Dorset Christmas fairs and markets for 2012

With Christmas fast approaching, and shopping still to be done, here are some dates for your diary for opportunities to support local crafts and tradespeople, and buy unusual and unique gifts for friends and family. 

15th November 2012 to 2nd January 2013 - Bournemouth Christmas Market. “Held in the heart of Bournemouth in the Town Square and surrounding streets this festive extravaganza will be bursting at the seams with Christmas ambience. It will be beautifully dressed with Christmas lights and snowy decorations and animated figures, truly a wonder to behold.”

24th to 25th November - Macmillan Christmas Craft Fair at Kingston Mauward, Dorchester. Sat. More than 40 stalls selling a wide range of quality gifts. Saturday 10am to 4pm, Sunday 10am to 3pm. Entry £4.00. Coffee, tea & wine served all day, and homemade soup at lunchtime.


24th November - Bridport Craft Fair, Bridport Town Hall, from 9am - 3pm.

24th November - Grand Christmas Bazaar at Frampton Village Hall, Dorchester Rd, Frampron. Cookery demonstration and tasting at 1pm. Christmas Bazaar from 2pm to 5pm. Craft stalls by local Artists and crafts people. Refreshments are available, together with delicious Mulled Wine. Entry £1 adults, children free.

1st December to 2nd December - Christmas Craft & Gift Fair at Highcliffe Castle. he Castle's annual craft and gift fair returns to the Castle for this two day show. The fair is a popular event with a beautiful range of high quality crafts and gifts from local artists and suppliers displayed in the Castle’s heritage rooms. It is an ideal opportunity to purchase unique Christmas presents. The Castle's Library galleries will also be open for visitors to enjoy our art exhibitions. Adult admission £1. Accompanied children under 16 free. 11am to 4pm.

1st December - Christmas Makers Market, Eype Centre for the Arts. Lots of ideas for gifts from talented local makers, bakers, growers, potters, painters, quilters, beaders, and photographers. 10am-4pm. Refreshments all day. Free entry and parking.

5th December Bridport Christmas Festival and Late Night Shopping with crafts, food and charity stalls, farmer's market, Santa's Grotto, and entertainment. The Mayor will be switching on the Christmas tree lights at 6pm, and then Father Christmas will arrive.

9th December - Wyke Christmas Fayre, Old Wyke Square, Weymouth There will be mulled wine under the Christmas tree, music and singing, childrens' fancy dress, bells ringing in the tower, a roundabout, and much more.

15th December - Putlake Farm Christmas Market, near Swanage

16th December - Shaftesbury Christmas Market with the Anonymous Travelling Market.

If all this talk of Christmas markets and fairs has ignited your Christmas spirit, why not pop along to your local markets with your Christmas shopping list and support your local businesses, wherever you live.

And if you’re thinking of booking accommodation in Dorset for Christmas we would love to welcome you and your family and friends here. Please contact us to find out more, or to book accommodation.

Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Winter Woodland Project

It’s good news for Dorset’s trees this month as essential restoration work begins on several woods and wet woodland areas. The work will help to protect rare animal and plant species, and preserve the rich diversity of landscapes and habitats.

You can help Dorset Wildlife Trust to restore Dorset’s woodlands by making a donation to their Restore Dorset’s Woodlands appeal. They need to raise £13,000 for their vital woodland conservation work in Dorset this winter, and this work needs additional funding which will be used to secure a much larger amount in grants.

Dorset’s trees are certainly a treasure worth protecting and preserving, and there are many places to see spectacular autumn colour in Dorset. We should all get our walking boots on and get out and about this autumn and really appreciate the beauty of the trees and wildlife of our local woodlands.

Chesil Beach Lodge is perfectly located as a base for exploring the beautiful Dorset countryside and we offer a choice of luxurious eco-friendly accommodation in Dorset. Please contact us for more details, or to book accommodation.

Stir-up Sunday

We know that Christmas puddings should be given plenty of time mature before being eaten, but a Christmas pudding found last year in the back of a Dorset kitchen cupboard really does take this to the limit :-) The pudding is believed to be the oldest in the world and was originally one of many sent to Royal Navy personnel fighting in the Boer War in 1889.

If you’re thinking about making your own Christmas pudding this year, Stir-up Sunday on the 25th of November is traditionally the day for making it; giving it a whole month to mature before Christmas.
According to tradition, everyone in the family should stir the pudding and make a wish while stirring; and the pudding should have 13 ingredients to represent Christ and his disciples, and be stirred from east to west in honour of the three Kings who travelled from the East to see Jesus.

Here’s a recipe for an alcohol free child-friendly Christmas pudding from Annie’s Dorset Kitchen; and (via the Guardian) Granny Jane’s Christmas pudding from Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall of the famous River Cottage in Dorset.

The Great Pudding Stir takes place on the 8th December in the Victorian kitchen at The Priest's House Museum, Wimborne Minster. Visitors are encouraged to help stir the pudding, make a Christmas wish, and taste the final product. Admission is adults £1.50; children £1.

On the 15th December is The Great Lyme Regis Christmas Pudding Race, Marine Parade,Lyme Regis; in aid of Cancer Research UK. “The race will be open to teams of six who have to dress in Christmas costumes and complete an obstacle course carrying a Christmas pudding. And to add interest, team members have to build a Mr Potato Head face on the puddings and collect other Christmas trinkets as they negotiate the obstacles. The winning team will win the unique Lyme Regis Great Christmas Pudding Race trophy”. There’ll be lots of other entertainment including music, an appearance from Peppa Pig, and Santa's Grotto.

We offer a warm welcome and a sustainable holiday in the beautiful county of Dorset this autumn and winter, so why not contact us and find out more about our eco-friendly self-catering accommodation in Dorset?

What’s on in Dorset: November

Before we get on to our selection of things to do in Dorset in November, we’d like to let you know about our current SPECIAL OFFER. During the months of November and December you can book three nights in our bed and breakfast or self-catering accommodation for the price of two (Monday to Thursday). So, what are you waiting for?

Dorset is spectacular in autumn and wonderful for winter breaks, including Christmas time, and we would love to welcome you here for your autumn or winter holiday.

Later this month we’ll be posting about Dorset Christmas fairs and markets and Stir-up Sunday, the traditional day for making your Christmas pudding; so keep a look out for those. In the meantime, here’s our selection of November events and activities.

3rd November - Bonfire and Fireworks on the Beach at Lyme Regis. Fireworks start at 6.30pm.

3rd November - Bonfire and Fireworks Extravaganza at Sherborne Castle, Sherborne: entertainment, music, food from 5.00pm; bonfire at 7pm, fireworks 7.30pm.

3rd November - Bridport Round Table Annual Firework Display at Bridport Leisure Centre, Bridport. The gates will open at 7.00pm, and the firework display will start at 8.00pm.

5th November - Firework Display at Dorchester Rugby Club, Dorchester. Hog roast, BBQ, licensed bar and refreshments. Gates open at 6pm; fireworks from 7.30pm. Tickets: Family £10, Adult £4, Child £2.

8th November The Legends at The Regent Centre Christchurch. Poole and Parkstone's “highly acclaimed all-singing, all-dancing spectacular November show makes a return this year with a concert celebrating legendary musicals and their composers. We bring you the music of those writers whose shows have become musical phenomena, providing the spine tingling music which gives audiences the excitement, love and feel good factor that they anticipate from P & P's award winning performances.”

11th to 18th November - The 8th Bridport Literary Festival, Bridport. “The organisers of The 8th Bridport Literary Festival have planned lots of interesting, stimulating, revealing and entertaining talks for this autumn.”

20th November - Budapest Cafe Orchestra at the Electric Palace, Bridport. “The Budapest Café Orchestra play powerful and driving folk-based music from Eastern Europe inspired by the music of European gypsies. The richness and dynamism of Balkan music is on display here in all its untamable glory in a wide-ranging programme of impassioned Hungarian Czardas, tender Russian folk melodies, rollicking dances from Romania and Moldavia, bitter sweet Jewish laments, one or two electrifying compositions of the group's own making plus a few surprises along the way...”

21st November - That'll be the Day at Christmas at Weymouth Pavilion. Get ready for a party as the UK’s most successful touring Rock ‘N’ Roll production, the legendary That’ll Be The Day, returns with a Brand New 2012 Christmas Show

25th November - Norwich Puppet Theatre: The Pied Piper, The Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis. For children aged 3 to 7. “When the Pied Piper plays his flute the rats run, the greedy mayor rubs his hands and the children dance. Norwich Puppet Theatre's humorous and irresistible one person show combines a skillful mix of puppetry, foot-tapping live music and storytelling that will have audiences young and old entranced.”

30th November - Stand Up Comedy Night with Yianni Agisilaou at the Dorchester Corn Exchange. “Sharp social commentary to compare favourably with Woody Allen”. “Dynamic, dramatic, and funny. Catch him while you can!” 8.15pm (doors and bar 7.30pm). Tickets £8/ £6 concessions. May contain some adult content.

We hope this gives you a small taste of the many interesting and entertaining events coming up in November. A little later in the month we’ll be posting details of upcoming crafts fairs and markets in November and December – perfect for a bit of Christmas shopping.

To book accommodation in Dorset for your autumn or winter break, please contact us. We’re also taking bookings for self-catering accommodation in Dorset for Christmas so 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 a happy and relaxing holiday.

Indoor and outdoor activities for half term

Half term is fast approaching so here’s a selection of recommended activities to keep the whole family busy and entertained.

27th October to 4th November - investigate the superstitions, magic and folklore of 17th Century Witchcraft at Corfe Castle Model Village.

27th October – Flameburst 2012 “The ultimate family firework event” at The Fuzzy Bit, Bakers Farm Road, Verwood. You can expect a “vibrant atmosphere, spectacular fireworks and special effects, singing and dancing to the lively Flameburst stage show, and evening out with family and friends.”

27th October – Magical RNLI Steam Train Experience, Swanage. Join the RNLI team at Swanage Railway to take a magical steam train ride to Harman's Cross to join in the RNLI Family Fun Day. Tickets are limited availability - details at Swanage RNLI shop or email Selina_Taylor@rnli.org.uk.

27th October to 4th November - Skulls, Skins and Gory Things Trail at Avon Heath Country Park. Everyday; anytime between 11am and 3pm.

27th October Family Sleepover: Dinosaurs and Pliosaurs at the Dorset County Museum, High West Street, Dorchester. 5.30pm onwards. Dinosaur-themed museum sleepover with plenty of family activities and a midnight feast.

28th October - The Mysterious Vanishment of Pobby and Dingam at the Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis. “Pobby and Dingan are Kellyanne’s best friends, maybe her only friends. Her brother Ashmol hates them. They’re invisible and they make her act weird. And it’s no fun having a fruitloop for a sister. Then Pobby and Dingan go missing and Kellyanne becomes heartsick. It’s up to Ashmol to find them before she fades away completely, but where do you start looking for something you can’t even see?” For everyone aged over nine years.

31st October – The Big Draw at the Dorset County Museum. 10.30am to 12.00pm. A "Make and Do Family Activity" for the autumn half-term Holidays and part of The Big Draw nationwide initiative. £3 per child. Adults admitted free but must remain with their children during the activity. Up to two children per adult.

Please see our previous post for Halloween half-term activities.

Contact us to find out more about our family-friendly holiday accommodation in Dorset for half term, 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.

Chesil Beach Café

There are many places to eat in Dorset where you can enjoy delicious food in fantastic locations. Not far from Chesil Beach Lodge, and with the same passion for local, sustainable food, is the Chesil Beach Café at the Chesil Beach Centre, Portland Beach Road.

The centre is run by Dorset Wildlife Trust on behalf of a partnership including Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and the Fleet and Chesil Bank Nature Reserve, with the help of local volunteers.

This wonderful café has been included in Coast Magazine’s 10 Best New Places to Eat By the Sea. The food is sourced and prepared with strong emphasis on sustainable and locally sourced ingredients, including conservation grade beef from Dorset Wildlife Trust's nature reserves and seafood as approved by DWT's Great Dorset Seafood campaign.

Surrounded by fascinating habitats, geology and wildlife, the café is the perfect place to stop off for a meal or for tea and cake. It’s open every day 10am to 4pm for brunch, lunch, tea, coffee and cakes; and open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday 6pm until late.

If you’re visiting the beautiful Jurassic Coast this autumn and winter, don’t forget to book bed and breakfast accommodation in Dorset or self-catering accommodation in Dorset as soon as possible. We look forward to meeting you.

Tips for Geener Car Driving

Owning and driving a car is something that many of us find a necessity, but there are ways to make your car journeys greener with much less of an impact on the environment.

• Get rid of the rubbish in your car boot. Less weight equals less fuel used.
• Unless absolutely necessary; don’t drive with a roof rack or bike rack etc. They add extra weight and create wind resistance, increasing fuel consumption.
• Make sure your tyres are correctly inflated – you’ll use less fuel if they are because under-inflated tyres create more resistance and increase your fuel consumption by up to 3%.
• Find out if you could work from home on one or two days a week and thus save long commutes to work.
• Avoid accelerating or braking hard – both involve using more energy, and of course using less energy means using less fuel.
• Plan your routes in advance to ensure you take the shortest route.
• Slow down. Driving above 60 miles per hour decreases your car’s fuel efficiency.
• Consider using alternative fuels.
• Consider driving a smaller more fuel-efficient car.
• See if a neighbour or work colleague can share car journeys with you.
• Reduce the number of car journeys you make by taking the bus or travelling by train when you can.
• Avoid leaving your engine running.
• And avoid using the air conditioning unless you feel you really need it.

We encourage guests at Chesil Beach Lodge to leave their cars behind and explore Dorset on foot, by bicycle, and by train and bus. We have a wide selection of local guides and maps for you to borrow.
Dorset has three mainline train services and a heritage line serving over 20 stations across the county. Swanage Railway offers a busy timetable of heritage steam and diesel train services, and visitors can experience a unique journey on a steam train through six miles of beautiful scenery passing the magnificent ruins of Corfe Castle.

The South West Coast Path, with its spectacular sea views, runs almost right by our door, as does a regular local bus service that will take you to Lyme Regis, Bridport, Weymouth and further afield.

See our post with suggestions for walking in Dorset

If you’re considering visiting Dorset 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

Hello, and welcome to October on the Chesil Beach Lodge blog!

As in many areas of the UK, autumn arrived in Dorset on the wings of a storm, with very heavy rain some areas. We hope you weren’t too badly affected. Now that the weather has settled down again, we’re looking forward to the colourful and bright autumnal days in Dorset that we love and enjoy so much.
Later this month we’ll be posting some suggestions for activities for half term and some tips for greener car driving, but, as always, we’ll start with our selection of things to do in Dorset in October.

Starting 2nd October (until next spring) the Bridport Film Festival at Bridport Arts Centre, South Street, Bridport. See the Bridport Film Society website for a packed programme of contemporary world cinema.
6th October Ancient Harvest & Apple Day, The Ancient Technology Centre, Damerham Road, Cranborne. See the Roman Cider Press in action. Bring bottles and apples and press your own juice to take away. A lovely, fun family day. 10am to 4pm.

6th October Big Green Apple Day Family Green Fair and Apple Day at Thorners School, School Lane, Litton Cheney. Celebrating sustainability, creativity, the outdoors, conservation, wildlife and community - a fun day out with music, local hot foods and cider, crafts stalls and eco & information stalls. Have a go at stone carving, archery, woodland crafts, and bushcraft for children.

11th October Francesca Martinez- What the **** is Normal? Tour at the Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne. “Francesca Martinez is an English stand-up comedienne and actress. She has toured internationally, including sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Festival, the Melbourne Comedy Festival and the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal. She has completed a 33-date UK tour and two off-West End London runs at the Tricycle Theatre and the Hackney Empire. She has cerebral palsy but prefers to describe herself as "wobbly".”

13th October Truffle Hunting Experience Day at a secret location in West Dorset! Would you like to experience truffle hunting with dogs? The English Truffle Company offers truffle hunting experience days in Dorset. These comprise an introductory talk on truffles, lunch, two hours of truffle hunting, and afternoon tea including sampling of a truffle dish. Contact the English Truffle Company to find out more and enquire about availability.

19th October Seven Ages at The Corn Exchange, Dorchester. “Fresh from a sell-out world tour this delightful show by Kepow Theatre takes a comic look at the seven ages of life. After 5 star reviews at the Edinburgh Festival it received a standing ovation on its opening and closing nights in London. Combining improvisation, masks and storytelling it explores going to school, falling in love, finding a job, becoming a parent and growing old disgracefully!”

24th October Family evening The Enchanting World of the Pumpkin at Uplyme Village Hall, near Lyme Regis, at 7.30pm. Bring your carved or decorated pumpkin to be judged in the pumpkin lantern competition, and join in the quiz and games.

25th October to 28th October the Sherborne International Film Festival, at the Powell Theatre, Abbey Road, Sherborne. A full programme of films includes Rio (PG), a colourful, energetic and entertaining animated film for children; In a Better World (15), Oscar winner for best foreign language film in 2011; Habemus Papam (PG), a beautifully crafted Italian irreligious comedy; and The Big Picture (15), the story of a character who assumes a dead man’s identity and goes on a journey of personal exploration.

27th October ‘Sunrise from Golden Cap’ – a Ranger led walk along the Jurassic Coast. “The great rocky shoulder of Golden Cap offers magnificent views at every compass point. On a clear day you can see across Lyme Bay to Dartmoor - well worth the effort of the walk uphill.” From Langdon Wood car park SY413931 at 8.30am. Allow 2hrs for the walk. The walk is free, but there is a charge for food. Booking is essential – telephone 01297 48948.

27th to 28th October Autumn Colours Weekend at the historic Sherborne Castle, from11am to 4:30pm. “Explore 42 acres of beautiful gardens and grounds, and enjoy the beauty, peace and tranquillity of this perfect natural setting.” Reduced price entry to garden and grounds.

28th October Local Producers Market, Marine Parade, Lyme Regis. Quality, handcrafted food and craft from local smallholders who follow the highest standards of environmental practice. Stall-holders on Sunday will be selling a range of local food products including fresh vegetables, organic eggs, handmade ice cream, elderflower products, preserves, cheese, locally grown cut flowers, pottery, sheepskins, and other crafts.11am – 4pm.

We hope this gives you an idea of the variety of interesting and entertaining events coming up in October. To book accommodation in Dorset, please contact us. The Dorset countryside is stunning in autumn, and perfect for an October break.

Halloween half-term fun

Half-term is fast approaching and that means Halloween will soon be here too. Here are a few suggestions for spooky Halloween fun in Dorset :-) Next month we’ll have more suggestions for activities for half-term.
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens Halloween Fun at The Enchanted Floodlit Garden with free face painting (scary faces) and a prize for children in fancy dress. 26th to 31st October 5.00pm to 8.30pm.

Abbotsbury Children’s Farm Halloween half term fun for the little ones at Abbotsbury Children's Farm with face painting, fancy dress and a whole lot of spookiness. 27th October to 4th November.

Corfe Castle Explore the spooktacular castle this Halloween (if you dare!) Find the ghosts and pumpkins on the family trail and enjoy the other hair-raising activities on offer. 27th October to 4th November.

Nothe Fort, Weymouth. Bedlam and Broomsticks: Calling all budding wizards and scary witches to dress up and come and join the fun at the Nothe Fort. “Will your courage, blood curdling screams and nerves hold out? You will need to be there to find out”. Witch ‘Wanda Weatherwax’ will be guiding anyone who dares to travel along the Haunted Tunnel Walk, and will regale you with tales of ghostly goings on. If you should meet The Undertaker, Wanda will do her best to protect you from his spooky clutches! Wednesday 24th October, from 10.30am to 4.30pm.

Portland Castle is the place to go for spooky Halloween tales and fun activities over Halloween weekend. There will be Halloween games, with devilish prizes to be won; terrifying tales of times gone by, and spooky crafts. You also get to explore all the spooky nooks and crannies of the Castle (but be careful to keep a look out for the ghostly figures that might be lurking around corners!). 27th & 28th October 10am to 4pm.

If you’re visiting Dorset this autumn and you’re looking for local accommodation for these and many more half-term activities, Chesil Beach Lodge is perfectly located and equipped for a wonderful family holiday. Please contact us to book bed and breakfast and self-catering accommodation in Dorset for half-term.

A special Christmas in Dorset

Christmas in Dorset is a magical time and all the more special when you include a trip or two to a wonderful theatre show or pantomime. It’s important to book your tickets early so this week we thought we’d look ahead to just a few of the events you can look forward to in December.

8th December 2012 to 6th January 2013, Sleeping Beauty at Bournemouth Pavilion. A top cast in a traditional story; guaranteed to be lots of fun for all the family.

12th December Potted Panto at Bridport Arts Centre: eight classic pantomimes in eighty minutes by just two actors. “In a madcap ride through the biggest stories and best-loved characters from panto, our cast dash from rubbing Aladdin’s lamp to roaming the golden streets of Dick Whittington’s London. It’s unmissable fun, whether you’re six or 106.”

14th December Tango Siempre: Tangomotion at Bridport Arts Centre. Tangomotion features the UK’s leading tango dancers and musicians. “From virtuoso displays of traditional tango dance in stunning costumes to the exquisite tango music of 1930′s Buenos Aires and the powerful nuevo tango of Astor Piazzolla, Tangomotion is a breathtaking journey into the heart of Tango Argentino.

19th and 20th December A Christmas Carol presented by Ballet Theatre UK at Dorchester Arts. “Join Ballet Theatre UK on a magical journey to the dark and twisting streets of Dickensian London. With a cavalcade of colourful characters, including Mr Bob Cratchit, Jacob Marley, Tiny Tim and the comical Mr Fezziwig, A Christmas Carol is the perfect way to get you into the Christmas spirit. Filled with joy, laughter and heartbreaking moments Ballet Theatre UK’s new production combines traditional ballet with captivating theatre performed to a glorious classical score.”

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.

Beachwatch Big Weekend

Chesil Beach Lodge is in a wonderful location on the Dorset coast, and we’re so lucky to have a wealth of amazing beaches close by. An unfortunate fact of beach life everywhere is increasing amounts of man-made litter; meaning that our beaches need a helping hand to remain litter-free, beautiful, and safe for animals and people. From the 14th to 17th September the Marine Conservation Society is encouraging all beach lovers to help clean up beaches along the UK coastline.

During the Beachwatch Big Weekend, thousands of volunteers will be collecting and recording the rubbish they find on UK beaches as part of the International Coastal Clean-up which takes place in 80 countries worldwide. The data collected helps the Marine Conservation Society shape future beach litter campaigns and keep the issues on the Government’s agenda.

In Dorset, volunteers are needed in various locations including: Hengitsbury Head, Friars Cliff Beach, Newton’s Cove and Chesil Cove. Please see the Beachwatch Big Weekend website for more details, and see if you can join in and help keep our beautiful beaches free of litter.

Environmental issues, including sustainable tourism, are very important to us at Chesil Beach Lodge and we offer visitors a warm welcome and a sustainable holiday in the beautiful county of Dorset. Please contact us and find out more about our eco-friendly self-catering accommodation in Dorset.

What’s on in Dorset: September

Hello everyone, and welcome to the first of September’s posts!

Like many of you, we were amazed and inspired by the Olympic Games in August, and we know the Paralympic Games will be just as exciting and inspiring.

We were lucky to have the Olympic sailing events very close by in Portland and Weymouth, and there were plenty of thrills and spills and lots of very well-deserved medals for Team GB. We’re looking forward to more top sailing in the Paralympics, and we wish team ParalympicsGB and all the other athletes the very best of luck and a wonderful Paralympics.

Later this month we’ll be posting ideas for spooky things to do over half-term. We’ll also be posting details of some wonderful theatre shows, pantomimes and music events that will be showing in the run up to Christmas - book your tickets and your holiday accommodation early :-)

But first, here’s our usual selection of what’s on in Dorset in September.

1st and 2nd September - Dorset County Show Dorchester. Show attractions include Scott May’s Stunt Show; fun fair; dog agility; sheep shearing; terrier racing; falconry; gymnastic displays; cookery demonstrations, and much more. Free parking with disabled parking area. Dogs welcome on a lead. Opening times - 8.30am till 6.00pm both days.

1st September to 31st October - Global Images Gallery Photographic Exhibition at 2 Hound Street, Sherborne. A fascinating display of images of Iconic Mountains; Lhasa & Kathmandu, and Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula. Monday to Saturday 9am to 5.30pm; Sundays 10am to 4pm.

8th to 9th September - River Cottage Autumn Fair at Park Farm, Trinity Hill Road, Axminster. Celebrate the harvest with a trip to the River Cottage 2012 Autumn Fair! It’s a “great opportunity for guests to come and explore River Cottage HQ and meet the gang off the telly.  You'll enjoy cookery demonstrations and talks from the team and contributors, fun activities for children, as well as a range of food, drink and artisan producers selling their wares” plus “lashings of Stinger beer and local cider, with local musicians playing throughout the day. Tickets £15.50, under 12s go free.

8th to 17th September – Lyme Regis ArtsFest at various venues around Lyme Regis. Experience art in unusual contexts; chat with artists; and attend special demonstrations, exhibitions, events and workshops.
12th September - Evolution, Extinction and Biodiversity in the Fossil Record: How Much is Real? at the Dorset County Museum. Alex Dunhill of the University of Bristol gives the first in a series of Geology Lectures. 7pm. Free entry (a £3 donation is encouraged).

14th to 16th September –the Bridport Hat Festival at various venues across Bridport. The 3rd Bridport Hat Festival promises shows, entertainment, live music, food and drink, and much more. Take part in the mass hat wearing photograph in Bucky Doo Square and you could win a prize!

21st September - Electric Bike Tour of Hardy's Monument and Upwey from Portesham “Starting at the Hardy Monument (the sailor rather than the author in case you were unsure) you will enjoy what is arguably the best view in the whole of West Dorset. Cycling along quiet country lanes we will stop at out of the way farmshops, superb country pubs, art galleries, vineyards to name just a few of the tour's highlights.” Tours start at 10.30am. Pre-booking is essential.

22nd September – Garden Opera Company: La Boheme at the Electric Palace, Bridport. Bars open at 6.30pm. Show starts at 7.30pm. Tickets £25 in advance, £27 on the door.

23rd September - Dorset One World Festival, Kings Road Playing Field, Dorchester and Dorchester Youth Centre: a family fun day celebrating diversity and multi-culturalism. Telephone 07870 805404 or email dorsetoneworld@gmail.com for more information.

30th September - Antiques Fair at Kingston Mauward House, Dorchester. 10am to 4pm.

We say it every month, but this really is just a small sample of the wonderful events 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 accommodation in Dorset as soon as possible.  We look forward to welcoming you here.

Book early for Christmas!

If we whisper it, will you forgive us for mentioning Christmas already?!
Although Christmas probably seems quite a long way away, Dorset is a popular destination for short breaks and holidays over Christmas and New Year, and booking your accommodation as early as possible is a very good idea.

Chesil Beach Lodge is fabulous for Christmas or New Year breaks. Our bed and breakfast accommodation and self catering apartments are cosy, warm and luxuriously furnished; with amazing views over the coastline and sea. You can wrap up warm and go for a winter walk on the nearby beach – which is just a few steps away – or go for a longer walk and enjoy the spectacular views and wide open spaces from the South West Coast Path that runs almost right by our door. Well-behaved dogs are welcome at Chesil Beach Lodge, and the surrounding area is perfect for winter walks with your dog.

If you decide to stay indoors in the warm, there’s no better way to enjoy a cosy afternoon indoors than enjoying the breath-taking sight of wild winter seas from the comfort of your room. If you decide to eat in, we offer delicious home cooked locally sourced dishes and there are also many excellent places to eat out in Dorset over Christmas and New Year.

The local area has many Christmas fairs with choirs, live music, carol singing, dancing, food, and quality hand-made gifts and local crafts and produce. And of course we have pantomimes and wonderful theatre shows for all the family.

As we get closer to Christmas, we’ll be sharing lots of up-to-date information here on our blog about things to do over Christmas and New Year.

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 here for a happy Christmas and New Year holiday so please contact us to book accommodation for Christmas in Dorset.

October half-term in Dorset

If you’re looking ahead to half-term, Chesil Beach Lodge is a perfect place to spend half-term with your children. We’re close to the beach and surrounded by beautiful countryside with wonderful woodland and countryside walks; plus there’s always a wide variety of entertaining and fun half-term activities for all the family in the surrounding towns.

Some of the activities you can look forward to over half-term include:

• Portland Castle Halloween Family Fun Weekend - spooky Halloween tales and fun activities at Portland Castle, with 'fangtastic' Halloween games. Explore all the spooky nooks and crannies of the Castle, but beware the ghostly figures that linger around corners! Children can make their own spooky crafts and enjoy some terrifying tales of times gone by.
• A week of fun at Swanage Railway - with steam trains and diesel trains; exciting brake van rides at Swanage; colourful face painting at Corfe Castle,and on-train entertainment.
• Enchanted Floodlit Gardens at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
• Half-term Dinosaur Hunt at the Dinosaur Museum, Dorchester
• Mary Anning Walks organized by Lyme Regis Museum - Learn about the life of the greatest fossil hunter ever known.
• Wonderful theatre performances at some of our local theatres.

We’ll be writing more about all these activities and other half-term activities in a post a little nearer to half-term, so keep a look out for that. In the meantime, you can book your  half-term holiday in Dorset with us and be well prepared.

What’s on in Dorset: August (Part 2)

Welcome to Part 2 of our ‘What’s on in Dorset’ posts for August.

15th August - Illyria presents HMS Pinafore at the Castle Gardens, Sherborne at 7.30pm.
16th August - National Trust Smugglers Trail at Stonebarrow Hill, Charmouth. You can start the trail anytime between 11am and 3pm. Cost per trail entry is £3. Come and join in for some family swashbuckling fun. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

18th to 19th August – there’s a Dalek Invasion at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset, from 10am to 5.30pm each day. Family activities include celebrity signings, Dr Who traders and much more. Children are encouraged to wear fancy dress.

24th to 26th August - Candles On The Cobb. 5000 candles are lit on the iconic Lyme Regis Cobb harbour, followed by a stunning firework display.

24th to 26th August - Purbeck Folk Festival at Langton Matravers, Nr Swanage, with performances from KT Tunstall, Rory McLeod, Monster Ceilidh Band and many more. “Purbeck Folk Festival covers the broader definition of folk music and you can hear music from all around the world; some deep and meaningful, some get up and jump around. There's something for everyone's musical taste. There are three big barns, used for stages and the bar, which mean that you're dry if it rains, but there's a big grassy bank to sit on in the sunshine.” The festival is family-friendly and you can buy tickets for individual days. There’s lots of children's entertainment, plus workshops, poetry and storytelling.

24th August - Oddsocks present Julius Caesar at the Outdoor Theatre Athelhampton House, Dorchester. “Rome's creaking coalition is under strain as the nation's sporting games is held to honour Emperor Caesar.  Will the games be an expensive disaster? Will the liberal Senators succeed with their infamous assassination?  Will Caesar's stinking plebs be revolting? Suitable for all ages this open-air production will engage summer audiences with a heady mix of Shakespeare, gags, audience participation, live music and lots of rollicking Roman comedy.” Gates open at 5.30pm. 7pm in the Gardens. Adults £15, Children £5 (15% discount for members).

25th August - Anonymous Youth Festival at Maumbury Rings, Dorchester from noon to 9pm. There will be a brilliant array of live music and dance showcasing some very talented local young people, lots of great activities, a walkabout magician, circus performers, stalls, food and much more and the whole day is completely FREE!

25th August - Wings and Wheels Display at Henstridge Airfield, 7 miles east of Sherborne. “A great day out for the family with lots of great aircraft, great cars, a BBQ lunch and a nice relaxed garden party atmosphere.” A fantastic display of vintage and classic cars will be on show including famous cars such as Buick, Marcos, Morris, Chevrolet and Ford. You’ll also see between 70 and 100 aircraft, plus rumour has it that the entire Battle of Britain Memorial Flight with the Lancaster, The City of Lincoln, the Spitfire and the Hurricane will be paying a visit! Entry £5 adults (children free).

If you’re visiting Dorset soon, don’t forget to book bed and breakfast accommodation in Dorset or self catering accommodation in Dorset as soon as possible.

What’s on in Dorset: August (Part 1)

Well, the 2012 Olympic Games are well and truly underway and the fantastic sportsmen and women of Team GB have a few medals under their belts already. Did you watch the spectacular opening ceremony? It’s certainly got people talking.

The sailing events are also well underway in Portland and Weymouth, and we’re excited that Dorset is hosting these inspiring events. Sailors and visitors alike have been enjoying some lovely weather and by all accounts everyone is having a really wonderful time.

There’s a lot happening in Dorset this August so we’ve split our selection of recommended activities into two – Part 2 will follow next week.

3rd to 5th August - Cider Festival at the Coach & Horses Inn, South Perrot. Free entry all weekend, with live music in the evenings. Starting Friday at 6pm, up to 70 Ciders will be on offer.

4th August - The Importance of Being Earnest by the Miracle Theatre Company at Higher Orchard, Sandford Orcas near Sherborne. “Oscar Wilde’s ‘trivial comedy for serious people’ is a masterpiece of sharp wit and preposterous plotting. In this high energy production Miracle adds an extra dimension to ‘the funniest play ever written’.” Show starts at 7.30pm. Advance tickets £10-£30 (family) or £11-£33 on door.

4th to 10th August - Marine Week at the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, Lower Sea Lane. Activities include rockpooling, boat trips, fossil hunting, aquarium tour, and Pirate Day (9th August), crafts and much more.

4th August  to 12th August - Lyme Regis Regatta and Carnival Week. Nine days of action packed activities for the whole family. Events include Lyme Regis Carnival Procession at 8pm on 11th August, including the Grand Firework Display; and the Carnival Week Duck Race on the12th August.

7th August - traditional Punch & Judy show by the Puppetree Company, outside the Watch House Café at West Bay. The Watch House Café is set right on East Beach and is just yards from the sea and the stunning views. Performances at 11am, 2pm and 4.30pm. Punch and Judy will also be at the Watch House Café on 21st August, 28th August and 4th September.

10th August - South Louisiana swamp blues with Lazy Lester at Dorchester Arts Centre. “This 78 year old blues legend from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has been described variously as a ‘National Treasure’ the ‘High Sheriff of Louisiana’ and ‘A nut!!’ One of the key creators of the South Louisiana swamp blues sound in the 1950’s Lester has often been imitated but never duplicated.”

11th to 27th August - Bridport’s Festival of Culture. A 17-day extravaganza highlighting Bridport’s art, culture, food and music and “a fantastic smorgasbord of visual arts, music, film, food, theatre, heritage, sport, dance, exhibitions, demonstrations and, above all, fun!”

12th August to 25th August - the Shanty Theatre Company presents The Rime of the Ancient Mariner at the Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis. “A family musical with wit, half-wits and a massive seagull! Join Shanty Theatre Company on an epic voyage with this entirely new re-imagining of the nautical classic, with storms, holy hermits, a ghostly galleon, silly sailors, live original music and an albatross with a passion for five-a-side football.” 

This is just a small selection of what’s happening in August – don’t forget to check out part two next week. If you plan to visit Dorset for your summer or autumn break, please contact us to book your accommodation in Dorset. We look forward to welcoming you and your family and friends here.

Off Road Driving in Dorset

In previous posts we’ve talked about hot air ballooning in Dorset and horse riding in Dorset, and for those of you that like your action with a bit more horse power we’re suggesting a few places for off-road driving experiences in Dorset.

Henley Hillbillies is 180 acre family farm where you can ride a quad bike and accelerate a mini out of the bends of a dirt track. The quad bike track is rugged terrain on 1½-mile track, complete with steep slopes, a water splash and mud hole (or dust bowl depending on the time of year!).

Off road karting at Thornicombe, Dorset. Enjoy some high speed, off road driving mayhem in this off road karting experience over courses with hairpin bends, chicanes, fast straights and corner slides.

Rally Driving Experience – a chance to drive a Subaru rally car on a purpose built test stage with a professional instructor.

Of course you don’t always need an engine to go off road – pedal power is just as good :-) This website has a wealth of information about mountain biking routes and tracks in Dorset; routes that will take you through forest plantations, along disused railway lines and along bridlepaths, up hills and down into valleys – often with stunning views of countryside and coastline.

Chesil Beach Lodge is perfectly located as a base for your off road driving experiences. 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.

Summer holiday activities for rainy days

This week we thought we would look ahead a little to the school summer holidays. Dorset is a fabulous place for a family holiday whatever the weather, but just in case you have a rainy day or two on your holiday, here are a few suggestions for fun-filled rainy-day activities for all the family.

The Tank Museum, Bovington has Tank Action Displays every weekday during the summer holidays with expert commentary, thundering engines and life-like explosions. These action displays take place outside but the museum also has six large halls where you can see a unique collection of tanks and supporting artefacts and learn about the stories of tanks and tank crews spanning almost 100 years of history.

At Bournemouth Aquarium you can take an underwater adventure around the waters of the world and come face to face with hundreds of awesome creatures. The aquarium is home to all your favourites from flamboyant clownfish and tiny terrapins, to stunning sharks and the infamous piranha. Immerse yourself in a sea of colour, with nine spectacular recreated environments including the Amazon, Africa and the Ganges, the Great Barrier Reef and the Abyss.

Family Fossil Days at Lyme Regis Museum (9th, 23rd and 25th August). Fossil hunters Paddy Howe, Chris Andrew and Brandon Lennon are at Lyme Regis Museum for mini fossil festivals in August. Cut and polish an ammonite and make it the most beautiful fossil of all time to take home. Handle 190-million-year-old treasures, ask questions and bring your own prized collection for identification.

4th and 5th August – Creep Crawly Bugfest at Abbotsbury Children’s Farm – meet tarantulas and all sorts of other bugs and beasties!

12th August (and 25th August) - The rime of the ancient marinerby the Shanty Theatre Company at the Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis. “A family musical with wit, half-wits and a massive seagull! Shanty Theatre Company has turned this well-known tale upside down and given it a good shake to see what comes out of its pockets.” Expect music, japes and a darn good yarn for all the family.

14th August - The Adventures of Perseus by Multi Story Theatre at Dorchester Arts. Using projection, puppetry, lightning-quick character changes and some pretty impressive physical action two professors tell the story of Perseus as a boy, with a story that takes us through all the twists and turns of how he sets out on his great quest to capture the head of Medusa, the snake haired Gorgon. Suitable for children aged 5 -11 and their families.

For a child friendly and eco-friendly holiday in the UK this summer, please see our website for more information about our bed and breakfast and self-catering accommodation.

What’s on in Dorset: July (Part 2)

Following on from last week’s post, here’s the second part of our pick of what’s on in Dorset in July.

15th July - Classics at the Castle Classic Car & Supercar Show at Sherborne Castle from 10am - 4pm. Over 1000 spectacular vehicles from veterans to supercars, the arrival of the veteran and classic car tours, motorsports and supercar displays, trade and club stands, autojumble, craft tents and children's entertainments.

17th to 28th July - 'The Comedy of Errors' by William Shakespeare at Priory House Gardens, Off Priory Car Park, Quay Road, Christchurch. The 34th annual open-air Shakespeare performance by the Bournemouth Shakespeare Players: a mad-cap, riotous comedy. Tickets and further details on 01202 534776. Adults £9, Concessions £7. 7.30pm start.

18th July - Open Air Theatre: Henry V at Castle Gardens, Sherborne Performed by the Illyria Theatre Company. Gates open at 6.15pm for the performance at 7.30pm. Adults £17.50, children £12.50.

21st to 22nd July - Art@Eype: an exhibition of work by many popular local artists at the Eype Centre for the Arts, Eype, Bridport. Open 10.30am to 5.30pm (4.30pm on Sunday). Entrance is free.

21st to 29th July - Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week. A week of fun, games, music and displays for all the family, including lots of fundraising activities to help save lives at sea, at various locations around Lyme Regis,
22nd July Glyndebourne Opera: ‘The Fairy Queen’ at the Electric Palace, Bridport. “Purcell’s intoxicating combination of words and music alternates elements of the plot of A Midsummer Night’s Dream with a variety of musical interludes. A magical brew has been concocted by director Jonathan Kent in inventive collaboration with designer Paul Brown”.

28th and 29th July Circus Skills Workshop at Abbotsbury Childrens Farm. Children can learn how to juggle and be a clown.

Here at Chesil Beach Lodge we offer a choice of wonderful 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 (Part 1)

Welcome to another month on the Chesil Beach Lodge blog. We hope you’re not too bedraggled after all the recent rain! With rainy weather in mind, later in the month we’ll be posting some ideas for rainy day activities in Dorset over the summer holidays. We’ll be starting the month with our usual pick of things to do in Dorset in July and because there’s a lot happening we’ll be spreading this over two weeks. Our last post of the month will give you some good ideas about where to go for 4x4 off roading experiences in Dorset.

Without further ado, here’s the first of our selections of things to do in Dorset in July.

6th to 8th July - Stevens Farm Charity Beer & Cider Festival Stevens Farm, Martinstown, Nr Dorchester. This year’s festival promises to be bigger and better than ever with a large range of beers and ciders, the best in local bands, a Family Fun Day (7th July) and of course the return of the Classic Vehicle Rally (7th and 8th July). The Beer and Cider Festival starts on Friday 6th July at 6pm.

6th July - Dorchester Arts Stand Up Comedy at Dorchester Corn Exchange. Stand Up Dorchester presents another great line-up of comedians. 8.15pm (doors and bar open at 7.15pm) £8/£6 concessions.

7th July – The annual Bridport Charter Fair is a “celebration of Bridport's Borough status being granted in 1253, during the reign of King Henry III.” There will be lots of stalls lining South Street, plus children’s fancy dress, a dog obedience display, bands, dancers, food, face painting and many other attractions. 9am to 4pm in South Street and Bucky Doo Square.

12th to 14th July the Olympic Torch Relay in Dorset. You can find full details of where you can greet the torch, plus local activities and celebrations, on the Dorset For You website.

13th to 15th July, the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival Tolpuddle. “Every July thousands of people come to Tolpuddle to celebrate trade unionism and to remember the sacrifice made by the six farm workers of the village. The festival is a popular mix of political discussion and speeches, great music to suit all tastes, entertainment for all the family and the traditional procession of banners, wreath laying and Methodist service.” Sunday 15th is Rally Day, with wreath laying at 1pm and procession at 2pm.

14th July Dorchester Arts presents The importance of Being Earnest: A welcome return for Cornwall’s Miracle Theatre with a wonderful new interpretation of Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy. Dorchester Maumbury Rings, 7.30pm.



14th July Uplyme and Lyme Regis Horticultural Society Summer Show Uplyme Village Hall and Field, Near Lyme Regis. Classes, stalls, train rides, dog show, music and refreshments. Entrance £1.50, 2pm to 5pm.

14th July, Ellingtonia at Bridport Arts Centre at 8pm. “The stunning Ellingtonia present a celebration of Duke Ellington’s extraordinary music of the 1920s, 30s and 40s: classic songs and great swing tunes performed with style and energy for a 21st century audience! With a nine-piece line-up of top musicians, the band makes a big sound. the front line features a growling trumpet, warm romantic trombone, the singing voice of the alto sax and the deep, dark sound of the baritone.”

14th July, A Midsummer Nights Opera at Eype Centre for the Arts. An operatic and picnic evening with a programme of opera classics and grand opera Soprano Virginia King. The evening will hear arias and ensembles from Don Giovanni, La Bohéme, Tosca, La Traviata, Eugene Onegin and Otello. There will also be art works by designer Gabriella Ghielmetti and stone carving by Anna Bowen on display.

If you’re planning a short break in July, 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.

Horse riding in Dorset

There are approximately 1700 bridleways in Dorset, and exploring Dorset’s beautiful countryside on horseback is a perfect way to enjoy the wonderful views and the peace and beauty of country lanes and countryside, wildflowers and wildlife, woodland and sandy beaches.

The Dorset For You website has useful information about Dorset’s trailways that have access for horses and riders, including:

The Castleman Trailway in East Dorset – approximately 29 kilometres of trailway taking you past important heathland, through forestry plantations and across rivers

The North Dorset Trailway – a gentle route along the route of the old Dorset and Somerset railway line that takes you through beautiful countryside and some of North Dorset’s lovely villages and towns

The Wessex Ridgeway - a ridge-top route with stunning views that crosses rural Dorset; starting at Tollard Royal and taking in chalk downs, hill forts, pretty villages and rolling farmland before ending at the seaside town of Lyme Regis

The Studland Riding Stables offers a wonderful variety of beach, forest, heath and coastal ridge riding experiences, and you can find details of other stables offering horse riding in West Dorset here.

Chesil Beach Lodge on the Jurassic Coast is ideally located as a base for exploring Dorset – whatever your means of transport J We offer you a very warm welcome and fantastic eco-friendly accommodation with amazing sea views, and with our local knowledge we can help you plan perfect days out for all the family. Please contact us and find out more about our eco-friendly self-catering accommodation in Dorset.

What’s on in Dorset: June

Welcome to the second of our posts covering some of the great events and attractions in Dorset this month. We hope you enjoyed the Jubilee weekend celebrations and, if you have children, that you all enjoyed the half term break.

16th June Siege of Lyme Thanksgiving Day, Lyme Regis. Join the re-enactment of the relief of the siege of Lyme in 1644. Join a parade through the town at 11am with the Taunton Garrison and townspeople as they relive one of Lyme’s proudest moments. Marching, drills, theatre and dance throughout the day at the Marine Parade Shelters.

16th June - Dorchester Carnival. Lots of fun for all with colourful stalls and live music all day, with the procession at 6pm and Soulside performing at 7pm.

22nd June - Who Saw Marjory Daw? at The Abbey House, Abbotsbury. A hilarious new summer play from The Rude Mechanical Theatre Company. Who Saw Marjory Daw is a "comic mystery" set in 1960s hippy London against a background of power politics, a dubious North African revolution and the Viet Nam war. Outdoor Theatre 7.30pm. Box Office 01323 501260.

23rd June to 1st July, the 17th annual Beaminster Festival – a festival of music and the arts. Festivities again take off with the popular Dancing in the Square on Saturday 23 June, to which everyone is invited, and continues with a programme of music, literary talks, open air theatre, exhibitions. and ends with The President’s Concert featuring the brilliant Academy of St. Martin in the Fields.

 23rd and 24th June, Axe Vale Gardening and Crafts Festival at The Showground, Axminster from 10am to 6 pm on Saturday 23rd and from 9.30 am to 5.30pm on Sunday 24th: floral marquee, horticultural show, live bands, crafts, and much more.

24th June, Coast to Coast Motorcycle Run: starts at 10am, Marine Parade, Lyme Regis. Westland Classic Motor Club's 23rd Annual Coast to Coast Run from Lyme Regis to Weston Super Mare.

27th June, Cold Comfort Farm performed by Bristol Old Vic Theatre Company at Digby Hall, Sherborne, 7.30pm. Tickets are available from Sherborne TIC. Telephone 01935 815341 for more information.

30th June, The Great Dorset Nettle Eating Competition, The George Inn, Chideock, between Lyme Regis and West Bay. Competitors have an hour to eat as many feet of stinging nettle stalks as possible – the winner is the person who has eaten the most! There will also be live music from The Mighty Bills, wood fired pizza and a host of other activities from midday right through till 11pm.

As always, Dorset will be packed full of exciting events and activities this summer so keep checking our blog for our regular updates on local events and activities, and 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.

Eco-friendly Father’s Day

Father’s Day is fast approaching so this week we thought we would give you a few suggestions for having an eco-friendly / green Father’s day with ideas for gifts and days out that won’t cost the earth.

How about an organic shaving cream from Dorset Health Shop, or a selection of natural skin care products such as aftershave cream, deodorant and shower gel from Anousta of Wimborne?

Buy organic or locally brewed beer or cider, such as those sold by Dorset Wine.
Children could surprise dad with a cup of tea and a slice of delicious Dorset Apple Cake, or a scone and a dollop of Dorset clotted cream, all available from Jaxsons of Bridport.

Or how about spending some quality time together on a walk in the countryside with a picnic packed full of delicious local produce such as cheeses, meats, relishes, chutneys and biscuits?

Membership of a local conservation membership is a long-lasting gift that really helps the environment. Membership benefits of Dorset Wildlife Trust includes three issues each year of the Dorset Wildlife newsletter, Natural World the national magazine of The Wildlife Trusts, plus three 3 issues of their events guide - packed with details of forthcoming events such as walks, talks, Wildlife Watch activities and volunteer work parties.

And last, but certainly not least, treat the dad in your life to a green holiday or short break. Here at Chesil Beach Lodge 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.

What’s on in Dorset: June

Welcome to the first of June’s posts on the Chesil Beach blog. We’ve been enjoying some really beautifully sunny days here in Dorset recently, and we hope you have too.

Are you looking forward to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations? Later in this post we’ll be telling you about some of our wonderful local celebrations for this coming weekend, as well as some of the many other events and activities in Dorset in June. It’s a busy month this month so we’ll be posting our selections for the first half of June today, including activities suitable for keeping children busy and happy over half term, and then posting our suggestions for the second half of June next week. Later in the month we’ll be posting some suggestions for a green Father’s Day, plus some suggestions for exploring Dorset on horseback.

But first, here’s the first instalment of our suggestions for things to do in Dorset in June.

1st to 5th June - Dorchester Festival: “five amazing days of international music, street theatre, film, comedy and outdoor performances.” Activities and events include West African music, Griot storytelling workshop,Insect Circus Museum, African Dance workshop and a Create a Gigantasaurus Parade.

And on Tuesday the 5th June, Dorchester Festival joins forces with Dorchester Town Council to host a day of iconic music from the six decades of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, from the fifties to the noughties, with sounds and images of key international, national and local events that have taken place during the Queen's reign.

2nd to 5th June - Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in Lyme Regis. Lyme Regis is celebrating in style with four days of celebrations which will include a civic parade, theatre shows, street parties, sporting events and a Jubilee Sunday lunch. See their Jubilee website for more details.

4th June - Queen’s Jubilee Special Country Fair at Sherborne Castle. Lots of activities for all the family, including a Local Food Hall, Dragon Boat racing, Big Top, Fair, rare breeds, sheep shearing, working horses, terrier racing and agility dog show. 10am to 6pm.

6th June – join the Dorset Wildlife Trust for a rockpool ramble at the best rockpooling site in Dorset. Short walk involved. Weather dependent. Meet at the WW2 Pillbox, Kimmeridge Bay (Map ref. SY 907792). Fee £1.50 children/ £3.00 adults. For more information contact 01929 481044.

7th and 8th June – children 8 years and over can learn and improve their climbing skills on the indoor climbing wall at Purbeck Sports Centre, Wareham. The 25ft wall comprises of 6 different climbs suitable for all ages and abilities.  1.30pm to 3.30pm, £7.90 (includes all equipment). Contact 01929 50 00 00 for more information.

8th June– a family event celebrating World Oceans Day with Dorset Wildlife Trust. Celebrate World Oceans Day and learn about responsible fishing and seafood preparation with a local fisherman. This is a free event on Poole Quay (11am to 3pm) with lots of activities for children, and seafood available to buy.

9th to 10th June - West Dorset Vintage Rally, Britt Valley Camping Ground, West Bay, from 9am to 5pm. Displays include vintage vehicle parades, ring displays, steam engines, market stalls and more. Bar and refreshments available.

9th to 16th June Dorset Wildflower Week – lots of guided walks and activities to help you identify and enjoy Dorset’s beautiful wild flowers in beautiful scenery.

10th to 17th June Bridport Food Festival – lots to choose from in this week-long event, including a seafood festival, a tour of Palmers Brewery, an Indian cookery master class, and Bridport Beer Festival.

A warm welcome and a sustainable holiday in the beautiful county of Dorset awaits you this summer, so please contact us and find out more about our self-catering accommodation in Dorset.

Hot air ballooning in Dorset

Dorset’s spectacular coastline and beautiful countryside offers not only the chance for amazing walks and days out, but also some truly amazing views over sea and countryside.

Take a trip to Golden Cap (the highest point on the Jurassic Coast); the Iron Age hill fort at Eggardon; Pilsdon Pen which is only 30 metres short of being a mountain and has views over the Marshwood Vale landscape; or Ballard Down with its views over the Dorset Heaths, Poole Harbour and Old Harry Rocks - and you’ll see just what we mean.

To get a bird’s eye view of some of Dorset’s wonderful viewpoints and scenery why not try something a little different and take a trip in a hot air balloon?

Aerosaurus Balloons offers balloon flights from Sherborne and Shaftesbury, flying within the Crewkerne / Bruton / Warminster / Blandford area. The flight from Sherborne takes you over medieval buildings, the Abbey, the famous historic Sherborne Castle built by Sir Walter Raleigh, views of unspoilt heathland, the river Store and the Blackmore Vale.

The flights from Shaftesbury offer views of Shaftesbury’s famous steep cobbled Gold Hill (used in the Hovis bread advertisements), rolling countryside, the breathtaking Blackmore Vale, the Fovant Badges and across to the West Wiltshire Downs.

On both flights you can often see Weston Super Mare and The Severn Bridge to the north, Poole and Bournemouth to the southeast and Chesil Beach and Lyme Bay to the south.

Whether you choose to explore Dorset’s wonderful views on foot or by balloon, Chesil Beach Lodge is perfectly located. A warm welcome and a sustainable holiday in the beautiful county of Dorset awaits you this summer, so why not contact us and find out more about our eco-friendly self-catering accommodation in Dorset.

Seven family days out for half term

If you’re looking for something to do over this coming half term, here are a few suggestions from the many activities that Dorset has to offer – whatever the weather.

Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park, near Poole, Dorset: a fun-filled day whatever the weather with a mix indoor and outdoor play and hands-on activities.

Moors Valley Country Park and Forest 10 miles north of Bournemouth. “At Moors Valley there is something for everyone…whether you want to enjoy a peaceful walk or cycle ride through the Forest, experience a ride on an authentic narrow-gauge steam train or even Go Ape on a high wire forest adventure swinging through the tree tops.”

Dorset Teddy Bear Museum, Dorchester. “The Dorset Teddy Bear Museum is Dorchester's unmissable family museum with Edward Bear and his family of people-sized bears in Teddy Bear House. From the earliest antique teddy bears, to today's TV favourites, they are all waiting to greet you in this enchanting Teddy Bear Museum. Open seven days a week.”

Brownsea Island Nature Reserve has diverse habitats & wildlife, including a red squirrel population.  The reserve is leased from the National Trust and situated in Poole Harbour with a large sheltered lagoon; particularly important for overwintering & summer breeding birds.  Spend the day exploring its flooded woodland, lakes, reed bed & pine woods. Open daily 10am till 5pm.


Corfe Castle model village and gardens - Corfe Castle itself was destroyed by Cromwell’s troops during the Civil War but at Corfe Castle Model Village you can step back in time to the year 1646 and see the castle and ancient village faithfully restored at 1/20th scale.

Swanage Railway  an award-winning standard gauge preserved steam railway. Visitors can experience a unique journey through six miles of beautiful scenery passing the magnificent ruins of Corfe Castle.


Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre, Wareham, Dorset, assists governments around the world to stop the smuggling of primates from the wild. Refugees of this illegal trade, as well as those that have suffered abuse or neglect, are rehabilitated into natural living groups. You can see gibbons, chimpanzees, orang-utans, woolly monkeys, marmosets, tamarins, and many more.

Dorset is a fabulous place for a half-term holiday, with lots of activities and days out to choose from. To book your family-friendly and eco-friendly half-term holiday in Dorset, please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming your family to Chesil Beach Lodge.

Jurassic Coast Earth Festival

The Jurassic Coast Earth Festival 2012 promises to be an exciting and inspiring celebration of England’s only natural World Heritage Site – the 95 miles of truly stunning coastline between Exmouth and Swanage. 

From May to September there’s a wide range of fascinating and inspiring events to take part in “that fuse science with art to give us a new way of seeing where we fit into the history of time”.

Here’s just a taste of what’s on offer…

Have a Go at stone masonry at the Lulworth Heritage Centre. Work with Anna Bowen to design and carve your own work of art from a small piece of Jurassic stone. Attend one of four half-day sessions, all tools provided. Open to all the family; minimum age 10.

Dawn Chorus Breakfast at Axe Estuary Wetlands - a guided walk around the nature reserve to hear the melodic and sometimes haunting sounds of our spring songsters.

Jurassic Coast family fun days - three days of free family activities at the Salt House in West Bay. You can work on a large scale piece of art with a community artist, and enjoy lots of craft activities to discover more about your natural environment.

Focus on Fossils photography workshop - Ben Osborne (Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2007) will brief you before taking you along the Jurassic Coast at Lyme to photograph the stunning cliffs and limestone pavements embedded with large ammonites.

Rock Around the Coast - a series of walks offering an exceptional opportunity to learn about the unique geology, spectacular landforms, diverse wildlife and rich history of the Jurassic Coast, and the people that work to preserve and promote it.

26 and 7 Bones – Sue Palmer and Sally Watkins investigate how a range of people, working along the Jurassic seaboard use their hands and feet to engage or connect with their immediate surroundings and the broader landscape. These include: a blacksmith, hedge-layer, herbalist, coastguard, archaeologist, free-diver, foot surgeon, sculptor, embroiderer and runner.

Landance - a large scale participatory project working with individuals and youth and community groups in West Dorset, and culminating in spectacular contemporary dance performances at the iron age hill fort at Eggardon Hill.

Haven’s Big Green Weekend at Sandy Bay, Exmouth - celebrate wildlife, the natural environment and all things ‘Eco’ with a range of green activities brought to you by representatives from the local Wildlife Trust and other organisations. Events include guided wildlife walks, stalls showcasing local produce and arts and crafts. You can also find out how to have a greener holiday, and take part in fossil rubbing orienteering!

For more details, and for the full programme of events, please see the Earth Festival website.

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 many fantastic Earth Festival events.

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

A local attraction: Nothe Fort

Built between 1860 and 1872, Nothe Fort is one of Britain’s finest Victorian forts. Located at the entrance to Weymouth Harbour it offers visitors spectacular views over the picturesque harbour and the Jurassic Coast.
The fort is built on three levels and has a labyrinth of underground passageways that are filled with displays, enormous guns, and cinema areas that chart the history of the fort. Although the fort has a long history it did not play an active role against an enemy until World War 2 when Britain faced the dangers of attack from the air.
On alternate Sundays throughout the year visitors to the fort can also see the Nothe Fort Artillery in full artillery uniforms and watch their musketry and firing skills.

According to legend the fort has a resident ghost and in 2007 the fort was voted one of the spookiest locations in the UK. So don’t forget to keep a look out for the ghost of the whistling gunner while you’re finding your way around the labyrinth of passage ways – even staff members sometimes refuse to go to some areas of the fort on their own!

A visit to the fort is a great day out for all the family. Ramps and lifts have been installed for those with mobility problems. The site has a shop, WW2 canteen, the newly refurbished Gun Deck Restaurant, and picnic areas with wonderful views. Dogs are welcome providing they are kept on a lead and supervised at all times.
Summer opening times: open daily from 31st March to 31st October, 10:30am to 5:30pm.

Chesil Beach Lodge is perfectly located as a base to explore Dorset’s fascinating 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 accommodation in Dorset – we very much look forward to seeing you here.

What’s on in Dorset: May

Welcome to a rather wet and windy May! We hope April wasn’t too much of a wash-out for you. It’s hard to believe that much of England has been given official drought status over the past few weeks.

We’ll be posting some suggestions for half-term activities later in the month and until then here’s our usual pick of what’s on in May in Dorset.

4th to 6th May The Lyme Regis Fossil Festival - in a full programme of activities you’ll be able to meet scientists from the Natural History Museum, sieve for sharks’ teeth (and keep what you find!); see the giant mechanised Jurrasic sea lizard that’s touring Dorset this summer, and join Onboard for a highly entertaining ‘flight’ with Jurassic Airlines along the Dorset and East Devon coastline and through hyperspace to other spectacular World Heritage Sites. The Fossil Festival programme offers much more so we highly recommend looking at the programme of events on their website.

4th to 7th May - Flower Festival at St. Mary’s Church, Beaminster, to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee. Telephone 01308 862876 or email a.barham1957@btinternet.com for more information.

4th to 8th May Sherborne Abbey Music Festival presents another wonderful series of musical events this year, including artists Lesley Garrett and Emma Johnson appearing together in a specially devised programme for the soprano voice. You can also see the Tallis Scholars, Bath Camerata and Francesco Attesti.

6th May - Dorset Knob Throwing and Frome Valley Food Festival at Cattistock, near Dorchester, 10am-4pm. Adults £2 Under 12s Free. Lots of family fun and entertainment with demonstrations and contests.

12th May Dorchester Arts presents Blues / American with Bill Sheffield and Dave Saunders. This live concert contains elements of many genres: blues, folk, country and gospel – “honest, gutsy, passionate, an evening orchestrated by Bill promises to be an unforgettable musical experience”.

25th to 27th May - Lyme Regis Jazz, Blues and Beer Festival promises great music, terrific food and friendly people.  “So if you haven’t been before, make 2012 the year you boogie on down to Dorset for friendly hospitality and a relaxing, foot tapping (and maybe even some dancing!) weekend.

26th May to 10th June Dorset Art Weeks: a chance to view and purchase some wonderful examples of sculptures, furniture and woodcrafts, paintings and drawings, jewellery, and photography.

If you plan to visit our beautiful county for your next holiday, 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 welcoming you and your family to Dorset.

Dorset’s unusual place names

Like many parts of the UK, Dorset has its fair share of strange, and sometimes amusing, place names.

Here are a few of the most memorable:

Happy Bottom near Corfe Mullen, Wimborne

Scratchy Bottom, a cliff-top valley near Durdles Door. Scratchy Bottom is one of the locations in the 1967 film Far from the Madding Crowd.

Shitterton near Bere Regis. In 2010, residents of Shitterton got so frustrated with their village sign being repeatedly stolen that they replaced it with an enormous stone sign weighing over a tonne.

Piddletown (changed to Puddletown), a parish and town on the river Piddle. There’s even a Piddle Ale brewed by the Dorset Piddle Brewery in Piddlehinton. Could you muster the courage to ask for a pint of Piddle in the Piddle Inn? In Old English, ‘Piddle’ was the word for a marsh or fen.

Droop – a hamlet in mid Dorset.

Lilliput, a district of Poole

Ryme Intrinseca, a village in the north west of Dorset, near the border with Somerset. The village has a 13th century church.

Wool, a village in the Purbeck area of Dorset. The 17th century Woolbridge Manor House is where Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Ubervilles stayed on her honeymoon.

If you’re planning to visit some of Dorset’s wonderfully-named locations and villages this summer, don’t forget to book your bed and breakfast accommodation in Dorset or self catering accommodation in Dorset as soon as possible. We look forward to welcoming you here.

Tips for an eco-friendly Easter

Millions of Easter eggs will be sold and consumed this Easter, producing tonnes of cardboard, plastic and foil. The most obvious way towards making Easter a little more environmentally friendly is to recycle the waste from your Easter eggs and Easter gifts: but it’s easy to do more, and so here are a few tips to help make your Easter as eco-friendly as possible..

Buy unboxed Easter eggs (and buy eggs in recycled packaging).

Make your own Easter eggs with a mould and some chocolate.

Buy chocolate eggs from ethical chocolate companies and those that stock Fairtrade chocolate. Dorset-based company Chococo sells handmade dinosaur chocolate Easter eggs with chocolate dinosaurs & ammonites nestled inside. They also have the Giant Jurassic Half Kilo Bar of chocolate studded with white & dark chocolate Jurassic coast "fossils".

If you’re cooking a family Easter meal use organic locally-sourced ingredients where possible.

Give non-chocolate gifts – for example, you could make up a child’s gardening kit with a small watering can and easy to grow seeds such as sunflowers, sweet peas and nasturtiums. Many wild flower seeds are best sown in the autumn, but some can be sown in spring and will attract bees and butterflies later in the year. Dorset Wildlife Trust has useful information on how to create a wildflower meadow.

Get crafty and make your own Easter decorations:

make an Easter basket from fabric scraps;

re-use egg cartons to make Easter egg carton chicks;

create an Easter garland made from paint samples;

make your own decorated Easter eggs using natural dyes or masking tape, and put them in papier-mâché nests.

Make your Easter break an eco-friendly one and stay in a location that supports sustainable tourism. 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. Please contact us for more details, or to book accommodation.

What’s on in Dorset: April

So, April is here and we’re keeping our fingers tightly crossed for more of the lovely weather we had in March. Enough rain to keep the countryside looking green and lovely would be perfect, but not a month of April Showers thank you very much. At Chesil Beach Lodge we’re also looking forward to welcoming our visitors for the Easter holidays.

As always for the beginning of a new month we have a few suggestions for things to do in Dorset in April. Coming up later in the month we have tips for how to have an eco-friendly Easter and some examples of Dorset’s unusual place names.

4th April Easter Family Fun Day at Lyme Regis Museum. Get creative with Alison Bowskill. From Easter chicks to first swallows, birds will be everywhere! Drop into the museum to make and decorate your own Easter bird to take and hang up at home. Free admission for adults and children, and free art materials. Suitable for children ages 5 to 10 years. 11am to 3pm

6th to 9th April: a family day out on the Easter Trail at Highcliffe Castle. “Find the Easter chicks hidden in the Castle grounds, answer the questions and win an Easter egg prize: fun way to spend your Easter weekend and enjoy the Castle’s beautiful grounds whilst you search for the Easter chicks. 11am to 4pm daily. £1 per trail.6th to 9th April Kingston Maurward Easter Egg-stravaganza at Kingston Maurward Gardens and Animal Park. This annual Easter Egg Hunt is set to be full of egg-citement again this year with fun for all the family. Search for clues around the Animal Park to claim your chocolate egg prize. Visit the Easter chicks and bunnies in the animal park, have fun feeding the sheep and goats, get up close to alpacas, and meet all the farmyard friends.The Animal Park has recently become a member of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Bring a picnic, take a walk through the beautiful gardens, and relax by the lake. Gates are open from 10am-4pm.

7th April – celebrate 40 years of “making waves” at the Greenpeace 40th Birthday Gig, at the Corn Exchange, Dorchester, with Thomas and the Mock Ups, plus DJ Mixed Bag and DJ Uncle Allen. There will also be foyer films on 40 years of Inspiring Action. 8pm to midnight .Tickets are £4: available from Dorchester TIC. All proceeds go to Greenpeace. Telephone 01305 267992 or 01305 262908 for more details.

8th April Pirate Day at the Nothe Fort, Weymouth. Treasure Trails, Pirate Ghost Walk, Face Painting, Cannon Firing, Crafts and Fancy Dress Competition. There will also be a mock battle between the Nothe Fort Artillery and the pirates with lots of smoke, gun fire and shouting. £5 for everyone, including activities (Under 3's Free) 10 am to 4.30pm.

11th to 15th April at the Electric Palace, Bridport, From Page to Screen Festival 2012. From Page to Screen is the UK's only film festival celebrating the art of adapting books into film. The festival gives new and classic adaptations a fascinating context with discussions and workshops with authors, screenwriters, directors and film academics. Films include The Forbidden Planet, My Fair Lady, Women in Love, Wuthering Heights, The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, and 10 Things I Hate About You.15th April The Great Dorset Beach Clean. Volunteers are invited to get active and clean up our wonderful Dorset beaches, and help the survival of onshore wildlife as well as marine creature that are affected by our rubbish floating out to sea. All equipment is provided.

21st April to 10th June The Romantic Landscape Exhibition, Sladers Yard, West Bay, Bridport: new work by artists who find a kind of truth in the beauty and poetry of the contemporary landscape.

28th April Magic Drum Workshop at Dorchester Arts Centre. “A drum circle is an improvised musical journey skillfully facilitated by Ralph Cree and Glyn Bush of Magic Drum. This musical event is suitable for all ages and abilities, and is aimed at bringing the community together. It’s not just for drummers - it’s open to anyone who would like to have a day creating music. Drums and percussion are provided, but if you have a drum or some percussion instrument please bring it with you.

These activities and events are just a small sample from the many that Dorset has to offer in April. If you plan to visit Dorset, don’t forget to book accommodation in Dorset as soon as possible. At Chesil Beach Lodge you can be sure of superb accommodation with amazing views, and a friendly welcome. We look forward to hearing from you.