Symondsbury Estate

15/11/2024

WIN ✨… To kick off our Making Merry One Gift at a Time Giveaway, we’re giving one of you the chance to win a custom-built Estate Hamper worth up to £150!

Choose your favorite items from our shops—from delicious treats to elegant homeware and more—all beautifully packaged in our exclusive wicker hamper.

To Enter:
🎄Like this post
🎄Like our page
🎄For an extra entry, tag a friend in the comments

You can enter this competition on Facebook, Instagram, or in person at our Visitor Centre! You can enter as many times as you like and the competition closes at 10am on Wednesday 20th November.

PLEASE NOTE: Please be aware of fake/spam accounts. The winner will be contacted on Thursday 21st November.

And that’s just the beginning; nine more incredible prizes, including exclusive experiences, are on the way.

10/11/2024

Today, on Remembrance Sunday, we pause to remember the bravery and sacrifice of those who have served in our Armed Forces. Here at the Estate we reflect on the lives of local heroes who left behind families, farms and communities to protect our freedoms. Their legacies live on in our hearts and the resilience of our community forever.

📸 Doug Chalk

08/11/2024

Perfect Pairing 🍷🧀 … Join us on Thursday 12th December for a cosy evening featuring local wines from Furleigh Estate and artisan cheeses from The Book And Bucket Cheese Company. Sip, savour, and indulge in the best of the South-West!

Learn the stories behind the flavours and take home your favourites.

Reserve your spot now and make it a night to remember, https://symondsburyestateshop.co.uk/products/wine-and-cheese-night

06/11/2024

Who nose 🐽... On stressful days, animals have a unique way of lifting our spirits. Whether it's the calming presence of a pet, the gentle nudge of a curious nose or the quiet comfort of watching wildlife, animals remind us to slow down and enjoy simple moments.

01/11/2024

There's snow much to look forward to ❄️... Make the most of winter with our fun-filled event lineup!

Discover our full programme of events here, https://symondsburyestateshop.co.uk/pages/whats-on

23/10/2024

Roll out the red carpet🍂… Did you catch our moment in The Guardian on Saturday?

Autumn has cast its spell over the Estate, and Graham Hunt’s breathtaking shot of Colmers Hill captures it perfectly — golden leaves, fiery red bracken, and that iconic view that we all love!

📸 Graham Hunt Photography

21/10/2024

A round of apple-ause for Apple Day 🍏…

Today is officially the day when we celebrate all things apple – so what better way to mark the day than to put your pinny on and whip up a Dorset Apple Cake?

And if yours is really a-peeling it might just win you a gift voucher in our Dorset Apple Cake competition which we’re holding as part of our own Apple Day celebration on Sunday 27th October.

Why not see your cake-making skills bear fruit!?

Discover how to get involved here, https://symondsburyestate.co.uk/events/apple-day-at-symondsbury-estate/

13/10/2024

Curious about regenerative farming? 🌱

Regenerative farming has been making headlines recently, and it’s a topic that deserves attention! Join the owner of our Estate, Philip Colfox, and agronomist Richard Harding for the next Help Our Planet talk at Sladers Yard, where they will explore this vital subject.

📅 Date: Thursday, 24th October
📍 Sladers Yard, West Bay, Bridport, Dorset DT6 4EL
🕖 Time: 7pm (Doors open at 6pm with dinner available)
🎟 Call 01308 459511 or email [email protected] to book your tickets
All proceeds go to the Dorset Wildlife Trust.

Don’t miss this opportunity to discover how regenerative farming can shape a sustainable future and how we can all contribute to a healthier planet.

11/10/2024

The sky’s the limit ✨...

Thanks to Doug for sharing this amazing photo of the aurora borealis last night.

Keep your eyes to the skies tonight—you might just catch another show.

📸 Doug Chalk

04/10/2024

A flavour of what's to come 🍎...

To mark this season of abundance, we’re hosting some special events and workshops that bring the community together to enjoy the fruits of our labour – quite literally!

There’s something for everyone, from cookery courses and events that make the most of October’s harvest bounty, to craft and art workshops that will keep your hands busy and your mind engaged, our events are designed to help you welcome the season with warmth and creativity.

Find out more about our upcoming workshops here, https://symondsburyestateshop.co.uk/pages/whats-on

01/10/2024

Pinch punch, it’s the first day of the month🍂... A new season, a new month, and a new beginning.

It’s a great time to miss the crowds, get out and about in the countryside and cosy up in one of our holiday cottages. Check out our stay page for some tantalising offers.

Wish you were here…

29/09/2024

Apple Day Celebrations 🍎 … West Dorset has an abundance of orchards due to our loamy soil which is perfect for growing distinctive apples. When Thomas Hardy lived here, every farm would have had an apple orchard and a cider press, with flagons of cider forming part of the wages for farmworkers.
Symondsbury alone had 100 acres of apples back in the 1840s and we still harvest them across the Estate to make our own, unique apple juice.

With so much to celebrate about the humble apple, we are hosting our very own Apple Day event on Sunday 27th October, from 11am to 2pm, when we hope you’ll come and join us for a day of fun.
Enjoy family-friendly activities, including a birdfeeder-making station for kids, lawn games, and a pop-up store showcasing apple-themed delights from the Symondsbury Deli. Authors James Crowden and Liz Copas will be giving talks about the history of cider and you can even enter our Dorset apple cake competition to win a £30 Symondsbury Estate voucher. Relish the taste of autumn with apple cake, cider and an apple-themed roast in Symondsbury Kitchen. It’s a day to connect with nature and enjoy the fruits of the season.

26/09/2024

Within the beautiful setting of the Estate, our café team strives to deliver exemplary service, delicious food, and the best coffee in Dorset. Unfortunately, due to exceptional circumstances, we have a staff shortage this weekend and cannot provide the standard of service our customers deserve, so we have made the difficult decision to close the café on Saturday and Sunday, September 28th and 29th.

Although it is disappointing to announce, we are committed to delivering the best experience this weekend. Our Home & Garden Store and Visitor Centre will offer a tasty selection of food and snacks to take away as well as hot and cold drinks. We have pulled out all the stops to ensure there are more places to sit outside and dug out some of the Summer of Fun games for you to enjoy. Plus, we’ve added some extra activities in the Visitor Centre, so come along and gather around our huge table and enjoy the chat.

If you’re looking for retail therapy, our team have put in extra hours unpacking and displaying lots of inspiring gifts and home furnishings as they prepare for, dare we say, Christmas. And, of course, as the seasons change, this is a magical time to explore the broader landscape. There’s lots to see and do!

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Symondsbury Kitchen will be open as usual on Monday, September 30th.

22/09/2024

Life’s simple pleasures🖌️… This week for , we’re catching up with Georgina Docherty Printmaker, a talented local printmaker and the brilliant teacher behind our Lino printing workshops.

“To relax, I love spending time outdoors. As an artist, nature and my surroundings are a constant source of inspiration. A quick walk in the countryside or by the sea always lifts my spirits. Once you start noticing the beauty around you, it’s easy to let go of life’s stresses.

When I’m working with Lino, the carving process helps me completely disconnect from the outside world. I put on some music or a podcast and lose myself in the work for hours. Printing has given me a special way to create time for myself, and I hope more people get to experience that.”

Ready to unwind with us? Join Georgina’s upcoming workshop and discover the joy of printmaking, https://symondsburyestateshop.co.uk/products/festive-lino-printing-workshop

20/09/2024

We are delighted to be working with Dr Tom Brereton, a local and highly regarded ecological consultant and all-round nature enthusiast. Amongst other exciting projects, Tom will be leading our upcoming bird walks that will take us to a variety of habitats. Here you will observe and learn about a range of birds and how the Estate is working to protect them.

Tom’s walks are designed to enhance your birdwatching skills and teach the attributes that reveal their identity. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned bird watcher, come along and explore the beauty and surprisingly rich diversity of the birds that are here, right on our doorstep!

Discover the Farmland and Woodland Birds of the Simene Valley - Sunday 13th October (https://symondsburyestateshop.co.uk/products/discover-the-farmland-and-woodland-birds-of-the-simene-valley)

Bird Migration Watch & Breakfast with Tom Brereton - Sunday 3rd November (https://symondsburyestateshop.co.uk/products/bird-migration-watch-breakfast-with-tom-brereton)

18/09/2024

Something exciting is taking shape on the Estate and we love it ...

Our new entrance is going to be more than just a gateway – it’ll be a work of art in its own right. Crafted by John Colfox, a skilled carpenter and son of Symondsbury Estate owners, Philip and Julia, this wonderful pergola combines traditional craftsmanship with a deep connection to the land.

The most meaningful part? The pegs and braces of the frame were made using wood from an oak tree that fell on the Estate. It’s a true chip off the old block in every sense!

We can’t wait to welcome you through our beautiful new entrance soon.

16/11/2023

It's officially that time of year again 🎄... The wonderful Emma Dixon from Meadowsweet Flowers and Floristry is back this year, bringing two days and two nights of festive flora and fauna on Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th December.

With expert tuition from Emma, you will be shown step-by-step how to create your signature show-stopping yuletide wreath in this relaxed and enchanting workshop. All materials are included and sustainably sourced from Emma's garden, so get creative using festive favourites such as holly berries, eucalyptus, spruce and rosemary, and don’t worry, no experience is necessary!

Mulled wine and mince pies will also be provided, as no festive workshop would be complete without these!

Symondsbury Estate are thrilled to be partnering again with Emma Dixon, the resident River Cottage Florist, in bringing two days and two nights of festive flora and fauna. With expert tuition from Emma, you will be shown step-by-step how to create your own signature show stopping yuletide wreath in....

12/11/2023

"At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them" - Laurence Binyon