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?