From knob throwing contests, to nettle eating, beach-based guitar challenges and a great British crime drama – a Dorset holiday in 2014 is full of surprises, as we found out when we spoke to Jessica Thornton of the Visit Dorset Tourism Partnership.
What’s new in Dorset for 2014?
If you’re looking to explore Dorset, take a trip to the Dorset Electric Bike Company who will be providing ebike hire and holidays in 2014, or walk along the new Weymouth & Portland Legacy Trail, which links heritage sites and nature reserves along the Jurassic Coast.
If you’re a fan of Broadchurch, make sure you book on to the new Broadchurch Tour, run by Literary Lyme and discover the filming locations of the popular ITV drama. Literarature lovers should check out the new Thomas Hardy Visitor Centre in Dorchester which is set to open in the Summer.
For lovers of good food, try new restaurants The Monkey’s Fist, which serves locally sourced, high end bistro food on Weymouth Harbour or the fifth ‘The Stable’ restaurant which opened in December 2013 on Poole Quay. The Stable serves over 50 ciders, from single variety specials to proper local brews, wine by the carafe and local, homemade pizzas and pies, this restaurant truly brings the best of the West Country to the table. If you want to sample the best of Dorset’s fresh local produce all in one place, head down to Food Rocks, Lyme Regis – a new food festival launched by celebrity chef, Mark Hix.
For culture vultures, a must see this year is the Guitars on the Beach event. In 2013, 2,267 guitarists set the UK record for the biggest band in history on the beach at Lyme Regis. This year, they’re back again! On 12th July at Askers Meadows there will be a one day music festival called Jurassic Fields and there’s also a new festival lined up to celebrate Bridport’s rope making heritage (did you know the goal nets for the 1966 World Cup were made in Bridport?).
What are you most excited about in 2014 in Dorset?
All the events we have lined up! Most people imagine Dorset to be quite a sleepy place, but it’s just the opposite! Lyme Regis has its own Fossil Festival in May and the Sherborne Abbey Music Festival always attracts some famous classical artists. In the summer, don’t miss the multi award winning Dorset Seafood Festival, Camp Bestival at Lulworth Castle and the Beach Volleyball Championships in Weymouth, and not forgetting the fantastic Bournemouth Air Festival and breath-taking Great Dorset Steam Fair. And the fun doesn’t stop in the Autumn either as Dorset has festivals dedicated to hats, cheese, walks and books!
What is the wackiest attraction or event taking place in 2014?
It would have to be either the Dorset Knob Throwing Festival or the Dorset Stinging Nettle Eating Championships. The Stinging Nettle Eating Championships attracts participants from all over the world to find out who can eat the most stinging nettles. The championships are being held this year on June 7th at the Bottle Inn, Marshwood. The Dorset Knob Throwing Festival is also one of Dorset’s most quirky traditions and challenges participants to hurl a Dorset Knob biscuit as far as they can. With games, entertainment and some of the county’s best food producers all in one place, this event always attracts the crowds! This festival is taking place on 4th May in the village of Cattistock.
Can you recommend somewhere to see or something to visit that is less well known or not on the usual tourist trail?
Not many people know about the village of Tyneham, which was evacuated in 1943 during the war. The village has stood still in time ever since. Although most of the village is now in ruins, the church and schoolhouse still remain intact and serve as a poignant reminder of the villagers who hoped they would one day return, but never did… There will be a special performance of ‘Tyneham – No Small Sacrifice’ (a musical that retells the villagers’ story) in the village on July 12th. More information is available at: http://www.tynehamthemusical.com.
If someone is visiting for a short break, what are the 3 things they must see?
Durdle Door & Lulworth Cove – Durdle Door is Dorset’s most photographed landmark, a majestic limestone archway and Lulworth Cove is a beautiful, sheltered, scallop-shaped cove. Just two of the highlights of our World Heritage Jurassic Coastline.
Corfe Castle – Romantic ruins of a castle over 1,000 years old and one of the National Trust’s top ten visited historic houses. Corfe Castle was the inspiration for Kirrin Castle in Enid Blyton’s Famous Five novels.
Gold Hill – A steep, cobbled street in Shaftesbury famous for being the location of the 1970s Hovis advert.
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about Dorset in 2014?
Don’t pass us by en route to Devon and Cornwall! Dorset’s Jurassic Coast is truly magnificent and boasts many sandy beaches and nothing can match the beauty of the spring and summer months in our outstandingly beautiful countryside. As well as natural beauty, Dorset has a wealth of top attractions and activities to suit every interest and we are fast becoming famous for the quality of our local produce. Download our Official Visit Dorset App to find out more or visit our website www.visit-dorset.com.
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