Where to Find Pick Your Own Pumpkin Patches

Lyme Regis Fossil Festival

The Lyme Regis Fossil Festival is an annual event for the whole family. The Festival seeks to enthuse young people about science, earth sciences in particular.

Events for all ages find out all about the amazing Jurassic Coast.  Enjoy walks, talks, theatre, music, comedy, exhibits, incredible interactive activities and lots of hands-on science for all ages. The Fossil Fair offers fun and rare fossils, minerals and jewellery.

Listen to experts from the Natural History Museum, British Antarctic Survey, Palaeontological Association, Jurassic Coast Trust, Geological Society, Lyme Regis Museum and the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre.

Entry to all exhibition venues is free, with a small charge for walks and talks. There will be lots of street performances from outside the museum, Cobb Gate car park and in the Marine Shelters.

More details : http://www.fossilfestival.com/

Exeter Festival of South West Food & Drink

The award-winning Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink over the May Day Bank Holiday, from Saturday 4^th to Monday 6^th May

A firm fixture on the food festival calendar, the event is held in the scenic grounds of Exeter Castle Courtyard and Northernhay Gardens. From celebrity chefs and producers to workshops and live music, expect a long weekend of foodie indulgence.

Three evening music festivals also run over the weekend, from 6:30pm on Friday  with live music, tasty street food and a lively atmosphere.

The festival itself kicks off on Saturday 6^th May at 10am. Attracting around 20,000 visitors, the three-day festival offers exceptional food and drink produced in the South West, alongside cookery demonstrations, workshop activities and the chance to meet producers and chefs, with over 100 exhibitors in two large food and drink pavilions.

Last year’s the Festival Cookery Theatre featured no fewer than seven Michelin starred chefs, including festival co-founder Michael Caines MBE, who leads a packed programme of live demonstrations in the cookery theatre.

Each year, the festival hosts interactive workshops and food-themed activities for both adults and children. A dedicated children’s programme includes Fun Kitchen cookery classes, farm animals, story-telling and craft activities, helping children understand more about their food, an awareness of where it comes from and instil a love of cooking. The Darts Farm Taste and Knowledge Teepees host a packed schedule of workshops, demonstrations and talks on topical food and drink themes.

Exeter Castle Courtyard will feature live music from local musicians and bands to enjoy whilst savouring the Festival Bar, with street food served throughout the day and late into the evening. Exeter Festival of South West Food & Drink is a not for profit event.

For more information or to buy tickets visit: www.exeterfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk.

Exeter Festival of South West Food & Drink

The award-winning Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink over the May Day Bank Holiday, from Saturday 4^th to Monday 6^th May

A firm fixture on the food festival calendar, the event is held in the scenic grounds of Exeter Castle Courtyard and Northernhay Gardens. From celebrity chefs and producers to workshops and live music, expect a long weekend of foodie indulgence.

Three evening music festivals also run over the weekend, from 6:30pm on Friday  with live music, tasty street food and a lively atmosphere.

The festival itself kicks off on Saturday 6^th May at 10am. Attracting around 20,000 visitors, the three-day festival offers exceptional food and drink produced in the South West, alongside cookery demonstrations, workshop activities and the chance to meet producers and chefs, with over 100 exhibitors in two large food and drink pavilions.

Last year’s the Festival Cookery Theatre featured no fewer than seven Michelin starred chefs, including festival co-founder Michael Caines MBE, who leads a packed programme of live demonstrations in the cookery theatre.

Each year, the festival hosts interactive workshops and food-themed activities for both adults and children. A dedicated children’s programme includes Fun Kitchen cookery classes, farm animals, story-telling and craft activities, helping children understand more about their food, an awareness of where it comes from and instil a love of cooking. The Darts Farm Taste and Knowledge Teepees host a packed schedule of workshops, demonstrations and talks on topical food and drink themes.

Exeter Castle Courtyard will feature live music from local musicians and bands to enjoy whilst savouring the Festival Bar, with street food served throughout the day and late into the evening. Exeter Festival of South West Food & Drink is a not for profit event.

For more information or to buy tickets visit: www.exeterfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk.

Dorset Knob Throwing

Who can’t love our great British sense of humour –  you only have to see the list of events at the Dorset Knob Throwing day to stifle a giggle!

Sunday 5th May 2018 at Kingston Maurward College

Frome Valley Food Festival runs alongside the Dorset Knob Throwing. There will be additional fun knob attractions including Knob Eating, Knob Painting, a Knob & Spoon Race, Guess the weight of the Big Knob, Knob Darts and a Knob Pyramid. and other more traditional entertainment will be laid on to make this a really enjoyable day out with a difference.

Also enjoy produce from local food and drink suppliers, craft stalls and live music

The Festival runs from 10am until 4.00pm. Admission Prices £5 per adult under 12’s free.

Moer details at

http://dorsetknobthrowing.com/

https://www.facebook.com/DorsetKnobThrowing/

Exeter Festival of South West Food & Drink

The award-winning Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink over the May Day Bank Holiday, from Saturday 4^th to Monday 6^th May

A firm fixture on the food festival calendar, the event is held in the scenic grounds of Exeter Castle Courtyard and Northernhay Gardens. From celebrity chefs and producers to workshops and live music, expect a long weekend of foodie indulgence.

Three evening music festivals also run over the weekend, from 6:30pm on Friday  with live music, tasty street food and a lively atmosphere.

The festival itself kicks off on Saturday 6^th May at 10am. Attracting around 20,000 visitors, the three-day festival offers exceptional food and drink produced in the South West, alongside cookery demonstrations, workshop activities and the chance to meet producers and chefs, with over 100 exhibitors in two large food and drink pavilions.

Last year’s the Festival Cookery Theatre featured no fewer than seven Michelin starred chefs, including festival co-founder Michael Caines MBE, who leads a packed programme of live demonstrations in the cookery theatre.

Each year, the festival hosts interactive workshops and food-themed activities for both adults and children. A dedicated children’s programme includes Fun Kitchen cookery classes, farm animals, story-telling and craft activities, helping children understand more about their food, an awareness of where it comes from and instil a love of cooking. The Darts Farm Taste and Knowledge Teepees host a packed schedule of workshops, demonstrations and talks on topical food and drink themes.

Exeter Castle Courtyard will feature live music from local musicians and bands to enjoy whilst savouring the Festival Bar, with street food served throughout the day and late into the evening. Exeter Festival of South West Food & Drink is a not for profit event.

Under 16s get free entry on Monday 6th.

For more information or to buy tickets visit: www.exeterfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk.

Bluebell Day Holyford Woods

Bluebell Day is a lovely opportunity to explore the local nature reserve of Holyford Woods near Colyton in East Devon.  You can take part in guided walks and  wildlife activities.

Access is via a shuttle bus from Colyford Village Hall, first bus 10.50am

More details on the Holyford Woods website  and the East Devon Countryside team website

Here’s a link to  Countryfile write-up about Holyford Woods.

This is a free event with donations appreciated for the bus.

Holyford Woods Bluebell Day

Colyton Garden and Food Festival

The Colyton Garden and Food Festival is an annual fund raising event organised and run by the Colyton Grammar School Parents’ Association.  The Festival is a hugely popular local event and a great day out in East Devon.

Over 60 stalls with garden plants from a number of local nurseries, tools & furniture, books,  food, drink and crafts of all types. The festival held in the school grounds.

More information at www.colytongardenfoodfestival.uk

Lyme Regis May Fete

Lyme Regis May Fete will be held on Sunday 12th May. Enjoy traditional fete fun and games with lots of stalls and attractions

FREE Entry to this Great Fundraising Family Fun Afternoon in Lyme Regis at Anning Road Recreation Ground,

Displays and attractions and local youth orgaisations:

Previous fetes have included:

Marching Band
Falconry Display
Taekwondo Display
Lyme Regis Majorettes

Fantastic Stalls
Hot Food, Ice-Cream, Fresh Coffee, Refreshments
BOUNCY CASTLE, Face Painting, Fete Games, Plants

Charity Fundraising Stalls: RNLI, Hooke Court, Majorettes, Amnesty International, Uplyme Horticultural Society, Christmas Lights, Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival, St Michael’s Church, St Michael’s School, 1st Lym Scouts, Lyme Regis Brownies, Lyme Regis Rotary Club, Julia’s House, Dorset Wildlife Trust, Marine Theatre, Lyme Musical Theatre, Lyme Regis Gig Club, Katmandu Cats, Cancer Research, Taekwondo, Lyme Regis Museum.

Plenty of Parking at the Charmouth Road Car Park

Lyme Regis May Fete

Lyme Regis carnival website

Abbotsbury Swannery Cygnet Hatching

This is the only place in the world where you are able to walk through the heart of a colony of nesting Mute Swans. A visit to Abbotsbury Swannery is considered one of the best things to do in Dorset.

The Swannery was established by Benedictine Monks who built a monastery at Abbotsbury during the 1040′s. The monks farmed the swans to produce food for their lavish Dorset banquets. St Peter’s monastery was destroyed in 1539 during the dissolution. Some of the ruins are still visible around St Nicholas’ Church in the village. Since that time the Swannery has been under the stewardship of the Ilchester Estates.

Abbotsbury Swannery in Dorset, near Weymouth, has become one of the most popular things to do for the family visiting Dorset. Located on the dramatic Dorset Coast, this unique natural wildlife habitat is also popular with film makers and has been used as a location for Harry Potter filming.

Open daily 10am  – 5pm

To see the cygnets visit by mid June – more details click here

Symondsbury Estate Country Fair

Symondsbury Estate Summer Fair – this looks to be a wonderful day with lots of beautiful stalls to browse and activities to keep the kiddies entertained.

Includes (TBC):

Donkey rides

Falconry display
Bouncy castle
Live music
Doughnuts
Horse & Cart rides
Food Stalls
Craft Stands

**Free entry & free parking!**

More details on the website Symondsbury Manor (click here)

River Cottage Spring Fair

River Cottage Spring Fair will be held on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 May 2019

The fair will be a hands-on celebration of all things River Cottage. Wander the market stalls selling fresh local produce, watch craftsman demonstrating their ironwork, woodwork and hurdle making skills, pull up a bale and enjoy a seasonal cocktail. Listen to talks and live music, work up an appetite by joining in with a garden and foraging tours or sit back and be entertained by performers.

River Cottage experts will be on hand to share their culinary tips and seeds of gardening wisdom – all set against the backdrop of TV’s most famous farmhouse.

The Main Stage will be packed with cookery demonstrations throughout the day.

Tickets must be bought in advance. £15 each, under 12’s free.

More details on the River Cottage website

You can also see our review from last years event – River Cottage Review

B Sharp Busking Festival

On Saturday 25th of May, Lyme Regis based music making charity ‘B Sharp’ is offering you the chance to hear a vast selection of new and exciting local musicians perform, as well as the opportunity to take the stage yourself, in the annual B Sharp Busking Festival.

There will also be a interactive elements provided for all, from singers just starting out to polished performers. The festival offers the chance to join an electronic jam session, take part in a drum circle, or even go solo with a ‘Play Me’ piano or ‘Play Me’ drums.

LOCATION: Welcome Desk is in Jubilee Pavilion (Marine Parade shelters) by the ‘Play Me’ Piano

REGISTRATION: In advance via buskingfestival@bsharp.org.uk or on the day at the Welcome Desk

WHAT’S ON

There’s lots happening on the day:-

•  Busking – all around Lyme and the seafront – 11am – 5 pm
•  Be In A Band – various young bands perform
• ‘Play Me’ Piano and Open Mic – Jubilee Pavilion – 11am – 5pm
• ‘Play Me’ Drums –2-4pm by the beach huts – come along and have a go.
• Pop Up Choir –2-4pm  in the Lister Room, above Marine Shelter – meet at Marine Shelter at 1.50pm
• Ukuele Performance and Workshop with the Lyme Luggers – 1-2pm at the Marine Parade Shelters
• Family workshop making Instruments from recycled material 2-4pm at the Marine Shelters – with Plastics Free Lyme Regis

If you want to find out more, you can go to www.bsharp.uk.com or find the organisation at their Facebook page  B Sharp.

B Sharp is a music charity, based in Lyme Regis offering a broad, inclusive programme of music, singing, participation, creation, performance and development for young people from early ears to adulthood, and from a wide variety of backgrounds across West Dorset/East Devon. We build personal, social, enterprise and leadership skills so participants and our young workforce of music leaders develop as people, musicians and citizens.