Dorset prides itself on showcasing its homegrown food & drink produce and culinary expertise – and in Swanage you can sample a wide variety of local ingredients, dishes and eateries at these events.
From annual festivals, such as the Swanage Fish Festival, to special menu evenings at favourite local restaurants, you can find the very best in seasonal dining here.
🗓️ From 13th December 2025 Swanage Railway’s Pullman Observation Car is having a special makeover for the festive season. Enjoy a touch of luxury as you travel in the decorated carriage with its large picture windows, as you are served Christmas canapés and champagne by a uniformed Pullman attendant. You’ll also receive a personalised Christmas […]
🗓️ Saturday 12th – Sunday 13th July 2025 Following the success of last year’s inaugural Food & Drink Festival, the National Trust and Love It Local are once again hosting the summer event in the grounds of Corfe Castle. Set in the castle’s Outer Bailey, the food and drinks fair is an opportunity to sample […]
🗓️ Saturday 21st – Sunday 22nd June 2025 Swanage Fish & Food Festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year at its new venue of Sandpit Field. The fish & food festival is a firm favourite in the town’s summer calendar – usually held at Prince Albert Gardens in June, it was postponed earlier this year […]
🗓️ Saturday 14th June 2025 Enjoy a beer and curry night with a different aboard a Swanage Railway steam train. The Purbeck Piddler will take you on two return journeys from Swanage Station, with your choice of curry bookable in advance and a great selection of Piddle Brewery ales to sample from the on-board bar. […]
🗓️ Sunday 25th May – Friday 8th August 2025 (Selected Dates) Experience a fish & chip supper with a difference with Swanage Pier and City Cruises. The circular cruise from Swanage to Poole Harbour and back is guaranteed to be a memorable evening, offering some fantastic views of this part of the Jurassic Coast, including […]
🗓️ Sunday 20th – Monday 21st April 2025 Enjoy a brew with a view at Swanage’s National Coastwatch Lookout this Easter Sunday and Monday. Take a coastal stroll around Peveril Point and The Downs before stopping for a hot drink and some cake at the Swanage NCI Lookout, which is this year celebrating its 30th […]
🗓️ Sunday 20th April 2025 Swanage Linking Lives and the Place of Welcome are hosting a special free Easter lunch at the Methodist Church hall for members of the community today. Come alone or with family and friends and receive a friendly welcome and tasty Sunday lunch. On the Menu Drinks will be available, but […]
🗓️ Saturday 19th April 2025 The Village Inn is hosting another of their popular Caribbean Cookouts this afternoon. Soak up the sun and come and enjoy the jerk and rum in the beer garden – from 3pm. While you’re here, why not bring the kids to Ulwell’s Easter egg hunt. For more events at The […]
🗓️ Thursday 17th April 2025 There’s a chance to try a selection of Love Cake’s delicious puddings this evening at its special Pudding Club night. There’ll be an array of puddings and cocktails on offer, including taster portions so you can try various ones and discover your favourite.
🗓️ Sunday 13th April – Sunday 11th May 2025 (Selected Dates) Join a guided tour of Dorset Cider Farm’s orchards and pressing facilities this spring to celebrate British Cider Week. Learn how the Purbeck Cider Company manages its trees and what goes into creating each of their ciders. The two-hour experience includes a tour of […]
🗓️ Saturday 25th January 2025 The White Swan is celebrating Burns Night tonight with poems, pipes and a special three-course traditional Scottish menu. Your meal includes cock-a-leekie soup, haggis, neeps & tatties, and a cranachan dessert.
🗓️ Friday 24th January 2025 Love Cake is holding another special evening event in celebration of Burns Night. The set menu will feature all things Scottish in tribute to Robert Burns. Call or pop in to book your table: 01929 475664
🗓️ Friday 24th January 2025 Enjoy a dram of whisky and some poetry at The King’s Arms’ Burns Night celebration. And there’ll be a Scottish buffet of haggis, neeps and tatties after the traditional addressing of the haggis.
🗓️ Saturday 18th January 2025 Join in the ancient tradition of wassailing at the Dorset Cider Farm in Bushey (nr Corfe Castle) this winter. The evening begins with carols and morris dancing, along with a traditional Mummer play, before a torch-lit procession to the apple orchards, where the trees are blessed for a healthy harvest […]
🗓️ Friday 20th December 2024 Studio South’s holding a festive quiz night with drinks and nibbles this evening. As well as the Christmas quiz, tickets include a glass of wine, charcuterie board, hot drink and mince pies.
🗓️ Saturday 14th December 2024 Come and meet the cast of Swanage Drama Company’s upcoming Jack & The Beanstalk at this special breakfast at The Village Inn. You’ll get a sneak peak of the pantomime characters and the chance to have your photo taken with them – and they might even sing you a song […]
🗓️ Friday 29th November 2024 Come along to a festive edition of Love Cake’s popular tapas evenings. On the menu will be a selection of Christmas tapas, cocktails and puddings.
🗓️ Saturday 2nd November 2024 The annual Cider Festival is back this autumn at The Square & Compass, boasting a great selection of ciders and perries from across the UK. Head over to the pub from 11am, where there’ll be a range of draft and bottled, still and sparkling varieties to sample. There’ll also be […]
🗓️ Saturday 2nd November 2024 Enjoy another Spanish flamenco show at The Purbeck Plaza tonight, with Mi Flamenco. There’ll be two dancers accompanied by a Spanish guitarist and singer. Call the Purbeck Plaza to book: 01929 408911 Find out more about Mi Flamenco on their website: https://www.mi-flamenco.com
🗓️ Friday 11th – Sunday 13th October 2024 Enjoy a weekend of live music, local beer, and themed food at The King’s Arms’ first ever Kings’ Fest. It’s a celebration of the independent village pub in Langton, whose garden will be taken over for three days with festival fun. Line-Up For the latest updates, keep […]
🗓️ Saturday 5th October 2024 The ever-popular annual Pumpkin & Beer Festival at The Square in Worth Matravers is back – with its much-loved vegetable monster and scarecrow competitions. In addition to an array of home-grown pumpkins of all shapes, sizes and varieties, there’ll also of course be a fantastic range of UK beers, ales and […]
🗓️ Friday 6th September 2024 Enjoy an evening of delicious tapas, sharing boards, puddings and cocktails tonight at Love Cake.
🗓️ Thursday 5th September 2024 Enjoy a special kitchen garden tour, tipple and nibble at The Pig on the Beach this September. You’ll start your morning with pastries and a cup of tea or coffee, before heading into The Pig’s ‘Studland patch’ for a guided tour with head kitchen gardener Ollie Hutson, where you’ll learn […]
🗓️ Friday 30th August 2024 Enjoy some al fresco, freshly-prepared paella at The Village Inn today. Pantastic Paella will be in the beer garden from 2pm. The outside bar will be open, with paella being served till around 9pm (or until it sells out). No booking required – just turn up.
🗓️ Wednesday 28th August 2024 Come and browse the books at Swanage’s Oxfam today and pick up a cake or two to go with your next holiday read. The bookshop is holding a cake sale all day to help raise extra funds for the charity. It stocks a wide range of second-hand fiction, non-fiction, children’s […]
🗓️ Friday 23rd – Monday 26th August 2024 The annual Old Harry Bar Beer Festival returns this August with four days of entertainment including live music and of course a fantastic selection of real ales and ciders, along with various wines and gins. You can sample beers from a range of local, Dorset-based brewers, plus […]
🗓️ Sunday 18th August 2024 Learn the art of deer butchery and how to safely forage for your own food on this day out in the Purbeck wild with Forage for Knowledge. The six-hour session is led by experienced instructors who will share their knowledge and skills through: The day will end with your group […]
🗓️ Sunday 11th August 2024 The Dorset Cider Farm is holding its second Cider Sundae Festival today. There’ll be entertainment throughout the day, including live music, BBQ, family games and a bouncy castle. Pop along for a pint of Purbeck cider or an ice cream, or some hot food before exploring the farm’s orchards. Tickets […]
🗓️ Saturday 10th August 2024 Head to Knoll House Hotel in Studland for an afternoon of great music and grilled food. The BBQ will be fired up and there’ll be live Cuban/Latin music from local Mambossa band.
🗓️ Friday 9th August 2024 Love Cake’s next paella evening is this Friday – booking for eating in advised. Call to book a table: 01929 475664