What's on in Orchard, East

Dorset, England

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Orchard in East Dorset is a quiet spot where the air smells of damp earth and old trees, yet there is plenty of local noise to be found. We keep tabs on the cinema showing the latest films and the village hall hosting plays that have locals crying in the best way possible. When the weather turns grey, the community centre usually has a quiz or a craft session running while everyone else is stuck indoors. Near Here means you don't need to drive across the county just to see what's on tonight.

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Scones & Sparkles on the Maunsells

Scones & Sparkles on the Maunsells

A Delightful Journey Through the Isle of Purbeck Step aboard our beautifully restored 1930s Maunsell heritage carriages, featuring comfortable upholstered seats and gleaming varnished wood panelling, for a truly indulgent experience — Scones & Sparkles through the picturesque Isle of Purbeck. Relax and admire the rolling countryside views from your historic carriage as your steam train travels from Swanage to Corfe Castle and onwards to Norden. Your freshly baked scones, clotted cream, jam, butter, fresh strawberries and Prosecco are beautifully presented in a sharing Swanage Railway hamper basket and served at your table by our attentive and friendly team. As the train passes through the village of Corfe Castle, enjoy breathtaking views of the ancient castle ruins, standing proudly after more than six centuries of history. On your return journey to Swanage, sit back and savour five and a half miles of unspoiled Purbeck countryside — a perfect setting for an unforgettable afternoon. This is a Scones & Sparkles experience with a difference — a memory to treasure and savour. £45 per person – this price includes a return ticket Approximate duration: 1 hour.

Sun 12 AprCorfe Castle Steam Railway(2.3mi)

via Corfe Castle Steam RailwayLocal gem

Model Railway Weekend

Model Railway Weekend

The Swanage Railway is hosting its first Model Railway Weekend between Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th of April. We are thrilled to be able to combine our full size railway with their smaller counterparts and we are sure you will be too! Our Model Railway Weekend will include a range of different scales and gauges to see over the two day event, with different layouts and displays along the railway. Layouts will be on display at Swanage Station, Harmans Cross Station and Village Hall, Corfe Castle Station and Norden Station. We are also happy to confirm that there will be a range of traders to see at Swanage and Corfe Castle Stations as well as Harmans Cross Village Hall. We will also be offering the chance to drive one of our Class 08 Diesel Shunters from Platform One at Swanage Station during a short Driver Experience, where you will get to drive from the Station to our sidings and back again with one of our friendly and experienced drivers! You can also try your hand at driving a miniature Hymek Class Diesel at the Purbeck Mining Museum on the portable miniature railway thanks to the are now open for these experiences and they can be booked using the links which are further down this page. Combined entry and travel tickets will be available on the day from our ticket offices and are also now available from our website.

Sun 12 AprCorfe Castle Steam Railway(2.3mi)

via Corfe Castle Steam RailwayLocal gem

Footplate Ride

Footplate Ride

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to ride on the footplate (cab) of a steam locomotive? This is the perfect experience and includes all day standard travel for the ticket holder. Your footplate ride will cover 10 miles from Swanage to Norden and return and will last approximately 60 minutes. You will watch our crew operate the locomotive on one of our scheduled passenger services. Experience the thrill of the sights, sounds, smell and heat of a steam engine footplate with our expert and highly experienced engine crews answering questions whilst pointing out various points of interest during your journey. £125.00 per person. This experience also includes all day travel along the Swanage Railway. THE PARTICIPANT MUST: Be aged over 18 years. Be physically and mentally fit enough to climb on and off the locomotive from ground level unaided. Wear overalls or old cotton clothing that fully covers your arms and legs. Wear sturdy shoes / boots that protect your feet - trainers are definitely not permitted. Must not consume alcohol in the 12 hour period leading up to the ride / course or during the Footplate Experience. Locomotives will be used from the current fleet available and cannot be specified in advance.

Sun 12 AprCorfe Castle Steam Railway(2.3mi)

via Corfe Castle Steam RailwayLocal gem

Dawn Chorus Guided Walk + Breakfast at RSB Arne

Dawn Chorus Guided Walk + Breakfast at RSB Arne

Event starting on 12 April 2026 at 05:00

Sun 12 Apr05:00Pitch and Putt(4.9mi)

via Pitch and Putt

Power of Poles Workshops

Power of Poles Workshops

Power of Poles Workshops is happening at Walx. We've got the when and where — their site has the why and the how much.

Mon 13 AprWalx(2.7mi)

via WalxLocal gem

Discovery Sessions

Discovery Sessions is happening at Walx. We've got the when and where — their site has the why and the how much.

Tue 14 AprWalx(2.7mi)

via WalxLocal gem

F1 The Movie

F1 The Movie

Event starting on 14 April 2026 at 17:00

Tue 14 Apr17:00Pitch and Putt(4.9mi)

via Pitch and Putt

Stories from WWII - A Village Walk

Stories from WWII - A Village Walk

Event starting on 15 April 2026 at 10:30

Wed 15 Apr10:30Pitch and Putt(4.9mi)

via Pitch and Putt

Pliosaurus - The Discovery of a Monster

We found this gem on Museum of Jurassic Marine Life's website. Pliosaurus - The Discovery of a Monster — sounds like it could be a cracker, doesn't it?

Thu 16 AprMuseum of Jurassic Marine Life(1.9mi)

via Museum of Jurassic Marine LifeCurated

U3a Meeting

U3a Meeting

Event starting on 16 April 2026 at 12:00

Thu 16 Apr12:00Pitch and Putt(4.9mi)

via Pitch and Putt

Film Club

Film Club

Join the Film Club for a screening of a movie.

Fri 17 AprWorth Matravers Village Hall(2.7mi)

via Worth Matravers Village HallLocal gem

Tiger Day Spring

Tiger Day Spring

Event starting on 18 April 2026 at 09:30

Sat 18 Apr09:30Pitch and Putt(4.9mi)

via Pitch and Putt

Arty Bazaar

Arty Bazaar

Event starting on 18 April 2026 at 12:00

Sat 18 Apr12:00Pitch and Putt(4.9mi)

via Pitch and Putt

Event Tbc

Event Tbc

Event starting on 18 April 2026 at 12:00

Sat 18 Apr12:00Pitch and Putt(4.9mi)

via Pitch and Putt

Dawn Chorus Guided Walk + Breakfast at RSBP Arne

Dawn Chorus Guided Walk + Breakfast at RSBP Arne

Event starting on 19 April 2026 at 05:00

Sun 19 Apr05:00Pitch and Putt(4.9mi)

via Pitch and Putt

All-Terrain Vehicle Nature Tour

All-Terrain Vehicle Nature Tour

Event starting on 19 April 2026 at 10:00

Sun 19 Apr10:00Pitch and Putt(4.9mi)

via Pitch and Putt

Swanage Railway

Swanage Railway

Event starting on 19 April 2026 at 12:00

Sun 19 Apr12:00Pitch and Putt(4.9mi)

via Pitch and Putt

Film Club

Film Club

Join the Film Club for a screening of a movie.

Fri 24 AprWorth Matravers Village Hall(2.7mi)

via Worth Matravers Village HallLocal gem

See what else is on

Event details on Near Here are aggregated from third-party sources and may change. Always verify times, location, availability, and any price directly with the organiser before travelling. See Terms.