Fun things to do in Dorset this Bank Holiday
This Bank Holiday weekend is probably my favourite one of the year and we look forward to it every year as our home county of Dorset really know how to put together a good festival.
The Lyme Regis Fossil Festival is an annual event for the whole family which runs from Friday 29th April to Sunday 1st May. The Festival seeks to enthuse young people about science, earth sciences in particular and there is plenty to do for the whole family with walks, talks, theatre, music, comedy, exhibits and lots of hands-on science.
Meet and chat to scientists from the Natural History Museum, British Antarctic Survey, Palaeontological Association, Plymouth University, Natural England, Jurassic Coast Trust, Dorset Geologists, Geological Society, Lyme Regis Museum, Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, National Trust, Dorset Wildlife Trust, National Oceanography Centre, Dinosaur Isle and many more.
If the weather is good you can also treat yourself to an ice cream on the beach and take a walk along the famous Cobb to get a brilliant view of the Jurassic coast.
The Dorset Knob Throwing Festival is being held on Sunday 1st May at Cattistock from 10am until 4.00pm with admission prices £4 per adult under 12’s free. Before you wonder if I have gone mad, a Dorset knob is a hard dry savoury biscuit made from bread dough which contains extra sugar and butter. They are rolled and shaped by hand and as well as being delicious with some artisan cheese, they are great for playing comical sports with.
Alongside the traditional Knob Throwing there are additional fun knob attractions including Knob Eating, Knob Painting, Splat the Knob, a Knob & Spoon Race, Guess the weight of the Big Knob, Knob Darts and a Knob Pyramid. It all makes for a hilarious day out that is packed full of innuendo plus there is also other more traditional entertainment to enjoy.
The Frome Valley Food Festival runs alongside the Knob Throwing with a chance to sample, taste and buy foods including breads, cheeses, ciders, meats, game, poultry, pies and much more, all supplied by local businesses.
For military fans, don’t miss your first chance to see the Tiger 131Tank in action after its starring role in the Hollywood Blockbuster FURY at the Tank Museum’s Tiger Day.
See Tiger 131 in action on this day dedicated to their most famous tank! In 2016 Tiger 131 will only make two appearances in their arena; Tiger Day on Saturday 30th April and Tankfest on 25th & 26th June. As the only running Tiger 1 tank in the world you really can’t afford to miss it! The Museum will open at 10.00am with a range of World War Two talks and tours taking place throughout the day including the opportunity to get close to Tiger. The highlight of the day will be at 1.30pm, when Tiger 131 displays in the Kuwait arena.
The Tank Museum is a great day out for all the family with interactive displays to enjoy and even the chance to climb inside one of their battle tanks and hold onto your hats as you take a ride in a tracked vehicle.
There is also many beautiful Dorset Beaches to explore too. Whatever you get up to this Bank Holiday, I hope you have fun!
Kizzy
Dorset is on our list of destinations in the UK we’d love to visit. Hopesfully we will soon as it looks like there is plenty to do.
Sarah | Boo Roo and Tigger Too
Dorset is on my list of places to take the children, so many different activities happening
Michelle Twin Mum
I’ve not been down your way in the May holiday before but it looks like there will be lots f fun to be had. Mich x
Elaine Livingstone
Wow I love the idea of building a festival round a local delicacy, and some of the ideas made me laugh. Sounds like a great day out and very good value even for a family with the children going for free.
I think I would have to have a go in the tank myself, I have always fancied that.
Love the picture of the wee one making dinosaur foot prints.
Mat day bank holiday is usually good weather wise so a nice time to schedule these activities.
Nayna Kanabar
Wow what a great place to visit,I love the feet stamps.
Lizzie
I bet you can guess where I laughed! Sounds like you have plenty to keep you entertained this bank holiday you can’t beat a local event either we always enjoy going to ours. My kids especially would love the science activities (making Dino feet)
Ness
Looks like there’s plenty happening in Dorset this weekend!
Sara-Jayne
We live so close to Dorset and rarely ever visit – that Fossil Festival looks amazing fun, I love the look on his face with the dino stomping paint!
Jen
You are lucky to live in an area that has so much to do. It is so beautiful too,
Phoebe @ Lou Messugo
What a fun list of things to do, Dorset seems to be the place to be! No bank holiday for us in France today, just a normal Monday.
Shell Louise
A walk along the beach with an ice cream is one of my favourite things to do 🙂
Melanie Chadd
Ahhhhh, spent many a summer holiday on the Dorset coast as a child. My brother and I used to love looking for fossils
Stephen
It looks like lots of fun was had. I was stuck in a very rainy Manchester for the bank holiday. Would rather have been making dinosaur footprints! Stephen
Sonia
We really need to visit Dorset, we have never been. I’m going to try and book a holiday down there next year I think x