Dorset and The New Forest is a food lover's dream. Hearty local produce, ranging from fruit and vegetables to pork and apple sausages, from jams and marmalades to Dorset Apple Cake and Knob biscuits, awaits you!

With over 4,000 farms in the area, local produce is readily available at one of the many Farmers' Markets held throughout the year. These markets offer the perfect opportunity to meet some of the local characters that help to make Dorset and The New Forest such a special area. Many farm and cottage producers also have a farm shop.

Each market town in the area also has a set general market day, when the town buzzes with activity as local traders bring their wares to town. Wimborne Minster's weekend covered market is the largest in the south, and Dorchester's Wednesday market is also well-known and widely-attended. In the New Forest, Lymington's Saturday market is popular.

There are also various food festivals throughout the year – the one in Christchurch for example is in May every year and in Sturminster Newton there is an annual festival dedicated to cheese in September.

Dorset and The New Forest is home to some local Real Ale breweries, among them Hall and Woodhouse ('Badger' beers www.hall-woodhouse.co.uk). The Hall and Woodhouse Brewery in Blandford Forum, Ringwood Brewery www.ringwoodbrewery.co.uk , and Palmer's Brewery in Bridport www.palmersbrewery.com , are open to visitors at certain times. Each brewery owns a chain of pubs throughout the area and elsewhere in the UK, which serve the local brew.

Thanks to its mild climate, the area even has some vineyards such as The Purbeck Vineyard www.purbeckvineyard.co.uk  and Setley Ridge Vineyard in The New Forest.

The local produce can also be enjoyed in the many fine eating and drinking establishments in the area – including 2 Michelin-starred restaurants.   Sit on the seafront and taste fish brought in that morning, sample traditional fare in one of the many countryside pubs or enjoy a sumptuous meal at a luxury hotel. 

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