A local attraction: Hardy’s Monument

Hardy’s Monument is not, as you might expect, a monument in memory of the writer Thomas Hardy: this huge 72 foot high monument was in fact erected in 1844 in memory of Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, Flag-Captain of the HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.

Hardy lived at Portesham House at the bottom of Goose Hill in the village of Portesham. His monument stands on the summit of Blackdown Hill within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; overlooking the village of Portesham and far beyond. It commands wonderful panoramic views over the Dorset Downs out to the Jurassic Coast, and on a fine day it’s possible to see as far the Isle of Wight Needles approximately 50 miles away.

The Hardy Monument is now owned by the National Trust and has recently undergone major restoration. It has been closed during this refurbishment, but is expected to reopen soon, when visitors will be able to climb to the top of the monument via the 84 steps inside.

The area around the monument is perfect for walking and enjoying the spectacular views and the tranquillity and beauty of the Dorset countryside.

If you’re considering visiting Dorset this spring, please contact us to book accommodation in Dorset, or for more information about our self-catering apartments and bed and breakfast accommodation.

An eco-friendly Valentine’s Day in Dorset

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, love is in the air and for many of you your thoughts are turning to romance and the perfect Valentine’s Day gift or celebration. Here are a few suggestions to make it an environmentally friendly day, with a bit of a Dorset slant J

Valentine’s Day cards

Make your own, or choose bought ones made of recycled paper

Download a free Valentine’s Day card from Dorset Wildlife Trust

Support a local business and buy a handmade Valentine’s Day card from Dorset-based Nita Joy Designs.

Valentine’s Day gifts

Give a recycled, ethical, sustainable, eco-friendly gift.

Green Heart Gifts in Dorset has natural, handmade, recycled and Fairtrade items, including handmade soap that is made without palm oil.

Adopt a Brownsea Island red squirrel for £18 a year, from the Dorset Wildlife Trust.

Buy handmade chocolates from Dorset-based ethical chocolate makers Chococo. Chococo use local Dorset produce as much as possible and where they can't go local, they try to source ethically produced ingredients.

Buy gifts made by local craftspeople. Walford Mill Crafts, Wimborne, Dorset, has work by contemporary designers and makers, many from Dorset and the surrounding counties. A wide range is available including, ceramics, wood, textiles, jewellery, glass and metalwork.

Search Dorset markets and antique shops for old characterful poetry books – for example a beautiful edition of love poems, or a collection by one of the romantic poets such as Byron, Shelley or Wordsworth.

Valentine’s Day flowers

Whether you’re ordering flowers online, or buying them at your local florist, make sure they carry the Fairtrade mark. To meet Fairtrade standards, flower farms must meet basic labour and environmental standards and must commit to ongoing improvements which are regularly monitored by FLO-CERT, the independent Fairtrade certification body.

A potted plant for the garden makes a lovely gift and will last much longer than cut flowers.

If you have a garden with evergreen hedges and shrubs you could make your own bouquet with a difference with greenery from your garden, and origami flowers made from recycled paper – a real labour of love!

Or how about this DIY eco-friendly newspaper bouquet?

Ask your florist for a locally-grown flower bouquet. Seasonal locally grown flowers might be few and far between in February, but it doesn’t hurt to ask your local florist what they have available (options might include amaryllis, daffodil, hyacinth, snowdrops, crocus, violet)

Choose eco-friendly sustainable accommodation for your romantic break.

And of course Chesil Beach Lodge is your perfect location for this.

You can be even more eco-friendly on your romantic break by reducing your carbon footprint and staying local and using local transport. Our blog has lots of advice and suggestions for activities and places to go in Dorset, and we’re always happy to advise our guests about local attractions and local transport.

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

Things to do in Dorset over half term

Half term is almost upon us, so we thought we’d share a few suggestions for things to do to keep everyone busy and entertained during half term week.

On 13th February Artsreach presents Travels with Granddad by Pickled Image puppetry, at the Memorial Hall, Sturminster Marshall at 3.30pm. “Meet Granddad, eccentric traveller and storyteller extraordinaire. Enter his battered Bedouin tent to hear magical tales of adventure in real and imaginary worlds. Evocative sound, light and exquisite puppetry create a classic performance, enthralling and delighting the whole family. Additional dates and locations in February are available for this show.

13th to 16th February - Half-term activities at Highcliffe Castle (aimed at Primary School aged children) Fun Victorian themed crafts to keep the children amused during half term. The activities take place between 11am and 4pm daily in the Castle's Wintergarden. There is no need to book, just pop in during those times. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Plus you can have a go at the Country House Trail, an entertaining free trail around the Castle rooms.

Each day the following crafts will be on offer:

Monday - Peg Characters

Tuesday – Mini Puppet Theatres

Wednesday – Jack in the Boxes

Thursday – Paper People

Adult Admission to the Castle is £3, plus £2 per craft.

14th to 18th February - Lyme Regis Pantomime Society’s “Little Red Riding Hood” at the Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis. With panto jokes galore, and a chorus that sings and dances its way through the story, helped along by the small dancers from the ‘Lyme School of Ballet’, this is a fun show for all the family. 7.30pm on the 14th to 17th February. 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday 18th February. Tickets cost£7.50 (Concessions £4.00).

15th to 17th February - Go wild this half term with Dorset Wildlife Trust’s nature-based activities at Lorton Meadows and Kingcombe. At Kingcombe, children can go on a sensory walk to gather colours, textures and impressions to create something to wear, play with or simply gaze at, using techniques such as weaving, braiding, whittling or feltmaking. Parents are encouraged to join in too. At Lorton Meadows, children will make their very own mini nature reserve or discover how birds make their nests, plus take part in games, art and craft.

17th February - Make and create a puppet show creative workshop, at the Dorchester Arts Centre, lead by professional puppeteers from Bridport company Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Company. Discover how they create the puppets used in their shows, make your own unique puppet and learn the skills to bring it to life in this one-day workshop. All materials will be provided. 10am - 3pm. Please bring packed lunches. Tickets cost £20 / £23 with a ticket for the show Muttnik – The First Dog in Space. To book phone: 01305 266926.

Visit Oceanarium aquarium in Bournemouth. There’s lots to see, including sharks, turtles, otters, stingrays, octopus, piranhas, clownfish, and puffer fish. Oceanarium is open daily from 10am.

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

For a child friendly and eco-friendly holiday in the UK over half term, please see our website for more information about our bed and breakfast and self-catering accommodation. And don’t forget we’re offering three nights for the price of two for new enquiries during February (Sunday to Thursday inclusive). We look forward to welcoming you and your family here.

What’s on in Dorset: February

Welcome to the first of February’s posts from Chesil Beach Lodge.

This month we’ll be kicking off as usual with a selection of highlights of things to do in Dorset throughout the coming month. Later in the month we’ll have some ideas for activities during half-term week, and some suggestions to help you have an eco-friendly Valentine’s Day.

Before we get started on our highlights for the month, we would like to let you know about our special offer for February. All this month we have a special offer for new enquiries of three week nights for the price of two (Sunday to Thursday inclusive (except half term week): perfect for a romantic break for Valentine’s Day or a short holiday with family and friends.

11th February, an 80s Disco with DJ Notorious TOG at the Lyme Regis Football Club, Davey Fort Ground, Charmouth Road, Lyme Regis. Bar, drinks specials, free entry.

16th February Comedy Club Roger Monkhouse at the Powell Theatre, Sherborne. “Roger is a regular headline act at such places as the Comedy Store and Jongleurs and one of the writers for 8 out of 10 cats. 8.30pm. Tickets £8.

17th February Bella Hardy at the The Electric Palace. Bella Hardy has been nominated three times in the BBC Folk Awards. She “is one of the finest young folk acts around, singing unaccompanied ballads, or entwining her hypnotic voice with her own fiddle accompaniment to breath-taking effect. Her songs touch on both the fantastical, storytelling elements of Kate Bush and the lovelorn song writing craft of Carole King, ranging in subject matter from fairy tales to English working class history via childhood nostalgia, myths, murder and the human condition.” Tickets £12.50 / Doors open 7.30pm- Starts 8.30pm

18th February Jazz with the John Law Trio at the Dorchester Arts Centre: “one of the most stunning rhythm sections currently working in Europe.” The John Law Trio present some of the best original material from John’s acclaimed Art of Sound trio as well as some of the most beautiful and melodic tunes from the standard jazz repertoire. 8pm (doors and bar 7.30pm). Tickets £10 / £8 under 18s and concessions.

25 February Snowdrop Day at Hilfield Friary, Dorchester, with Br.Vincent. Explore the beautiful grounds of Hilfield Friary. Bring a packed lunch. Donations to the National Garden Scheme. For information and to book: 01300 341741.

25th February Purbeck Big Band Concert at The Corn Exchange, Dorchester. 7.30pm.

At Chesil Beach Lodge we offer a choice of wonderful bed and breakfast and self-catering accommodation, in a stunning location on the Jurassic Coast, and within easy travelling distance of many fantastic local events. Please contact us for more details, or to book accommodation.