With the partial solar eclipse due on Wednesday August 12, there is a last-minute scramble for safety glasses, with big customer demand to find out where to buy solar eclipse glasses in Dorset.
The items are changing hands on Facebook Marketplace for prices ranging from £3 – £20.
And you can also still buy them at a handful of shops. But be prepared to queue!
Where to buy solar eclipse glasses in Dorset
Dorchester Toymaster posted on Facebook to say “We will have stock first thing tomorrow morning (Tuesday August 11) when the shop opens at 9am. Due to the high demand we cannot reserve so it will be first come first served. £3.99 each.”
Frosts Toymaster in Bridport has also posted on Facebook to say it will have availability tomorrow. The post has been shared by their sister store, Howleys Toys in Weymouth. A spokesman has confirmed the glasses will be available in all three stores. However, reports on Facebook say Bridport has sold out and there were queues at the Weymouth shop.
There have been unconfirmed reports on Facebook of Science Zone UK in Boscombe having some eclipse glasses in stock today.
Nothe Fort in Weymouth is holding a free eclipse viewing evening on Wednesday night from 6:30pm to 8pm, with glasses on sale on site.
No tickets required. Gates open at 6:30pm. Entry is first come, first served and may be restricted if site capacity is reached.
Approximately 250 pairs of certified solar eclipse glasses available while stocks last. Glasses will only be available for visitors viewing the eclipse from Nothe Fort.
You can find out more on the Nothe Fort events page.
A spokesman said: “Visitors are encouraged to bring their own certified eclipse glasses where possible. If supplies become limited, priority may be given to children, and families may be encouraged to take turns using eclipse glasses.
Only view the eclipse with proper proper ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses. Ordinary sunglasses are not safe.”
The Cranborne Chase Astronomy Club is running an open eclipse event at Win Green Trig Point near Shaftesbury, meeting at 6pm. Their Facebook event says: “We should have some spare filter glasses but please be advised that you should NEVER view the sun directly.”
Places to view the partial solar eclipse in Dorset
West Beach Cafe-Bar in Weymouth is offering eclipse viewing from its Sunset Terrace and is asking people to book ahead as spaces are filling up.
The Lobster Pot Restaurant on Portland Bill already has several bookings for the evening and says there’s still room for more (01305 820242).
Maiden Castle Farm hosts an exclusive solo-entry photography evening on the Dorset Sunflower Trail from 6pm, with the eclipse running from 6.18pm to 8.08pm and maximum coverage at 7.14pm. Tickets are £6 on arrival. Organisers ask photographers to bring certified eclipse glasses and a solar filter, and the evening is for landscape shots only, no portraits, no dogs, no drones.
The Spyway Inn at Askerswell offers eclipse views from its garden alongside live music from Lost Souls and a beer battered fish and chips special. Doors open at 5pm, music from 6pm, and it’s dog and family friendly. Booking is essential for anyone eating.
Quiddles Cafe Beach Bar on Chesil Beach is opening its kitchen for the evening, serving burgers from 5.30pm alongside its usual sunset drinks. A spokesman said: “Come and grab a front row seat to one of natures most spectacular sights right here on Chesil beach.”
Higher Moor Farm Campsite in Weymouth is throwing an eclipse party with Dorset Wood Fired Pizza, The Horse Box Bar and live music from Hamish. The event is aimed at campers due to limited parking, but pedestrians are welcome too.
For those watching from home, locals recommend a clear view looking west.
Suggestions include the Dancing Hill beacon in Sherborne and Sherborne Old Castle, as well as Golden Cap, the jewel of our Jurassic Coast.
Or you could try Lewesdon Hill, the highest point in Dorset with views between the trees over Devon, Somerset and out to sea.
Ham Hill Country Park, west of Yeovil, will extend opening hours at its Lime Kiln Car park until 9pm instead of 5pm to allow for extra parking as they expect it to be very busy on the Hill as people flock to witness the partial eclipse.
A spokesman said: “Please park appropriately and give yourself time to walk to the War Memorial or View carpark for the best views of the eclipse. We are not selling solar eclipse glasses at the Visitor Centre.”
As with any solar eclipse, viewers are reminded never to look directly at the sun without certified eclipse glasses or another safe viewing method.
According to the BBC, a partial solar eclipse is set to be visible across the South West and Channel Islands on Wednesday evening.
The entire event is set to last about one hour and 50 minutes, starting at about 18:20 BST and finishing by 20:10.