With the first day of spring (20th March) almost upon us, the countryside and gardens of Dorset continue to spring to life and it’s wonderful to see bright and cheerful splashes of colour as the daffodils and crocuses open. We’ve had some gloriously sunny days recently and we hope you’ve been as lucky with the weather as we have.
British summertime begins on the 27th March and with the clocks going forwards an hour the evenings will be lighter: absolutely perfect for a walk in the countryside or along the coast, or for a spot of gardening. The trouble with this warmer weather and longer days is that it’s not just the flowers that are burgeoning; it’s the weeds too!As always, there’s plenty to do in Dorset this month and here’s just a small selection…
5th to 13th March is Forde Abbey Crocus Week at Forde Abbey, Near Winsham, Dorset. Forde Abbey is an elegant former Cistercian monastery with 30 acres of award winning gardens. You can enjoy the spectacular crocus displays throughout the gardens from 10am to 4pm.DJ John Peel cited Dreadzone’s 1995 album ‘Second Light’ as one of his 10 favourite albums of all time. You can see this diverse and original band at the Electric Palace, Bridport, on Friday March 18th. Tickets are £15.50 from Bridport Tourist Information Centre. Telephone 01308 424901.
Photographing Maritime Lyme. Do you enjoy photography? On Saturday 19th March you can join local professional photographers, Maisie Hill and Peter Wiles, for a day photographing Lyme harbour and the surrounding coast. They also promise advice, discussion, and lots of fun. Bring your digital camera and all weather clothing. The day costs £20 and the group will consist of a maximum of 15 people so telephone 01297 443069 to book, or email peter@lymescapes.co.uk.Also on the 19th March, the Sherborne Chamber Choir perform JS Bach Mass in B Minor at the beautiful Sherborne Abbey. Tickets are £5-£18 (under 18s are free of charge), and are available from Sherborne Tourist Information Centre, Digby Road, Sherborne, 01935 815341, and The Dorset Music House, 01935 816332.
On Friday 25th March at Dorchester Arts Centre is a performance of Geppetto by Cube Theatre. “In 1950’s New York, a teenage girl answers an advert for a production of Pinocchio, but when she meets the ill-at-ease man who calls himself Geppetto, she falls into a bewildering journey of deception and dysfunction. Combining electric dialogue of two performers with mesmerizing puppetry, Geppetto, by Jon Welch, is a heart-rending, often hilarious story of a broken man’s obsessive search for his own puppet-boy.” The performance starts at 8pm (doors and bar 7.30pm). Tickets are £8, and £6 for members & concessions.For a fabulous display of spring flowers, and a stroll around 42 acres of the peaceful and tranquil setting of the beautiful gardens and grounds of Sherborne Castle, why not visit the castle for the annual Spring Bulbs & Daffodils Weekend throughout the weekend of 26th to 27th March? 11am to 4.30pm, with reduced entry fees to the gardens and grounds.
And last, but not least, the 26th March sees the Lyme Regis Beer Festival at the Marine Theatre, Church Street, Lyme Regis. The festival is run by three local breweries (Mighty Hop, Town Mill and Art Brew) and promises entertainment, food, beer and dramatic views over the sea and Gun Cliff Walk. Tickets are available from the Town Mill Shop and other outlets. Telephone 01297 445358 for more information.We’re continuing our offer of three nights’ accommodation for the price of two throughout March (Monday to Friday) so it’s a perfect time to take a spring break. To book accommodation in Dorset, please contact us. We look forward to seeing you.
