The 7th annual Dorchester Cider Festival returns to Borough Gardens on Saturday 20th August 2022 at 14:00.

A family friendly event and celebration of the regions finest cider producers, great food and live music throughout the day. Please purchase your 2022 festival cup first 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. All profits from this event are distributed to local good causes by the Dorchester Round Table. Please respect the park (Borough Gardens has Green Flag status) and use the extra bins that are provided especially for the day. Click on the categories below to jump to the corresponding section. Cider Village Food Vendors Line-up App FAQs

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. Sandford Orchards – craft cider from the heart of rural Devon. Mill House Cider – from the Owermoigne Cider Museum. New Guest Producer! Dark Side Cider - Solihull based craft cider. Please note: A ‘Think 25’ policy will be enforced by everyone serving alcohol at all times.

Food stalls

Posh Pigs Barbequestar Wild Meats Oggy Oggy Cornish Pasties Mad Mitch ice cream Coffee To Go Go Go Bridge Farm Crisps

Live Music

The Bandstand

KOAST

An exciting Dorset-based acoustic duo specialising in bringing fun, the wow factor and great live music. KOAST consists of the talented vocal artists Nathan-Jon (singer/guitarist) and Anna who has a wealth of entertainment experience. This will be the perfect opening to Dorchester Cider Festival 2022! Bandstand stage time: 2:00-2:45pm

The Surfin' Birds

'Swinging surf and raucous rockabilly' – The Surfin' Birds are making their Dorchester Cider Festival debut this year. We look forward to their unique sound of psychedelic, surf, rhythm & blues showcased on the bandstand. Bandstand stage time: 3:30-4:15pm

That Britpop Band

Formed in 2020, That Britpop Band is a tribute to 90s Britpop – one of the most cherished movements in British music. From the genre’s chart-topping acts like Oasis, Blur and Pulp to the lesser known bands such as Supergrass, Shed Seven, and The Seahorses, That Britpop Band have it 'covered'! Bandstand stage time: 5:00-6:00pm

The Leggomen

From sunny Weymouth, they never disappoint – it's the Leggomen back at Dorchester Cider Festival 2022 with their unmissable set of festival crowd favourites. Bandstand stage time: 6:30-8:00pm

The Skimmity Hitchers

Raise yer cider jar in appreciation of our 2022 headliners The Skimmity Hitchers – the Scrumpy & Western legends make a welcome return in 2022. Bandstand stage time: 8:30-10:00pm

Acoustic Stage

Jamie McDonald

Jamie McDonald is a local singer with a love of folk, and blues. With a background of playing the folk clubs of Dorset and Bath, he is excited to be on the stage again with his guitar in his home town – ready to kick things off on the acoustic stage with interpretations of songs you may know, as well as some of his own. Acoustic stage time: 2:50-3:20pm

Nathan Jon

With a distinctive voice, and distinctive guitar style to match Nathan Jon is a super-talented acoustic artist with a vast set list including Rag 'N Bone Man, Mumford & Sons, George Ezra, and many more! Acoustic stage time: 4:20-4:50pm

Nick Capaldi

Making his Cider Fest debut – the very talented local singer/songwriter Nick Capaldi – don't miss his eagerly awaited performance on the acoustic stage at Dorchester Cider Festival 2022! Acoustic stage time: 6:00-6:30pm

Carley Varley

Carley Varley is an acoustic pop artist based in South West England, performing original music and making other artists music her own. Last on the acoustic stage this year, Carley and her guitar will get people singing along and dancing 🕺 Acoustic stage time: 8:00-8:30pm

Download the app

The brand new Dorchester Cider Festival 2022 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!

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). Get your cup first! You must purchase a cup at the orange Round Table Gazebo before you purchase a drink at the event. We want to avoid people spending time queuing for a drink, only to be told you need a cup before you can buy it. Please drink responsibly. 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. What are the profits for the event used for?

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 are awarded with Green Flag status and need to be left in the same condition as before the event. Thank you for your co-operation.

Please behave responsibly, pick up ALL litter and respect the park. All details subject to change.