~ The official tourism website for the pretty Saxon riverside town of Wareham in Dorset;
the ideal holiday base to explore and experience Purbeck and the Jurassic Coast ~

~ The official tourism website to the ancient Saxon riverside town of Wareham in Dorset; the ideal base to explore and experience Purbeck and the Jurassic Coast ~

“Love Wareham! It has been included in our Dorset holiday for years”

– Quote from Visit Wareham facebook page

August 13th & 14th

Name: Poole Museum: Hardy’s Wessex Exhibition
Start: 2022-06-24
End: 2022-10-30
Location: Poole Museum

Step back a 1000 years!

Visit Wareham is putting on a weekend of Saxon fun at the Swanage & Wareham Rugby Football Club grounds on Bestwall Road. A celebration of the unique heritage of Wareham!

• Two interactive days, full of things to see and do for adults and kids.

• Watch and talk to period craftsmen and cooks at work.

• Meet Saxon and Viking warriors and get hands-on with their equipment.

• From the stage there will be talks about life in the Dark Ages, as well as stories to entertain with fire breathing dragons!

• Food stalls – including roast suckling pig!

• Days end with music and fireworks!

With a large Viking army camp at one end of the grounds and a Saxon one at the other – what could possibly go wrong? The Siege of Wareham AD 875 again?! Here’s some of the acts appearing…

Hrafnslith

Hrafnslith are bringing down dozens of their members to do an impressive living history encampment, with numerous authentic period tents, demonstrating a variety of Saxon/Viking Age crafts, skills, games and pastimes. They will also provide combat displays where warriors fight equipped with a variety of weaponry!

Saexia

SAEXIA is a early medieval reenactment society, formed in 2019. Events you can expect include living history demonstrations, have a go archery, and axe throwing! Plus of course reenactment combat display in the traditional Dark Ages manner.

Saxon Forager, Craig Brooks

Saxon Forager, Craig Brooks, author of the ‘Eat like a Viking!’ cook books. From foraging to making butter, cheese & flatbreads, sausages and much else. Food preparation and cooking will be done over an open fire using replica viking cookware and knives.

Tales from the Hart

Tales from the Hart are storytellers committed to keeping legends of old alive, such as great tales from the Iron Age – with fire breathing dragons!

Ancient Wessex Network

Ancient Wessex Network are a group of craft workers, artists, and experimental archaeologists. They will bring alive ancient pottery, jewellery making, textile working, bead-jewellery making and Bronze-casting.

In support of ‘Friends of MS Purbeck’

More details coming soon!

'A Fantastic Evening' at the Joseph Calleja Concert

Thanks for all the wonderful comments!

Thanks for all the wonderful comments we have received from those who attended the concert on the 29th June.

It certainly was an amazing event for Wareham. Congratulations to the whole team who made this concert happen, particularly David Mellor and Merville Gover. And of course especially to Joseph Calleja and Stephen Barlow for making it such a memorable evening!

The promoters are grateful for help received from Dorset Opera in mounting this concert. Find out more about the Dorset Opera Festival 25th-30th July near Blandford Forum.

Below are some of the comments we have received...

‘Just wanted to congratulate the organisers for a FANTASTIC evening. What a privilege to attend such a quality event… in Wareham!’… Kerrie

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It was a wonderful evening which was quite amazing,what a forceful voice but a yet amazing gentle voice too. Thanks to David Mellor for arranging things, my Daughter was taught by his father! … Elizabeth

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Well done for a fantastic evening. It was absolutely superb. Congratulations to all involved on a special night … Kerrie

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Last weekend I was playing in Wareham’s wonderful Lady St Mary church and I found myself back there tonight to see the incredible Tenor Joseph Calleja and Stephen Barlow (Joanna Lumley’s hubby) accompanying him. Absolutely superb! David Mellor was the MC along with the Vicar Merville and Canon Simon. The audience of 400+ included Edward Fox amongst others! I was joined by my great artist friend Eddie Burrows and also Paul Barrett, Director of the Mantovani Orchestra – a brilliant and very musical night! Thank you Visit Wareham.

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Wow, that was amazing – how lucky we were to have Joseph in Wareham.
It all happens in the Isle of Purbeck! … Jan

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Joseph Calleja concert. Thank you all so much. It was a fantastic evening, beautiful church. We drove up from Devon to be there and it was well worth it. What a lovely place Wareham is too! … Andy and Fiona Bladon

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I can’t put into words how much I enjoyed listening to Joseph Calleja last night in such a beautiful, intimate setting! … Emma

Joseph Calleja pictured with with veteran actor Edward Fox at the Priory Church of Lady St Mary in Wareham

A town for all seasons!

Welcome to Wareham! We have loads of useful and interesting information for your holiday or visit to Wareham in Dorset…

Find out about the amazing history of our Saxon walled town or read our guide to the many places to explore in and around Wareham. We also have some great ideas for places to visit and things to do nearby in Purbeck, and the Jurassic Coast.

Check out our list of local events happening near Wareham and Purbeck – updated weekly! Perfect for planning your holiday to Wareham in advance of your arrival!

We also have a selection of places to stay from quirky, independent hotels, to cosy bed and breakfasts or scenic, rural campsites.

And to make your holiday or visit to Wareham complete we also have our popular guide to the many fantastic places to eat, in and around Wareham, as well as a guide to our local shops including a fantastic range of good quality, independent retailers.