EXHIBITIONS
to 06/01
Landmarks & Seamarks: An Artist’s Year In Dorset
Dorset County Museum, High West Street, Dorchester, 10am-5pm, closed
Sundays. A solo exhibition by Dorset artist Richard Pikesley with
coastal connections as well as images of towns & countryside. Richard has
focused his attention on areas with visual significance to him - the special
places that have drawn him back year after year. Contact : 01305
262735
to 06/01
Alpha House Gallery – Christmas Takeaway 2006
Alpha House Gallery, South Street, Sherborne, Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm.
Paintings, prints, sculpture, ceramics, glass, wood, jewellery. Contact
01935 814944
to 08/01
Exhibition: Open Art Competition
Town Mill Galleries, Mill Lane, Lyme Regis, 11am - 4pm. This
exhibition is the culmination of the Town Mill Galleries' Open Art Competition
2006. Artists from all over the South West will be exhibiting their work.
Contact 01297 443579.
to 16/12
Sherborne House Exhibition 'Hand Print'
Sherborne House, Newland, Sherborne, gallery open Tuesday - Sunday, 10.30am
until 4.30pm. A mixed exhibition illustrating a number of different
print processes, including etching, collograph, wood block print and silkscreen
print. Original prints available for sale. Contact 01935 816426
FOSSIL WALKS
Lyme Regis
Lyme Regis
Fossil walks with Dr Colin Dawes every Sunday plus daily during
October half term, at 1pm. No need to book – meet at the Old Forge Fossil Shop,
Broad Street. Lasts approx. 2.5 hours. Adults £7, Children £3
Fossil walks from
Lyme Regis Museum. During October walks take place on 7th
at 10.30am, 8th at 11.15am, 10th at 12.30pm, 21st
at 9.45am, 22nd at 10.30am and 24th at 11.30am. Walks
last approx. 2 hours – Adults £8, Children £5, including entrance to museum.
Tel. 01297 443370 to book (essential) and for further details.
Fossil walks with Brandon
Lennon
Daily fossil walks - details and times available from Mike’s Minerals & Fossils
– tel. 01297 444405 (booking essential).
Fossil walks
also organised by
Dinosaurland (01297 443541) and Busters Bernard (01297
444614) – please telephone for further details.
Fossil walks from Lyme Regis
Fossil Shop
Booking essential on 01297 442088
Charmouth
From the Heritage Coast Centre, Charmouth. Fossil Fantastic
Weekend on 7th/8th October from 10am. Join the
warden team at the centre for a whole weekend of fossil hunting and activities
for families and children
Walks last approx.
2 hours and include a 20 minute talk on fossils. No need to book. Adults £7,
Children £3. Private walks, warden talks and fossil and marine film shows also
available throughout the year. Tel. 01297 560772
CHARITY CHRISTMAS
CARDS
If you
haven’t yet bought your Christmas cards, do pop along to one of our West Dorset
Tourist Information Centres who are once again selling Charity Christmas Cards
on behalf of the Cards for Good Causes group of charities. With approximately
30 charities represented, there is always an excellent choice, and all charities
receive at least 81p in every £1 from their card sales. The cards are on sale
until Tuesday 19th at Bridport, Lyme Regis and Sherborne TICs and
until Friday 22nd at Dorchester TIC
MARKETS
BEAMINSTER Farmers’
Market 4th Saturday in each month – Town Hall 9am-1pm; Gustomarket on
1st July, 8.30am-1pm
BRIDPORT Town
Centre. Every Wednesday and Saturday, Farmers’ Market 2nd Saturday
in each month – Arts Centre 9.30am-2pm, W.I. market in the WI Hall, North Street
every Saturday 9am-12 noon
DORCHESTER
Fairfield Car Park, Weymouth Avenue 8am – 3pm every Wednesday
Farmers’ Market 1st
Saturday in each month – Poundbury, 9am-1pm
LYME REGIS SHERBORNE
The Parade, every Thursday and Saturday; W.I. market in Church Hall, Digby
Road Thursday mornings, 9.15am; Farmers’ Market 3rd Friday in each
month – Cheap Street, 9am-1pm
EVENTS DURING DECEMBER
11
A Christmas Carol At Broadwindsor Village Hall Broadwindsor
Village Hall, 7pm. Forest Forge Theatre applies its unique theatrical
style to Dicken’s timeless Christmas classic. Contact 01308 868582.
11
A Medieval Christmas At Sherborne Abbey Sherborne Abbey, Sherborne,
7.30pm. Join Sherborne Chamber Choir and a band of medieval wind,
pipes and drums from Shakespeare's Globe Theatre for festival music old and
new. Medieval carols and intrumental music, Latin American, Baroque and
contamporary settings of medieval tests, along with carols for everyone to join
in. Contact 01935 816332.
11
Dorset Wildlife Trust Talk Brooklands Farm, Forston,
Nr. Dorchester, 7.30pm. 'A Pageant of Insects' - an illustrated talk by
Kevin Cook. Contact 01305 834051.
11
RSPB Radipole Lake Nature Reserve Winter Duck Walk RSPB
Radipole Lake, Weymouth, 10am until 12pm. Contact 01305
778313.
12
Bridport History Society Bridport United Church, 2.30pm.
A History of Musical Instruments - by Jonathan Weeks - a talk will be
accompanied by the playing of some of the instruments. Contact 01308
456876.
12
Lyme's Library Links Woodmead Hall, Lyme Regis, 2.30 -
3.30pm. Talk by David Coates about the numerous links that Lyme has with the
library world, from Henry Fielding and Jane Austen to John Fowles. Contact
01297 444566.
13
Geology Lecture - 'Purbeck Snails & Ostracods' Dorset County
Museum, Dorchester, 6.30pm. Talk by Dr. R G Clements of the University of
Leicester - part of the Dorset Natural History & Archaeological Society geology
series of talks. Contact 01305 262735.
13 Bridport Late
Night Shopping
Bridport Town Centre, until 8.30 pm max. Selected shops opening late for
Christmas Shopping on 3 Wednesdays - 6th, 13th and 20th.
14
Cathedral Express - To Sherborne Abbey Sherborne Abbey. The
Cathedrals Express steam train comes to Sherborne, leaving Waterloo at 10am.
Special Carol Service in the Abbey at 3pm. Contact 01483 209888.
14 - 15
Green Wood Bowl Carving Course Mangerton House,
Mangerton, Bridport, 9am - 5pm. A 2-day green wood bowl carving course.
Informal, fun and relaxing. All tools, materials and a light lunch included.
Beautiful setting just outside Bridport. Pre-booking essential -
www.mallinson.uk.com or tel. 01308 485111. Contact 01308 485111.
15
Charterhouse Auction Long Street Sale Rooms, Sherborne,
viewing Wednesday from 10am to 4pm, and Thursday from 10am to 7pm. Sale starts
on Friday at 10am, with viewing from 8.30am. Antiques, collectors' items and
clocks. Contact 01935 812277.
15
Christmas Party Night At Kingston Maurward Kingston
Maurward College, Nr. Dorchester, 7pm - 12.30am. Join us for a
Bucks Fizz reception in the Grand Entrance Hall beside a roaring log fire before
sitting down to a delicious festive three-course meal, followed by dancing to
live band 'Bedrock'. Contact 01305 215050.
15
Julian Fellowes Entertains St George's Hall,
Dorchester, 7.30pm. You ask the questions and the famous Oscar
winner, writer,actor, film-director and story- teller responds candidly and
often hilariously over seasonal refreshments. Tickets available from Dorchester
TIC. Contact 01305 267992.
15
Music For A Christmas Evening Dorset County Museum, High West
Street,Dorchester, 7.30pm. Get in the mood for Christmas by dressing up and
joining us for an evening of Christmas music and carols, performed in the
beautiful and atmospheric Victorian Hall of Dorset County Museum. The evening
will consist of performances by the Purbeck Village Choir and the Thomas Hardy
School Choir. Light refreshments and a complimentary glass of wine will be
served between the two performances. Tickets available from Dorchester TIC.
Contact 01305 267992.
15 - 16
Yetties Christmas Show Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne,
8pm. The Yetties Annual Christmas Show - this year with special guest Tony
Beard - 'The Wag from Widdecombe'. Tickets available from Rules in Cheap St.
Sherborne or online at www.theyetties.co.uk or tel 01935 814611.
Contact 01935 814611.
16
Book Market Church Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne, 9.30am -
4pm. Contact 01747 841148.
16
Briantspuddle Singers St Mary's Church, Frampton, Nr
Dorchester, 7.30pm. Messiah by Handel, conductor Dr Richard Hall. Tickets to
include a glass of wine and a mince pie after the concert.
Contact 01305 320730.
16
Christmas Story Telling At The County Museum Dorset County
Museum, High West Street, Dorchester, 10am - 12pm. A Christmas pudding of
tales, traditions and pastimes from around the world. Contact
01305 262735.
16
Green Fair At St Mary's Church Hall, Bridport St Mary's
Church Hall, Bridport, South Street, 10am to 4pm. Green Fair to promote
sustainable living, ecological issues and social justice.
Contact 0845 3732757.
16 - 17
Santa Specials At Gartell Light Railway Gartell Light
Railway, Common Lane, Yenston, Templecombe. Tickets £8.50 per child and £4
per adult. Advance booking essential. Contact 01963 370752.
16 - 17
Father Christmas & Nativity At Kingston Maurward Kingston
Maurward, Dorchester, 1pm - 6pm. Father Christmas visits Kingston
Maurward Gardens between 1pm and 6pm. Contact 01305 215123.
16 -
17
Working Watermill Demonstrations Town Mill, Lyme Regis, 1am
- 4pm. Contact 01297 443579.
17
RSPB Radipole Lake Nature Reserve Wildlife Walk RSPB Radipole
Lake, Weymouth, 10am -12pm.Contact 01305 778313.
17
Santa Specials At Yeovil Junction Yeovil Railway Centre, Yeovil
Junction, gates open 10.30am - 4pm. Train rides from 11am. Prior booking
£6 per adult/child. On the day £7 each, subject to availability. Price
includes a Steam Train ride, seasonal refreshments, a visit to Santa's Grotto
and (for the children) a carefully selected present according to age and sex.
Contact 01935 845946.
17
Sherborne Festive Shopping Day Bring the family and
join the fun. Most of Sherborne's shops will be open for the day, plus there
will be a traditional market, music and entertainment, costumed characters,
prize draw and of course Santa will be making an appearance! Special Sunday
shopping days on 3rd and 17th Dec. Contact 01935
389437.
19
West Dorset Ramblers Walk Maiden Newton Car Park,
10am. From Maiden Newton walkers car park (SY594978) to Chantmarle area.
10 miles. No dogs. Please confirm details with organiser.
Contact 01300 320346.
20
A Christmas Carol Marine Theatre, Church Street, Lyme
Regis, 7.30pm. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Performed by Story
Teller Robert MacCall with mandolin accompaniment by Ian Baxter. A powerful
retelling of Dickens classic tale. .Contact 01297 442138.
20
Bridport Late Night Shopping Bridport Town Centre, until
8.30 pm max. Selected shops opening late for Christmas Shopping on 3
Wednesdays - 6th, 13th and 20th.
21
The Owl Who Was Afraid Of The Dark Bridport Art Centre,
Bridport, 11.30a.m. and 2.00p.m. Stage adaptation of popular
children's book. Ideal for children 3-8 years.and families The show lasts
approximately 1 hour with no interval Tickets £5 children £8 adults £6
members,concs £20 family ticket. Contact 01308 424204.
22 - 23
Christmas Party Nights At Kingston Maurward Kingston
Maurward College, Nr. Dorchester, 7pm - 12.30am. Join us for a
Bucks Fizz reception in the Grand Entrance Hall beside a roaring log fire before
sitting down to a delicious festive three-course meal, followed by either a
disco (Friday 22nd) or live band 'The Crack' (Saturday 23rd). Contact
01305 251050.
23
A Christmas Carol Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne,
8pm. Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol performed by Robert MacCall with
Ian Baxter on mandolin. Tickets £6 adults, £4 under 16s available from
Sherborne Tourist Information Centre. Contact 01935 815341.
23
West Art Fair At St Mary's Church Hall, Bridport St Mary's
Church Hall, Bridport, 9.30am - 3.30pm. Paintings, cards, crafts
and photographs - and lots more besides will be available from 9.30am to 3.30pm.
23 - 24
Santa Specials At Yeovil Junction Yeovil Railway Centre, Yeovil
Junction, Gates open 10.30am - 4pm, train rides from 11am. Prior booking £6
per adult/child. On the day £7 each, subject to availability. Price includes
a Steam Train ride, seasonal refreshments, a visit to Santa's Grotto and (for
the children) a carefully selected present according to age and sex. Contact
01935 845946.
25
Lions Christmas Day Harbour Swim Weymouth Harbour,
Weymouth. Contact 01305 838525.
Happy Christmas
!
26-
1/1
Lulworth's First Christmas On 'Ice' Lulworth Castle,
10.30am - 4pm. Ice Rink plus many Christmas activities.
Contact 0845 4501054.
29 - 30
Peter Pan Marine Theatre, Church Street, Lyme Regis,
Friday 8pm / Saturday 3.00pm and 8.00pm. An adaptation of J. M. Barrie's
enchanting original. A musical with a wealth of adventure and delight . Tickets
available from Lyme Regis Tourist Information Centre, 01297 442138.
Contact 01297 442138.
30
Book Fair Church Hall, Digby Road, Sherborne, 10am -
4pm. Contact 01935 816614.
31
New Years Ceilidh Marine Theatre, Church Street, Lyme
Regis, 8.00pm. See the New Year in with popular local 5 piece ceilidh band Red
Shed with songs from caller Tom Addison, ex 'songwainer', and a fantastic
display of Appalachian Clog dancing from Rough Diamond. Festive food and local
ales. Contact 01297 442138
31
Yetties New Year Ceilidh Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne,
8pm ….or see the New Year in with the ever popular Yetties Tickets
£12 – available from Rules in Sherborne or Tel. 01935 814611, 814667 or 813890.
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Please
contact our Tourist Information for details of local church services during the
Christmas period
Attractions Open This
Winter in and around West Dorset
Winter
Opening Times
MUSEUMS
Tutankhamun Exhibition, Dorchester 01305 269571
Mon-Fri 9.30 – 5.00, Weekends 10.00 – 5.00
Terracotta Warriors, Dorchester 01305
266040 Daily 10.00 - 4.30
Dinosaur
Museum, Dorchester
01305 269741
Daily 10.00 - 4.30
Teddy
Bear Museum, Eastgate, Dorchester
01305 269741
Mon-Sat
10.00 - 4.30, Sun 10.00-4.00
Mummies,
Dorchester 01305
269741 Daily 10.00 - 5.00
Dorset
County Museum, Dorchester 01305
262735 Mon-Sat 10.00 - 5.00
The Keep
Military Museum , Dorchester 01305
264066 Tue-Sat 9.30 - 5.00
The Town
Mill, Lyme Regis 01297 443579
Sat & Sun 11.00 - 4.00
Lyme
Regis Museum
01297
443370 Sat & Sun 10.00-5.00 (11am Sun), daily school
hols
Dinosaurland Fossil Museum,
Lyme Regis 01297 443541 Daily 10.00 - 5.00 – but please
phone to check
Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum,
Tolpuddle 01305 848237 Thu-Sat 10.00 - 5.00,
Sunday 11.00 - 5.00
Sherborne Museum (Sherborne Missal exhibition) 01935
812252 Tues and Thurs, 10.30am – 12.30pm
The Tank
Museum, Bovington, Wool 01929 405096
Daily 10.00 - 5.00
Fleet Air Arm Museum,
Yeovilton
01935 840565
Wed-Sun10.00 - 4.30
Haynes Motor Museum,
Sparkford 01963 440 804
Mon-Sat 10.00 - 4.30
Cavalcade of Costume,
Blandford Forum 01258 453006 Thu-Mon 11.00 - 4.00 Closed mid-Dec –
mid Feb 07
COUNTRY HOUSES / CASTLES.
Kingston Maurward Gardens & Animal Park
01305 215010
Daily
10.00 -
5.30 (or dusk) closed 22/12 – early Jan
Athelhamptons House & Gardens 01305
848363 Sunday only - gardens 10.30 – dusk , house
11.00-4.30
Lulworth
Castle & Park 0845
4501054 Sun - Fri 10.30 - 4.00
GARDENS.
Forde
Abbey Gardens
01460
221290 Daily 10.00 - 4.30
Abbotsbury Sub-Tropical Gardens 01305
871387 Daily 10.00 - 4.00
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
Sherborne
Abbey 01935
812452 Daily 08.30 - 4.00
Monkey World, Nr. Wareham 0800
456600 Daily 10.00 - 5.00
Craft Design Centre,
Broadwindsor 01308 868362
Daily 10.00 - 5.00
Wildlife Park at Cricket St.
Thomas 01460 30111
Daily 10.00 - 4.30
Weymouth Sea Life
Centre 01305
788255 Daily 10.00
UK Llamas, Beaminster
Please contact 01308 868674 to book
Henley Hillbillies, Buckland
Newton Please contact 01300 345293 / 07860
759996 for details
Southern
Counties Clay Shooting/Karting Please contact 01935
83625/83713 for details and to book
Note
: Closing times
over Christmas and New Year vary – please phone before making a special journey
over Christmas week.
FOR FURTHER DETAILS ON EVENTS AND THE LOCAL
AREA PLEASE CONTACT:
For Corscombe and Halsock events
http://www.corscombevillage.co.uk/
Tourist Information
Centre, Antelope Walk, Dorchester Tel: 01305
267992
dorchester.tic@westdorset-dc.gov.uk
Tourist Information
Centre, South Street, Bridport Tel: 01308
424901
bridport.tic@westdorset-dc.gov.uk
Tourist Information Centre, Church Street, Lyme
Regis Tel: 01297 442138
lymeregis.tic@westdorset-dc.gov.uk
www.westdorset.com
Whilst every effort has
been made to ensure that the information contained in this leaflet is correct
at the time of going to print, West Dorset District Council cannot accept any
responsibility for any errors or omissions. Inclusion in this leaflet does
not imply any recommendation by West Dorset District Council. Produced by
West Dorset District Council, Leisure and Tourism Division.
