The festival gives new and classic adaptations a fascinating context with discussions and workshops with authors, screenwriters, directors and film academics.

The film festival runs from 11th – 15th April, 2012.

Forde Abbey near Chard

More than 900 years of history and romance are encapsulated in this elegant former Cistercian monastery and its 30 acres of award winning gardens.

Forde Abbey was founded by the Cistercians in 1140 and became one of the richest and most learned monasteries in the country. The church was demolished in the dissolution, but in 1649 Sir Edmund Prideaux transformed the Abbey into a magnificent commonwealth house.

The 30 acres of gardens include a walled working kitchen garden, ponds, cascades, ionic temple, rockery, bog garden, and the Centenary Fountain, the highest powered fountain in England.

At weekends during February, you can visit and see the gardens displaying a glorious carpet of snowdrops – the first sign that spring is on its way!

Discover beautiful West Dorset

Marshwood Trails offer a range of cycling and walking tours designed to help you discover all this beautiful area has to offer. Every tour is led by a knowledgeable guide who will make sure you see all the special places that many visitors miss. 

Marshwood Trails offer both scheduled tours, a great way of meeting people, or bespoke tours if there is a group of you keen to explore West Dorset. For further details visit the Marshwood Trails website.

Holiday cottages in West Dorset:
Two Bedrooms / sleeps 4
Three Bedrooms / sleeps 5

Learning to bake bread at Otterton Mill

Otterton Mill is set beside the River Otter in one of Devon’s loveliest valleys and just a mile from East Devon’s world heritage Jurassic Coast.

You can enjoy the very best in local foods in the highly acclaimed restaurant, artisan bakery and Devon food shop – you can also learn traditional bread making within the bakery. The gallery and craft shop display exceptional works of art and examples of traditional West Country crafts.

At Otterton Mill you can also enjoy the music of local talented artists – for a full programme of events see the Mill website.

All of this and more, in the idyllic setting of an historic working watermill on the River Otter with beautiful surrounding natural East Devon countryside.

Holiday cottages in East Devon near Otterton Mill:
One Bedroom / sleeps 2
Two Bedrooms / sleeps 4
Two Bedrooms / sleeps 4

Come on in, the water's...freezin'

You can start off with the Fancy Dress Swim in aid of the RNLI on Christmas Day morning in Charmouth at 11:00am sharp.

On Boxing Day you can try ‘The West Bay Wallow’, a charity fancy dress swim off East Beach in West Bay organised by Bridport Round Table – this happens at midday.

On New Year’s Day you can complete the set by heading to Lyme Regis for ‘The Lyme Lunge’ and take a dip in the water off Cobb Beach at 1:00pm – this year the charities supported are the RNLI and ShelterBox.

Of course if you’re not feeling that hardy (and who could blame you), you can just enjoy the fun as a spectator and help to support these worthy causes! Everyone is welcome, whether ‘dipping’ or simply spectating and contributing to a charity collection.

Christmas in Lyme Regis

Late night shopping every Friday up until and including 23rd December in the delightful seaside town of Lyme Regis offers a great opportunity to find a gift that’s a little different. There are lots of interesting, individual stores crammed with original gift ideas. Carols, hot chestnuts and strolling players all add to the festive atmosphere.

The art galleries, coffee shops and restaurants will all be open to add to your enjoyment and there is plenty of free parking after 6:00pm.

Christmas in Bridport

Bridport’s annual Christmas Festival with late night shopping takes place Wednesday 7th December. Most shops in the town centre will be celebrating and staying open until late.
There will be craft, food and charity stalls, a farmer’s market, Santa’s Grotto and entertainment. South Street will be closed to traffic from 2:30pm until 9:30pm.

The Mayor will be switching on the Christmas tree lights at 6:00pm, following which Father Christmas will arrive!

Christmas shopping in Exeter

For Christmas shopping with a difference why not visit the small high quality markets in the heart of Exeter, with gift markets on Thursdays, produce markets on Fridays and craft markets on Saturdays.

The markets offer the opportunity to find Christmas gifts that are just that little bit different.

Markets are open 9:00am to 5:00pm (9:00pm on Thursdays)

Dorchester's annual Christmas Cracker

Dorchester’s annual Christmas Cracker is to be held on Thursday 1st December from 5.30pm. The theme this year is ‘A White Christmas’. There is free parking and late night shopping and festive stalls will be situated all over the town.

The Christmas lights will be switched on at 6:30pm on the St Peter’s Stage. Lee Latchford-Evans, from the pop band Steps, will be switching on the lights (but don’t let that put you off!).

Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy

Olympic cycle champion Sir Chris Hoy has picked a list of the ten best hills to ride down in the UK. The ten chosen include a descent into Lyme Regis described as, ‘Silver Street in Lyme Regis…a descent lined with cottages and wild flowers’.

The full descent (about four miles), in fact starts at Raymonds Hill in Devon, runs through the village of Uplyme and then crosses the border into Dorset and Lyme Regis. As you reach Silver Street in Lyme Regis there is a fabulous view through the town to the sea.

The view to Golden Cap at Lyme Regis seafront

Carry on down through Broad Street and come to rest at the seafront – now you can sit down, relax and enjoy the beautiful views east to Golden Cap and west to the historical Cobb Harbour.

Just one thing to note; the ride back to the top will take a little longer!