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Quick LinksLocal Knowledge – July 2026
Oakdown Holiday Park · Sidmouth · East Devon
Local Knowledge – July
SidyFest, three Dorset festivals and the start of Camp Bestival — July is the busiest month in our whole calendar.
July is peak festival season across East Devon and West Dorset, with five separate events landing this month. Two of them, SidyFest and the Lyme Morris Day of Dance, fall on exactly the same day, so it’s worth deciding in advance which one suits your plans.
Below is our pick of what’s worth doing this month, gathered from the people who actually run these places.
On this page
SidyFestSausage & Cider FestivalLyme Morris Day of DanceBridport Folk FestivalCamp BestivalDog Friendly & AccessibleGood to Know
East Devon
SidyFest
SidyFest takes over the pitch at Sidmouth Rugby Football Club on 11 July, a fun, growing community music festival with food and drink stalls alongside the music. It’s grown steadily since it started and remains a proper local occasion rather than a big commercial event.
Postcode EX10 8NJ — about 3.0 miles west of the park. It’s held on an open-air, flat sports ground, though the grass can get soft or uneven underfoot if the weather’s been wet. Dog policy isn’t specified, so it’s worth checking ahead if you’re planning to bring one.
West Dorset
Lyme Regis Sausage & Cider Festival
Lyme Regis Football Club hosts this one-day festival on 4 July, with more than 20 ciders on offer alongside a proper barbecue and live music.
Lyme Regis (DT7 3DL) — about 11.5 miles east of the park, roughly a 22-minute drive. It’s an outdoor festival held on grass. The terrain may be uneven in places underfoot. Dog policy isn’t specified, so it’s worth checking ahead.
West Dorset
Lyme Morris Day of Dance
Traditional Morris dancing takes over the Lyme Regis seafront on 11 July, the same day as SidyFest, so it’s worth picking one or planning to catch both if your day allows.
Lyme Regis (DT7) — about 11.5 miles east of the park. Dogs are welcome for outdoor seafront viewing. The Marine Parade itself is flat, wide and paved, making this one of the most accessible events on this month’s list.
West Dorset
Bridport Folk Festival
Bridport’s streets fill with folk music and Morris dancing from 24 to 26 July, spread across the town’s usual street venues. It’s a proper community festival rather than a ticketed arena event, so wandering between venues is very much part of the experience.
Bridport town centre (DT6) — about 21 miles east of the park. facebook.com/BridportFolkFestival. The street venues are paved, flat and generally highly accessible. Dog policy isn’t specified for the festival as a whole, so it’s worth checking with individual venues.
West Dorset
Camp Bestival
Camp Bestival runs from 30 July into early August at Lulworth Castle, a large family-friendly festival with live music, fairground rides, yoga classes and arts. This year’s headliners include Fat Boy Slim and Billy Ocean. It’s a proper trip rather than a quick outing, so worth planning as a full day.
Lulworth Castle (BH20 5QS) — about 38 miles east of the park, roughly an hour’s drive. facebook.com/campbestival. Dog policy isn’t specified in the sources.
Accessibility note. The festival sits on extensive grassy castle grounds, which can be hilly, uneven and muddy underfoot, particularly if it’s been wet. Worth bearing in mind for anyone with limited mobility or pushing a pram.
At a Glance
Dog Friendly & Accessible This Month
Best for Dog Owners
The Lyme Morris Day of Dance is the only event this month with dogs explicitly confirmed welcome, for outdoor seafront viewing. Dog policy isn’t specified for SidyFest, the Sausage & Cider Festival, Bridport Folk Festival or Camp Bestival, so it’s worth checking ahead for any of those.
Best for Accessibility
The Lyme Morris Day of Dance and Bridport Folk Festival both sit on flat, paved ground. Camp Bestival is the most challenging this month, on hilly, uneven grassland that can turn muddy.
Good to Know
A Few Practical Questions
SidyFest or the Lyme Morris Day of Dance — how do I choose?
Both fall on 11 July. SidyFest is a music festival on the rugby pitch in Sidmouth, while the Lyme Morris Day of Dance is traditional dancing on the Lyme Regis seafront, about 11.5 miles further east.
Is Camp Bestival suitable for young children?
It’s billed as family-friendly with fairground rides and arts, but the grounds are hilly, uneven and can get muddy, so it’s worth planning footwear and a pushchair-friendly route accordingly.
Who’s headlining Camp Bestival this year?
Fat Boy Slim and Billy Ocean are among the confirmed headliners at Lulworth Castle.
How far is Lyme Regis from Oakdown?
About 11.5 miles east, roughly a 22-minute drive.
Which July event is easiest for a dog-friendly day out?
The Lyme Morris Day of Dance, since dogs are explicitly welcome for seafront viewing and the Marine Parade is flat and paved throughout.
Want to see what’s on in other months? Our full Local Knowledge guide covers the whole year near Oakdown.
Make July your festival month
Book your stay and take your pick from five events across East Devon and West Dorset.
