Long known as ‘Thomas Hardy country’ Dorset has everything from literary trails to Iron Age settlements, old-fashioned seaside resorts to beautiful Jurassic Coastline. Featuring a number of Blue Flag white sand beaches and ease of access from London, Dorset is popular in the UK for quick weekend trips to the sea.
But it is not just a county built around its coastline. Inland it also offers some quintessentially English landscapes, crossed by the chalk ranges of the South Dorset and North Dorset downs, agriculturally fertile valleys in Frome, Stour and the Vale of Blackmore and the famous marble quarries of Purbeck and Portland.
Inhabited since at least 8000BC Dorset’s high chalk hills have offered defensive settlements for thousands of years and there are Neolithic and Bronze Age Settlements at almost every turn.
In addition there are numerous Iron Age Hill Forts, with Maiden Castle being the most famous and well worth a visit (it is the largest of its kind in Europe.) The elegant and charming town of Dorchester is built on endless Roman remains and artefacts and there are some excellent sites and museums there. Also worth seeing are the ruins of Corfe Castle and historic sites at Athelhampton and Cranborne Manor and Gardens, as well as Sherbourne Castle, home of Sir Walter Raleigh.
For those looking for something a bit more relaxing, Bournemouth has been dealing in ‘laid back’ for over two hundred years now. The writer Augustus Granville included Bournemouth in his Book of Spas in 1841 and ever since tourists have been flocking there for the ‘medicinal air,’ beautiful beaches, stunning gardens and temperate climate. Now a curious combination of art deco calm, bohemian cafes and numerous old people’s homes, it is certainly laid back!
For something less sedate, most people head out along the 95 miles of spectacular, untouched coastline, known as the ‘Jurassic Coast’ for its incomparable selection of Jurassic, Triassic and Cretaceous fossils and now the UK’s only natural UNESCO World Heritage site. For this coastline alone, Dorset is a must-see county.
Bournemouth International Centre (BIC), BournemouthAchieving second place on ITV's The X Factor in 2009, Olly Murs debut single named Please Don't Let Me Go' hit the top spot on the UK's Singles Chart, and his second single Thinking of Me reached number four. Of Latvian descent, Olly signed a joint deal between Epic Records and Syco Music in 2010, and will shortly be co-presenting the eighth series of The Xtra Factor, the companion show to the X Factor.…
Bournemouth International Centre, BournemouthDon't miss The Wanted as they embark on their first UK tour. Hear all the hits from their self titled debut album including the Number 1 charting, All Time Low…
Van Morrison is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. Both his live performances and his studio recordings are considered to be inspirational and among the best in the world. He has won 6 Grammy Awards and is inducted into both the 'Rock and Roll' and 'Songwriters Hall of Fame'. His latest album recording was 'Astral weeks, Live at the Hollywood Bowl' in 2009.…
Bournemouth International Centre, BournemouthFlorence and the Machine have been going from strength to strength since their chart topping album 'Lungs' in 2009 and unavoidable cover of 'You've Got the Love' - the latter partly aided by Dizzee Rascal - and are set to continue this trend in 2012. Although Florence and the Machine by name, this success is focused mainly on Florence herself. A flame-haired woman with a striking voice, she has inspired musicians and women as a whole through her attitudes and styles over the last two years - a feat recognised by her new status as a fashion icon. With her assorted band of musicians behind her -…
Matt Cardle is a British singer-songwriter who rose to fame after winning the seventh series of X Factor 2010, winning a £1 million recording contract with Simon Cowell's Company Syco. Matt’s debut single ‘When We Collide’ was released immediately after he won the X Factor, it sold more than 439,000 in the first week making it 2010’s UK Christmas No.1. Matt Cardle released his debut single ‘Run For Your Life’ on 9 October 2011 ahead of his debut album ‘Letters’ which was released on 17 October 2011. He collaborated with various writers on this album which included Eg White. ‘Letters’ charted a…
Bournemouth Pavilion, BournemouthRe-live the sights and sounds of sixties as the world’s premier Beatle band returns to Cambridge with their spectacular two hour multi-media stage production featuring all the classic Beatle hits. Using film footage of the period and 'with a little help from' their regular brass and string ensemble the show traces the history of the Fab Four from Liverpool's Cavern Club through Sgt Pepper to The Apple Rooftop in what has now become one of the ‘not to miss’ annual traditions of the seasons calendar. …
Australian Pink Floyd is the band to see when it comes to Pink Floyd tributes. More than just an average cover band, Aussie Pink Floyd meticulously strives to recreate the ground-breaking work of the iconic band and put on mind-blowing live stage shows. Lasers, lights, on-screen visuals, and huge inflatables give lucky audience members a chance to really feel like they're at an authentic Pink Floyd concert. In 2011 they became the first band to debut a new stereoscopic 3D element as part of their show and 2012 is sure to bring more jaw-dropping innovations to the delight of their large fan bas…
Bournemouth International Centre, BournemouthAs one of the strongest and most enduring voices in the business, Engelbert Humperdinck, the man who has sold 150 million albums worldwide, is bringing his show to the UK with a string of nationwide dates. In his 75th year, Engelbert Humperdinck, whose name comes from the 1911 Austrian composer who wrote "Hansel & Gretel", is an artist who, not only shows little sign of slowing down, but is always looking forward and discovering new avenues that keep him current, introducing himself to a whole new generation of fans. Performing all the Humperdinck classics including Quando-Quando-Quando, Am …
O2 Academy Bournemouth, BournemouthTogether since 2004, English rock band 'You Me at Six' released their debut album 'Take Off Your Colours' in 2008. They claim inspiration from American bands such as 'Blink 182' and 'Thrice' and have received multiple 'Kerrang!' Award nominations. Their second studio album was released in 2010 and titled 'Hold Me Down' and their third, 'Stay with Me' later in 2010. Fans are awaiting the release of album three, the band have been back to the recording studio and are to release it later in 2011.…
Bournemouth International Centre, BournemouthChris Rea is one of England's greatest contemporary Rock legends, having released nearly 20 albums he is as prolific as he is talented. Taking the time to appreciate the music of Chris Rea requires little to no effort, it always speaks for itself. His fans have been as dedicated as they are admiring, accounting for nearly thirty million records being sold world wide. This artist appears to be taking his music in a much more classical direction in the near future, foregoing the chance to stray too far from his already proven formula. This is not to say the music being created is rehashed or…
Bournemouth Early Rock Choir RehearsalMonday, 20 February 2012'National Phenomenon', Rock Choir�� is available in Bournemouth offering the opportunity for everyone to enjoy singing & performing. As featured on BBC Breakfast, Rock Choir�� offers pop, gospel and Motown singing for all ages and attracts al
Other concerts, music and gigs in Dorset are:
Bournemouth Late Rock Choir Rehearsal20 Feb, BournemouthBournemouth Lunch Rock Choir Rehearsal21 Feb, BournemouthChristchurch Late Rock Choir Rehearsal21 Feb, ChristchurchBournemouth Early Rock Choir Rehearsal27 Feb, BournemouthBournemouth Late Rock Choir Rehearsal27 Feb, BournemouthBournemouth Lunch Rock Choir Rehearsal28 Feb, BournemouthChristchurch Late Rock Choir Rehearsal28 Feb, ChristchurchBournemouth Early Rock Choir Rehearsal5 Mar, BournemouthBournemouth Late Rock Choir Rehearsal5 Mar, BournemouthBournemouth Lunch Rock Choir Rehearsal6 Mar, Bournemouth
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Sport in Dorset
Barrington TheatreOur spotlight theatre/performing arts centre of the week is Barrington Theatre, located in Ferndown. See what shows and performances are on this week at Barrington Theatre.
Other theatres and performing arts venues in Dorset are:
Bournemouth International Centre and PavillionBournemouth PavilionLighthouse
Tank MuseumSee Armour Through The Ages At The Tank Museum. Head for The Tank Museum in September 2005, for an exciting journey through the history of armoured warfare. The Tank Museum, the biggest and best museum of its kind in the world, will be hosting the largest weekend event of its kind in the South…Location: Bovington
Some other fun family days out in Dorset are:
Terracotta Warriors MuseumDorset Teddy Bear MuseumMonkey WorldShaftesbury Abbey Museum and GardenSherborne MuseumDorset County MuseumMilitary Museum of Devon and DorsetRoyal Signals MuseumWeymouth Sea Life Park
Tutankhamun ExhibitionOn 26th November 1922 that Howard Carter uttered the now immortal words - 'Yes, wonderful things, and gold, everywhere the glint of gold!' - in answer to Lord Carnarvon's question 'Can you see anything?' The long hunt for Tutankhamun's tomb was over. You too can experience the magnificence and wond…Location: Dorchester
Some other notable historic attractions in Dorset are:
Royal Signals MuseumDorset County MuseumShaftesbury Abbey Museum and GardenDeep Sea AdventureKnoll GardensSherborne CastleSherborne MuseumAbbotsbury Sub Tropical GardensTank MuseumTerracotta Warriors MuseumLulworth CastleWeymouth Sea Life ParkRSPB Radipole LakeMinterne Gardens
By Chris HaycockA concert of epic proportion will see Elton John, Paul McCartney and Shirley Bassey perform live to …
By Lucy MiddletonDespite a slight fall in audience attendance, the West End theatre have set record box office sales …
By Amanda ArnoldConvicted pedophile Gary Glitter is set to earn thousands from this years Superbowl in America.
By Paul ArnoldAfter a weekend of pulsating FA Cup action there's a full set of midweek Premier League fixtures to look forward to.
By Amanda ArnoldEd Sheeran's debut album '+' returns to the top of the UK album charts.
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How to Use the London PassLondon is one of the star attractions for visitors and tourists to England. If your time is limited, you'll want to make the most of your trip to London with a London Pass, enabling you to enter dozens of top London attractions and landmarks dotted across the city.
The Oldest Theatres in BritainGenerations of actors have trod the boards in some of the finest theatre buildings all over Britain. Luckily, some of the oldest theatres still remain in use to this day, proving just how important theatre is as an expression of our culture, and as a form of entertainment that is available to all. The following 10 theatres are among the oldest in Britain, but they are still in business today. Hopefully, they'll still be around in another 100 years time.
Top 10 London Plays -Spring 2011If you live in London or you're visiting the capital this spring, a night out at the theatre is always a great way to spend an evening. Check out the following 10 (song-free) plays to see in London this spring.
Ditch the workout - join the Zumba PartyZumba - the fitness dance craze, is taking over the nation, and classes are popping up everywhere, and there's a good chance that one is happening near you. BritEvent's Amanda Arnold, who just happens to be a Shrewsbury-based Zumba instructor, tells us more about the fitness phenomenon.
