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Out and about this December in Dorset

I don’t need to tell fellow Dorset folk that we live in a wonderful county.  There are lots of things to do to keep you and the little ones busy. This is our monthly roundup of all that is interesting in Dorset this December.

Charities events in Dorset

As usual, the generous spirit of fellow Dorset folk is in full evidence this December.  There is a rich selection of Charity Walks on offer.

Event: Chase that Pudding 5k Santa Fun Run
Date: 19 December.
Find out more: Julia’s House

Event: Weymouth Relief Road Charity Walk
Date: 5 December.
Find out more: Weld Hospice

Event: Christmas Day Harbour Swim
Date: The clue is in the title (Starts 11.00)
Find out more: Weymouth and Portland Lions

Event: Barnardo’s Fun day
Date: 3 December
Find out more: Barnardo’s website

Christmas Markets in Dorset

Event: Bournemouth Christmas Market
Date: 8th November to 11th December

Held in the heart of Bournemouth in the Town Square and surrounding streets this festive extravaganza will be bursting at the seams with Christmas ambience.

Event: Brewers Quay Christmas Festival
Date: 22nd November - 24th December

Brewers Quay extends a seasonal warm welcome and invites you to celebrate the magical sights, sounds and tastes of Christmas.

Event: Christmas at Corfe - Craft and Art Fayre
Date: 4 December, 1pm to 5pm
Find out more: Corfe Castle website

Other things to do in Dorset

Event: Sherborne Christmas Tree Festival
Date: 4 December - 12 December
Find out more: Event website

This snow has arrived early this year, so as usual, if you are out and about wrap up warm and use plenty of layers.

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Christmas Walks in Dorset

Winter walksAsk yourself.  Do you really deserve that mince pie?

Christmas really can be a time of over-indulgence. Too many mince pies, too much Christmas cake and too much Turkey.  So to ward off those extra pounds and keep you feeling, a little fitter, we are campaigning to keep the tradition of the Christmas Walk alive this year.

Here at the Outdoor Store we love Christmas walks.  We all have our top 5 Christmas walks in Dorset.   But since we cannot agree on our all time favourite and I am the boss.  I am going to share with you’re my top 5 Christmas Walks.

5) Chesil Beach.  This is not an easy walk.  The large shingle makes it difficult to keep your footing and makes the walk 10 times more difficult.   Now at 18 miles, you really need to gives yourself plenty of time – roughly 6 hrs.

4) Corfe Castle. If you are a keen photographer, you have to visit Corfe Castle.  With the right weather you can really capture something magical.  I don’t really have a distance for you.  For me, this place is just worth ambling round.

3)  Cerne Abbas.  For a more inland experience and an easy for for the kids. At 2 miles, the Cerne Abbas walk commence in the picnic area car park.  You basically do one big loop.  For more details have a look on the Walks for softies website.

2) Fontmell & Melbury Downs. Again this is a fairly straightforward walk. However, if you are feeling energetic you can expand it to suit your needs.  It ranges from 1 to 2.3 miles and starts at Fontmell Down car park.  The reason why this is in my top 5 is because of the views across the Blackmore vale – simply stunning.  Download the National Trust walk.

1) West Bay to Burton Bradstock.  It has to be a coastal walk/  This is about 1.5 to 2 miles.  There.  But on a windy day the waves really to crash in to the beach.  What I love about this walk is the almost surreal cliffs that seem to belong in a Sci-Fi movie.  It nearly always end with a coffee on the Hive Café. Or I am planning to sample a bottle of Cloudy Bay next year, when the kids are older.

Make sure you read our top tips in winter walking.

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Winter Walking holidays in Dorset

Winter by the coast

Winter by the coast

I suppose the first question is:

Why would you want to come to arguably the warmest part of the country to do a spot of Winter Walking?

Easy.  Not all of us want to be knee deep in the white stuff with all the risks attached to it.

Where to walk in Winter

In two words the Jurassic Coast.  I know that I have talked about this stretch of coast line before, but I do love it, especially during winter.  Blustery and cold and probably wet.  My favourite day is a frosty morning, with lots of low lying mist and you can see the sun gradually burn off the mist.

How about Chesil Beach.  An 18 mile pebble beach which has a natural occurring lagoon behind it.

Winter Walking tips

Billy Connolly once said;

“There is no such thing as bad weather – just the wrong clothes”

These boots are made for walking. Your walking boots should be matched to the activity.  Do you need Waterproof boots?

Layers.  Make sure your wear plenty if suitable layers.  An outer layer, a warm fleece and thermals.   Extra layers means that you can fine alter your warmth by removing layers.

If you want to get a head – get a walking hat.  70% of your body heat leaves through your head.

Gloves.  In cold weather I always wear two layers of gloves.  A thin base layer and a thicker windstopper glove.

Planning.  Take the time to plan your route.  And let someone know where you are going and how long your are likely to be.

Torch or head-torch.  It happens more often that you think, especially this time of year.  People often get caught out on mountains after dark.

Ice Axe.  Probably not required in Dorset. But it will make you look macho or stupid.

Places to stay in Dorset

There are any number of Good quality B&B’s or Hotels in Dorset. If you are planning a walking holiday, then you might consider basing yourself centrally.

Dorchester is a fine Historic town with lots of amenities, restaurants and some local culture.  Here is a list of accommodation in Dorchester.

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