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.
Dorset County Show
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
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
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
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 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 15 Sep
Play on the Beach Sealife
Sculpture at Hive Beach
A series of playful and creative sessions for families. https://bit.ly/NTHive
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
Nature & Wellbeing Festival in Swanage
FREE family activities, live music and community stalls. Think snakes, bees, wildlife conservation, sustainability and more.
www.planetpurbeck.org
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
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
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
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
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
Sun 13 Oct
Open Day at Upton Country Park
Admission to the House is FREE for the purchase of books, souvenirs and gifts. www.uptoncountrypark.com
Mon 21 Oct to Mon 28 Oct
Apple Pressing at Kingston Lacy
Watch the apple press in action and taste the freshly crushed apple juice. www.bit.ly/KingstonNT
Wed 23 Oct to Wed 6 Nov
Halloween Trail at Durlston Country Park
The trail will take you on a trip around the park to get into the spooky season, £3.50 per trail pack. www.durlston.co.uk
Fri 25 Oct to Sun 3 Nov
Halloween at Moors Valley
Explore the forest after-dark with a brand-new spooky illuminated trail for the whole family.
www.bit.ly/MoorsValleyEvents
Sat 26 Oct to Thu 31 Oct
Halloween Half Term at Farmer Palmers Farm Park
The park will have a spook makeover, ‘Soak a Spook’ tractor rides, pumpkin picking witches races and spooky maze. www.farmerpalmers.co.uk
Half Term at Corfe Castle
Bring your teddy to have a ride on the zip wire, join a quest to find hidden critters to earn a token. FREE with normal admission. www.bit.ly/CorfeCastleEvents
Sat 26 Oct to Sun 3 Nov
Half Term at Brownsea Island
Don your mask and follow the interactive family trail and have a go at our pine cone toss game. www.bit.ly/BrownseaNT
Wicked Wildlife Trail at Studland Bay
Spooky nature themed trail around Studland beach, dunes and
woodland. Test your skills and get creative too. £3 per child. www.bit.ly/NTStudlandBay
October Half Term at The Tank Museum
Take part in interactive familyfriendly fun, themed around the environment. www.tankmuseum.org
Sun 27 Oct to Thu 31 Oct
Autumn Half Term at Lulworth
Castle & Park
Seek out pumpkins, find funny bones on autumn trail, try pitch’n’putt and traditional lawn games. www.lulworth.com
Sun 27 Oct to Sun 3 Nov
October Half Term at Highcliffe Castle
Participate in an indoor bat trail with bat related crafts. www.highcliffecastle.co.uk
Tue 28 Oct to Fri 1 Nov
Living History at Athelhampton
Step back to Tudor times with all levels of society from gentlefolk to servants to talk with and learn from.
www.athelhampton.com
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
Wed 30 Oct
Wild Wednesday at Durlston Country Park
Drop in at the Learning Centre from 11am-3pm to have a go at painting, crafts and activities. www.durlston.co.uk
50% Family Discount at Highcliffe Castle
Families will enjoy a 50% discount on admission today. www.highcliffecastle.co.uk
Confidence building fun with Perform
Perform is delighted to be expanding its popular classes in Dorset.
Weekly drama, dance and singing classes for 4-7 and 7-12 year olds are designed to build a child’s confidence and give them a creative outlet to make friends and have fun.
Tuesdays at Perform Bournemouth – St Augustin’s Church Hall, BH2 6NU
NEW Mondays at Perform Wimborne – Wimborne Methodist Church, BH21 1DY
Every child is welcome to try a FREE class to see if they like it. Just visit www.perform.org.uk/try
Thu 31 Oct
Wild Durlston Kids Activity at Durlston Country Park
Join a Ranger to learn more about Durlston through games and activities. Booking required. www.durlston.co.uk
Halloween Disco at Forest Arts Centre
Themed dances and activities, crafting, face painting from 2-4pm. www.forest-arts.co.uk
Halloween at Monkey World FREE entry for children in FULL Halloween fancy dress. FREE fancy dress competition with prizes, as well as the Activity Centre open for children. www.monkeyworld.org
Sat-Sun 2-3 Nov
Magic in Motion on Swanage Railway Magician and escapologist, Greg will perform short shows moving through carriages as the train makes its way along the line. www.swanagerailway.co.uk
Tue 5 Nov
Fireworks at Poole Quay
Live music, family entertainment and activities with the display at 8pm.
www.pouletourism.com BOURNEMOUTH PAVILLION www.bournemouthpavilion.co.uk
Cirque: The Greatest Show 21 Sep
All-star cast performing the big, big numbers from your favourite shows are joined by mesmerising circus stars.
THE BARRINGTON ARTS & COMMUNITY CENTRE www.barringtoncentre.co.uk
Annie 3-5 Oct
Family favourite musical performed by Phoenix musical theatre.
BRIDPORT ARTS CENTRE www.bridport-arts.com
Plastic Paradiso 26 Oct
Uses dance and puppetry to tell a story about friendship and the natural world. Ages 4-11
Little Red Riding Hood 2 Nov Original play, at turns funny, moving, and challenging, and featuring original songs, Ages 3+
DORCHESTER CORN EXCHANGE www.dorchesterarts.org.uk/ cornexchange
Sticks & Shadows 28 Oct
Brimming with scary stories and tall tales with live music and songs. Ages 6+
FOREST ARTS CENTRE www.forest-arts.co.uk
The Ultimate Bubble Show 29 Oct
Fast paced show as Ray the Bubbleologist creates bubble sculptures, effects and magic displays.
THE TIVOLI WIMBORNE www.tivoliwimborne.co.uk
Halloween Spooktacular 28 Oct Jam-packed with your favourite Halloween hits and amazing ultraviolet puppetry. Ages 3+