This month will see a new three-day event in the West Dorset calendar, with the first ever Flower Festival at new destination of Abbey Farm Abbotsbury. 

Over the Bank Holiday weekend of August 26 to 28, Abbey Farm will be hosting a festival of all things floral and nature related. There will be lots of stalls by makers who create crafts inspired by nature, as well as talks, themed walks and workshops, a flower and herb menu at the Cherries Café and live music.

Organisers are encouraging visitors to dress in floral prints and, for those who want to get a little more creative, there will be a prize for the most outstanding flower-inspired outfit.

"We would love as many people as possible to get into the spirit of the event and dress in floral clothes, hats, corsages, fascinators and perhaps any four-legged friends might also join in!" say event organisers.

The flower festival is a nod to Abbotsbury's tradition when the local children carried their beautiful flower and greenery covered garlands around the village, collecting for charity before they placed them at the war memorial in the churchyard. In the past the garlands used to be cast into the sea.

Penny Callaghan, owner of local fashion label From My Mother's Garden, said: "We decided to create this event because, as a collection of artistic businesses, flowers and nature is a common theme. We have Abbey Farm Flowers 'Pick Your Own' on site as well as Duir Soaps and, of course, my own clothing label is inspired by my mother's garden.

"Clare Hawkes takes inspiration from nature with her landscape paintings, Make & Mend sells local Dorset crafts including items made from floral Liberty prints and Cherries Café is a vibrant café using seasonal produce and is decorated in a colourful floral mural.

"Add to this the famous Abbotsbury Sub-Tropical Gardens and the flower wreath traditions, it made it a natural event to host in the village."

For more information visit www.abbeyfarmabbotsbury.co.uk