The Old and Little Cheesehouse together sleep 8 comfortably, ideal for larger groups
The Old and Little Cheesehouse together sleep 8 comfortably, ideal for larger groups
When: Every Saturday, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Where: Bridport Town Centre (7 miles from Beaminster) What: Award-winning farmers market featuring the finest local produce, artisan breads, fresh seafood, and handmade crafts. A West Dorset institution! Website: www.bridport-tc.gov.uk/market
When: Saturday 15th March, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Where: Beaminster Town Square (0.5 miles) What: Annual spring fair with local crafts, food stalls, live music, and family activities. Free entry. Contact: Beaminster Town Council
When: 5-7 April 2026 Where: Dorchester (10 miles from Beaminster) What: Celebrate the finest food and drink that West Dorset has to offer. Sample local wines, ciders, cheeses, and meet the producers. Website: Check Visit Dorset for details
When: Daily guided walks (book in advance) Where: Lyme Regis & Charmouth beaches (12 miles from Beaminster) What: Guided fossil hunting tours along the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast. All equipment provided. Suitable for families. Booking: Contact Lyme Regis Tourist Information
When: 22-30 March 2026 Where: Various locations across West Dorset What: Visit local artists in their creative spaces. See works in progress, meet the makers, and purchase unique pieces directly from the artists. Website: www.dorsetartsandcraft.co.uk
When: Open daily 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (March-October) Where: Near Beaminster (3 miles) What: Explore the stunning terraced gardens of this historic manor house, described as "England's finest manor house" by Country Life magazine. Admission: Adults £12, Children £6 Website: www.mappertongardens.com
📍 12 miles | UNESCO World Heritage Site | Fossil hunting, coastal walks, beaches
📍 7 miles | Wednesday & Saturday | Famous street market
📍 12 miles | Historic seaside town | The Cobb, beaches, shops, restaurants
📍 15 miles | Historic abbey and town
📍 20 miles | Unique colony of mute swans | Family attraction
Beaminster Tourist Information:The Old Court House, Beaminster, DT8 3BA
Visit Dorset Website: www.visit-dorset.com
What's On Dorset: www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/whats-on
`Scenic National Trust Spots Nearby:
Golden Cap (coastal walk)
Beaminster Town Centre: 0.5 miles (5 min walk)
Bridport: 7 miles (15 min drive)
Lyme Regis: 12 miles (25 min drive)
Dorchester: 15 miles (25 min drive)
Sherborne: 15 miles (30 min drive)
Weymouth: 25 miles (40 min drive)
BEST BARS:
The Greyhound , Knapp & Red Lion, Beaminster
The Fox inn, Corscombe
The Fox and Hounds, Catistock
The Ollerod, Beaminster
The Marquis of Lorne, Nettlecombe
The White Lion, Broadwindsor
The Anchor, Seatown
The Bottle Inn, Marshwood
BEST RESTAURANTS:
Brassica, Parnham walled garden - Beaminster
Dorshi, Mercato, Redbrick Cafe, Soul Shine - Bridport
Seaside Boarding House, The Hive - Burton Bradstock
The Clubhouse - West Bexington (10 miles)
FARM SHOPS:
Washingpool Farm Shop (3 miles)
Felicity's Farm Shop, Bridport (7 miles)
The Wagon House (6 miles)
Tamarisk Farm, West Bexington (10 miles)
Fruit and Two Veg, Beaminster (0.5 miles)
BEACHES (dog-friendly):
West Bay Beach (9 miles)
Charmouth Beach (10 miles)
Burton Bradstock (10 miles)
Eype Beach (10 miles)
Seatown (12 miles)
MARCH
Spring fairs and festivals, Mapperton Gardens seasonal opening, West Dorset Open Studios (22-30 March), Mother's Day events (29 March), Beaminster Spring Fair (15 March), Easter preparations begin
APRIL
Dorset Food & Drink Festival (5-7 April, Dorchester), Abbotsbury Food Fair (3-4 April), Easter events across the region, From Page to Screen Film Festival (22-26 April, Bridport), Sherborne Abbey Music Festival (30 April - 7 May), Spring countryside shows, National Trust spring gardens opening
MAY
Dorset Spring Show (9-10 May, Puddletown), Shaftesbury Food Festival (3 May), Abbotsbury Swannery opens for the season (mid-May), Christchurch Food Festival (23-25 May), Dorset Blind Association Motor Show at Lulworth Castle (17 May), Bank Holiday events (5 May & 26 May), Bridport Food Festival, National Trust spring events
JUNE
Lyme Regis Fossil Festival (13-14 June), Summerfest Weymouth (6 June), Let's Go Fly! Kite Festival Dorchester (6 June), Sturminster Newton Literary Festival (12-21 June), Chesil Rocks Music Festival Weymouth (20 June), Wimborne Folk Festival, Summer coastal events begin, Jurassic Fields Music Festival
JULY
Camp Bestival at Lulworth Castle, Dorset Seafood Festival Weymouth (4-5 July), Bourne Free (Bournemouth Pride) (11-12 July), Dorset Knob Throwing Festival at Cattistock (19 July), Dorset Opera Festival (21-25 July), Tankfest at The Tank Museum Bovington, Village fetes across West Dorset, Coastal carnivals begin
AUGUST
Buckham Fair (2 August, near Beaminster - hosted by Martin & Philippa Clunes), Melplash Agricultural Show near Bridport (27 August), Purbeck Valley Folk Festival near Corfe Castle (20-23 August), Quayside Music Festival Weymouth (Bank Holiday), Poole Harbour Festival, Summer beach events, Country shows across Dorset
SEPTEMBER
Purbeck International Chamber Music Festival (3-6 September), Bridport Hat Festival (5 September), b-side Festival Isle of Portland (10-13 September), SeaFeast Dorset Seafood Festival, Harvest festivals across West Dorset, Great Dorset Chilli Festival, Autumn countryside walks, Late summer coastal events
For the most current information, please check individual event websites or contact local tourist information.
Enjoy your stay in Dorset at the little cheesehouse and the old cheesehouse with Hug Holidays🏡