Events in Dorset

Events in Dorset sets out to list the many and varied activities that occur in this beautiful county.

Dorset is largely a very rural county with lovely villages and towns, walks or cycleways that traverse lovely countryside. On its southern border is the Jurrassic coast and the pleasant seaside towns of Bournemouth and Weymouth, with the smaller pearl of Dorset - Lyme Regis on its Devon border. Dorchester is the capital.

February

20th Blackmore Vale Half Marathon Race and 5.25 Mile Fun Run. will be held on Sunday 5th February 2012. Starts and finishes at The Bishops Caundle Playing Fields which is on the A3030 Sherborne to Stuminster Newton road.

Jurassic Jog Training Ride The Endurance GB Wessex Group present this horse ride on 26th February 2012.

April

Bournemouth Bay Run 2012 1st April. British Heart Foundation. 5k, 10k or half marathon from Bournemouth Pier, along the sea front and into the surrounding areas. Register now for this popular event.

Easter Bonnet Parade, Lyme Regis Always fun! Make a lovely Easter bonnet - be judged at the Baptist Church Hall - you never know you could win first prize! Proudly parade your bonnet through the streets of Lyme Regis with brass band playing! 8th April 2012.

Lulworth Castle Ride this horse riding event will be held on 15th April 2012. Sadly the event has been cancelled for this year.

May

Shaftesbury Feastival will be held on 5th May 2012. A celebration of local produce in the Blackmore Vale. Very tasty!

Lyme Regis Fossil Festival 1st to 6th May 2012. Lyme Regis and Charmouth. The Jurassic coast is famous for its fossils and this is a chance to find out so much more about the creatures these fossils once were. Launches the Earth Festival.

The Jurrassic Coast Earth Festival. This interesting and unusual festival is between 4th May and 9th September 2012 launched by the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival and followed by several other events during this time.

Jurassic Beast Sportive 13th May 2012. Starting at The National Tank Museum, Bovington. This is a breathtaking (in both senses!) event - a cycle ride along the stunning Jurassic coast. Epic route is 101 miles, the standard is 66 miles. Fun is 42 miles.

Cerne Giant RideThis horse ride takes place on 20th May 2012 in the vicinity of the Cerne Giant.

Bournemouth Sportive will be held on 27th May 2012. A superb ride through Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire. Epic 100 miles of cycling, standard 70 miles. Starts in Poole.

Poole Festival of Running is being held on Sunday 27th May 2012 in Poole Park. This is one for everyone. Plenty of entertainment as well.

July

Hardy's Ride This horse riding event starts at Winterbourne Steepleton, near Dorchester on 1st July 2012, includes a Pleasure Ride.

Larmer Tree Festival will be held between 11th to 15th July 2012 at Larmer Tree Gardens near Salisbury.

Swanage Regatta and Carnival will be held this year from 28th July to 4th August 2012. A WOW Carnival complete with fireworks.

August

Lyme Regis Carnival will be held August 4th - 12th 2012 Plenty of great events in a delightful town. Lyme Regis is the Pearl of Dorset

Weymouth Carnival will be held on 15th August 2012.

Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show is on 15th August 2012.

Bournemouth Air Festival Date not yet advised. Bournemouth is a beautiful seaside location and the display is FREE.

Sturminster Newton Carnival Date not yet advised. It is part of the West Country carnivals circuit. Sturminster Newton is in the Blackmore Vale.

Tarrant Hinton hosts the The Great Dorset Steam Fair. and the National Heritage Show will be held 29th August - 2nd September 2012. All in all it is considered the leading show of its kind in the world!

Includes Music Festival

Candles on the Cobb Twinkling lights on the Cobb - magical - Torchlight Procession. 27th August 2012.

September

Dorset County Show will be held this year on 1st & 2nd September 2012 on the outskirts of Dorchester. There are a 1,000 competitions including Horses & Ponies, Cattle, Sheep, Pigs, Goats, Horticulture, Homecraft, Rabbits, Farm Produce, Showjumping, Blacksmiths, Honey & Bee.

Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival 8th and 9th September 2012 - 10am to 5pm

The Piddle Ride The name refers to the village and the river that runs through it! This horse ride will be held on 9th September 2012.

Berwick St John Country Fair is run every two years. In 2012 it will be held on 15th and 16th September. This is a working show with tractors and steam engines from all over the country and Europe.

Shaftesbury Carnival, part of the West Country carnivals circuit. will be held on 29th September 2012 at 7pm.

October

Gillingham Carnival is part of the West Country carnivals circuit. The main Carnival Procession will be held on Saturday 6th October 2012 at 7.30pm.

Studland Stampede Sunday 14th October 2012 starting at 10am. Distance 12km over flat and scenic terrain. In aid of the National Trust. Entries are now open and the closing date is 1st October.

RNLI Michaelmass Fair will be held at Port Regis, near Shaftesbury - Thursday 25th October 2pm to 4pm and on Friday 26th October between 10am and 4pm.

November

Fireworks on Poole Quay 2012 date to be advised. See and hear the Street Entertainers all the along the Quay. Followed at 8pm by the magic of Fireworks.

Anyone with events in Dorset who would like to list their event here please contact us via the Feedback form, we would love to hear from you. The event should have its own website so that our visitors can find you and obtain more information.

The events in Dorset should be capable of attracting crowds, large village fete size and above, similar to those listed here. Posting events on this page is free.

Our observations show that Travel Wessex's main visitors are those that love walking, cycling, horse riding and other like minded pursuits, but we welcome all attractions as we have many other visitors as well that we love to cater for.

We reserve the right not to include events in Dorset that are not suitable for legal or other reasons.

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