The sun is shining (hopefully!), and the county is buzzing with fantastic events, things to do and places to go! We’ve provided our ideas of some of the things you can enjoy during August in Dorset but make sure you check out our Things to Do and What’s On pages!
Great places to stay in Dorset
First and foremost, if you’re coming to Dorset for a holiday or short break and you need somewhere to stay then you’ve come to the right place! There are some great accommodation options with swimming pools, perfect for a dip on a hot day or why not make the most of our great outdoors and camp out under the night sky or if you fancy something with a bit more style, we’ve got loads of amazing glamping options!
Check out our special offers and late availability to see if you can grab yourself a bargain!
Enjoy a beach day!
With over 100 miles of coastline, Dorset is home to numerous beautiful beaches, each one with its own unique charm and character!
Head to Lyme Regis, Weymouth or Swanage for a bit of sandcastle building, swimming in the sea and relaxing in a deck chair or visit West Bay for stunning geology and Charmouth for a spot of fossil hunting. Weymouth has recently been voted by The Times and The Sunday Times as winner of the 2023 Great British Beach Guide - come and check it out for yourself!
Check out our Dorset beaches page and discover the perfect beach for you. Make sure you always follow safety advice.
Festival frenzy!
There is so much happening in August we don’t know where to start!
If you like it hot, then make sure you check out the Great Dorset Chilli Festival…definitely the hottest day out in Dorset!
The We Out Here Festival takes place across 4 days in Wimborne and boasts over 200 artists, celebrating genre pioneers alongside the best in emerging talent. By day, enjoy the biggest names in Jazz, Soul, Hip Hop, Brazilian and sounds from across the globe, and at night, dance to some of the scene's most exciting DJs delivering genre-bending sets across House, Disco, Boogie, Techno, Broken Beat, Jungle, Drum and Bass and everything in-between.
The Bournemouth Air Festival returns at the very end of August and is Britain’s biggest free air and land festival by the sea this summer! Enjoy an incredible four days of aerobatics from the RAF Red Arrows, Typhoon and Battle of Britain planes and much more. The award-winning family friendly event includes dazzling dusk performances and entertainment on land.
There are also folk festivals, cider festivals, agricultural shows, regattas and carnivals….check out our what’s on pages to make sure you don’t miss anything!
Days out to remember
If you’re looking for a family fun day out then there’s plenty of options in Dorset! There’s the renowned Monkey World for animal lovers, Adventure Wonderland for those that love the thrill of rides as well the Tank Museum, Swanage Railway, Heavy Horse Farm Park and everything in between!
Get out on the water
August is a great month to get out on the water. Join an organised group activity with Fore Adventure or Cumulus Outdoors and try your hand at kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, coasteering or snorkelling – a great way to explore the sea and Jurassic Coast.
Visit the beautiful town of Wareham and hire a rowing boat and paddle up the river or hop on board a river cruise!
Enjoy Outdoor Activities
Dorset's countryside provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities. Go hiking or cycling in the scenic landscapes of the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or traverse the tree top on high ropes.
And that's just scraping the surface! There's so much to see and do in Dorset in August, why not visit and see for yourself!
