Dorchester Cider Festival 2021 | Line-Up | Stage Times

The 6th annual Dorchester Cider Festival returns to Borough Gardens on Saturday 21st August 2021 at 14:00.

A free-to-attend, family friendly event and celebration of the regions finest cider producers, great food and live music throughout the day.

Please purchase your 2021 festival cup from The Round Table Orange Gazebo – this will be the only cup available for use in the cider village. This includes 2 stages of live music and helps to cover the growing costs of running the charity festival, ensuring it is a safe and enjoyable event for all.

PLEASE BRING CASH – we will have card readers available, but paying with cash will allow transactions to be processed more quickly.

All profits from this event are distributed to local good causes by the Dorchester Round Table.

Dorchester cider festival 2021 event banner

Download the app

The brand new Dorchester Cider Festival 2021 app is live in the App Store and the Google Play Store. Get all the event information, site map, bands, stage times, cider and food sellers at your fingertips.

The app is FREE to download. Get it now!

Cider village

Meet and be served by our guest cider makers and sample over 80 of their award winning tipples. We’ll also be serving soft drinks, beers and wines for non-cider drinkers who want to join in the fun.

Dorset Star – Family-owned business using cider apples in their own orchard near Dorchester. A range of craft ciders to satisfy every palette. Top tipples: Supernova, Nebula, Michelin Star.

West Milton Cider Co – Sample the award-winning cider from Bridport-based West Milton Cider. Top tipples: Flowery Bottom, Purple Haze, Dorset Starlight.

Dickies Dribble – Artisan cider made with love and laughter in the New Forest. Top tipples: Dickies Dribble, Harrow Wood Farm Cider.

Weymouth Cider Company – A wide range of traditional ciders, as well as the not so traditional. With a range from the weak to the strong, from sweet through to dry, there really is something to suit everyone. Top tipples: Leg Wobbler, Monkey Madness, Perrylicious.

Dorset Nectar – Producers of award-winning artisan organic ciders, apple juices and vinegars using the finest Dorset grown produce. Top tipples: Elderflower cider, Old Harry Rocks, Raspberry Kiss.

Noddy’s Cider – A truly authentic Weymouth cider maker sure to give you service with a smile. Cider to make you go ‘Ooh Arrrr’. Top tipples: Merry Berry, Ginger Knob, Weymouth Wobbler.

Bridge Farm Cider – Producing award winning cider for more than twenty years. The cider is made using traditional rack and cloth methods and hydraulic press. Top tipples: Somerset Cider in traditional dry, medium or sweet varieties and pear cider.

Twisted Cider – Farmhouse range with an added twist to give you the beautiful blends that resemble flavours true to their names. Top tipples: Bubblegum Burst, Stormy Lemonade, Desert Dry.

Cranborne Chase Cider – Based on the Family Farm at Minchington in the heart of the Cranborne Chase. Top tipples: A range of traditional farmhouse cider in dry, medium, sweet and vintage varieties.

Cow & Apple – Burgers, cider and good times from the nice people at the Yeovil and Dorchester based restaurants. Top tipples: Cow & Apple Premium, Vimto Cider, Ginger Cider.

Please note: A ‘Think 25’ policy will be enforced by everyone serving alcohol at all times.

cider village at borough gardens, dorchester

Food stalls

Posh pigs

Weymouth Seafood

Oggy Oggy Cornish Pasties

Mad Mitch ice cream

Live Music

The Bandstand

Nina Garcia

Singer, songwriter and performer, playing your favourite songs of many genres. We can’t wait for the fiery fiddle sound of Nina Garcia to open proceedings on the bandstand.

Bandstand stage time: 2:00-2:45pm

Tabula Fire

Tabula Fire are a four piece covers band who formed in Dorset in the Summer of 2020. Having each played in local bands for the past 15 years, they have brought together thier musical expertise to entertain audiences across the South West and beyond.

Bandstand stage time: 3:30-4:15pm

The Darwins

The Dorset-based quintet features Paul on drums/percussion, Tom on Trumpet, Charlie on Accordion, Geoff on bass and Neil on guitar/vocals. The band play and eclectic mix of folk, blues, rock, soul and jazz with a huge catalogue of original songs. Above all, the band represent years of musicianship and a passion for quality songwriting and performance. The Darwins play the way music should be: with meaning.

Bandstand stage time: 5:00-6:00pm

Andy Grant Band

Incendiary guitar playing, bluesy vocals and funky grooves characterise the music of Andy Grant Band. Think Stones and Led Zep mixed with Motown and J J Cale- add a dash of slide guitar and you’re getting close to this rootsy blend of blues, soul and rock.

Bandstand stage time: 6:30-8:00pm

Chief Lazarus

Making their debut at Dorchester Cider Festival, Chief Lazarus are a local five piece band that are making a name for themselves for their rousing performances playing shows in and around Weymouth.

Bandstand stage time: 8:30-10:00pm

Acoustic Stage

Elijah Wolf

Multi-talented local singer/songwriter and musician Elijah Wolf takes a break from his successful band The Gravity Drive to kick things off on the acoustic stage.

Acoustic stage time: 2:50-3:20pm

Carley Varley

Carley Varley is an acoustic pop artist based in South West England. Performing original music and making other artists music her own. Carley and her guitar get people singing along and dancing 🕺

Acoustic stage time: 4:20-4:50pm

Dorset Phil

Songs about Dorset, Cider and Good Times – all original music by Dorset Phil – what’s not to like!

Acoustic stage time: 6:00-6:30pm

Danny Adams

Singer/songwriter and all round local legend Danny Adams will headline the acoustic stage at Dorchester Cider Festival 2021.

Acoustic stage time: 8:00-8:30pm

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an entry fee to Dorchester Cider Festival?

There is no admission fee to enter the park and enjoy the live music and festival atmosphere. However, a festival cup will be a required purchase for all drinks at the event (including Cider Village, Round Table cider bar and general drinks bar.

Is there a limit on attendance?

There is no limit on attendance, however in the unlikely event of the public park being overcrowded the festival organisers reserve the right to cancel the event at short notice.

What will happen if the weather forecast predicts heavy rain/high winds on the day?

The event committee will be monitoring the weather forecast very closely on the lead up to the event. If it is considered necessary to publish a statement regarding a cancellation/postponement of the event, this will be posted prior to the event on Dorchester Round Table Facebook page.

Are non-cider drinks available?

Yes, a general bar located behind the Round Table orange gazebo will be serving lager/ale/wines/spirits/soft drinks.

Is there a lost property/information point?

Visit the Round Table orange gazebo located at the front of the cider village to ask our friendly team any queries you have or to hand in lost property. Please remember the festival is a charity event, run entirely by volunteers.

Are dogs allowed?

As per normal Borough Gardens rules, dogs are allowed but must be kept on leads.

Will extra bins be provided?

Yes, large industrial bin bags will be situated around the park. Please do not drop any litter and respect the park. The gardens need to be left in the same condition as before the event. Thank you for your co-operation.

Please do not come to the event if you’re showing symptoms of Covid-19. Please behave responsibly, pick up ALL litter and respect the park. All details subject to change.