Close Icon

Dorset is famously home to some of the finest producers of cheese, meat, seafood, cider, ale and absolutely any type of delicious Dorset edibles that you care to mention. There is a real sense of passion and pride amongst Dorset and this is why people come from miles around to attend the regular farmers markets and wonderful food and drink events that take place throughout the calendar year.

 

Not only are there food and drink events, but many of the pretty Dorset villages have farm shops filled with freshly grown fruit and vegetables, meat, beautiful blooms, cheese, ales and home baked goods.

 

Not to mention the old breweries, that are still making ales exactly how they were centuries ago with not a single ingredient or process changed.

 

The village of Blandford Forum is home to the Hall & Woodhouse brewery, who produce the award winning Badger Dorset ales. The lovely market town of Bridport is home to the traditional Palmers Brewery, which, from Easter to the end of October puts on guided tours. Whilst you’re in Bridport, you must also pay a visit to Leakers bakery, a Bridport institution since 1914. Pop in for a cheese and cider loaf or a lemon, marmalade and ginger muffin to soak up all the sampled ale!

 

The Dorset Farmers Markets are just fantastic. Pop along to one of the regular markets at Weymouth, Bridport, Poundbury, Wimborne, Dorchester High Street or Shaftsbury. Chat with the farmers, producers and growers whilst you’re there so that you know what you’re buying and get tips for how best to cook it. Food doesn’t get any more local than that found at the market. There is nothing more delightful than preparing for your evening meal by browsing through the farmers market, heading home laden with fresh ingredients and delicious local treats to sample!

 

Dorset Food and Drink Events are aplenty! They are simply foodie (and drinkie) heaven. The award-winning Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival is a fantastic event which Dream Cottages are proud to sponsor. Taking place in July on around Weymouth harbour, it is perfect for those who are partial to some freshly caught seafood, champagne and family entertainment. The Dorset County Show in September mixes great food and drink with vintage cars, good old fashioned livestock competitions, all topped off with a bit of ferret racing! Sausages, cider and live music are on offer in October at The Sausage and Cider Festival at the beautiful Greyhound pub in Corfe. The Dorchester Beer Festival is always a hit in February, as is the Powerstock Cider Festival in April. On the quirky side of food and drink events, The Dorset Knob Throwing and Frome Valley Food Festival takes place in May. The event pays homage to the unique savoury biscuits, fondly known as Dorset Knobs, which have been baked since 1880 by local bakers, Moores. Where else can you enter a ‘knob and spoon’ race, play ‘knob darts’ or pay such homage to the famous Dorset Knob!

 

There are so many wonderful food and drink festivals, these are just a few. Try and squeeze in a market, a lovely trip to a farm shop or an event whilst you are in Dorset to sample some of the most delicious produce in the country.