From artisan markets and a plant fair to cream teas and a chees and wine evening, it's all happening in west Dorset this weekiend.

Plan your perfect weekend with our handy what's on guide

 

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

  • Dorset Architectural Heritage Week begins until September 22. Historical buildings across west Dorset will be open for tours and events. For a list of venues and opening times, visit edht.co.uk

 

  • Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Company will bring The Elves and The Shoemaker show to Bridport Electric Palace from 6pm. Wear your pyjamas and settle down with a hot chocolate and a cookie for this special pyjama performance. For more information and tickets, visit electricpalace.org.uk.

 

  • New illuminations in the Langmoor Gardens, Lyme Regis, will be officially switched on by the mayor at 8pm.

 

  • Sweetchunks will be performing at The Ropemakers pub from 9pm.

 

  • Amy Hopwood and Tobias Raven will perform a range of indie, folk and country music at The Woodman from 9pm.

 

  • Beach and Barnicott will welcome funky, blues George Hall Trio from 9pm.

 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

  • The monthly arts and crafts fair at Bridport Town Hall returns from 9am to 3pm with stalls of jewellery, handmade gifts, photography and much more.

 

  • Sign up for the TenShots Photomarathon between 10am and 2pm. Let you imagination run wild with this competition for all ages and abilities. Using the five themes given to you at registration, you have 10 hours to take five photographs in Bridport and the surrounding areas, with details on how to submit your photos given at the end of the challenge. Register at the Pop-up Fringe market stall in South Street.

 

  • Lucie Milner will be selling original artwork and gifts at The Reading Room, Burton Bradstock, today and tomorrow from 10am to 4pm. There will be a selection of original paintings, limited edition prints and greeting cards.

 

  • Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Company’s The Elves and The Shoemaker will be shown again at Bridport Electric Palace today at 11am and 2pm. For more information, visit electricpalace.org.uk

 

  • Find out more about The Black Farmer, Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, about his farming dream and achievements at a lunch and talk at Powerstock Hut from 12.30pm. Tickets cost £10 and are available by calling 07736 147598 or on the door.

 

  • Enjoy a homemade cream tea at Holy Trinity Church in Bothenhampton from 2.30pm until 4pm.

 

  • Have a go at puppetry with a workshop led by Stuff and Nonsense’s Niki McCretton and Holly Miller. It takes place at the Electric Palace from 3.30pm and tickets cost £5.50, available from Bridport Tourist Information Centre.

 

  • Indulge in an evening of cheese and wine in aid of West Dorset Mencap at the WI Hall, North Street, from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10 and are available from the West Dorset Mencap shop in East Street or by emailing secretary@westdorsetmencap.org.uk.

 

  • The Boarding Crew, an original pirate band hailing from Chesil Bay, will play original music that tells tales of the true hardships of piracy at The Ropemakers from 9.15pm.

 

  • The Small Mercies will perform an eclectic mix of music for the 1960s to the present day at The Pymore Inn from 6.30pm.

 

  • Visit the Stable from 9pm for gin deals accompanied by a mix of jazz, funk and soul from house DJ, Chiman 101.

 

  • Don’t miss The Upbeat Beatles at the Marnie Parade, Lyme Regis, playing all your favourite Beatles hits from 7.30pm. For more information and tickets, visit marinetheatre.com

 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

  • The Mapperton autumn plant fair returns at the manor house and gardens from 10am to 4pm with more than 30 specialist nurseries and plant stalls.

 

  • A Battle of Britain service will be held at St John’s Church in West Bay from 3pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.

 

  • The Pursuit of Hoppiness on West Street will welcome John (aka The Woodlouse) from 5pm, who will perform heartfelt songs of life with a sense of the ridiculous.

 

  • Chill out on Sunday afternoon to the sounds of Danny Adams at The Ropemakers pub from 4pm.

 

  • Have the perfect introduction to easy cheese making with a one-day course from 9.30am at River Cottage with tutor and author Steven Lamb. For more information and tickets, visit rivercottage.net

 

  • Visit the car park exhibition in South Street car park from 9am to 3pm with artists exhibiting using their method of transport. Treat your car or van as an exhibition space or installation and either stay with it to engage with visitors or lock it and leave it on show.

 

  • Lyme Regis Artisan Market takes place on the Marine Parade from 10am to 4pm. Nine local artists will eb selling a range of jewellery, wooden furniture, wall hangings, restored home furnishings, bags, purses, glass, photographs and pottery.