Somerset Tourist Guide - Articles
Events in Somerset
Wells Cathedral hosts many classical music concerts. Soak up the atmosphere of this magnificent cathedral. For details on forthcoming concerts visit www.wellscathedral.org.uk
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Farmers Markets
Farmers Markets where you can sample the fresh local produce are held at:
Burnham on Sea - 3rd Friday of the month
Bridgwater - 2nd Friday of the month
Chard - 4th Friday of the month
Frome - 2nd Saturday of the month
Glastonbury - 4th Saturday of the month
Minehead - 3rd Friday of the month
Taunton- Every Thursday of the month
Wells - Every Wednesday of the month
Weston-Super-Mare - 2nd Saturday of the month
Yeovil - 2nd Thursday of the month
2008 Events
MENDIPS- Mendip Walking Festival- 6/7 September
Walks to interest everyone at the Mendip Walking Festival led by AONB rangers or local experts.
Tel: 01749 870241
SHEPTON MALLET- Gardening Show - 5-7 September
The National Amateur Gardening Show at the Bath & West Showground promises dazzling displays, lectures and workshops. New for this year is the Countryside Arena with terrier racing and falconry demonstrations.
Tel: 01749 822222 www.bathandwest.com
CHEW STOKE- Harvest Home- 6 September
Pete Budd of The Wurzels opens the Harvest Home at 1pm in Hedgehogs Field, Chew Stoke. Attractions include the traditional flower show, horse show, art exhibition and a rodeo bull with arena finale competition. There is entertainment for the children and the day rounds off with music from The Midnight Shadows.
Tel: 01275 333895 www.chewstokeharvesthome.org.uk
SOMERSET- Tour of Britain- 9 September
Somerset hosts the toughest stage of the Tour of Britain cycle race. Setting off from Chard, the riders will twist though the country lanes of the Blackdown Hills and be tested over Exmoor's rugged terrain. They will negotiate the narrow streets of Dunster, pass through Williton, Bishops Lydeard and Bridgwater before the first ever coastal finish at Burnham-on-Sea.
www.tourofbritain.co.uk
PORLOCK- Arts Festival- 11-14 September
Leading figures from the literary and media worlds share their experiences and talk about their work at this year's Arts Festival. Artists' studios will be open, giving visitors the chance to see their techniques, work and collections. Other events include jazz, a poets' picnic, special museum event, young children's play, puppets, walks and short story and limerick competitions.
Te:01643 863150 www.porlockfestival.org
FROME- Agricultural & Cheese Show - 13 September
Frome Agricultural & Cheese Show offers a great day out including show jumping, rural crafts, mountain bike stunts, fine foods and more than 250 trade stands.
Tel: 08700 115007 www.fromecheeseshow.co.uk
YARLINGTON- Historic Fayre- 13 September 11am - 5pm
The Yarlington Fayre is one of the oldest in the country. Today, the family event has activities as diverse as coracle making, pottery, circus skills, tractor rides, scruffy dog show and the famous Yarlington Mile race.
Tel: 01963 440344
YEOVIL - Yeovil Flower and Gardeners' Market- 13 September
Stalls, music and a flower and vegetable show feature at the Yeovil Flower and Gardeners' Market in Vicarage Street Methodist Church.
Tel: 01935 382424
WELLS- Antiques Roadshow - Thursday 18 September 2008
In the grounds of The Bishops Palace, Wells 9.30am to 4.30pm
Admission FREE to the Roadshow
Bring your treasures to the experts on the day!
www.bbc.co.uk/antiques
BATH- Festival of Children's Literature -19-28 September
Star-name authors, illustrators, poets and storytellers are out in force for the second Bath Festival of Children's Literature. The line-up includes Michael Rosen, Michael Morpurgo, Shirley Hughes, Harry Hill, Allan Ahlberg and Charlie Higson.A special Doctor Who evening features stars from the TV series and writers from the novels accompanying it.
Tel: 01225 463362 www.bathkidslitfest.co.uk
WEDMORE- Wedmore Real Ale Festival- 19-21 September
The theme for this year's festival in the village hall (featuring bands, an auction and a raffle) is GR8 Britain.
Tel: 01934 710393 www.wedmorerealale.com
RADSTOCK- Community Festival- 20 September
Clay modelling to face painting, skateboarding to dance, it's all at the artworks Community Festival in Radstock.
Tel: 01761 437251 www.nesacreativechange.org.uk
HATCH BEAUCHAMP -Open Day 20 September
Teh Somerset Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers present an open day with display, workshop and sale of work at the village hall from 11am to 4pm.
Tel: 01278 68378.
SHEPTON MALLET- Wessex Beer Festival- 26,27 September
Wessex Beer Festival at the Bath & West Showground features a line-up of more than 100 beers and ciders, music and food stalls.
Tel: 01761 235835 www.wessexbeerfestival.co.uk
TAUNTON- 50th Anniversary of Somerset Record Office- 27 September
The Somerset Record Office at Orbidge Road celebrates its 50th anniversary with an open day for all the family. Take a fascinating journey into the county's past!
Tel: 01823 278805 www.somerset.gov.uk/archives
SOUTH SOMERSET- Food Festival- 27 September- 5 October
Westcountry cheese tastings, wild foods day and traditional cream teas are just some of the events lined up for this year's South Somerset Food Festival. Local producers, retailers, pubs and restaurants will have special menus, markets and farm walks- all celebrating the best produce of the area.
Tel: 01935 845946 www.southsomersetfoodfestival.com
NORTH SOMERSET EVENTS
The contact number for each event below is The Weston-super-Mare Tourist Information Centre on 01934 888800.
Weston Beach Race
11 October 2008 to 12 October 2008
The Weston Beach Race was first introduced to the British off road calendar 25 years ago since when it has grown to be the largest off road motorcycle event in the UK, and one of the largest in the world.
International solo, sidecar, and quad riders compete in a three hour race on a spectacular beach motocross circuit. New junior races also part of the event schedule.
The entire front at Weston-super-Mare is given over to the Beach Race with a trade site and other family activities all in full swing for the duration of the event.
Weston-super-Mare Illuminated Carnival
17 November 2008
The finale of Somerset's Carnival circuit with over 100 floats winding there way through the town and seafront raising money for many local charities.
Christmas Cracker Road Race
14 December 2008
10K multi terrain run with a Christmas theme. Many compete in fancy dress.
Events in Somerset
Farmers Markets
Farmers Markets where you can sample the fresh local produce are held at:
Burnham on Sea - 3rd Friday of the month
Bridgwater - 2nd Friday of the month
Chard - 4th Friday of the month
Frome - 2nd Saturday of the month
Glastonbury - 4th Saturday of the month
Minehead - 3rd Friday of the month
Taunton- Every Thursday of the month
Wells - Every Wednesday of the month
Weston-Super-Mare - 2nd Saturday of the month
Yeovil - 2nd Thursday of the month
2008 Events
MENDIPS- Mendip Walking Festival- 6/7 September
Walks to interest everyone at the Mendip Walking Festival led by AONB rangers or local experts.
Tel: 01749 870241
SHEPTON MALLET- Gardening Show - 5-7 September
The National Amateur Gardening Show at the Bath & West Showground promises dazzling displays, lectures and workshops. New for this year is the Countryside Arena with terrier racing and falconry demonstrations.
Tel: 01749 822222 www.bathandwest.com
CHEW STOKE- Harvest Home- 6 September
Pete Budd of The Wurzels opens the Harvest Home at 1pm in Hedgehogs Field, Chew Stoke. Attractions include the traditional flower show, horse show, art exhibition and a rodeo bull with arena finale competition. There is entertainment for the children and the day rounds off with music from The Midnight Shadows.
Tel: 01275 333895 www.chewstokeharvesthome.org.uk
SOMERSET- Tour of Britain- 9 September
Somerset hosts the toughest stage of the Tour of Britain cycle race. Setting off from Chard, the riders will twist though the country lanes of the Blackdown Hills and be tested over Exmoor's rugged terrain. They will negotiate the narrow streets of Dunster, pass through Williton, Bishops Lydeard and Bridgwater before the first ever coastal finish at Burnham-on-Sea.
www.tourofbritain.co.uk
PORLOCK- Arts Festival- 11-14 September
Leading figures from the literary and media worlds share their experiences and talk about their work at this year's Arts Festival. Artists' studios will be open, giving visitors the chance to see their techniques, work and collections. Other events include jazz, a poets' picnic, special museum event, young children's play, puppets, walks and short story and limerick competitions.
Te:01643 863150 www.porlockfestival.org
FROME- Agricultural & Cheese Show - 13 September
Frome Agricultural & Cheese Show offers a great day out including show jumping, rural crafts, mountain bike stunts, fine foods and more than 250 trade stands.
Tel: 08700 115007 www.fromecheeseshow.co.uk
YARLINGTON- Historic Fayre- 13 September 11am - 5pm
The Yarlington Fayre is one of the oldest in the country. Today, the family event has activities as diverse as coracle making, pottery, circus skills, tractor rides, scruffy dog show and the famous Yarlington Mile race.
Tel: 01963 440344
YEOVIL - Yeovil Flower and Gardeners' Market- 13 September
Stalls, music and a flower and vegetable show feature at the Yeovil Flower and Gardeners' Market in Vicarage Street Methodist Church.
Tel: 01935 382424
WELLS- Antiques Roadshow - Thursday 18 September 2008
In the grounds of The Bishops Palace, Wells 9.30am to 4.30pm
Admission FREE to the Roadshow
Bring your treasures to the experts on the day!
www.bbc.co.uk/antiques
BATH- Festival of Children's Literature -19-28 September
Star-name authors, illustrators, poets and storytellers are out in force for the second Bath Festival of Children's Literature. The line-up includes Michael Rosen, Michael Morpurgo, Shirley Hughes, Harry Hill, Allan Ahlberg and Charlie Higson.A special Doctor Who evening features stars from the TV series and writers from the novels accompanying it.
Tel: 01225 463362 www.bathkidslitfest.co.uk
WEDMORE- Wedmore Real Ale Festival- 19-21 September
The theme for this year's festival in the village hall (featuring bands, an auction and a raffle) is GR8 Britain.
Tel: 01934 710393 www.wedmorerealale.com
RADSTOCK- Community Festival- 20 September
Clay modelling to face painting, skateboarding to dance, it's all at the artworks Community Festival in Radstock.
Tel: 01761 437251 www.nesacreativechange.org.uk
HATCH BEAUCHAMP -Open Day 20 September
Teh Somerset Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers present an open day with display, workshop and sale of work at the village hall from 11am to 4pm.
Tel: 01278 68378.
SHEPTON MALLET- Wessex Beer Festival- 26,27 September
Wessex Beer Festival at the Bath & West Showground features a line-up of more than 100 beers and ciders, music and food stalls.
Tel: 01761 235835 www.wessexbeerfestival.co.uk
TAUNTON- 50th Anniversary of Somerset Record Office- 27 September
The Somerset Record Office at Orbidge Road celebrates its 50th anniversary with an open day for all the family. Take a fascinating journey into the county's past!
Tel: 01823 278805 www.somerset.gov.uk/archives
SOUTH SOMERSET- Food Festival- 27 September- 5 October
Westcountry cheese tastings, wild foods day and traditional cream teas are just some of the events lined up for this year's South Somerset Food Festival. Local producers, retailers, pubs and restaurants will have special menus, markets and farm walks- all celebrating the best produce of the area.
Tel: 01935 845946 www.southsomersetfoodfestival.com
NORTH SOMERSET EVENTS
The contact number for each event below is The Weston-super-Mare Tourist Information Centre on 01934 888800.
Weston Beach Race
11 October 2008 to 12 October 2008
The Weston Beach Race was first introduced to the British off road calendar 25 years ago since when it has grown to be the largest off road motorcycle event in the UK, and one of the largest in the world.
International solo, sidecar, and quad riders compete in a three hour race on a spectacular beach motocross circuit. New junior races also part of the event schedule.
The entire front at Weston-super-Mare is given over to the Beach Race with a trade site and other family activities all in full swing for the duration of the event.
Weston-super-Mare Illuminated Carnival
17 November 2008
The finale of Somerset's Carnival circuit with over 100 floats winding there way through the town and seafront raising money for many local charities.
Christmas Cracker Road Race
14 December 2008
10K multi terrain run with a Christmas theme. Many compete in fancy dress.
Events in Somerset
