1Mill Farm Folk Festival 2026
A midsummer folk music festival in the Dorset countryside featuring a variety of bands alongside family activities like face painting and arts and crafts.
9.2 milesSun 26 Jul11:30£2
Top Picks
Families This Weekend in Merriott
A tidy shortlist for families who would quite like to leave the house without spending half the morning opening tabs. We keep it local, useful, and blessedly free of events that tell you absolutely nothing.
10 picks around Merriott, from 10 local venues. The map pin is doing actual work here.
25–26 July Near Merriott
Not every listing gets a golden ticket
These picks come from the same behind-the-scenes legwork that powers Near Here. We check a frankly silly number of local listings, then keep the family-friendly ones that are nearby, properly described, and worth recommending.
Happening Saturday 25 July to Sunday 26 July.
Picked for Merriott, not somewhere halfway across the county.
Only Local Gems and Curated venues make the cut, because standards are still a thing.
Listings with proper descriptions get bumped up the list. Three words and a shrug will not do.
Our 10 picks near Merriott
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2Save the Children Fundraiser
at Lyme Regis Fossil Beach (Ammonite Pavement)
Come along to the Woodmead Halls from 11am until 2pm on Saturday 25 July for a cream tea, tombola and jumble sale in aid of the Lyme Regis branch of Save the Children. There will be a selection of cakes, books, jigsaws, bric-a-brac and clothing on sale.
15 milesSat 25 Jul12:00
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5B-Elite Family Martial Arts
10am. Only £25 per Month. Family Classes. 3 years and above. – Allwelcome
24.3 milesSun 26 Jul£25
6Kid Carpet & The Noisy Animals: Jack & The Beanstalk (Sort of)
About Family theatre and rock star legend Kid Carpet is back with a totally brand-new show! Featuring Bear, Gorilla, Badger and Hedgehog (with possible appearances from Hedgehog's golden eggs), this is Jack & The Beanstalk like it's been thrown in a blender with a drum machine and dodgy celebrity lookalikes. Part Air Guitar workshop and part magical mess. Perfect for children, families, party monsters, and fans of noisy nonsense. From the makers of Kid Carpet & The Noisy Animals, Noisy Holiday, Noisy Neighbours, Noisy Nativity, Kid Carpet & The Noisy Garden Centre, Super Mega Rockin' Rock Show and more.
45.1 milesSat 25 Jul
7Summer of Play Activity Trail
Embark on a wild colour chalk rubbing trail filled with fun activities and games for the whole family. Play like a chicken, leap like a sika deer, and try some bunny yoga. As you explore, you'll uncover fascinating facts about the creatures that call Brownsea home. It's the perfect way to let imaginations run wild and create unforgettable family memories. Finish at the natural play area where you can leap, climb, and scamper like a red squirrel.
41.9 milesSat 25 Jul11:00
8Free! (worth double-checking)Kids Fest at Farrington's Farm! A family-friendly festival near Bristol & Bath
A fantastic day of family fun at Farrington's Kids Fest on 18th, 19th, 25th & 26th July 2026. Bubbles | Double Act Circus Shows | Inflatables | Games | Creative Play | Trailer Rides | Characters | Magic Shows | Games
29.2 milesSun 26 Jul11:00
9Free! (worth double-checking)Lego Club Frome, Frome Library
Imagine, design, build. For children aged 5 and over. A free event
40.7 milesSat 25 Jul12:00
10More Top Picks
Keep the good ideas rolling
If this page has done the trick, there is more where that came from.
Round-upFree Things This WeekendA smarter list of local free picks for the weekend, chosen for quality, clarity, and the sort of detail that saves a wasted journey.Round-upRainy Day Picks This WeekendA shortlist for damp weekends: likely-indoor plans, cosy venues, and fewer reasons to pretend your coat is more waterproof than it is.All PicksBack to Top PicksSee all our curated round-ups in one place.