🗓️ Saturday 5th August 2023
The delightful annual Three Parishes Fête held at Church Knowle is a quintessentially English summer fair set in a picturesque village just outside Corfe Castle.
It’s an afternoon packed with traditional entertainment and plenty of stalls selling crafts, books and local produce like homemade jams & chutneys, cakes and scones and home-grown veg & plants.
Held in the grounds of the pretty Church Knowle’s Old Rectory, there’s plenty of on-site parking, and it’s worth a little stroll and explore around the village before or after the fair – there’s a children’s playground, church, animal rescue centre and pub, The New Inn.
Note that most stalls accept cash only.
Timings: 2pm – 5pm
Admission: £2 adults (Under 12s free)
Family fun at the fair
This year, expect lots of traditional stalls to browse, as well as fun lawn games for the whole family.
There’ll also be entertainment from a live brass band and plenty of refreshments.
Stalls
- Old Curiosity
- Dress shop
- Bric-a-brac
- Book stall
- Grand draw
- Grocery stall
- Garden centre
Fun & Games
- Coconut shy
- Skittles
- Tug-of-war
- Traditional games
Food & drink
- Ice cream
- Cake stall
- Cream teas
- BBQ
- Pimm’s tent
Fundraising
This charitable event raises money each year for various local causes.
Charities to receive a share of the proceeds include:
- Kimmeridge Emergency Response Volunteers
- Dorset Young Farmers
- Church Knowle Village Hall
- Forest Holme Hospice
- Church Knowle, Kimmeridge & Steeple parish churches
Volunteer at the fete
If you can spare an hour or two to help organise ahead of the event, or on the day with tasks such as manning a stall or stewarding in the car park, any help is always appreciated.
The team are also always keen to accept any donations for the day – so if you’re a keen baker or jam-maker, or want to contribute to the bottle stall, it’s a great way to get involved in the day.
Call 01929 553875 if you can lend a hand.
Location & directions
📍The Old Rectory gardens – postcode BH20 5NG
Church Knowle is located just outside Corfe Castle – find it by taking the turning alongside the bottom of the castle onto the road toward Kimmeridge, which is easily reached from the main A351 road from both the Swanage and Wareham direction.
If you’re coming from Studland way, it’s the road opposite, just to the right, after the viaduct.
You’ll pass Corfe Castle Dorset Camping on your right before reaching the village – the Old Rectory is just past St Peter’s Church on your left.
There is no public transport service to the village, however the Number 40 bus stops close to Corfe Castle and it’s a pleasant but mildly challenging 35-minute walk from here.
Church Knowle village
Church Knowle is a small, picturesque village with a pub, The New Inn, a children’s playground, village hall and a church. The closest shop is in Corfe.
It’s a lovely spot for a stroll around and there are various walking routes from the village.
Church Knowle is also home to the Margaret Green Animal Rescue Centre, which is often open to visitors – be sure to visit the centre’s Country Dog Show on Sunday 6 August 2023.
Village hall hire
The traditional village hall at Church Knowle is a popular little place for both one-off and regular events.
From just £10 an hour, you can have the hall, which is located close to the village church, along with its large car park for your celebration, party or event.
To enquire about booking the hall phone: 01929 480534