What Are The Top 10 Dorchester Summer Activities?

Despite

a few bouts of rain we’ve had pretty good summer weather so far in comparison

to recent years (touch wood). I recently had relatives from London to stay and

so I had to think about what I would show them, what we could do and how I

could show off our town.

Before my relatives arrived I put together a list of my top 10 summer activities in Dorchester for them, which I'd now like to share with you. I’d

also like to know your favourite things to do and where you think they should go on my list.

Here goes…

1.      Start at the

bottom of High West Street and take a stroll along the river. It’s wise to take

some bread for the ducks and swans, and you can take a detour around the wild

walk just before the allotments which loops back if you’re feeling adventurous.

Follow the river around to the Sun Inn and enjoy a pint or a carvery. Mummybea

says that the Sun Inn does the best carvery in the area every day of the year!

2.      If you’re feeling

adventurous you can solve a Dorchester mystery by taking part in Treasure

Trails Dorset. You can buy a trail via email for £5 or request a postal copy

for £6 on the Treasure Trails Dorset Website. Choose from  Dorchester Town, Dorchester Old Fordington or

choose a trail somewhere else in Dorset.

3.      Go for a

swim, play a spot of tennis or take part in the various summer activities that

take place at the Thomas Hardye Leisure Centre. They have some great activities

for kids over the summer so you could even turn up as a family and each do something

different.

4.      On a rainy

day there’s no place like the Plaza. It’s currently Dorchester’s only cinema

and tickets are as cheap as £2.50, even for new releases! They recently had a

midnight showing of Toy Story 3 in pyjamas to raise money for charity so keep

an eye out for fun events there. They also show films in 3D – very exciting for

our little town!

5.      Do not

underestimate the beauty of a stroll through the town centre on a sunny day. We’ve got so

many lovely shops and old buildings – we may not always notice

them anymore but visitors always appreciate them! We have lovely little shops

such as Area, Get On Board, Frank Herring & Sons and Words Etcetera.

6.      Another

indoor option is Kidz Corner. The place has really taken off since it opened

less than a year ago. Located in Poundbury, indoor play centre is designed for

children aged up to eight and there is also a café for adults to relax in

whilst their offspring hurtle around letting off steam.

7.      It’s always

worth checking out what organisers at Dorchester Arts Centre are up to. They recently put on a

production of Romeo and Juliet at Maumbury Rings and they have many other

exciting shows in the pipeline.

8.      Go out for

lunch! There are so many brilliant places to go for lunch I don’t think I can

fit them all on here, so my favourites are The Potters Café Bistro, Café Jagos,

The Gorge (best for all-day breakfast after a heavy night) and Taste.

9.      Wednesday is

market day, which basically means avoid town in you can’t stand market stalls

and lots of people dawdling and getting in your way. Alternatively if, like me,

you enjoy buzzing markets stalls with fresh local produce, random priceless

gems and lots of plants, sweeties and puzzles, then head to the market car park

on a Wednesday morning! I like to pause for a cup of tea and a cake at the

Market Café.

10. Music!!

Dorchester is great for live music and there’s always something going on. Check

out the ‘All About Music’ group to find out what’s happening and even add your own

events.

Have

you had people come to stay recently? What did you do with them? What would you

recommend for my list? If you have some of your own ideas you can even write your own list. Just click 'write' on the homepage and start typing!