Are dogs permitted at the Cheese Festival?
Dogs are permitted entry to all areas (except the food, beer and cider tents for health and safety reasons) provided they are on a lead.

Are there special arrangements for the disabled?
We provide special free car parking arrangements in The William Barnes School which are well signposted. Direct access is provided from the school into the Cheese Festival.

Are there any other camping sites near Sturminster Newton?
There is a link to camping sites on the accommodation page. However customers are advised that this website does not include all the local camp sites. Other possibilities include:

• 9 miles - Blackmore Vale Caravan Park Ltd, Sherborne Causeway, Shaftesbury 01747 851523
• 11 miles - The Inside Park Camp Site, Down House Estate, Blandford Saint Mary, Blandford Forum 01258 453719
• 18 miles - Giants Head Caravan Park, Old Sherborne Road, Dorchester 01300 341242.

Can I always get into the free car park?
We are lucky to have the use of a very large field adjacent to Festival. Over the ten years that we have been running, we have never had to turn away people because the car park was full.

Can I leave the Festival and return without paying a second entry fee?
Yes we have a special stamp so that people who have requested return can do so without extra payment.

What happens if it rains?
The site on which the Festival is held is well drained; it is not subject to damage by rain except in the worst of conditions with continuous heavy rain over the prior week. The majority of exhibits are under canvas and so the Festival will proceed unless conditions make this an absolute impossibility. Should this be the case this will be announced in advance on this website.

Do you have emergency medical facilities?
In common with other events, we provide an ambulance and first aid facilities on site. We also have arrangements in place for lost children.

What entertainment is there for children?
We have the usual swing boats, roundabout, coconut shy and ever popular Punch & Judy and Magic acts. In addition there will be Circus skills demonstrations and numbers of small animals including, hopefully a cow and calf. Meanwhile the adults can relax at the real ale and cider tents while being entertained with live music.

What other facilities are there in Sturminster Newton?
Sturminster Newton is an old market town with a very considerable history.

Sturminster Newton Museum
Sturminster Newton Mill

In the market square (close walking distance from the Festival) there are two public houses and numbers of small shops which mostly will be closed on Sunday. There are also banking facilities with cash machines. Within another half mile on the road towards Shaftesbury is Harts of Stur, cookware and general merchants (see bottom of home page for weblink). In this area there are also other general merchants and a supermarket (part of the new Exchange building).

I am a trader and would like to park my vehicle next to the tent.
Unfortunately the limited capacity of the field makes this largely impossible. Traders are able to unload their goods up to 09:15 each day. After that time they will be requested to remove vehicles to the specially reserved parking space adjacent to the Mill entrance in Durrant field (approximately 100 yds).