The villagers of Kingston have gathered together over the years to create a series of events that have helped keep the village’s strong sense of community very much alive. Most have traditionally centred around village life, from Christmas carols around the village pump and movie nights in the church to tractor tours along the coast and Pimms on the Tower.
Now the village is preparing for its most ambitious gathering yet.
On Saturday 3 October, Kingston will host its inaugural Kingston Food Festival, an afternoon celebrating the food, produce, skills and ingenuity of the people of Purbeck, welcoming visitors from far and wide to one of the area’s most distinctive villages.
The preparations themselves have become something of a village event. Local residents are busy making and gathering everything from hand-carved serving platters and homemade cakes to garden produce and freshly pressed Kingston apple juice. They will be joined by an exceptional collection of Purbeck producers, some already well known much further afield and others perhaps among the area’s best-kept secrets.
Throughout the afternoon there will be demonstrations and tastings, including sheep shearing by a local farming family, a demonstration from The Salt Pig using local venison from the Scott Estate, preparing and cooking with fish and a demonstration from Sacha Dorey, The Truffle Huntress. There will be live music from members of the Ratpack, while outside the firepit will be going, with local lamb barbecuing over the flames.
For younger visitors, the villagers have hunted out traditional games reminiscent of the village fêtes of years gone by, alongside an express raffle and other activities. St James’ magnificent church tower will also be open for ‘Tower on the Hour’, with hourly tours giving visitors the chance to climb to the top and enjoy quite spectacular views across Purbeck.
Even the parking is a community effort, with free parking being made available locally and additional space available to accommodate visitors to the event.
Kingston itself provides a rather special setting for the event. One of Purbeck’s most distinctive villages, it sits high on the ridge between Corfe Castle and the coast, surrounded by wonderful countryside and with far-reaching views towards Poole Harbour and across the Purbeck Hills. Its history is closely tied to the local stone industry and the village is characterised by handsome Purbeck stone cottages and buildings, most notably St James’ Church, whose ambitious design and prominent position has earned the church its affectionate nickname, the ‘Cathedral of Purbeck’. With Corfe Castle below, the Jurassic Coast close by and Swyre Head, the highest point of the Purbeck Hills, just beyond the village, Kingston occupies an extraordinary position at the heart of Purbeck.
The Kingston Food Festival takes place at St James’ Church, Kingston, on Saturday 3 October 2026, from 1pm to 5pm. Admission is £2 for adults, with children under 12 free. Free parking will be available in the village.
Funds raised through admission, stall fees and activities will go towards the village fund, which has already helped pay for the renovation of Kingston’s historic village pump and will support other village initiatives in the future, helping to ensure this very special place is preserved and enjoyed for generations to come.
