July 2024

Yoga in the Garden at Knoll Gardens

£8 Enjoy outdoor yoga in the tranquillity of Knoll’s glorious naturalistic garden before it opens to the public. Dependant on the weather the class will either be on mats on the lawn if warm and sunny; a yoga walk around the gardens if a little chilly; or under the marquee if a little wet. With 18 years of experience, Yoga Therapist Jackie Hayfield may include flowing movements, standing postures, breath work, guided relaxation and meditation in the garden. Booking essential. More information and booking: Jackie Hayfield 07955 587772 or [email protected] www.knollgardens.co.uk

Garden Bee Workshop – Knoll Gardens

Do you know a bumblebee from a solitary or honey bee? Between 11am – 12am join Knoll Gardens bumblebee surveyor, and chair of the Knoll Gardens Foundation, Rowena Jecock in the beautiful gardens at Knoll to discover more about the fascinating world of bees, learn how to identify some of the species you are most likely to find in your own garden and what you can do to help them thrive.

Gardening in the Naturalistic Style – Knoll Gardens

Extract from Neils new book; ‘I have come to prefer ‘naturalistic’ as an overarching term to describe this distinctive approach to garden-making, and for what I personally feel most closely defines my own approach and ethos. It reflects a desire to garden with an informal aesthetic and to take great pleasure in the garden as an ever-changing, ongoing community that benefits both ourselves and our wider environment’.

Join Neil in a tour around the garden as he shares some of the experience, techniques and passion, that has made Knoll the naturalistic garden that it is today.

Coastal Rowing Regatts – Swanage

National Garden Scheme Open Day

Fridays 27 July and 7 September Normal admission price 10am – 5pm The NGS is the most significant charitable funder of nursing charities in the country having donated over £50m to date. Your visit today will help its work. Based at Knoll Gardens – Taking its inspiration from the natural world, Knoll’s naturalistic planting style mimics nature, building on the way plants co-exist in naturally occurring communities to create a glorious garden that is both beneficial to wildlife and packed with year-round interest. An inspirational garden to visit, Knoll is full of practical planting ideas as well as providing plenty of peaceful seating areas so you can relax and enjoy its peaceful seclusion. www.knollgardens.co.uk +44 (0)1202 873931

Nightjar and Bat Walk – Lulworth Estate

Bat & Nightjar Walk: Lulworth Estate. Nightjars are charismatic birds and we are lucky enough to have them on the Lulworth Estate. Join one of our rangers on a dusky walk out to our heath to hear these birds asserting their territories on an early summer’s evening. On hearing a Nightjar for the first time, it is a sound one will never forget and an experience you will no doubt want to repeat. On the way to view these birds, we will pass good bat habitat and with our experts and special instruments we should be able to tune into the secretive world of these amazing mammals. Bring a torch and sturdy footwear. Session approx. 2.5-3hrs.

Wilkswood Reggae Festival

The 2017 festival saw some of the best reggae acts from the UK and abroad perform across three stages – including headliners Brinsley ‘Aswad’ Forde, Tippa Irie, Mad Professor, Janet Kay, Channel One Soundsystem and Prince Fatty – as well as additional performance stages, soundsystems, street food stalls (including the famous Jerkshak Caribbean cuisine and a wood-fired pizza van) and bars serving ice cold Red Stripe, craft ales, local cider and rum cocktails!

Poole Quay Fireworks

Summer breeze on the quay with fireworks from 7pm.  Live music, quayside restaurants, vibrant pubs and bars, activities taking place all evening to keep the family entertained and a spectacular fireworks finale. Thursdays throughout summer holidays.

British Beach Polo Championships

Two days of beach polo with professional polo players competing in a specially constructed arena on Sandbanks Beach. Evening entertainment will also be available on both days..

Dorset Seafood Festival

The Dorset Seafood Festival brings together champagne, seafood and family entertainment. A great opportunity to gain a better understanding of the superb seafood available just off our glorious shores.

Upwey Open Gardens

All around the village, with parking, cream teas, stalls and vintage vehicles.

Larmer Tree Festival

The whole team are incredibly excited about working together to make 2018 the best Larmer Tree Festival yet. The festival remains independent and will keep the quirky, friendly, fun feeling atmosphere we’ve developed over 26 years and looking after our festival-goers will remain a priority. We’re looking forward to some new surprises for our audiences as well.

Swanage Jazz Festival

The festival is back this summer! As big as it was before! A wide spectrum of jazz, from trad through modern to contemporary and gypsy jazz, based at two main stages and many venues throughout the town. Acts confirmed so far – Pete Long’s ‘Echoes Of Ellington’ 18 piece jazz orchestra, Keith Nichols Blue Devils, The Bateman Brothers, Fletch’s Brew, Alan Barnes Octet, Jazz At The Philharmonic, Clark Tracey Quintet, ‘Spats’ Langham, Vitality Five, Dave Brennan’s Jubilee Jazz Band, and many more!

Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival

The Festival includes a diverse mixture of campaigning stalls, a range of stalls selling gifts, clothing, books and other items and plenty of food and drink stalls for all tastes.

16th July

Sherborne Car Classic & Supercar Show

Held in the grounds of Sherborne Castle.  Classic car auction, model cars and supercar display. Website

City Cruises Poole and Swanage  

70min cruise from Poole Quay or Swanage with stunning views of Brownsea Island and Old Harry Rocks. From either open deck seating or comfortable saloon you will see stunning views of the exceptional landscape that surrounds it.    Website

Wareham Carnival

Carnival procession and many other events throughout the week.

Camp Bestival

British music festival held annually at Lulworth Castle and is targeted at families with small children. It has won the Best New Festival award from the UK Festival Awards and Best Family Festival.

Swanage Carnival

Find a spot – join the party! Dance, sing, clap your hands and stamp your feet and enjoy the magic of Carnival Week.

Summer Holidays At The Tank Museum

This Summer Holiday explore The Tank Museum and experience the biggest day out in history… TANKS IN ACTION DISPLAYS – EVERY WEEKDAY! VEHICLE RIDES – EVERY DAY! TONNES OF FUN FOR FAMILIES!

Bournemouth’s Bourne Free Festival

An annual celebration of all diversities that live in Bournemouth and the constant strive towards universal equality for all through entertainment and awareness. Come and join the fun and watch all the exciting floats, Busses & Walking Groups, fabulously decked out in our decades theme, parade through Bournemouth Town Centre. This year is promising the largest parade yet, with a total of 43 sections.