Celebrating the River Thames with arts events, active adventures, environmental initiatives, heritage and education programmes.
With 102 events from a 500 voice choir, a walk through how colonial history is remembered around the former East India Docks, to films, exhibitions, talks and a lot more. This month long festival is celebration of the importance of the river to London through time to the current day.
The UK’s most prestigious cycle race, Tour of Britain, is coming to our network not once but twice in 2022!
On Saturday 10 September, cyclists will be making their way through Dorset for stage seven starting from West Bay all the way to Ferndown. There will be plenty of places to catch the race in this historic county including Dorchester, Wareham, and the iconic Jurassic Coast with great viewing points in Corfe Castle and West Lulworth.
The Isle of Wight will then be hosting the final stage on Sunday 11 September, making it the biggest sporting event to ever take place on the island! The route from Ryde to The Needles will be spectacular with many iconic locations to catch the race all easily accessible with a combined ferry and train ticket or by using the Island Line. Choose from Cowes, Sandown, Shanklin, Ventnor, and Yarmouth to name just a few.
If you’re in Dorset for the Tour of Britain, then you should also add the Dorset Seafood Festival SEAFEAST to your itinerary! Hosted in the beautiful Georgian seaside resort of Weymouth, it offers an amazing opportunity to gain a better understanding of the superb seafood available to us just off our wonderful shores.
There will be plenty to see and do for everyone over the weekend at the festival. Try some delicious fresh seafood such as crab fries, BBQ buffalo oysters, prawn Bombay potatoes, lobster rolls, and mixed seafood pizza just to name a few from the incredible menu. Once you’ve had your fill, learn more about how to cook with seafood at one of the many talented chef demos from Mark Hix, Mitch Tonks, and Harriet Mansell, plus many more.
There will also be live acoustic music from local acts, fun activities for the kids and sessions to learn about the ocean health, making this a fun-filled packed day out.
Tickets are limited so to guarantee so book today.
Instead of rushing back home, why not make a weekend of it and spend 48 hours in Weymouth? Our guide will help you plan things to do, places to eat and so much more.
Celebrate Mexican Independence Day
16 September
Not to be confused with Cinco de Mayo, Mexican Independence Day is a time when Mexicans from around the world celebrate the anniversary of Mexico’s independence from Spain.
On the night of the 15 September in 1810, Miguel Hidalgo, one of the nation’s leaders during the war of independence in Mexico, started a revolt against the Spaniards. This revolt was known as ‘El Grito de la Independencia’ (cry of independence). Ever since, Mexicans have created a national holiday to celebrate their country’s Independence. There are fireworks, folkloric ‘mariachi’ music, and plenty of traditional food known as ‘antojitos’, such as tacos, enchiladas, pozole, and all washed down with TEQUILA!
Britain’s greatest boating festival, Southampton International Boat Show, is back and full to the brim with fantastic water-based activities that the whole family can enjoy. Aside from admiring hundreds of beautiful yachts and super sail boats lining the marina, you can enjoy a mini cruise, sign up for paddleboarding lessons or check out a flyboard display. Be sure to check out the live music at the festival green stage or swap sailing stories at the rum and gin bar.
Great British Beach Clean
16-25 September
If you’re feeling increasingly conscious about the impact of plastic waste weighing down on our beaches, here’s your chance to get up, get out and really make a difference. The Great British Beach Clean is a bright idea run from the Marine Conservation Society, inspiring bands of volunteers – including you – to collect litter from across our beautiful shorelines.
All you need to join the mission are a pair of sturdy shoes, comfortable clothing, gardening gloves and preferably a picker.
Isle of Wight Day
17 September
An island-wide party that’s sweeping the Isle of Wight on the penultimate Saturday of the month, Isle of Wight Day is all about celebrating and showing the best the island has to offer in a feel-good community effort.
If you’re looking to make a weekend of it, make dinner reservations and bed down at The Royal Hotel; their Gin-cured Mackerel was awarded the Dish of The Isle of Wight Day 2018. There are a range of easy crossing options from train stations across the coast and our top tip is to buy a combined train and ferry ticket to enjoy the best savings.
