WHAT’S ON
What’s on
All listings are correct at the time of publication. Please check with the venue before you visit in case anything has changed. DIARY DATES
Daily Gruffalo Trail at Moors Valley Celebrate Gruffalo’s 25th birthday with interactive trail and partythemed activities and games. £4 per activity pack. www.moors-valley.co.uk/summer Daily from 9 Sep Castle Critters Family Quest at Corfe Castle Join in with this family quest to find the hidden critters that call the castle home. FREE, normal admission applies. www.bit.ly/CorfeCastleEvents Every Mon during term Nature Tots at Studland Bay Volunteer led group for parents and carers with nature inspired activities for children aged up to 5 years. FREE. No booking required. www.bit.ly/NTStudland Every Fri Artisan Crafts at Corfe Castle Artisan volunteers displaying heritage crafts such as stone carving, wood carving wattle daubing and more. FREE with normal admission. www.bit.ly/CorfeCastleEvents
SEPTEMBER Fri 6 Sep & Fri 4 Oct The Story Tram at Seaton Tramway Adventure through the worlds of super stories and tall tales, onboard ‘The Story Tram.’ www.tram.co.uk Sat 7 Sep Seaton Carnival Procession Illuminated carnival procession through Seaton. www.seaton.gov.uk Sat 7 Sep & Sat 28 Sep Stagazing at Durlston Country Park View Saturn and the Autumn constellations at the Learning Centre 7.30pm, £4. www.durlston.co.uk Sat-Sun 7-8 Sep Civil War Re-enactment Weekend at Corfe Castle Living history displays from authentic cooking and leatherwork to herbalists and coinmakers. Each day will culminate in a battle re-enactment. FREE with normal admission. www.bit.ly/CorfeCastleEvents FREE Entry to Hardy Monument Visitors will be able to climb to top of monument for FREE as part of Heritage Open Day festival. Booking required. www.bit.ly/NTHardy
10 Families Dorset
Dorset County Show Celebrate rural life with heavy horse logging, steam engine, action horse displays, pony races and more. www.dorsetcountyshow.co.uk Sat 7 Sep to Sun 15 Sep FREE Open Days at Max Gate Visit Max Gate for free access to the home of Thomas Hardy as part of the Heritage Open Week. www.bit.ly/NTMaxGate Thu 12 Sep FREE Heritage Open Day at Highcliffe Castle Free entry to celebrate Heritage Open Day. www.highcliffecastle.co.uk
Nature & Wellbeing Festival in Swanage FREE family activities, live music and community stalls. Think snakes, bees, wildlife conservation, sustainability and more. www.planetpurbeck.org
Fri 13 Sep to Sun 15 Sep FREE Heritage Open Days at Portland House Enjoy free entry to this National Trust historic property which is not usually open to public. www.bit.ly/NTPortlandHouse
Sat-Sun 21-22 Sep Dorset Bird Festival at RSPB Arne Weekend of bird-themed activities including bird ringing demos, binocular and scope demos, guided walk, cider tasting, local food and more. www.bit.ly/RSPBArne
Sat 14 Sep FREE Heritage Open Day at Upton Country Park Free entry to explore the ground floor of Upton House with a guided tours by history students. www.uptoncountrypark.com
Sun 22 Sep Glass Engraving Workshop at Durlston Country Park Learn this fascinating craft for adults and children ages 8+. At the Leaning Centre. Pre-book. £15. www.durlston.co.uk
Sun 15 Sep Play on the Beach Sealife Sculpture at Hive Beach A series of playful and creative sessions for families. https://bit.ly/NTHive
Wessex Heavy Horse Show and Country Fayre A spectacle of Heavy Horse breeds, the best horses in West England compete against each other. www.wessexheavyhorsesociety. co.uk
FREE Open Day at Nothe Fort Enjoy free entry as part of the Heritage Open Day festival. www.nothefort.org.uk Fri 14 Sep to Sun 21 Sep Planet Purbeck Festival Events across Purbeck celebrating Purbeck’s amazing natural world. www.planetpurbeck.org Wed 18 Sep & Wed 16 Oct Nature Tots at Kingscombe Visitor Centre A group for parents/guardians to bring children 4 and under to experience the wildlife of Kingscombe. www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk Sat 21 Sep Meet a Moth at Durlston Country Park Join one of the Durlston volunteers to open up last nights moth traps. www.durlston.co.uk Miniature Steam Festival on Poole Quay Celebrate the sights, sounds and smells of the age of steam when mini traction engines come to Poole Quay. www.bournemouth.co.uk
Wed 25 Sep & Sat 28 Sep Tractor and Trailer Rides at Kingston Lacy Join a farmer on a tour and discover the Red Devon Cows and more. Adult £10, Child 4+ £5. Booking essential. FREE with normal admission. www.bit.ly/KingstonNT Thu 26 Sep Apple Picking at Kingston Lacy Help harvest this year’s crop by picking your own apples. FREE with normal admission. www.bit.ly/KingstonNT Drawing Workshop at Durlston Country Park Workshop in drawing in ink, pencil, pen and ink with artist for beginners and improvers. Ages 8+. £20. Please book. www.durlston.co.uk Fri 27 Sep to Sun 29 Sep Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival Arts by the Sea brings together large-scale spectaculars, diverse music, intriguing installations, dance, street theatre, participatory experiences and much more. www.artsbythesea.co.uk
Sat 28 Sep Shaftesbury Carnival Annual tradition with a children procession in the day and grand illuminated parade at night. www.shaftesburycarnival.co.uk Sat 28 Sep & Sat 26 Oct Fox & Cubs Club at Upton Country Park Sessions designed for dads and kids to spend quality time together in the great outdoors. www.uptoncountrypark.com Sat-Sun 28-29 Sep Meet Bluey on Swanage Railway Bluey will be making appearances at Corfe Castle Station at intervals on each day. www.swanagerailway.co.uk Sun 29 Sep Paws for Fort at Nothe Fort Fun dog show for dog lovers, categories include Cutest Pupply, Waggiest Tail and Best 6 Legs. www.nothefort.org.uk
OCTOBER Wed 2 Oct From Hive to Plate at Kingston Lacy Meet the beekeepers and learn more about the Kingston Lacy honey bees. Taste samples of delicious honey and discover how it is collected and used. Normal admission applies. www.bit.ly/NTKingstonLacy Sat 5 Oct Gillingham Carnival Traditional carnival events including processions, fun fair and stalls. www.gillinghamcarnival.org.uk Fun Palaces at Forest Arts Centre Variety of FREE activities including crafting, dance, drama and doodle the wall. www.forest-arts.co.uk Sat-Sun 5-6 Oct Grandparents’ Day at Farmer Palmers Farm Park Half price tickets for all grandparents with children. www.farmerpalmers.co.uk Sat 12 Oct to Sat 19 Oct Dorchester Literary Festival Features a children’s programme with storytelling, craft and author sessions. www.bit.ly/DLiterary
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