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.
🗓️ 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 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 due to […]
🗓️ 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. […]
🗓️ 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 […]
🗓️ Saturday 24th August 2024 **Unfortunately this event has been cancelled due to the heavy rain forecast** Soak up the spirit of summer at The Village Inn this afternoon with their special Caribbean Cookout. There’ll be tasty food and rum to drink – no need to book; just turn up from 3.30pm. On the menu […]
🗓️ 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
🗓️ Friday 26th July 2024 Swanage Bay View is holding a special Caribbean-themed evening tonight. There’ll be a Caribbean-inspired BBQ followed by cocktails and live music. Tickets Tickets are cash only and can be purchased in person at Swanage Bay View Reception or by calling 01929 422130 to reserve. (Please note, ticket numbers are limited […]
🗓️ Saturday 20th July 2024 Fancy a fancy afternoon tea in aid of a good cause? Then head down to Swanage’s All Saints Church hall this afternoon. There’ll be scones & cakes, sparkling wine and teas & coffees. Proceeds from the day will go to Link Visiting and The Place of Welcome. ‘Tea at The […]
🗓️ Saturday 20th July 2024 Come and enjoy a paella party night in Studland this summer. There’ll be live music with Cuban/Latin band Mambossa, and paella and sangria on the menu. Get your tickets from the bar on the night, and keep up to date with all the latest events at The Old Harry Bar […]
🗓️ Sunday 14th July – Sunday 20th October 2024 Enjoy an afternoon tea with a difference on the Swanage Railway, where the memorable experience replaces a cup of tea with a glass of Prosecco (or soft alternative) to accompany your scones. You’ll journey from Swanage to Corfe Castle, Norden and back again, where you’ll be […]
🗓️ Friday 29th – Saturday 30th June 2024 Get the date in your diary for The Square & Compass’s Chilled Cider Festival. There’ll be live bands and DJs across the weekend, along with much cider, perry, mead and merriment. Artists for 2024 include: The event has been going strong since its inception in 2003, when […]
🗓️ Saturday 29th June 2024 Everyone is welcome to come along to Corfe Castle Club’s mini beer festival, where there’ll be a range of beers and ciders to sample for just £3.50 a pint. Food will be available and there’ll be entertainment from Dorset-based 20 to 1 Big Band. Proceeds from the day go to […]