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.