The Real Ale and Cider Festival is the highlight of our calendar and we don't want you to miss out!

The Real Ale and Cider Festival is the highlight of our calendar and we don't want you to miss out!

The Real Ale and Cider Festival is the highlight of our calendar and we don't want you to miss out!

International bestselling author Natasha Solomons will discuss her latest book, Cleopatra, with Jenny Devitt. Told from the perspectives of both Cleopatra and Caesar's mistress Servilia, CLEOPATRA is a powerful, unmissable new retelling that draws out the real woman behind the great legend. It is a captivating story of female power and vulnerability, of love and loss, fierce friendship and terrible betrayal: it's time to meet the real Cleopatra.

Flights to Freedom—Claret Press authors Pen Farthing and Mark Blackburn discuss their very different but equally turbulent travel tales in their books Operation Ark and Final Approach: My Father and Other Turbulence.

Sturlitfest 2025 is hosting a celebration of our town's vibrant community of families from Bulgaria and Central Europe with an afternoon of stories, music, dance, images and food.

ABC – An Intimate Evening with Martin Fry A Look At Life And A Look[...]

One of the most important parts of Lorraine Gibson’s research for Elvis: The King of Fashion was staying in Memphis to soak up the atmosphere and visit the locations in the city where Elvis lived, worked, and first found fame. Following in his blue-suede footsteps, she discovered amazing places, people and stories, some of which are included in her talk (illustrated with a slide-show of photos).

In this special event for Sturminster Newton Literary Festival, Sally Page will talk about the inspiration for her book, The Secrets of Flowers with local florist Emma Whicher from Martha and the Meadow. The talk will be preceded by a floristry demonstration by Esme from Daisy Delbridge. The Secrets of Flowers is a story based on a newly widowed lady and the florist on the Titanic.

Chancing upon this obscure all-female literary club in academic works led the authors to investigate further. Founded in 1736 by the young, free-thinking Susanna Ashley-Cooper the 4th Countess of Shaftesbury, the members met to read and discuss Shakespeare’s plays. Appalled that The Bard’s “earthy” plays had been “cleaned-up”, the SLC campaigned to re-stage the original texts – and to install a long overdue statue to him in Poet’s Corner, Westminster Abbey.

Winner of the 2022 Dorchester Literary Festival Prize for local writers, Tess Burnett’s debut novel, The Hanging of Hettie Gale, is inspired by a love of Dartmoor. In this discussion with Jo Durrant, Tess will talk about her writing journey, finding her confidence to write, and starting her writing journey at an older age. She will also talk about how nature, myths and legends inspire her stories and that it’s never too late to follow your dream.

Award winning crime writer Rachel McLean sets many of her novels in Dorset. In this talk she will outline how she researches locations in Dorset and sets the scene for a crime to take place in her books. Rachel will also highlight her latest book, The Lyme Regis Women’s Swimming Club.

Join us for a walk through Sturminster Newton to admire some of our magnificent trees, followed by a river walk, and on to our conservation site at Butt’s Pond where we will have a talk about conservation and the Great Crested Newts. To finish, we will join together in a nature writing exercise.

From sea to summit, Jessica Hepburn tells tales from her new book Save Me From the Waves, which charts her journey of survival, endurance and personal growth. An unlikely athlete, Hepburn hates exercise, only discovering its assets when she finds herself heartbroken and in her forties. Now, she is the first and only woman to have completed the ‘Sea, Street, Summit’ challenge (swim the English channel, run the London Marathon and climb Mount Everest) in the world.

Andrew Norman’s book is about how the great Dorset man-of-letters described, in his poems and novels, his love for Emma; but also his estrangement from her as their marriage gradually deteriorated over the years; and finally his intense grief at her death. Why did he feel such grief, given the circumstances, and how did he cope with bereavement? Finally, he reveals a liaison which Hardy had with one of his female servants, which took place at Sturminster Newton and had unforeseen consequences!

Michael Langridge, in conversation with Dr Tracy Hayes, talks about his latest novel, ‘A Casterbridge Tale’. Set in Thomas Hardy’s Wessex, it is a crime novel featuring Detective Inspector Hawkins, a principal character from his highly acclaimed first novel ‘A Second Mrs Clare’. In ‘A Casterbridge Tale’. Hawkins must negotiate his way between his duty and his conscience, jeopardising his career and his life as he tracks down the instigators of a brutal and outrageous crime.

In this special event, internationally acclaimed author Tracy Chevalier will be in conversation with Sarah Sexton and Jenny Devitt. The Glassmaker follows the fortunes and failures of a glassmaking family over the course of 500 years, entwining personal history with the history of Venice. Tracy will discuss the inspiration behind the novel, her research into glassmaking, and her writing process. Sarah Sexton will also discuss Sturminster Newton’s pioneering stained glass artist and suffragist, Mary Lowndes.

The Science Lover’s Guide to London features several scientists with a Dorset and Westcountry background. In this talk, Rachael will outline famous scientists from Dorset who made a difference to society with their inventions. There are several Dorset connections to the science world, from developing safer obstetric forceps to pioneering citizen science and describing a new disease. Rachael will outline where you can see places associated with the scientists in the talk, both in London and locally.

Greg Duncan has recently published “Champagne in a Broken Teacup” a historical novel inspired by the activities of his French aunt who was a forger and fighter in the French Resistance during WW2. In his talk he will be explaining how he researched the historical setting for this novel and how he wove critical historical elements into the story to provide a living background for the plot.

Sunday Times bestselling author & WW2 SAS expert, Damien Lewis, will discuss SAS Great Escapes 4, focusing on his process and collaboration with key people, including the relatives of those in the SAS who escaped. He’ll share the compelling stories, along with diaries and documents that were crucial in bringing these historical events to light.

In a unique project developed with Artsreach, the iconic Anglo-Chilean band Quimantu is collaborating with the singers of Cloud 9 Chorus, Palida Choir and Shaftesbury School Choir to perform the Misa de los Mineros, 'The Miners' Mass', composed by Mauricio Venegas-Astorga.

In September 1977, legendary opera singer Maria Callas (Angelina Jolie) is in her final days, and her grasp on reality is tenuous at best. She rearranges the world with herself at the centre, though where once entire crowds were subject to her whims, now there remain only her loyal butler (Pierfrancesco Favino) and maid (Alba Rohrwacher).

Fleetwood Unchained, the ultimate tribute to one of the most iconic and beloved bands of[...]

Featuring the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons plus tributes to Showaddywaddy and[...]

Based on the award-winning Broadway musical and the smash hit motion picture, Legally Blonde The Musical Jr is a fabulously fun journey of self-empowerment and expanding horizons. The shows instantly recognisable songs are filled with humour, wit and sass – leaving cast members and audiences alike seeing pink! SNADS are thrilled to present our juniors in this production and urge you to get your tickets now!

Based on the award-winning Broadway musical and the smash hit motion picture, Legally Blonde The Musical Jr is a fabulously fun journey of self-empowerment and expanding horizons. The shows instantly recognisable songs are filled with humour, wit and sass – leaving cast members and audiences alike seeing pink! SNADS are thrilled to present our juniors in this production and urge you to get your tickets now!

Based on the award-winning Broadway musical and the smash hit motion picture, Legally Blonde The Musical Jr is a fabulously fun journey of self-empowerment and expanding horizons. The shows instantly recognisable songs are filled with humour, wit and sass – leaving cast members and audiences alike seeing pink! SNADS are thrilled to present our juniors in this production and urge you to get your tickets now!

Based on the award-winning Broadway musical and the smash hit motion picture, Legally Blonde The Musical Jr is a fabulously fun journey of self-empowerment and expanding horizons. The shows instantly recognisable songs are filled with humour, wit and sass – leaving cast members and audiences alike seeing pink! SNADS are thrilled to present our juniors in this production and urge you to get your tickets now!

The wine, tapas and flamenco flow at the Spanish evening at The Exchange.

Sturminster Newton Orchestra was formed in 1990 by a group of friends wanting to create[...]

Join us as we celebrate a rock line-up like no other headlined by one of the greatest bands of all time!

Renee Zellweger’s Bridget is now a widow – and romanced by both Leo Woodall’s younger man and Chiwetel Ejiofor’s kindly teacher – and this sequel, adapted from Helen Fielding’s third book in her series of novels, is vulnerable, honest and very funny.

After their success at The Exchange Theatre, The Counterfeit Sixties make a welcome return with[...]

LIVING THE LIFE OF RILEY Starring Vicky Entwistle Living the Life of Riley is a[...]

The Exchange are delighted to welcome back one of Wales' most successful and popular male voice choirs.

When Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Bob Geldof and Brian May need a Party Band, who do they call…? - JAMIE & THE FALCONS!

Book now and experience the magic of live music, incredible harmonies, and anthems that will have you dancing in your seat!

THE HOTTEST DAY OUT IN DORSET We are delighted to be back at the Stock[...]

The Stur Half, organised by the Dorset Doddlers is a road race which has been running since 1990. The route follows rural roads in and around Sturminster Newton.

THE HOTTEST DAY OUT IN DORSET We are delighted to be back at the Stock[...]

Meet Monty Python (and so much more) comedy legend. This promises to be a show not to miss.

National theatre tours performer Peter Gill and his outstanding rock ‘n’ roll band perform the works of the most explosive, most dynamic and the first wildman of rock 'n' roll ... Jerry Lee Lewis.

Stock Gaylard Oak Fair is a totally unique event in rural Dorset. Stock Gaylard is[...]

Peter Howarth, lead singer with The Hollies and West End star of Only the Lonely - The Roy Orbison Story, invites you to join him on a musical journey as he performs some of the all-time favourites such as He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother, You Got It, and Pretty Woman, to name but a few. You don’t want to miss this fabulous show.

Stock Gaylard Oak Fair is a totally unique event in rural Dorset. Stock Gaylard is[...]

It’s over fifty years since glamrockers Mud had their first hit record ‘Crazy’ under the guidance of legendary producer Mickie Most and song-writers Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman. They went on to score 3 UK number 1s, 11 UK top 10s and 15 UK top 40s as well as hits in Europe and many other parts of the world.

Debbie Harris, lead vocalist of Bootleg Blondie, has the looks, the voice and the attitude of the original Blondie bombshell and like her heroine is typically outrageous on stage ....

Arising from what Thomas Hardy referred to as 'The vale of little dairies', Sturminster Newton[...]

It is now just over 30 years since the legendary Karen Carpenter passed away, she left behind an amazing catalogue of hit songs and golden memories and is still played daily on radio stations throughout the UK. This stunning show celebrates the music of The Carpenters, and the evening is guaranteed to lead everyone through a magical memory.

Arising from what Thomas Hardy referred to as 'The vale of little dairies', Sturminster Newton[...]

Featuring the ballads, the beats, the ginger hair, the loop pedal magic and now a live band!Ed Sheeran Experience is a live show consisting of all the hits. Jack Shepherd has been performing as Ed since 2014 and has even been credited by the man himself in which he was told “I think what you dois awesome.”Sing-alongs, slow songs and all the hits the Ed Sheeran Experience is a show not to be missed.

The Cory Band are excited to return to perform at The Exchange in Sturminster Newton in September 2025. The band has enjoyed its previous visits to the centre and is looking forward to perform it's new and exciting concert programme. Since the last visit the bands was awarded first place at the Brass in Concert competition held in Gateshead. Cory chose the Magnificent Seven as their inspiration for the competition and they will perform highlights from the award winning set at the concert, as well as featuring fantastic soloists and a range of repertoire that will suit all tastes. Join the band for an unforgettable afternoon of top class brass music.

Remarkably compelling, amazingly detailed, and always humorous The popular star of TV’s Street Psychic, Psychic[...]

Come and enjoy this fun and interactive theatre show of canal themed escapism with Robbie; a vlogger, streamer, recording artist and TV personality who is known all over the north, midlands and south of England as “the Canal Man”.An intimate experience for fans of canals, alternative living and storytelling.

Join Living Spit as they tackle everything from Hades to Heracles, Midas to Medusa, with their trademark blend of hare-brained humour, questionable wigs and a total disregard for historical accuracy. Can they conquer the labyrinth of legends before time runs out? Or will the gods have the last laugh? Prepare for a mythological marathon-Living Spit style! An intimate experience for fans of canals, alternative living and storytelling.

Join Living Spit as they tackle everything from Hades to Heracles, Midas to Medusa, with their trademark blend of hare-brained humour, questionable wigs and a total disregard for historical accuracy. Can they conquer the labyrinth of legends before time runs out? Or will the gods have the last laugh? Prepare for a mythological marathon-Living Spit style! An intimate experience for fans of canals, alternative living and storytelling.

Julius Caesar has become a tyrant.A conspiracy is launched against him by some of his closest friends. When Cassius and Brutus murder Caesar in full public view on the Ides of March, they think they have heralded a new political age. Instead, chaos erupts, and civil war begins. Who will seize power? Will this bring conflict or stability? Will the new ruler also fall to corruption? Andy now tours the world together with his band Ian Jennings  -  Bass & Vocals, Paul Beavis - Drums, Nick Pentelow  -  Sax & Clarinet & Richard Milner – Organ.

The Best Of Both Worlds brings to the stage the magical hits of the two legendary harmony bands, with memories of the most high-energy decade in pop music history. Let the haunting melodies transport you to that exciting era when millions of records were sold.

Tom Robinson - banned by Radio One - exiled in East Berlin - and hounded by the tabloids - presents an evening of songs and stories from fifty years wandering the wilder shores of the Record Industry.

Inspired by the notorious diary of Frantz Schmidt, Making a Killing plunges into a gritty world of power, betrayal and ambition. With its stark echoes of today, this gripping tale lays bare the dark truths of human nature in a society on the brink of change.

One of the most respected musicians in the world, Andy has played guitar with more legendary artists than most people can name – Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, The Band, Roger Waters ……..and hundreds more.  Andy now tours the world together with his band Ian Jennings  -  Bass & Vocals, Paul Beavis - Drums, Nick Pentelow  -  Sax & Clarinet & Richard Milner – Organ.

Beyond the Barricade, the UK’s longest running Musical Theatre Concert Tour, is back for 2025.[...]

The fun-loving spirit of Los Pacaminos is infectious, turning any evening into a celebration of music, rhythm, and great company.

Sturminster Newton Orchestra was formed in 1990 by a group of friends wanting to create[...]

Neil Sands and his amazing cast return with the brand-new 2025 production of their must-see Christmas Cracker! Don’t miss an afternoon full of festive joy and heartwarming nostalgia, featuring over 60 of your all-time favourite Christmas songs and carols.

Sturminster Newton Orchestra was formed in 1990 by a group of friends wanting to create[...]

Sturminster Newton Orchestra was formed in 1990 by a group of friends wanting to create[...]