, dramatic guitar, and singing.

24th to 26th November: The Canterbury Tales, at the Corfe Castle Village Hall. “A colourful recreation of five of Chaucer’s famous bawdy and robust tales, and a hilarious romp, in the authentic atmosphere of the medieval period, in the true spirit of the original, with all its vibrancy and hearty comedy.” 7.30pm on the 24th, 25th and 26th November, plus a matinee performance at 2.30pm on the 26th November. Tickets are available from the Corfe Castle Post Office in November, or from the Box Office on 01929 480323: adults £7, Children £5, OAPs £6 on Thursday the 24th only.

12th November - Handel's 'Messiah performed by Weymouth Choral Society, at Holy Trinity Church, Weymouth. Tickets are £10 (free for under 16’s) and are available from Weymouth TIC, Dorchester TIC, on the door, or telephone: 01305 775644 or e-mail: weymouthchoral@btinternet.com.

Also on the 12th November, a totally different kettle of fish: The Wurzels, at the Electric Palace, Bridport.

On the 25th November, you can choose between Stephen Jeffery's entertaining and wonderfully inventive adaptation of Charles Dickens' evocative saga, Hard Times, at the Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis; or madcap comedian and impressionist Freddie Starr’s show at the Electric Place, Bridport.

Scottish folk singer Dick Gaughan is appearing at the Dorchester Arts Centre on the 26th November. Dick Gaughan has been hailed as “one of the biggest protest singers of his generation, with a career spanning over four decades. His songs have been recorded by Billy Bragg and Mary Black and Capercaillie; and John Peel described him as “one of the five or six great voices of our time”.

We hope this gives you a small taste of the many interesting and entertaining events coming up in November. As you can see, it’s certainly a month of variety and contrast: there’s always something for everyone here in Dorset, not matter what the time of year. To book accommodation in Dorset for your autumn break, please contact us.

We’re also taking bookings for self-catering accommodation for Christmas. Please contact us to discuss your requirements, or to book one of our cosy and luxurious apartments with panoramic sea and coastal views, and everything you need for delightful holiday.

Enid Blyton in Dorset

Enid Blyton’s children’s books might not be the most politically correct in the world, but it’s unlikely that those of us who read them were really affected in any negative way J On the contrary, many people remember fondly her stories of elves and pixies, The Secret Seven, and the Famous Five’s summer holiday adventures in the countryside.

Many of Enid Blyton’s stories are set in Dorset and she spent many holidays here, frequently staying at Purbeck. With her husband, she purchased a farm at Sturminster Newton (which features in the story Five on Finniston Farm) plus the old Isle of Purbeck Golf Club (which features in Five Have a Mystery to Solve). Whispering Islandis said to be inspired by Brownsea Island, and Enid Blyton’s Kirren Castle is widely acknowledged to be inspired by Dorset’s Corfe Castle.

Take a walk in the Dorset countryside, or a ride on a steam train, or cycle down one of Dorset’s leafy lanes and through its quaint villages, and it’s not hard imagine you’re in an Enid Blyton story in search of lost treasure, or hot on the trail of top-secret papers

Whether you’re looking for adventures, a romantic getaway, a reviving break by the sea, a birthday surprise or anniversary treat, a base for a walking holiday, or family-friendly accommodation; Chesil Beach Lodge really is a perfect place to stay. Please visit our website to find out more about our eco-friendly bed and breakfast and self-catering accommodation in Dorset.

And don’t forget we’re open all year round, so to book self-catering accommodation in Dorset for Christmas, please contact us: a warm welcome, sea views and a luxurious cosy apartment awaits you.

West Dorset: things to do in the evenings

Chesil Beach Lodge isn’t only perfect as a base for a wide variety of interesting and inspiring day-time activities; there’s a lot going on in the evenings too. Our local area has a wonderful array of restaurants, bars, theatres, cinemas and seasonal activities to choose from, and here’s our pick of just a few:

The Electric Palace in Bridport: always a full programme of theatre, live music, comedy and cinema.

The Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis: a traditional seaside theatre offering a great range of events including live music, local and professional drama, and musical productions.

Riverside Restaurant, Bridport: views of the river, countryside and beyond to the sea; with a menu offering the freshest and best fish and shellfish from local waters and the surrounding area.

The Three Horseshoes, Burton Bradstock: homemade food with locally sourced ingredients, plus a wide range of Palmer’s real ales, lagers, ciders and wines.

Regent Cinema, Broad Street, Lyme Regis.

Plaza Cinema, Dorchester.

Bowling at Lakeside Superbowl, Weymouth.

Discover gruesome and grisly goings-on on a Ghost Walk around Bridport, or on the Lyme Regis Ghost Tour, and the Haunted Harbour Tour and Smuggling Tour in Weymouth.

On a more festive note (and we apologize for mentioning Christmas already!) for those of you planning a stay in December, there are Christmas festivals and late-night shopping in Bridport, and Dorchester.

Now that we’ve brought up the subject of Christmas, we’d like to remind you that we’re open all year round so please contact us to book accommodation in Dorset for Christmas. Our self-catering apartments are perfect for a cosy, fun-filled Christmas, and Dorset is a wonderful place to spend Christmas with your family and friends.

Dorset’s topography: something for everyone

Many people visit Dorset for its beautiful countryside and scenery, and we’re certainly blessed to have both countryside and coastline on our doorstep.

It’s no surprise that so many artists and authors have found such inspiration in Dorset and its people; and the wonderful variety of landscapes, and heritage and wildlife locations, means there’s always something different to see and always plenty of adventures and activities to choose from.

Dorset has approximately 140 kilometres of coastline offering a great choice of sandy beaches, plus of course the wonderfully unspoilt and pebbled expanse of Chesil Bank; as well as spectacular cliffs, the South West Coast Path, and many opportunities for aquatic sports and activities.

Over 40% of Dorset’s countryside has been formally designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, meaning that great lengths are gone to to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of the different areas. Locations and landscapes covered by the designation include:

• Woods and coppices such as Bracketts Coppice, Little Giant Wood, Girdlers Coppice and Piddles Wood.


• Kingcombe Meadows


• Muckleford Chalk Pit


• Powerstock Common Reserves


• Lodmoor Nature Reserve


• Hartland Moor


• Cranborne Chase


• Poole Harbour


• Brownsea Island


• Lulworth Cove


• Lulworth Castle, Maiden Castle, the Cerne Giant, Forde Abbey, and the Kingston Russell Stones

If you’re considering visiting any of these wonderful landscapes this autumn, please contact us to book sustainable accommodation in Dorset. We know the local area well, and we are always happy to help you plan excursions and activities.

What’s on in Dorset: October

So, what happened to Autumn? J This mini ‘heatwave’ is a little out of character for September and October, but for many people in Dorset it’s a very welcome bonus at the end of the summer, and a perfect opportunity to get out and about and enjoy the warm sun and blue skies.

As always at the beginning of the month, we’re sharing a few of our suggestions for recommended activities and events in Dorset in October.

5th October – a performance by BBC award winning fiddle player and singer Tom McConville, and unique acoustic guitarist David Newey, at the Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis.

7th to 9th October -Traditional Tunisian Souk Market, Saxon Square, Christchurch.10am to 5pm (with belly dancing on Saturday, between 2.30pm and 3pm). Enjoy a North African shopping experience and visit stalls selling unusual and interesting items such as Tunisian hand-made pots, carpets, ceramics, leather goods, glass, wicker baskets, spices and herbs and traditional and authentic foods.

7th to 9th October – Swanage Blues and Roots Festival. Free Admission to 50 gigs in 20 indoor venues. Open Mic daily, Electric Jam Sessions and Buskers.

8th October - Apple Day, Community Orchard, Bridport. Apple Day is a national celebration of orchards and apples and to celebrate the day Community Orchard will be the setting for apple games and activities for children, apple products to buy, a cake stall, cider and apple juice to taste and buy, as well as rural craft demonstrations, music, dancing and singing.

10th October - National Theatre Live - The Kitchen, The Electric Palace, Bridport. “Arnold Wesker’s extraordinary play premiered at the Royal Court in 1959 and has since been performed in over 30 countries. The Kitchen puts the workplace centre stage in a blackly funny and furious examination of life lived at breakneck speed, when work threatens to define who we are.”

15th to 16th October - Eat Dorset Food Fair, Parnham House, Beaminster. More than 50 local producers from Dorset and the surrounding counties gathered together to promote and sell a wonderfully diverse and highly regarded range of produce. Children’s activities include breadmaking, chocolate making and cake decorating.

16th and 30th October – Mountain Biking in Dorset. Organized by The Cumulus Crew: experienced mountain bikers with a wealth of technical knowledge as well as biking skills. Cycle and enjoy the countryside, or let the Crew put you through your paces and explore unusual tracks and trial various bike skills on tricky terrain.

20th to 23rd October - Sherborne International Film Festival. “Non English-speaking films are often overlooked and yet there are exceptional film directors and actors who transcend the accepted conventions of the English-speaking world and who can bring us fresh insights and startling discoveries that will enrich our senses.” The Sherborne International Film Festival brings some of these films into our midst: “to entertain, to inform and perhaps to astonish us!”

22nd to 30th October – Halloween Half Term Fun at Abbotsbury Children’s Farm.

22nd to 30th October - Spooky Stories at Portland Castle. Enjoy spooky Halloween tales and fun activities at Portland Castle during half-term week. “With 'fangtastic' Halloween games and devilish prizes to be won!”

25th and 27th October - Halloween Ghost Walks, Bridport. Candle lit walks on Bridport’s streets visiting spooky haunted locations. Walks start from Bucky Doo Square, South Street t 7.30pm. Adults £5; children (over 8 years old only) £2.50.

As always, the activities and events above are just a small sample from the many that Dorset has to offer. If you plan to visit Dorset for an autumn break, don’t forget to book accommodation in Dorset as soon as possible. You can be sure of a warm friendly welcome, excellent service, and superb accommodation with amazing views. We look forward to hearing from you.

Half-term activity ideas in Dorset

Now that September’s drawing to a close, what better time to think about planning a half-term break and activities for your family? Here’s a small selection of some of the fun events and activities in Dorset to keep your family happy and busy over autumn half-term:

• There’s a week of family fun planned at Swanage Railway, with regular steam and diesel train services through spectacular scenery, brake van rides at Swanage, colourful face painting at Corfe Castle and lots of on-train entertainment.
• Adventure Wonderland’s indoor play centre, maze and theatre are transformed into a world of spooks and skellys with some fangtastic events thrown in for their Halloween half term week.
• Batty about Bats at Brownsea Island – batty fun for all the family with a spooky bat trail around the island plus the chance to make your own spooky bouncy bat! 29th and 30th October, 10.30am to 4.00pm.
• 22nd to 23rd October – a dinosaur sleepover at Dorset County Museum! An evening full of dinosaur activities, followed by a sleepover in the museum.
• Halloween Fun Evenings in the Enchanted Floodlit Garden at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens.  27th to 30 October 5pm to 8.30pm. Free scary face painting and free prizes for children in fancy dress.

When you’re planning your autumn half-term holiday activities, you couldn’t choose a better located and more convenient place to stay than Chesil Beach Lodge. Please contact us to find out more about our family-friendly holiday accommodation in Dorset, and to book our stunning bed and breakfast rooms, and self-catering apartments.

And don’t forget we’re also taking bookings for self-catering and bed and breakfast accommodation in Dorset for Christmas.

The 2012 Olympics in Dorset

The sea around Weymouth Bay is a world class sailing destination and, according to the Royal Yachting Association, the best in Northern Europe. It’s no surprise then that the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy will be hosting all the sailing events for the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Olympic village at Osprey Quay will host up to 400 international athletes, and thousands of visitors are expected to watch the Olympic and Paralympic sailing events.

The Olympic sailing competitions will be at Weymouth and Portland from the 27th July to 12th August 2012, and the Paralympic competitions will take place between the 29th August and the 9th September: you can see the full schedule here.

If you have a ticket for any of the Olympic sailing events you will be able to view them from Nothe Fort and Gardens; those without tickets will be able to view the Olympic events from Weymouth beach.

2012 is going to be an exciting and inspirational time in Dorset: not only will you be able to watch the thrilling Olympic events; but there will also be a packed programme of vibrant events and activities for all the family including spectacular outdoor performances; amazing visual arts; dance, choirs and bands.

Please see Dorset 2012 for up-to-date news about Dorset’s 2012 Olympic events.

If you would like to discuss or book accommodation in Dorset for the 2012 Olympics, please contact us. We look forward to welcoming you here at this unique and exciting time.

Smuggling in Dorset

Take a walk in one of Dorset’s sheltered coves or along the coast path, on a day when the mist swirls in from the sea; or in the dead of night when the clouds scud across the sky momentarily revealing rocky outlines in the moonlight; and it’s easy to imagine you can see a ship waiting quietly at sea for a signal, or hear the hushed voices and stealthy footsteps of smugglers. Dorset’s coastline was once a hive of activity for smugglers and their illicit trade. The hedges, ditches, coastal cottages, heathland and beaches would all have once provided ideal hiding places for their contraband, and local Churchyards bear witness to this history with the graves of many smugglers and their relatives.

Popular contraband included tea, tobacco and spirits. The fascinating book Dorset Smugglers by Roger Guttridge describes some of the ingenious ways tea and tobacco was smuggled into Dorset in the 18th century:
Tea cases were fitted between the vessel's timbers and were made to resemble the floors of the ship.
18lbs of tea could be hidden under the cape or petticoat trouser worn by the fishermen and pilots of the vessels.

Cotton bags made into the shape of the crown of a hat, a cotton waistcoat, and a cotton bustle and thigh pieces carried in all 30lbs. of tea.

Tobacco was made into ropes of two strands, it was coiled with the real rope in the lugger, and was even put into a special compartment in casks of imported bones which were used for manufacturing glue.
The wooden fenders slung over the sides of a ship were hollowed out and filled with tobacco.

Dorset’s smugglers included many colourful characters, including the notorious Sir Isaac Gulliver (1745 – 1822) who had up to 50 men working for him (the White Wigs) and who amassed a large fortune and bought property and land with his spoils. You can read more about Isaac Gulliver here.

See this website to find out more about smuggling in West Bay.

Chesil Beach Lodge is on the Coast Road between West Bay and Abbotsbury, with direct access to the South West Coast Path and Chesil Beach, and we’re perfectly located as a base to explore Dorset’s fascinating maritime and social history and heritage. Our accommodation has spectacular sea views from every room and we can guarantee you a very warm welcome. Please contact us to book unique sustainable accommodation in Dorset – we very much look forward to seeing you here.

What’s on in Dorset: September

Well, the summer holidays are drawing to a close and it’s almost time for a new school year already. We hope you enjoyed your summer and, if you were lucky enough to have a holiday; that you were blessed with fine weather and good company. We can’t help noticing that the evenings are getting noticeably shorter, a sure sign that autumn is just around the corner, but of course that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of fine weather to come, and lots of activities to enjoy. Here’s our pick of what’s on offer in September.

7th to 15th September Dorset Architectural Heritage Week: an annual event raising public awareness of Dorset's rich architectural and cultural heritage by allowing free access to many properties that are normally closed to the public or that charge for entry.  

11th September - Eggardon Kite Festival , Eggardon Hill, Near Bridport, The famous kite festival on top of the magnificent iron age hill fort of Eggardon Hill.   Competitions and kite workshop - adults £1, children 50p. 10am to 4.30pm.  

16th to 18th September, the Bridport Hat Festival: lots to see and do at various venues throughout Bridport, including musical events, exhibitions, entertainers, workshops, food and drink, and competitions. It’s easy to take part; “simply wear a hat, whether you make one or buy one, and you’ll find you’ll make lots of friends on this splendid event celebrating hats and the people who wear them.”

17th to 25th September, Lyme Regis ArtsFest: a truly packed week offering you the opportunity to meet artists in their studios and find out about them and their work; follow the art trail through the town and enjoy a great variety of work displayed in over 100 shops and businesses; learn a new skill or develop an existing one by participating in a stained glass, dance, poetry, photography or painting workshop; and experience street theatre, stone-balancing, busking and much more at various venues throughout Lyme Regis.  

23rd September, The Whitetop Mountaineers at Dorchester Arts Centre, 8pm. “Hailing from Whitetop, Virginia, The Whitetop Mountaineers are Martha Spence (banjo, fiddle, and vocals) and Jackson Cunningham (mandolin, harmonica, banjo and vocals). They are also members of The Whitetop Mountain Band, one of the most popular bands in Southwest Virginia. Their show features country duet singing, up-tempo old instrumentals and Appalachian dancing. Support comes from local banjo and fiddle whiz Stompin’ Dave.”

24th September, 7.30pm, international pianist Sophia Lisovskaya at the Eype Centre for the Arts, near Bridport: “a solo recital by this immensely talented international pianist.” 

24th September, The Magic of Motown at the Electric Palace. “Direct from USA, the stage show that’s taken the country by storm is coming to town – it’s the Magic of Motown. The show includes songs by the Temptations, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Martha Reeves, Smokey Robinson, and Stevie Wonder.” Doors open at 7pm, tickets £19.50 (concessions £16).

30th September, comedy at the Electric Palace with Jo Caulfield: a regular on TV comedy panel shows and star of It’s That Jo Caulfield Again on Radio 4. Doors open at 7pm, tickets are £10 in advance.

This is just a small sample of what’s happening in our area - there’s always a huge variety of activities to choose from so if you plan to visit Dorset in September for any of these events or activities, don’t forget to book eco-friendly accommodation in Dorset as soon as possible. We look forward to welcoming you here.

Visit Dorset for Autumn Colour

Not wanting to wish away the summer, but looking ahead a little to autumn in case you want to plan your autumn break, this week we thought we’d share a few of the best places to see autumn colour in Dorset.

Lakeside Gardens, Sherborne Castle – “one of the finest examples of Capability Brown you will see.”

Minterne House, an English Heritage Garden with sensational autumn colours, open until 9th November, and open every day from 10am to 6pm.

And here are some areas of broadleaved woodland that can be relied on to produce wonderful displays of glorious autumn colour:

• Thorncombe Wood and Duddle Heath near Dorchester


• Fifehead Wood near Shaftebury


• Powerstock Common Reserves


• Duncliffe Wood west of Shaftesbury


• Lewesdon Hill, the highest point in Dorset

Why not book ahead and book an autumn break for you and your family or friends in one of our stunning eco-friendly self-catering apartments? There’s nothing quite like an autumn stroll or hike through all the beauty of autumnal colour to inspire and invigorate. And at the end of your walk you’ll love returning to your warm and inviting apartment at Chesil Beach Lodge, and settling down with a hot drink or glass of wine to enjoy the panoramic views over Lyme Bay from your apartment windows.

We offer a warm welcome and a sustainable holiday in the beautiful county of Dorset, so please contact us and find out more about our eco-friendly self-catering accommodation in Dorset.

The Dorset Pliosaur

The giant jaws of a new species of pliosaur, one of the largest sea predators ever unearthed, are on display at the Dorset County Museum.

The pliosaur bones are around 155 million years old and were originally discovered by amateur collector Kevan Sheehan when they appeared after a landslide on the Jurassic Coast at Weymouth Bay. The skull is a massive 2.4 metres long and is thought to belong to a creature up to 18 metres long.

The fossil was unveiled on the 8th July by Sir David Attenborough and will be on permanent display for locals and visitors.

Chesil Beach Lodge is situated right on the Jurassic Coast: a World Heritage Site consisting of 95 miles of amazing coastline stretching from East Devon to Dorset, with rocks spanning the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.

You can find detailed and fascinating information and resources about all the different areas on the Jurassic Coast on the Jurassic Coast website.

If you fancy having a go at finding your very own fossil, you can take part in guided fossil walks from Lyme Regis.

Our self-catering accommodation on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast is the perfect base for exploring all that this amazing area has to offer. Please contact us to book accommodation, or to find out more.

Beach holidays in West Dorset

For three weeks this coming autumn, London’s Euston Road will echo with the sound of the waves breaking on Chesil Beach. The sound of the sea will be relayed live, and it’s hoped that it will turn one of Europe's nosiest and most polluted roads into a live seascape with breaking waves and crunching pebbles competing with the sound of buses, lorries, taxis and commuters. The project starts on 22nd September, so if you’re on Euston road at any time during those three weeks, listen out for the evocative sounds of Chesil Beach.

Here at Chesil Beach Lodge, we’re so lucky that we have only a short walk to reach Chesil Beach, and our visitors are able to enjoy the real thing. If you and your family and friends enjoy beach holidays, there are lots of wonderful beaches to choose from in West Dorset, including:

• West Bay – a safe, wide sandy beach with plenty of facilities including pubs, restaurants and shops.


• Bowleaze Cove – two miles west of Weymouth, a pebbly, safe family beach, easily reached from the South West Coast Path and by bus from Weymouth. Facilities include café, shop, pub, toilets and an amusement arcade.


• Hive Beach – a long, clean sandy beach east of Burton Bradstock. The sea here is clean for swimming, but visitors need to be aware of strong tides and currents. Facilities include the Hive Café on the beach, and toilets.


• Lyme Regis – the old town of Lyme Regis is full of character and The Cobb is famous for appearing in The French Lieutenant’s Woman starring Meryl Streep. The beach is flat and sandy, and is popular with families.


• Church Ope Cove on Portland – a pebbly very sheltered beach, overlooked by Rufus Castle. The cove itself is safe for swimming, diving and snorkelling. (Steps to the beach make access difficult for families with pushchairs.)


• Weymouth – a safe and clean beach with shallow waters, lots of facilities including Punch and Judy, sand sculpting and a helter skelter, and a backdrop of fine Georgian houses. The beach hosts several major events including the International Beach Kite Festival and International Volleyball.
  

And, last but certainly not least, the wild unspoilt beauty of Chesil Beach: a shingle ridge stretching 17 miles from Portland to West Bay, and separated from the mainland for much of its length by a shallow area of salt water called the Fleet Lagoon.

We hope that’s given you an idea of the variety of beaches in West Dorset. There’s something to suit everyone - whether you’re looking for traditional and family-friendly with lots of facilities; sheltered and quiet, or wild and remote.

At Chesil Beach Lodge we have delightful self-catering family-friendly accommodation that’s perfect for your holiday in Dorset. Please contact us to find out more, or to book accommodation: we very much look forward to welcoming you and your family and friends here.

What’s on in Dorset: August

The summer holidays are well and truly upon us! We hope July was a good month for you, and that the summer weather has been kind to you.

STOP PRESS

Before we share a few of the many activities and events happening in Dorset this August, we have some Stop Press news: due to a late cancellation, we have a self-catering apartment available for the week commencing 27th August. Please contact us for more details.

So, without further ado, back to the events in and around Dorset for August:

1st – 5th August Holiday Adventure Days for 8-12 year olds at Woodberry Down Activity Centre, Lyme Regis, from 9am – 4pm. Activities include beach games and beach art, campfire cooking, circus skills and bush craft.

4th August Family Fossil Day - Jurassic Seafood at Lyme Regis Museum, Bridge Street, Lyme Regis, 11am – 3.30pm. “Fossil Hunters Paddy Howe, Chris Andrew and Brandon Lennon are in the museum all day to talk about the small invertebrate fossils. Come to the rock-splitting sessions and see how fossils are hidden within stones. Cut and polish ammonite to keep. There will be impressive fossils on dispay including spectacular finds made earlier this year. Handle fossils, ask questions and bring your own fossils for identification.” Free admission.

6th -14th August Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival – this packed week of events includes the carnival procession, balloon races, sailing races, family dog show, limbo dancing, mass Chinese lantern launch over Lyme Regis, World Pebble Balancing Championships, sandcastle competition, sand sports and pavement art.

8th August - the pleasure steamer the SS Balmoral is setting sail for a cruise along the Jurassic Coast. Book your place at Bridport TIC or via Waverley Excursions.

13th -14th August - a Dalek Invasion at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, RNAS Yeovilton. “Only the brave should venture to the Fleet Air Arm Museum on the weekend of August 13th and 14th as an army of Daleks accompanied by Davros, Miss Hartigan, Cybermen, Ice Warriors, Pig Slaves, Weeping Angel and more will invade the Museum. To add to the fun and terror of the day, children are encouraged to wear Sci-Fi Fancy Dress.”

14th August - Pirates Day at West Bay, 12pm to 5pm: lots and lots of pirate-themed events and games for all the family including best dressed pirate competition, walk the plank and face painting.

14th – 20th August: Burton Bradstock Festival of Music and Art. The exhibition of paintings, textiles, pottery and woodwork opens at 10 am on Sunday 14 August in the village hall and will include work by some of the finest artists in the South-West including Terry Unsworth, Jake Winkle, John Rabbitts and Lynda White. Visitors will be able to buy work priced from £30 to £300, as well as prints and greeting cards featuring original designs. The art exhibition will be open daily 10–7pm until Friday 18th, then Saturday 20th 10–4 pm and Sunday 21st 10–12 noon.

Music events include orchestral concerts, evening and lunchtime recitals, jazz and World music, intimate late evening performances, and an art exhibition. Most of the concerts take place in Burton Bradstock’s exquisite 16th century church.

18th August – Smugglers, Lyme Regis Museum, Bridge Street, Lyme Regis, at 2.30pm. “Thea Hawkesworth presents the facts about smuggling in the West Country in the 17th and 18th Centuries. Small fishing communities supplemented their incomes this way, and famous local smugglers such as Jack Rattenbury made their living transporting contraband. Lively true stories for all ages.”

20th – 21st August: Bridport Carnival and Torchlight Procession. The Bridport Carnival includes a grand procession and carnival fete, plus a fun fair at Asker Meadows. The traditional torchlight parade, on 21st August, makes its way from Bucky Doo Square in Bridport down to West Bay for a bonfire and firework display, and dancing. The procession begins around 9pm.

25th August Melplash Agricultural Show.

31st August to 4th September, the Great Dorset Steam Fair, South Down, Tarrant Hinton, Nr Blandford – a huge variety of exhibitions and attractions covering 600 acres.

This is just a small sample of what’s happening in August and if you plan to visit our beautiful county for your summer or autumn break, please book your accommodation in Dorset as soon as possible. We have a range of luxurious bed and breakfast and self-catering accommodation available for bookings, and we look forward to sharing the delights of Dorset with you and your family.

Adventure and Activity Holidays in Dorset

For those of you who like active holidays with plenty of adventure, fun and activities, Dorset has so much to offer. There’s a wealth of activities to choose from, and there’s always something that will appeal to everyone in the family. Here’s our selection of just a few possibilities to give you an idea of the fun you can have on holiday in Dorset!

Rock climbing – a wide range of exciting and fun rock climbing courses and taster sessions is available, both indoors and outdoors.

Horse riding – what a wonderful way to explore the beautiful coastline and countryside of Dorset. Choose from forest, beach or countryside rides, or tailor-made excursions.

Cycling – Dorset has some excellent cycle routes and what better way to explore our stunning countryside, quaint villages and historic towns than a leisurely cycle ride. Take a picnic, or visit one of the many pubs or restaurants offering a warm welcome, a cold drink and a delicious meal.

Archery – try your hand at this ancient sport. Minimum age 12 years.

Walking – Dorset is a truly fantastic place for a walking holiday, of course, and we are perfectly located as a base for coastal or countryside walks with breath-taking scenery and fascinating historical locations.

Quad biking – Gorcombe has twenty miles of tracks with something for everybody’s level: from “petrol heads to conservative thrill seekers”.

Fishing – for those who prefer their activities a little more sedate, nothing beats a summer afternoon’s fishing on the banks of a peaceful river or lake in Dorset.

Microlight flying lessons – discover the beauty of Dorset from the air and get a unique perspective on landmarks such as the Cerne Abbas Giant.

Coasteering - climb and jump off the rocks along Dorset’s coast, and visit rarely explored caves, tunnels and plunge pools.

Zorbing – rolling downhill in a transparent orb! You can even have a go at hydro zorbing: not only do you get to slip, slide and revolve at speed inside your plastic orb, but you’re also joined by 20 litres of cold water!

Kayaking – explore the beautiful Jurassic coast in a kayak.

Power boating – for a more adrenaline-filled view of the Jurassic coast, how about a ride in a high-speed power boat?

Kitesurfing and windsurfing – learn how to kitesurf and windsurf in the safe waters of Poole Harbour, with fully qualified instructors.

When you’re planning your activities for summer, you couldn’t choose a better place to stay than Chesil Beach Lodge. Please contact us to find out more about our eco-friendly holiday accommodation in Dorset, and to book one of our stunning bed and breakfast rooms or self-catering apartments.

Culture and Heritage Holidays in Dorset

Dorset has so much to offer everyone who visits this beautiful county and if you enjoy learning about an area’s culture and history when you’re on holiday, we’ve included a few locations and facts to give you just a taste of Dorset’s rich heritage.

Castles in Dorset

Corfe Castle – majestic ruins with a colourful history, on the peninsula named the Isle of Purbeck.

Highcliffe Castle, Christchurch, is described as “arguably the most important surviving house of the Romantic and Picturesque style of architecture, which flourished at the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century.”

Sandsfoot Castle, near Weymouth - a Tudor stronghold built in 1539 by Henry Vlll.

Sherborne Castle was built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594 and has been the stately home of the Digby family since 1617. It has “a glorious variety of decorative styles from over 400 years of English history” and the 50-acre lake was created by Capability Brown.

Country Houses

Athelhampton House, near Dorchester, was built in 1485 and has been in private ownership for over 500 years. The gardens boast a variety of woodland scenes, formal architecture, river walks along the River Piddle, wonderful pyramid shaped Yew trees and an ancient dovecote; and are all open to the public.

The 17th century Kingston Lacy house and gardens is owned by the National Trust and boasts lavish interiors and an outstanding art collection that includes paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck, Titian and Tintoretto, plus the largest private collection of Egyptian artefacts in the UK.

Wolfeton House, Charminster, is a medieval and Elizabethan manor house with magnificent plasterwork and panelling, a medieval gatehouse and a chapel and Cyder House.

Historic Landmarks

Cerne Abbas Giant - a 180 foot man carved into the chalk rock and he’s believed to be an ancient fertility symbol with the power to help childless couples to conceive.

Gold Hill in Shaftesbury was made famous by the 1970s Hovis advertisement directed by Ridley Scott, and its steep cobbled road is a popular destination for visitors. At the top of Gold Hill is Gold Hill Museum, a traditional sandstone cottage that once provided accommodation for the drovers, jugglers and traders who came to Shaftesbury’s markets and fairs.

Literature and authors

Dorset is Thomas Hardy country, of course, and is the birthplace of this famous author. Hardy Cottage, at Higher Brockhampton, is owned by the National Trust and is open to the public.

The Hardy Trail takes you around the locations where Hardy wrote and lived.

The Dorset countryside has inspired many authors, and novels set in Dorset include:

• On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan


• The Black Tower by P. D. James (and others by the same author)


• The French Lieutenant’s Woman by John Fowles


• Thank you, Jeeves by P. G. Wodehouse


• The Devil’s Feather by Minette Walters

And see our previous post for some of the fascinating film and TV locations in Dorset.

Museums

Dorset County Museum – fascinating collections and exhibitions relating to the archaeology, natural sciences, natural history, literature, music, fine and decorative arts, antiquities and local history of the county of Dorset.

Poole Museum’s exhibits include a 2,300-year-old log boat - one of the largest surviving prehistoric artefacts of its kind in Britain - and a ceramics gallery featuring a significant collection of world-famous Poole Pottery.

If you’re planning to visit Dorset over the summer, don’t forget to book your bed and breakfast accommodation in Dorset or self catering accommodation in Dorset as soon as possible.

What’s on in Dorset – Summer Holidays Start Here

Here is a round up of events in July: there is non-stop culture whether you love classic cars, classic Rock, or rhythm and blues!

Classics at the Castle on 17^th July at Sherborne Castle, 10am-4pm, is a very popular classics and supercar show. Over 1,000 cars will be on show including fantastic displays of Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Aston Martins, Porsches, Rolls Royces, Bentleys and many more popular classics. Arrival of the Veteran Car Tour is at 11:30am: arrival of Dorset Classic Car Tour is at 12:30pm

Friday 22 July, Desperado : The Heart of the Eagles - an evening of classic Eagles’ songs including Hotel California, New York Minute, Life in the Fast Lane, Wasted Time, One of These Nights, The Last Resort, Lyin’ Eyes, New Kid in Town, Take It to the Limit, The Long Run, Heartache Tonight – all brought to you by the six-piece ensemble Desperado at the Regent Centre, Christchurch.

23^rd July at Sherborne Castle - Jools Holland and his rhythm and blues orchestra, plus special guests, promise a night of outstanding music so “pack a picnic, grab your friends and get ready to boogie-woogie with the maestro”. Gates open at 5pm and tickets are available from Octagon Theatre, Yeovil on 01935 422884: the Sherborne Tourist Information Centre on 01935 815341, and the Dorchester Tourist Information Centre on 01305 267992.

Dreamboats Race Day takes place on the 24^th July at 2.30pm and is a popular annual event where local clubs, pubs and others enter a team of three and compete for the coveted trophy and prizes of Ringwood Ale: an entertaining afternoon for all the family with music, barbecue and raffle.

On the 27^th July is an open air performance of Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, from 7pm - 10pm at Highcliffe Castle. “A terrifying encounter with an escaped convict on the wild Kent marshes; a summons to meet the decaying Miss Havisham; the sudden appearance of a mystery benefactor - this series of events change the orphaned Pip’s life forever as he eagerly abandons his humble origins to become a gentleman.
From the misty marshes to the dusty, dirty streets of London; we bring you our brand new adaptation of Dickens’s most enduringly popular and atmospheric novel which delivers high comedy and dark drama as we follow Pip’s journey through adversity to discover the true nature of his ‘great expectations’”.

29^th – 31^st the award-winning Camp Bestival takes place on the 29^th to 31^st July at Lulworth Castle, against the stunning backdrop of the Jurassic coastline. Awards for this music festival promises fun for all the family and was awarded ‘Best Family Festival’ in 2009 and 2010 by UK Festival Awards. Day tickets are available from the Heritage Centre in West Lulworth.

Here at Chesil Beach Lodge we offer a choice of delightful and sustainable bed and breakfast and self-catering accommodation in a stunning location on the Jurassic Coast, and within easy travelling distance of these, and many more, fantastic local events and attractions.

Please contact us for more details, or to book accommodation.

What’s on in Dorset: July

Hello everyone. We hope June was a good month for you.

Throughout July, we thought we would have a few posts about how wonderful Dorset is for all types of holiday. Look out for our posts about cultural, adventure and beach based holidays, with lots of suggestions about events, activities and places to visit.

There’s a huge choice of things to do in Dorset over the summer, and here’s our pick of some of the best for July.

The Christchurch Music Festival takes place on the 1^st to 3^rd of July at Christchurch Quay. A weekend of dance, dance demonstrations and live music from 16 bands starts on Friday at 6.00pm, and on Saturday & Sunday from midday. There will also be refreshments, a bar and stalls.

2^nd to 3^rd July is the intriguing sounding Anonymous Travelling Market at Osprey Quay, Portland Harbour. The Anonymous Travelling Market is “in cahoots with The Boat that Rocks. Let's get nautical and see where the Olympics are going to take place. Hoo-ray and up she rises!” Lots of stalls and live music for all..

1^st to 9^th July Tivo: Le Resitance, a clown show direct from New York, at The Lyric Theatre, Barrack St, Bridport. The shows start at 8pm (doors open at 7.30pm). Tickets cost £8 and are available from Lyric Theatre, Bridport Music, The Bookshop and Fruits of the Earth, Bridport.

Spirit of the Sea on 2^nd to 10^th July is the annual Weymouth and Portland Maritime Festival: a celebration of the area’s close relationship with the sea which “brings together a range of sporting activities, cultural events and entertainment.” A packed programme of events includes live music, sailing regattas, a carnival procession, gymnastic display, kayak and wind surfing taster sessions, Tudor picnic at Sandsfoot Castle Gardens, Big Grove Summer Festival and a Thomas Hardy Chesil and Portland ramble across some of the spectacular Dorset coastal scenery that features in Hardy’s poetry and novels.

5th July - The Pilgrims Progress at the Regent Centre, Christchurch: a modern dramatization of the classic tale by John Bunyan. Follow Christian as he sets out on a dangerous adventure, a journey that will see him encounter friends, companions and enemies along the way. Will he ever reach the Heavenly City? Join the Saltmine Theatre Company on the trip of a lifetime. A brand new production for 2011. Suitable for everyone aged 12 plus.

8^th to 9^th July, an Italian Food Market in South Street, Dorchester, from 9am to 5pm.

9^th July is Yeovilton Air Day – this year the day celebrates 40 years of the Lynx Helicopter. “An extensive flying and static display will take place to mark this anniversary with historic aircraft such as the resident RNHF’s Swordfish, Sea Fury and Sea Hawk coming together with other classic aircraft and their modern counterparts to highlight the role that Fleet Air Arm Squadrons have played, and continue to play, in operations throughout the decades to the present day.

Cerne Abbas Music Festival takes place on the 8^th – 10^th July at St Mary's Church, Cerne Abbas. This year’s programme includes a performance of Prokoviev's Peter and the Wolf for music lovers of all ages.

Here at Chesil Beach Lodge we offer a choice of delightful and sustainable bed and breakfast and self-catering accommodation in a stunning location on the Jurassic Coast, and within easy travelling distance of these, and many more, fantastic local events and attractions.

Please contact us for more details, or to book accommodation.

Summer holidays in Dorset

Although the Summer Solstice and the longest day of the year is already behind us, there are still many long, balmy summer days ahead of us, and our thoughts are naturally turning to the summer holidays.

Dorset is a fabulous place for family-friendly summer holidays, and our delightful self-catering apartments provide perfect family accommodation, with stunning sea and coastal views over Lyme Bay.

All our self-catering apartments have central heating (and two are supplemented with wood burners), plus oven / hob, fridge, microwave, king size beds plus 4’ sofa beds, and linen and towels for the main bedrooms. We also provide free WiFi, and Digital Freeview TV and DVD players.

We’ll be posting lots of ideas for summer activities and days out over the coming weeks but, in the meantime, here’s a small taste of what you can expect:

• 6th – 14th August Lyme Regis Regatta and Carnival Week – nine days of activities and fun for the whole family;


• 7th August RNLI Fun Day at West Bay – including boat rides and a Rescue at Sea;


• 17th August Weymouth Carnival and Air Show – including the Red Devils Freefall Team and O’Brien’s Flying Circus;


• 20th – 21st August Bridport Carnival and Torchlight Procession (40th Anniversary)

As always, Dorset will be packed full of exciting events and activities in the summer, so don’t forget to book your family-friendly holiday in Dorset as soon as possible. We look forward to welcoming you and your family here.

Recycle Now Week

Recycle Week (20th – 26th June) is a week of nationwide recycling

This year’s theme is 'Recycling - Home and Away'. “It's all about the positive cumulative effect we can all make by recycling just a little bit more; whether it's doing more of what we already do at home or starting to recycle at work or while out and about.”

When you stay at Chesil Beach Lodge you can be sure you’re recycling while on holiday too. All our rubbish is sorted for recycling, and we recycle:

all our glass, plastic milk bottles, tins, clothes and cardboard, which are collected fortnightly and recycled in Dorset;

unwanted house items and clothing, which are recycled via our local Oxfam shop;

our vegetable waste, which is composted.

We also have tips on how to have an eco-friendly holiday.

Recycle Now have some great ideas for eco-friendly electrical products that reduce the impact on the environment. How about a USB Drive with a 100% recycled newspaper body; or a Samsung mobile phone with casing made from recycled plastic water bottles, and a solar panel charger; or an electric guitar with a body made using crushed CDs, vending cups and yoghurt pots?

If you’re a Facebook fan, you can keep up to date with all their recycling tips and information on the Recycle Now Facebook Page.

We’re committed to providing sustainable holiday accommodation and, as well as reducing waste and recycling, we serve locally-sourced produce, use environmentally-friendly cleaning products, and use open fires and wood burners to supplement heating where possible.

For more information, or to book one of our self-catering apartments or bed and breakfast accommodation in Dorset, please contact us.

Team Green Britain Bike Week

Team Green Britain Bike Week (18th – 26th June) is a UK-wide mass participation cycling event. Its aim is to celebrate and raise awareness of the social, health and environmental benefits of cycling, whilst encouraging more people to get out and about on their bikes.

There are several events organized for Dorset, including:

18th June, Sunday Cycle Ride - a gentle family orientated cycle ride around Weymouth,

20th – 24th June, the Cycle to Work Commuter Challenge for employees of the Borough of Poole

25th June, Mountain Bike Orienteering Challenge at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest

Click here to find events in your area.

Do you have an old bike languishing in the dusty recesses of your garden shed? Why not take part in Britain’s Biggest Bike Fix, give your bike a health check and get cycling. Here are their top 10 tips to get your bike in shape.

Chesil Beach Lodge is perfectly located as a base for cycle rides through the Dorset countryside. Historic towns, rural villages, beautiful countryside, and amazing sea and coast views: Dorset has it all.

We encourage car free days and we keep a wide selection of local maps and guides which you are free to borrow.

To book eco-friendly accommodation in Dorset, please contact us.

What’s on in Dorset: June

We have an environment theme running through some of this month’s posts and, with this in mind; it’s worth mentioning that World Environment Day is on the 5th June. This year’s theme is Forests: Nature At Your Service. Dorset has some beautiful woodland and forest areas, including Ringwood Forest and Wareham Forest, so why not make some time to discover Dorset’s woodland walks this month?

We hope May was a good month for you. It’s hard to believe that summer is just around the corner. As ever, June is a busy month in Dorset and there’s lots to do out and about. Here’s our pick of some of the best:

8th June - Much Ado About Nothing performed by the Rain or Shine Theatre Company at Sherborne Old Castle. Rain or Shine is a Gloucester based professional theatre company “which specialises in outdoor summer tours of classical theatre to castles, stately homes and gardens throughout the U.K.” The performance starts 7.30pm. and tickets are available from Sherborne Tourist Information Centre. Telephone 01935 815341.

The Great Shaftesbury Run is on the 12th June, and includes half marathon and 10k runs round the Earl of Shaftesbury's estate at St Giles House. The park will be open to the public and there will be music, entertainment and refreshments. Tel: 01725 517255.12th to 18th June is the Bridport Food Festival – “a celebration of the worth of local food”. Festival week events include cookery workshops; sausage, cheese and speciality bread tasting; a talk on the history of afternoon tea by food historian, Maya Pieris; and under 8’s biscuit decorating workshop.

18th June: Dorchester Carnival. This year’s theme is fictional heroes and villains so it’s time to get out your Superwoman, White Witch, Captain Hook, Bill Sikes and Cruella de Ville costumes, and join in the fun! J As well as the carnival procession, there’ll be a street fair and four-legged pub race.

23rd June to 3rd July: Beaminster Festival of Music and the Visual Arts – a packed programme of events including open-air Shakespeare, piano recital, jazz night, choral workshop, Noel Coward songs, poetry and much more.

A warm welcome and a sustainable holiday in the beautiful county of Dorset awaits you, so why not contact us and find out more about our eco-friendly self-catering accommodation in Dorset.

Spend Father’s Day in beautiful Dorset

Father’s Day falls on the 19th June this year, and it’s not too early to start thinking ahead and booking a few days away.

This week we thought we would give you a few locally-inspired ideas for Father’s Day gifts.

How about a Sea-kayaking day trip exploring the coast near Poole, Dorset; or a 20 minute two-seater helicopter lesson at Bournemouth in Dorset?

For something on a much smaller scale, you can adopt a Dorset Dormouse and help the Dorset Wildlife Trust's Dorset Dormouse Recovery Project. The dormouse is one of England's rarest mammals, and has already been lost from seven counties because of habitat loss. Adopting a dormouse costs £15 and adopters even get a photograph of their dormouse!

Or how about some truly delicious and luxurious hand-made chocolates from Dorset chocolate makers Chococo? Husband and wife team Claire and Andy Burnet use local Dorset produce as much as possible, and where they can't go local, they source ethically produced ingredients. They make all their chocolates in-house, by hand, and they don’t use any preservatives. Here are a few chocolatey ideas for Father’s Day.

The Dorset Crab Company produces this wonderful potted crab, made with crabmeat, butter and a secret blend of spices.

Photographer Andrew Dorey lives on the Jurassic Coast and the beautiful Dorset scenery inspires many of his photographs. You can buy wonderfully evocative prints of Dorset views from his website.

Of course we think the best possible gift for Father’s Day is a rejuvenating break in one of our luxurious self-catering apartments J We have four apartments to choose from, all with amazing sea and coastal views, and in the perfect location for exploring all that Dorset has to offer.

For a warm welcome on Father’s Day, and a delightful sustainable holiday in the beautiful county of Dorset, please contact us to book accommodation for Father’s Day.

Half-term activities

Half-term is almost upon us again, and it’s time to think about where to go and what to do! Dorset has a wealth of locations, events and activities that are prefect for a family holiday. Here are just a few suggestions for half-term activities:

A trip on a steam train with the Swanage Railway is a fun way to see the Dorset countryside. The journey takes you past the ruins of Corfe Castle and is a wonderful way to travel to the castle or to Swanage beach for a day at the seaside.

The majestic ruins of Corfe Castle, on the peninsula named the Isle of Purbeck, provide a magical place for children to explore. There are two activities for half-term in the castle grounds:

Castle Quests: From Rotten Rascals to Fabulous Feats – go on a quest around the castle and look for the shields to find out the facts. 28th May to 5th June.

Enid Blyton WW2 Day, on the 2nd June - a chance to enjoy some of Enid Blyton’s wartime stories. “Find out about the lives of her readers, many of whom were evacuees, and how she encouraged them through her magazine Sunny Stories.”

The award-winning Dinosaur Museum in Dorchester is the only museum on mainland Britain dedicated to dinosaurs. “The museum combines life-sized reconstructions of dinosaurs with fossils and dinosaur skeletons to create an exciting hands-on experience. Multimedia displays tell the story of the giant prehistoric animals and their enthralling world millions of years ago.”

Splashdown Waterpark in Poole has “some of the UK’s most exciting waterflumes. For the thrill-seekers, brave the Screamer with its sheer vertical drop. Plunge into darkness on the Black Thunder. And hold on to your pants as you shoot down the Spacebowl like a human pinball. Or if that sounds a bit like hard work, just go with the flow on the Mississippi Drifter.”

The Tank Museum in Bovington has almost 200 rare and historic vehicles on display in 6 large halls, plus action packed live displays. Open daily from 10am to 5pm

As always, this is just a small selection of what’s on offer in Dorset for half-term, and there’s much more to choose from to keep adults and children of all ages active, entertained and happy over the half term break.

To book your family-friendly and eco friendly half-term holiday in Dorset, please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you.

Abbotsbury Swannery

Abbotsbury Swannery is a natural wildlife habitat located on the Dorset coast, near the historical village of Abbotsbury. A trip to this wonderful location is a unique experience: it’s the only place in the world where you can walk through the heart of a colony of nesting Mute Swans and see the cygnets hatching.

From around the middle of May to late June, hundreds of cygnets hatch close to the pathways, giving visitors an amazing close-up view of this fantastic sight.

You and your family can also help hand feed 600 swans at the mass feeding sessions at 12.00 noon and 4.00pm each day.

You can see photos of these beautiful birds on the Abbotsbury Swannery Flickr page. They also have a Facebook page where you can keep up-to-date with the ever increasing numbers of nests, followed by the cygnets as they begin to appear in May.

All paths are accessible by wheelchair and two wheelchairs are available on loan free of charge. Dogs are not allowed into the swannery.

If you’re planning a visit to Dorset in May, we highly recommend a trip to Abbotsbury Swannery to see the cygnets. To book your eco-friendly accommodation in Dorset, please contact us. We look forward to welcoming you here.