Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-walcot-house-comes-to-frome">Walcot House comes to Frome</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1875" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-little-walcot-chillimartini.jpg" alt="Little Walcot. Photo @chilimartini " class="wp-image-94542" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-little-walcot-chillimartini.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-little-walcot-chillimartini-640x800.jpg 640w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-little-walcot-chillimartini-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-little-walcot-chillimartini-320x400.jpg 320w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-little-walcot-chillimartini-768x960.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-little-walcot-chillimartini-1229x1536.jpg 1229w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Little Walcot. Photo <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chillimartini/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chillimartini </a></figcaption></figure>



<p>Possibly the best view in Frome? From the team behind Bath&#8217;s super cool Walcot House comes <a href="https://www.littlewalcot.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Little Walcot</a>, in a plum position on Stony Street, looking up the cobbled Catherine Hill lined with Frome&#8217;s fabulous independent shops. Chomp on wholesome, hearty, nose-to-tail food (wild mushroom arancini, crispy pork bites, burgers&#8230;), sip cocktails and beer, chill with your pals. Open from 9am – 11pm Wednesday to Sat and until 10pm Sundays.  Many thanks to Tori Allison aka <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chillimartini/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chillimartini </a>for the stunning photo. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-artisan-market-in-dorchester">New artisan market in Dorchester </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1200" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-dorchester-artisan-market-428523631_122124288704202726_1170178877124893031_n.jpg" alt="dorchester artisan market" class="wp-image-94422" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-dorchester-artisan-market-428523631_122124288704202726_1170178877124893031_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-dorchester-artisan-market-428523631_122124288704202726_1170178877124893031_n-800x640.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-dorchester-artisan-market-428523631_122124288704202726_1170178877124893031_n-1000x800.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-dorchester-artisan-market-428523631_122124288704202726_1170178877124893031_n-400x320.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-dorchester-artisan-market-428523631_122124288704202726_1170178877124893031_n-768x614.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>What the best-dressed dogs are wearing this season. Head over to Brewery Square and surrounding streets on the fourth Sunday of the month for the brand new <a href="https://dorchesterartisanmarket.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dorchester Artisan Market</a>. Browse over 200 stalls selling local food and drink, crafts, homewares, vintage stuff, plants – dog kerchiefs – and more with live music to boot in Borough Gardens, from 10–3pm. The first market is on Sun 28 April and then every month until November. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-historic-somerset-pub-to-get-a-new-lease-of-life">Historic Somerset pub to get a new lease of life</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Manor_House_Inn_-_geograph_Fotor.jpg" alt="Manor House Inn Ditcheat" class="wp-image-94576" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Manor_House_Inn_-_geograph_Fotor.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Manor_House_Inn_-_geograph_Fotor-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Manor_House_Inn_-_geograph_Fotor-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Manor_House_Inn_-_geograph_Fotor-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Wikicommons</figcaption></figure>



<p>Historic 18th century pub The Manor House in the village of Ditcheat – home of Paul Nicholls&#8217; racing stables and Barber&#8217;s Cheese and surrounded by views of the Mendips – is being revamped by new owners. The <a href="https://www.chickpea.group/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chickpea Group</a>, who have six other pubs and pizzerias in Wilts, have been described by <em>The Times</em> as &#8216;The Pig hotels of the pub world&#8217;. Nice. The Manor House will be reopening in June with a classic pub menu, separate Nole sourdough pizza kitchen, and seven bedrooms. Watch this space. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dorset-hotel-restaurant-awarded-3-aa-stars">Dorset hotel restaurant awarded 3 AA stars </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1875" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-summer-lodge-385039379_788041986665565_8148584306666360340_n.jpg" alt="summer lodge food" class="wp-image-94560" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-summer-lodge-385039379_788041986665565_8148584306666360340_n.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-summer-lodge-385039379_788041986665565_8148584306666360340_n-640x800.jpg 640w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-summer-lodge-385039379_788041986665565_8148584306666360340_n-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-summer-lodge-385039379_788041986665565_8148584306666360340_n-320x400.jpg 320w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-summer-lodge-385039379_788041986665565_8148584306666360340_n-768x960.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-summer-lodge-385039379_788041986665565_8148584306666360340_n-1229x1536.jpg 1229w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The lovely country house hotel <a href="https://summerlodgehotel.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Summer Lodge</a> in Evershot has just been awarded 3 AA rosettes (only 10% of restaurants in the AA food guide achieve this accolade). We&#8217;re not surprised, whether you go for lunch, dinner or afternoon tea, the food is excellent – <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/summer-lodge-dorset/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">read our review</a> – and we met head chef <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/life/people/chef-james-mearing-summer-lodge-dorset/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Mearing</a> not long after he joined the team.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-calling-all-shindiggers">Calling all Shindiggers!</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1002" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-shindig-2022-DC-69-Dan-Cadell.jpg" alt="shindig festival" class="wp-image-94569" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-shindig-2022-DC-69-Dan-Cadell.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-shindig-2022-DC-69-Dan-Cadell-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-shindig-2022-DC-69-Dan-Cadell-1000x668.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-shindig-2022-DC-69-Dan-Cadell-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-shindig-2022-DC-69-Dan-Cadell-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo Dan Cadell</figcaption></figure>



<p>This year&#8217;s <a href="https://shindigfestival.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shindig Festival</a> will be the last ever *sad face*.  The indie festival, once described by Glastonbury&#8217;s Emily Eavis as a good alternative to those who didn’t manage to get ticket to Glasto and voted ‘Best For Family Rave’ by Festival Kidz, runs from Thurs 23 – Sun 26 May at the Dillington Estate near Ilminster. The likes of Groove Armada (DJ Set), Brand New Heavies, Kurupt FM, Ewan McVicar, Congo Natty, Mad Professor, John Morales, DJ Rap&nbsp;and&nbsp;Greg Wilson are on the bill. Dress up theme: magical creatures. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dorset-bookshop-is-the-best-in-the-south-west-and-possibly-the-uk">Dorset bookshop is the best in the South West – and possibly the UK</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00FOLDEShopfront-ezgif.com-heic-to-jpg-converter.jpg" alt="Folde Shaftesbury" class="wp-image-94555" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00FOLDEShopfront-ezgif.com-heic-to-jpg-converter.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00FOLDEShopfront-ezgif.com-heic-to-jpg-converter-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00FOLDEShopfront-ezgif.com-heic-to-jpg-converter-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00FOLDEShopfront-ezgif.com-heic-to-jpg-converter-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00FOLDEShopfront-ezgif.com-heic-to-jpg-converter-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00FOLDEShopfront-ezgif.com-heic-to-jpg-converter-1152x1536.jpg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>If you&#8217;re looking for beautiful nature-inspired books – anything from rewilding to wild swimming – Dorset art and traditional crafts, author talks and events,  <a href="https://www.foldedorset.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Folde</a> on the iconic Gold Hill in Shaftesbury is the place to go. They&#8217;ve just been awarded South West Independent Bookshop of the Year in the prestigious British Book Awards 2024 (the BAFTAs of the book trade) and are finalists for the overall UK winner, to be announced on 13 May – fingers crossed. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hola-a-new-mexican-restaurant-and-mezcal-bar-in-bristol">Hola! A new Mexican restaurant and mezcal bar in Bristol</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="646" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-condesa-bristol-.png" alt="" class="wp-image-94588" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-condesa-bristol-.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-condesa-bristol--800x517.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-condesa-bristol--400x258.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/00-condesa-bristol--768x496.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Founders of Season + Taste and two other Bristol restaurants have just opened <a href="https://condesabristol.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Condesa</a>, a Mexican restaurant on Whiteladies Road in Redland. Scoff Mexican-inspired dishes cooked over charcoal – here&#8217;s their queso fresco, hot agave, preserved lime&nbsp;– and wash it all down with tequila and mezcal. If you insist. Open 12pm – 11pm, Mondays to Saturdays.</p>


April newsflash! What’s new in Dorset, Somerset & Bristol

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