Spring Tide Festival 2016
There are a few local events we look forward to each year, Dorset Knob Throwing Festival, Lyme Regis Fossil Festival and Spring Tide Festival.
The knob throwing and Fossil festivals have both been and gone, but this weekend was the turn of Spring Tide Festival at Burton Bradstock, just outside Bridport, Dorset.
This West Dorset seaside village, set next to gorgeous sandstone cliffs on the Jurassic Coast, is taken over by this National Trust event which showcases an eclectic mix of local food and drink, an exciting array of local producers, artisans and crafts and was held over Saturday and Sunday.
Looking at the weather, we decided the best day to visit was Sunday and set off from home nice and early to avoid the rain that was forecast for the afternoon. We arrived when it opened at 10am and got to explore what was on offer with just a handful of other people.
There were around 60 stallholders attending including lots of food producers who tried to tempt and tantalize us to try & buy
food and drink from across the county. We found an all-star line-up of locally made artisan bread, jams, chutneys, tea, coffee, beer, cider, cheese, cakes, pies, confectionary, charcuterie, meat and veg and the kids first choice was one of Mrs T’s gingerbread shapes.
There was also a good selection of local art & crafts on sale including some really impressive fish rubbings which were then put onto plates, mugs and tea towels.
The kids got stuck into the activities laid on for them including painting some jurassic themed pottery, decorating stones and learning how to make wool bracelets with a pinwheel.
No trip to Burton Bradstock would be without exploring the delights of the beach and we spotted a break in the clouds and some glorious sunshine that we had to take advantage of, so wandered down to explore the almost empty beach.
The kids enjoyed a spot of stone throwing and wave chasing before deciding they wanted to build a stone tower which was soon converted into a mermaid, complete with sea weed hair and stone jewels.
We played on the beach for over an hour before heading back to the festival to pick up some of the chilled produce I had been eyeing up.
The weather surprised us and we sat outside in the sunshine eating the most amazing salted caramel ice cream from Baboo Gelato (sadly only available in West Bay) and watching the Morris Dancers doing some fabulous dance routines.
Well done to the National Trust and all the organisers who put on a wonderful event. You kept us entertained all day and we are looking forward to next year already.
Joanna
What a lovely little festival sounds like u had a lovely time. It’s great that there was some fun activities for the kids and you got to also go to the beach too.
Kirsty Hijacked By Twins
Sounds like a great day out. We love going to festivals that have foodie stalls, we always come home with lots of goodies x
Gill
Gorgeous photos, your kids look like they are having lots of fun – looked a fun day out x
Anosa
Never been to an actual festival before so looking forward to going to one this year. Spring tide festival sounds like it was a lot of fun.
Jen
Oh those pies look really tempting. It looks like a fab event. I wonder if there is anything like this near us as I know the boys would love it
Coombe Mill - Fiona Cambouropoulos
A wonderful looking day. I remember the other two favourite events from previous years but not this one. It looks very local but in a good way. Not too big to worry about loosing the kids but enough to keep you going. Looks like you picked a great day for your visit and all the food there looks scrummy!
Coombe Mill - Fiona Cambouropoulos
Thank you for linking up with #CountryKids
Clare aka Emmy's Mummy
I’m now really wanting a pie.
It looks like a fantastic day out for all ages
Emma | The Mini Mes and Me
I love little festivals like this. We have one near us during the summer that I’m looking forward to which features a funfair and a mini farm too.
Those pies and biscuits look fab! x
Rachel
All of that seafood would have had me in heaven and I bet it was so fresh too x
Sonia
I just love events like these especially when you find some local treasures and produce! Those gingerbreads look amazing x
Phoebe @ Lou Messugo
Morris dancers always make me laugh, but those pies look delicious! You commented on my post about fairs and festivals with kids that you only had a donkey derby in your area but it looks like you’ve got a nice selection of festivals to go to.
Baby Isabella
What a lovely little festival, reminds us of the Goose Fayre outside Lyme. It’s great you managed a quick trip to the beach while you where there and those handmade pies look amazing!
Sara-Jayne
Those plates! Those biscuits! I would LOVE to visit this festival – and the boys would too with all of that food!
Kerry Norris
Sounds like a lovely festival. I’ve never heard of it before. I adore those plates x
Cass@frugalfamily
What a lovely little festival – we would have had a great day somewhere like that x
Shell Louise
I wish we had something like this near us, it looks like a brilliant day out 🙂
Fritha Strickland
aww my husband in from Bridport! It’s such a lovely part of the world, lovely pictures x
The L's Mum
Aww looks like such fab event. I wish we had more things like this near us. I love stuff like this. Those treats the kids had look yum.
oana79
Beautiful event, we love National Trust! Love all your photos and those fish rubbing art, simply beautiful!