Next 7 days (9 to 15 Nov) · All of Dorset
Nature and wildlife
A guided bird walk along Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon looks for wildfowl, waders and sea birds. Species such as dunlin, ringed plover and oystercatchers may be seen, with the walk starting from the Fine Foundation Wild Chesil Centre on Portland and lasting around ninety minutes.
Nature and wildlife
A guided bird walk along Chesil Beach and Fleet Lagoon, spotting wildfowl, waders and sea birds such as dunlin, ringed plover and oystercatchers. Suitable for beginners and families, with time for questions about the nature reserve along the way.
Arts and culture
Violinist Nigel Kennedy performs an evening of classical, jazz and contemporary music at Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre. The programme includes Bach, his own compositions, and a tribute to Yehudi Menuhin and Stephane Grappelli, accompanied by double bass and cello.
Arts and culture
Violinist Nigel Kennedy performs at the Bournemouth Pavilion as part of his first large-scale UK tour in over fifteen years. The concert follows sold-out shows in London and at Ronnie Scott's in Soho.
Arts and culture
An annual week-long festival bringing authors to venues in and around Bridport, including novelists, historians, biographers, nature writers and poets. The programme also features musical, children's and culinary events, suiting book lovers of all kinds.
Festivals and shows
A free festive trail through Bournemouth's Lower Gardens, lit with thousands of twinkling lights and illuminated displays. Visitors can explore a Christmas tree maze, Santa's Workshop, a festive train and a big wheel, alongside a Christmas market and ice rink nearby. Suited to families looking for a winter evening out.
Arts and culture
A festival of books, poetry and writing in Blandford Forum, featuring author talks, workshops and dedicated children's events. The programme also includes a music and poetry evening and a book and craft fair.
Arts and culture
A weekend literary festival held at venues around Blandford Forum, featuring author talks, workshops and a book and craft fair. There are events for children alongside the main programme.
Arts and culture
A greenwood carving workshop at Kingcombe Visitor Centre, led by greenwood worker Adam Hawker. Participants learn to use an axe and knife safely, select suitable wood, and carve and finish their own wooden spatula. For adults only.
Arts and culture
A live stand-up comedy night at the Lighthouse's intimate studio space in Poole, run by the Coastal Comedy Club. The bill features headline act Nick Page alongside Rich Wilson and Samantha Day, with Dave Chawner hosting.
Exhibitions and events that run for weeks or months.
Arts and culture
A three-hour guided retreat cruise around Poole Harbour, combining meditation and movement sessions with a ceremonial cacao ceremony. Light refreshments and water are included, offering a chance to relax while sailing through the harbour.
10 Jul to 3 Jan
A free exhibition at Poole Museum showcasing the vivid, fantastical artworks of Jason Wilsher-Mills, including sculptures, inflatables and digital pieces. It features mermaids, larger-than-life characters and unusual creatures, with newly commissioned works inspired by Poole's maritime heritage. Designed to appeal to visitors of all ages.
Open all year
Lyme Regis has four beaches. Front Beach, part sand and part pebble, is the most popular for swimming and paddling, with RNLI lifeguards in peak season. Monmouth Beach leads to the ammonite pavement and the Undercliffs nature reserve. East Cliff Beach is rich in fossils, but its cliffs are unstable and it can be cut off at high tide. Dogs can use every beach except Front Beach all year.
Open all year
A collection of internationally inspired gardens spanning ten acres, including Italian, Japanese, Heather, Valley and Rock and Water gardens. The site also has a plant centre and a cafe tearoom, with nature trails for children during school holidays. Dogs are welcome in selected areas, and free parking is available on site.
Open all year
An island wildlife sanctuary in Poole Harbour with woodland, heathland and a lagoon, home to red squirrels and many bird species. Visitors can explore Scouting history, a former pottery and the remains of the village of Maryland. A free shuttle bus, Tramper wheelchair and BSL trail help make the island accessible.
Open all year
Isle of Purbeck Golf Club offers two heathland courses with views over Poole Harbour, set within a nature reserve where rare plants and birds can be seen. The 9-hole Dene Course suits golfers of all abilities, including beginners, while the Purbeck Championship course challenges more experienced players. The clubhouse has a restaurant and pro shop.
Open all year
Quiet sandy beaches on Mudeford Spit, good for bathing and popular with dog walkers, who can let dogs off the lead all year. You reach it on foot, by bike or on the land train from Hengistbury Head car park, about a mile away; the land train has a wheelchair carriage. There are cafés, restaurants and toilets, but no lifeguards, and barbecues aren't allowed.
Open all year
A Blue Flag beach of wide, clean sand and shingle, a favourite with locals and away from the bustle of Bournemouth Pier and the town centre. You can walk down from Southbourne high street through Fisherman's Walk. RNLI lifeguards, a pub, a kiosk and accessible toilets are here. Dogs aren't allowed on the beach from 1 May to 30 September.
Open all year
A seafront venue in Swanage offering cinema screenings, live theatre, comedy, dance and music performances. School holiday matinees provide indoor entertainment for families, while a sea-view bar serves snacks and drinks including local beer and cider.
Open all year
A historic house built by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594 and home to the Digby family since 1617, near Sherborne. Visitors can join a guided tour of the state rooms and Tudor kitchen, explore the Family Museum in the cellars, and wander 42 acres of landscape gardens around a 50-acre lake with features such as Raleigh's Seat and the Fossil House. Family trails run through the season, and dogs on short leads are welcome in the gardens.
Open all year
A small family run aquarium on the Jurassic Coast, showing seashore and deeper water creatures. Visitors can feed a shoal of grey mullet by hand, hold a starfish, and get close to lobsters and crabs, alongside tanks of bass, wrasse, blennies and dogfish. There are also displays on local maritime history and footage of Lyme Bay's reefs and dolphins.
Open all year
Gorcombe Xtreme Sports is an activity centre offering quad biking, clay shooting, rage karting, paintballing, archery and crazy footgolf, alongside challenge courses with obstacles such as monkey bars and swinging ropes. Visitors can also use an indoor swimming pool, walk through a sunflower field, pick pumpkins and meet the site's goats, with a cafe on site.
Open all year
A quiet shingle bay inside the Army's Lulworth Ranges, a mile's walk (about 20 minutes) from the car park at Tyneham village, and a lovely spot for a picnic. The ranges are usually open most weekends and school holidays: check GOV.UK or call 01929 404714 before you go, and keep to the paths marked with yellow posts. There are no lifeguards or toilets on the beach, and don't sit near the cliffs.
Open all year
A natural, tranquil Blue Flag beach between Shore Road and Branksome Chine, with sandy cliffs and wooden huts, a short walk from the restaurants and shops of Canford Cliffs village. RNLI lifeguards patrol and there are toilets. Getting down from the car park can be difficult; for easier access the council suggests Sandbanks, Shore Road or Branksome Chine. Dogs aren't allowed from 1 May to 30 September.