The Thomas Hardy Victorian Fair

A Dorset Celebration

High West Street and High East Street will be closed to traffic. So come along to Dorchester's first Victorian Street Fair to celebrate the 179th Birthday of one of Dorchester's most famous residents.

This will be a fun filled day for all the family, with an incredible array of Victorian and Thomas Hardy themed activities and demonstrations.

These will include:

Victorian costume competition for children and adults
Maypole Dancing with Stepsintime Dance Side
Punch and Judy Show
Traditional Victorian Toys
Victorian traction engine
Thomas Hardy Tours of the historic High Street
Nothe Fort Artillery Volunteers and cannon
Victorian shepherd and his flock
Plankbridge Shepherd's Huts
Dorset County Museum’s Inflatable Museum
Hardy Tours of Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum
Victorian and Rural Craft demonstrations
Costumed actors in character
Morris Dancers
Dorset Food & Drink Stalls
Plants for sale
LIVE Music, including The Mellstock Band

More events

On 11/09/2026
15:00 till 17:00
Celebrating William Barnes, Poet and Priest at Whitcombe Church

On 27/09/2026
14:30 till 17:00
For the Bells of Lydlinch - A Special Afternoon of Poetry & Fundraising

On 07/11/2026
14:30 till 15:30
Inspired by Barnes

On 08/12/2026
14:30 till 15:30
Keepen Up O' Chris'mas

From 22/02/2027 until 22/02/2028
Starts 09:00
ONLINE | Barnes Night: A Celebration of the Life and Work of William Barnes

From 20/03/2027 until 20/03/2028
Starts 09:00
ONLINE | A Dorset Spring through the Poetry of William Barnes

Dorset Dialect

"Wagwanton"