January can be a funny time of year. But what we love is taking it easy (well, at home, not at work) for a few weeks and thinking about all the exciting things we can get up to this year. Whether you are a local like us, or thinking about visiting Dorset, here are some of the things that you might just want to put on your 2022 ‘Dorset To-Do List’!
Food Festivals
Food and drink is our passion – mainly drink and mainly tea, obviously! Here in Dorset we are lucky enough to be able to frequent food festivals throughout the year where some of the finest local produce is available to try.
Christchurch Food Festival
Located on the gorgeous Christchurch Quay, this fun festival combines food, drink, community and entertainment. It’s happening over the long bank holiday in June this year, giving your four days to head out and explore all on offer!
Dorset Seafood Festival
Also known as Seafeast, is another not to be missed! Taking place on the Weymouth Peninsula, (the very end of Weymouth’s beautiful sandy beach and the start of the historic harbourside) means you can soak up the glorious scenery and taste some very local produce! With live music, fun for the kids and local wines and ales to try, this is a September event to pop in your diary.
Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival
Home to over 60 traditional food stalls plus cheese-related activities such as workshops, tastings and cookery demonstrations this is one for the fromage fans!
Our Beaches
Not exclusive to 2022 of course, but something that will always be top of our list to enjoy throughout the year are our beautiful Dorset beaches. For the Dorset Tea team, it doesn’t matter what the weather is doing. We love a wet and windy bracing walk to blow away the cobwebs and experience the moody skies. Or you’ll find us heading into the sea for an icy sea dip before heading back to shore for a warming sip of our favourite tea. But of course, we love the summer months too when we paddleboard the calm waters and build sandcastles with the little’ies! Here are some of our fave places.
Studland
If you follow our blog then you’ll know by now how much we love Studland! With its fine white sand and calm waters it’s perfect for a family day out, a romantic beach stroll or a walk with your favourite furry friend. Plus, if you fancy a little skinny dip then this is the place to go without feeling judged as there is a 1km naturist section!
Sandbanks to Hengistbury Head
Ok, so this covers quite a lot of ground, but if you’ve not visited before, did you know that we have a gorgeous 10 mile stretch of golden sandy beach that runs all the way from Sandbanks to Hengistbury Head! You may be looking for the ultimate beach walk, or perhaps just want to settle for a little section and not move for the whole day. Both are ok by us!
Lulworth Cove
If sand isn’t really your thing (we get it, not everyone likes the feeling between their toes) then head for one of the UK’s prettiest pebbled beaches. Stare out to see at the glorious turquoise waters that are protected by the almost circular bay. Absolutely stunning!
Our love for the beach goes beyond enjoying a sandy day out though. That’s why we’ve partnered with the Marine Conservation Society. They fight for the future of our ocean and are working hard with communities, governments and businesses to make a real difference. Last year we organised a beach clean for local schools and this year we plan to make it bigger and better! Watch this space!
Great Places To Eat
Did we mention we love food and drink? Whether we’re after a cosy place to snuggle down and enjoy a warming brew, or in need of a shady spot to get refreshed on a hot summer’s day, we are spoilt for choice for places to eat in Dorset. Here are a few of our favourite local spots:
Knoll House
We’re back in Studland again! Well, if you’re going to visit the beautiful beach then what could be nicer than a traditional Dorset cream tea, served with … Dorset Tea of course! In the warmer months you can take tea out on the terrace overlooking the stunning sea views!
South Deep Café
Nestled in Parkstone marina and with a waterfront garden and views across Poole Harbour this is a great place to head for a bite to eat no matter what time of day. With an excellent choice of seafood plus English classics it’s a hidden gem that you might just want to keep to yourself!
Urban Gardens
This is another great spot that is nestled away in Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens. With a cool vibe, calming décor and fantastic menus including wood fired pizzas it’s one of our absolute favourites.
Exciting Events
Throughout the year Dorset hosts a multitude of shows and festivals and we barely go a week without something fun on offer locally. And whether you passion is food, farming, music or sport you’re sure to find something happening Dorset that is of interest.
Bournemouth Air Show
This September will see Bournemouth host one of the biggest and best aviation events. Last year we were lucky enough to see the Red Arrows fly on all three days as well as RAF Typhoon, a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, a freefall parachute display team and more! As well as the daytime flight schedule there are some special ‘night air’ displays offering twilight pyrotechnic displays! All along the promenade you will also find plenty to do including Armed Forces villages, funfair rides, food and drink stalls and evening parties!
Purbeck Valley Folk Festival
Set on a farm on the beautiful Jurassic Coast, this family-friendly festival brings three days of live music, workshops, poetry, children’s areas, craft areas and more! With stages set in covered areas (farm barns) and everything in close proximity to each other it really is the perfect was to experience the thrill of a festival without the usual worries of the weather, losing your friends and having to spend all day on your feet walking for miles! Plus the campsite is in such a classical idyllic Dorset spot that some parts look right across to Corfe Castle! Now that is a view to wake up to!
Dorset County Show
Agriculture sits at the core of one of Dorset’s largest events of the year held at Dorchester showground. With shows and displays where you can watch farming practices as well as rural trade, crafts and food, this event will give you a great insight into life in rural Dorset. The show jumping and livestock parades are always well attended but away from the main ring you can see ferret racing, floral displays, heavy horses and vintage tractors!
We’ll be making our way to some of these great events so keep an eye on our website and social channels – we’d love to meet you and let you try our delicious tea in it’s very own home county!