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.
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 Purbeck Valley Folk Festival celebrates outstanding, original young folk, roots and world music, young up and coming musicians as well as national and international folk acts and a good variety of local music.
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 three days of aerobatics from the 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, summer firework displays and much more….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 and Weymouth Sea Life Adventure Park for animal lovers, 3D zombie Woodland and Archery for those looking for an immersive experience as well the Tank Museum, Swanage Railway, Heavy Horse Farm Park and everything in between!
Regattas and carnivals!
Many towns host carnivals and regattas throughout August so there's plenty of events for you to enjoy and most are free!
Lyme Regis Regatta and Carnival takes place from 2-10 August and includes a dazzling torchlight procession, fireworks, carnival as well as a duck race and candles down the river. Swanage Lifeboat Week follows on from 10 - 18 August and is a hugely entertaining week culminating in a raft race. Next up is Bridport carnival and torchlight procession on 17 and 18 August when the town buzzes with a fun packed line-up of events.
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! Or enjoy a coastal cruise or blast from West Bay on Lyme Bay RIB Charter!
If giant inflatables are more your thing, then head over to Dorset Adventure Park and traverse more than 200m of wet inflatable fun!
Enjoy Outdoor Activities
Dorset's countryside provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities. Go hiking or cycling in Dorset's National Landscape or enjoy a treetop adventure at Go Ape Moors Valley or Tunnel Tree Tops!
Step on board a Spanish Galeon
The magnificent Galeón Andalucía will be moored at Poole Quay from 30 July to 4 August 2024. It is a replica of the ship used by the Spanish for expeditions during the 16th to 18th centuries. You can buy tickets to go on board for £12 for adults, from £6 for children (under 5s go free) or £30 for families.
Later in the month, the Andalucia moves to Weymouth Harbour, where visitors can jump on board to explore the ship and ask the real life sailors what's it like to sail this impressive boat.
The Andalucia will arrive in Weymouth on the 29 August, with the first day open to the public on the 30 August.
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!
Bournemouth Air Show
Britain’s biggest free air and land festival by the sea! The award winning Bournemouth Air Festival from 29 to 31 August 2024 will feature an incredible four days of aerobatics from the RAF Typhoon Display Team, Red Devils, Swedish Air Force, B-17, Battle of Britain planes and more plus includes dazzling dusk performances and entertainment on land, suitable for the whole family. One not to be missed!
Book your August getaway
If you're planning on visiting for more than one day, take a look at our huge range of accommodation options including hotels, B&Bs, campsites and more.
