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https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset
Across Dorset, National Trust places are alive with the promise of warm summer days, lazy weekend picnics and trips out with family and friends. There’s loads going on this season from garden tours and wetland walks to children’s play sessions and outdoor theatre.
What’s more, every time you experience a National Trust day out, you help care for these special places for future generations.
Here is what’s happening near you this summer, please check property website for opening days and times:
Brownsea Island
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/brownsea-island
Pathways to connection: Walk with us
First Wednesday of the month (June-October). 1.30-4pm
These small, supportive group walks are designed for individuals who are navigating a difficult time, experiencing loss, or simply needing a break from the noise of everyday life.
Price: Free event. Booking required.
Wild wetland bird walk
27 June. 10am-12.30pm
Experience the wonderful birdlife of Brownsea Island with our guided birdwatching walks. Led by a knowledgeable Dorset Wildlife Trust ranger, explore one of England's top birdwatching sites, Brownsea Lagoon.
Price: £37 per adult & £18 per child (all inclusive). Booking required.
Evening echoes: bird and bat safari on Brownsea Island
Every Thursday through June. 7.20-10.30pm & 7.50-10.50pm
Discover Brownsea Island's nocturnal wildlife on these special nature evenings. Look and listen out for bats and and the strange call of the nightjar.
Price: £40 per adult & £20 per child (all inclusive). Booking required.
Summer Solstice Yoga on Brownsea Island
20 June. 5-10pm
Enjoy the magic on the evening before the longest day of the year with a serene Summer Solstice yoga experience on Brownsea Island. Surrounded by the island's natural beauty, enjoy a peaceful and unforgettable evening including a yoga session, picnic dinner, meditation session and evening nature walk.
Price: £90pp. Booking required.
Yoga and meditation experience
19 & 26 July. 10am-12.30pm
Enjoy a truly magical experience with yoga and meditation designed for all levels led by Helen McCabe. This is your chance to break away from the stresses of everyday life, make time for yourself and immerse yourself in nature.
Price: £37pp. Booking required.
An evening of live soul and Motown music on Brownsea.
22 & 29 July, 5.45-9.30pm & 5 August, 5.30-9.15pm
Enjoy an evening of soul and Motown music on Brownsea performed by the Susie Kimber Trio. Start with a scenic cruise aboard the Dorset Queen, followed by a delicious meal.
Price: £60pp. Booking required.
Summer of Play at Brownsea Island
25 July-6 September, 10am-5pm
A summer of fun awaits on Brownsea Island, starting with a self-led Wild Adventure Trail packed with hands-on activities for all ages. The trail is open daily, pick up a free map from Reception.
Throughout August, visitors can enjoy Minibeast Mondays, creative Hapa Zome botanical printing every Tuesday and Wild Wednesday bushcraft sessions. Storytelling takes place on 8 and 15 August, and the Bee Circus will be flying in to visit us on 22 and 29 August. There’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy.
Events are free, normal admission fees apply
Handlebards open-air theatre – Macbeth
27 & 28 August, 6-9.30pm & 29 August, 4.30-8.30pm
Join the HandleBards on Brownsea Island for an early evening performance of open-air theatre. Enjoy Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' the 'Scottish Play' comes with much laughter and music.
Price: See Handlebards website for prices. Booking required.
Clouds Hill
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/clouds-hill
TE Lawrence Walk 2026
9 July. 10am-1.30pm
Join our expert guides on this 4.5 mile walk around Moreton to Clouds Hill. Learn about TE Lawrence and visit important local landmarks which are connected to his life.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking required.
Corfe Castle
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/corfe-castle
Home and Hearth: Archaeological finds exhibition
June-October. 10am-4.30pm
Delve into the past and discover more about everyday life at Corfe Castle. This exhibition, hosted in Castle View Welcome Centre, showcases fascinating small finds from archaeological excavations.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
The New Famous Five and the Forgotten Treasure
June-6 September. 10am-4pm
Think like a detective and explore Corfe Castle on a trail of clues and puzzles inspired by The New Famous Five by Chris Smith, inspired by Enid Blyton.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Life in the Middle Ages
13 & 14 June. 10am-4.30pm
Step back into a world of magic, medicine and myth at Corfe Castle. Meet medieval characters, play authentic medieval games and discover the strange realities of life in the Middle Ages at this immersive, family-friendly event.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Knights and Castles
20 & 21 June. 10am-4.30pm
Train like a knight, dance like a noble and take part in a siege at Corfe Castle. Step into the high life of the Middle Ages with live shows, hands-on activities and medieval games for the whole family.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Food & Drink Festival at Corfe Castle
11 & 12 July. 10am-4.30pm
Love It Local's Food and Drink Festival comes to Corfe Castle, celebrating the incredible produce from across the local area.
Browse street food from around the world, locally made ciders, rums, gins and craft beers, artisan preserves, fudge, ice cream, honey and much more. Whether you're after lunch, something to take home or just a good browse, there's plenty to discover.
Live music plays throughout the day.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
BSO West End to Hollywood
24 July. 7.30-9.30pm
An evening of music from stage and screen performed by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, set against the ruins of Corfe Castle.
Price: £40pp. Booking required.
Summer of Play at Corfe Castle
25 July – 31 August. 10am-5pm
Step back in time and play like a castle-builder this Summer of Play at Corfe Castle. Sharpen your aim in the archery zone, fire beanbags with mini slingshots, and tackle balance beams and stepping stones fit for a medieval obstacle course.
Then slow things down with creative construction play, using wooden blocks to design your own castle-inspired creations, all set against the dramatic ruins of Corfe Castle.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Keeper of the Castle - Storytelling Tours
Saturdays & Sundays from 25 July – 30 August. 11am-4.30pm
Come not just to see the castle, come to be our guest.
Join the Keeper of the Castle on a lively, interactive storytelling tour that brings the past to life, revealing how kings, nobles and everyday guests were received within these mighty walls. Through tales, games and hands-on activities, uncover the truth about medieval merriment, courtly pastimes and the art of hospitality in a castle built to impress.
Ideal for families, history lovers and curious explorers, this immersive experience transforms a visit to Corfe Castle into a journey through centuries of welcome, wonder and wit.
Tours begin at 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
BSO Smash Hits 80s
25 July. 7.30-9.30pm
An evening of 80s pop classics performed by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, set against the ruins of Corfe Castle.
Price: £40pp. Booking required.
BSO Curious Creatures & Adventurous Animals
26 July. 7.30-9.30pm
A family-friendly evening of music inspired by the natural world, performed by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra against the ruins of Corfe Castle.
Price: £40pp. Booking required.
Outdoor Theatre – Pinocchio
6 August. 7-9pm
Illyria returns to Corfe Castle this summer with Oliver Gray's adaptation of Carlo Collodi's Pinocchio.
A wooden puppet runs away yearning for adventure, but instead finds cruel bosses, con-artists and exciting attractions which always contain hidden dangers. How can he ever become a real boy when even the lies he tells to cover up awkward truths are as plain as the nose on his face?
Price: See website for details. Booking required.
Outdoor Theatre – The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny
13 August. 7-9pm
Quantum Theatre returns to Corfe Castle this summer with an enchanting new adaptation of Beatrix Potter's The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny.
Peter and his naughty cousin Benjamin know very well that they are not to go into Mr McGregor's garden, but they cannot resist and soon find themselves in all sorts of scrapes, caught in a net, trapped by a snarling cat and face to face with Mr McGregor himself.
How will they ever escape? Can Old Mr Bunny come to the rescue in time? And whatever will Mr McGregor make of all those footprints in the flower beds?
Price: See website for details. Booking required.
Outdoor Theatre – As you like it
20 August. 7-10pm
Illyria returns to Corfe Castle this summer with Shakespeare's As You Like It.
In Shakespeare’s iconic comedy four pairs of soulmates meet in the mysterious Forest of Arden. But playful flirting becomes more pain than pleasure and Love itself is pushed to the limit of its endurance. International award-winning Illyria promises a memorable night of sparkling wit, laughter and romance under the stars.
Price: See website for details. Booking required.
Mindfulness Walk
7 August & 4 September. 8.45-10am
Explore Corfe Castle before the crowds arrive, guided by one of our trained team members on a mindful walk through the ruins and along the River Corfe.
Price: Free event. Booking required.
Hardys Cottage
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/hardys-cottage
In the footsteps of Hardy's childhood
June-August (see website for dates). 12.15-1.45pm
Explore the landscape of Thomas Hardy's imagination in this guided walk through Thorncombe Wood. Follow Hardy's footsteps in his Wessex landscape including Rushy Pond, the Roman Road and Rainbarrows. You do not need to book a place on this walk.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Thomas Hardy Walk - Hardy's Cottage to Max Gate (return)
17 June, 23 July & 25 August.10.15am-3pm
This is a peaceful walk, starting at Hardy's Cottage, his birthplace, and continuing through the landscape in which he grew up, before arriving at Max Gate, the house where Hardy lived and died.
Price: Free event. Booking required.
Kingston Lacy
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/kingston-lacy
Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail at Kingston Lacy
June-September. 9.30am-5pm
Calling Pokémon fans new and old! Get active outdoors on our Pokémon Trading Card Game Mega Evolution Trail. Team up as a family to search the woodlands for each Mega Evolution Pokémon, discover their powers and complete your own challenges.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Introduction to Wood Engraving
27 June. 10.30am-4pm
This one-day workshop is perfect for beginners looking to learn a new technique, or for those who wish to build on their existing skills. You will be taught the principles of designing for wood engraving, methods of engraving into a block of end grain wood, and how to print from your finished block.
Price: £85pp. Booking required.
Smartphone photography workshop
11 July. 1-3pm
Learn how to get the most out of your smartphone camera, fall in love with taking pictures, and capture the highlights of gardens on this smartphone photography workshop. Normal admission charges apply.
Price: £25pp (normal admissions apply). Booking required.
Kingston Lacy social walks
20 June, 8 July & 4 August. 10-11.3.am
Discover the ever changing Kingston Lacy woodlands and countryside and have the opportunity to meet new people on these gentle strolls, ranging from 3-4 miles (around 1.5 hours).
Price: Free event. Booking required.
Kitchen Garden Tours
3 June, 1 July & 2 September. 11.30am-12.30pm & 2-3pm
Come along to one of our free volunteer-led tours in the Kitchen Garden to discover a history of home-grown produce and experimental planting schemes.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Formal garden tours
June-October (see website for dates). 11.30am-12.30pm & 2-3pm
Experience the carefully planned, cut and planted areas of the Formal Garden from the beautiful displays on the South Terrace to the historic planting of Lime Avenue and Nursery wood.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Japanese Garden Tours
24 June. 11.30am-12.30pm & 2-3pm
Discover how Japanese horticulture techniques extend beyond the traditional tea garden, and experience this beautiful English interpretation of a Japanese garden.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Tractor and Trailer rides
1 & 29 August. 12noon-1pm & 2-3pm
Join us for a tractor and trailer rides across the parkland, and see the Red Devon cows up close.
Price: See website for details. Booking required.
Rani Lacy: revealing an Indian treasure
June-October. 10.30am-3pm
Explore the culture, craftsmanship and creativity surrounding one of the National Trust's greatest treasures: the Visakhapatnam cabinet.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Indian block printing workshop
6 June, 20 September and 10 October. 1-4.30pm
Discover the beautiful heritage craft of Indian block printing in this relaxed and creative workshop, suitable for beginners.
Price: £45 (normal admission applies). Booking essential
Outdoor theatre: Romeo & Juliet
24 June. 7-9pm
Two Hearts. One Fate. A Timeless Love Reborn. The Duke’s Theatre Company presents Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, inviting audiences to rediscover the world’s most famous star-crossed lovers.
Price: £20 per adult & £18.50 per concession (age 16 and under). Booking required.
Outdoor theatre: Othello
16 & 17 July. 7-9.10pm
Join The Lord Chamberlain’s Men this summer for Othello, one of the most captivating and thrilling plays ever written. Pack a picnic and a chair or blanket, and come along to a magical evening of entertainment.
Price: See website for details. Booking required.
Summer of Play
18 July – 6 September. 9.30am-4.30pm
Discover a summer jam-packed with fun for all ages in Kitchen Garden. Play with giant building blocks, put of a performance at the puppet theatre, race on bouncy strawberries or join one of our daily pop-up events.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Outdoor theatre: Pinocchio
7 August. 7-8.40pm
Illyria is back! This summer, the award-winning company presents Pinocchio, a timeless classic for the whole family. Pack a picnic and a chair or blanket, and come along to a magical evening of entertainment.
Price: £19 per adult & £12 per child. Booking required.
Estate Walks:
Shapwick and Bishops Court Farm: 11 June. 10am-12.30pm
Badbury Rings: 28 July. 10am-1pm
Holt Forest: 22 August. 10am-12.30pm
Price: £3pp. Booking required.
Max Gate
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/hardys-house-max-gate
Walking in the paw prints of Wessex: Walk some of the pathways loved by Thomas Hardy and his pet dog
30 June & 28 July. 1.30-3.30pm
This walk was a favourite of Thomas Hardy and which he regularly did with his faithful companion, Wessex the dog. We also know that visitors to Thomas Hardy at Max Gate would often accompany him on this walk, which takes you to the resting place of William Barnes.
Price: Free event. Booking required.
Studland Bay
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/studland-bay
Nature Tots (5 and under)
8 & 22 June, 6 & 20 July. 10-11.30am
Bring your little ones along to our nature inspired toddler group. Nature Tots is for children aged up to 5 years old and their parents/carers. Join in the volunteer led activities, as you and your little ones explore the beach, dunes or woodland with them. Studland is a perfect location to discover the outdoors together and follow nature through the seasons, using crafts, stories, walks and play.
Price: Free event. Booking not required.
Mindfulness Walk
17 July & 21 August. 9.30-10.30am
Embark on a journey through mindfulness in nature. Attune your senses to the woodland's whispers. Traverse sensory landscapes living in the moment, concluding with mindfulness movements in the soothing embrace of the sand dunes. Escape the hustle and bustle, embrace the tranquillity and let nature and our trained team member guide you on this enriching experience that harmonises your mind with the beauty of nature.
Price: Free event. Booking required.
Trust10 Trail Run
28 June. 8.50-11am
Join us for the Trust10 at Studland Bay and challenge yourself on this 10km trail run with breathtaking views.
Price: Free event. Booking not required.
Home Educators Self-led Sessions (all ages)
15 & 29 June, 13 July. 10am-12noon
We will provide resources and suggested activities for you to do with the children. There will be a mix of nature themed activities for different ages and all ages are welcome. Having the woodland, dunes and beach, Studland is a perfect place to follow nature through the seasons and find out about the different plants and animals that live here.
Price: Free event. Booking required.
All-Terrain Vehicle Nature Tour
14 June. 10am-12noon
Enjoy the unique experience of a ranger guided nature tour around our beach and dunes in one of our all terrain vehicles (ATVs).
Price: £150 group ticket (up to 3 people included). Boking required.
Wellness in the Dunes: Yoga, Sound, Sauna & Lunch
June-September (see website for dates). 9.30am-1.30pm
A restorative coastal morning in Studland’s dunes. Gentle yoga, a calming sound bath, beach sauna and a relaxed lunch — a rare opportunity to reset in this extraordinary landscape.
Price: £70pp. Booking required.
Wakey, Wakey, Paddle and Brekkie
13 & 20 June & every Saturday of July. 8.15-10.15am
Whether you're a beginner or an old hand, share a wonderful kayaking experience in this unique location. After you've built up your appetite, let us treat you to a traditional full English breakfast and a hot drink made by one of our baristas.
Price: £45pp. Booking required.
Stourhead
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/stourhead
Walks & Talks tours
June-August. 11am-12.30pm & 1.30-3pm
Accompany one of Stourhead's knowledgeable volunteers on the original route taken by the Hoare family and their guests, and learn the history of this fascinating place.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Wellbeing walk
Tuesdays & Thursdays (June-December). 1.45-3.45pm
Meet new people and join a gentle health and wellbeing walk in beautiful surroundings. Enjoy the social atmosphere and make a connection with nature.
Price: Free event. Booking required.
Drawn to Trees: tree trail.
1 June – 31 August, 9.30-4.30pm
Step into the landscape garden and discover Drawn to Trees, a new outdoor trail created in collaboration with artist Luke Adam Hawker, inspired by his evocative book The Last Tree: A Seed of Hope.
Each stop along the trail showcases one of seventeen trees that has inspired myth, folklore or quiet reflection across cultures and centuries, each hand-selected for their beauty, historical significance and the stories that surround them.
Drawn to trees is a celebration of our enduring fascination with trees and a reminder of how deeply we are rooted in the natural world.
Price: £2 per trail booklet (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Drawn to Trees: Tree Zodiac exhibition
1 June – 31 August, 9.30-4.30pm
Inspired by an ancient Celtic zodiac rooted in the thirteen lunar months, each associated with a different tree or plant, Luke Adam Hawker has created a series of thirteen intricate etchings that explore personality traits drawn from the character and symbolism of each species.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Drawn to Trees: Artist talk and book signing with Luke Adam Hawker
17 June. 11am-12.15pm
Listen to Luke’s inspiring personal story, love of nature, and journey in writing his graphic novels ‘Together’ and ‘The Last Tree: A Seed of Hope’. Followed by book-signing.
Price: Free event. Booking required.
Trust 10
28 June, 26 July & 23 August. 9-11am
Stourhead’s Trust10 10k trail run is a challenging, multi-terrain run involving some public roads. Beginning and ending at Stourhead house, the trail takes in pasture, woodland and an Iron age hillfort with King Alfred’s Tower marking the mid-way point.
Price: Free event. Booking not required.
Wider estate walks
26 June, 31 July & 28 August. 11am-1pm
Stretch your legs on a guided walk around Stourhead's wider estate and enjoy routes that highlight the beauty of each season.
Price: Free event. Booking required.
Outdoor Cinema: Dirty Dancing
3 July. 7.30-9.15pm
Get ready for an unforgettable night of music, romance, and legendary dance moves as Dirty Dancing lights up the big screen under the stars.
Sing along to the iconic soundtrack, soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy this classic movie, starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, in a magical outdoor cinema setting.
Price: Standard tickets from £17.37. Booking required.
Summer of Play
4 July – 31 August. 10am-4pm
Summer of Play is back! Join us throughout July and August for endless fun at the Stableyard and the Summer of Play Meadow. Scramble up the mighty straw castle, aim for gold at the archery range, or race through the meadow maze to find the hidden camp.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Outdoor Cinema: EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert
4 July. 7.30-9.15pm
Featuring incredible performances from across Elvis’ legendary career, this spectacular show brings together his greatest hits, iconic stage presence, and the energy that made him a global phenomenon.
Price: £17.37 (normal admissions apply). Booking required
Outdoor cinema: Pride & Prejudice
5 July. 6.30-8.45pm
This beloved adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel, starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen is filled with wit, drama, and sweeping romance.
Soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy this timeless love story on the big screen in a truly unforgettable setting.
Price: Standard tickets from £17.37. Booking required.
Theatre workshop: The Sword in the Stone
2 August. 3-3.30pm
Come and have some fun with the actors in a drama workshop before the performance where you will learn some of the songs from the show and find out more about the characters before you settle down to watch the play as a family.
Price: £6 per child. Booking required.
Outdoor Theatre: The Sword in the Stone
2 August. 4.30-6.30pm
Cambridge Touring Productions present the classic tale The Sword in the stone. This is a matinee performance aimed at children between 5 and 10 years old.
Young Wart dreams of becoming a squire, while his childhood friend Morgan sets her sights on fame and fortune. As they travel to the Tournament in London, they meet a host of colourful characters who guide them through strange challenges and teach them lasting lessons about friendship, courage, and finding their way in the world.
Price: £17.50 per adult & £14.50 per child. Booking required.
Outdoor Theatre: King Arthur and the Holy Fail
12 August. 7-9pm
In a land of daring quests, dashing knights, and endless jousting, there lived a would-be hero - waiting in the wings - who went by the name of Arthur. But when Camelot is rocked to its core by a tragic - and frankly improbable - incident involving a large table of an undisclosed shape, Arthur is thrust into the quest of a lifetime.
Price: £23.88 per adult & £13.16 per child. Booking required.
Golden Cap
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/golden-cap
Bus it Back - Lyme Regis to Charmouth Heritage Centre
3 June, 1 July, 5 August & 2 September. 10.15am-12.30pm
Meet our National Trust Walk Leader outside the National Trust, Lyme Regis shop and walk to Charmouth, before getting the bus back. Buses run regularly allowing you time to enjoy Charmouth or have a well earned refreshment in one of the cafes.
Price: Free event. Booking required.
The Lyme Regis Circular Loops 2026
11 June, 9 July & 13 August. 10.15-12 noon
The walks are designed to have a focus on exercise, wellness, being outdoors and social connection, it is part of a programme of walks which depart Lyme Regis shop and people are invited to take part in all walks to create a monthly routine.
Price: Free event. Booking required.
In The Footsteps of Jane Austen
6 & 13 August. 10am-12 noon, 12.30-2.30pm & 3-5pm
Lyme Regis was one of Jane Austen's favourite holiday locations. To celebrate her love of Lyme Regis the National Trust are offering a series of short walks along the Cobb with readings from Persuasion.
Price: Free event (normal admissions apply). Booking not required.
Hive Beach
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/hive-beach
Free Guided Walk - Hive Beach to Cogden - Shifting Shores
30 June, 28 July & 25 August. 11am-1pm
Explore the beauty of Hive and Cogden beach while discovering how the coastline is evolving over time. A relaxed, guided walk sharing stories of change and what it means for our future.
Price: Free event. Booking required.
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