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.
Monday 23 July 2012
Monday 16 July 2012
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.
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.
Monday 9 July 2012
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
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
Monday 2 July 2012
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)