ART and food come together in a weekend of cultural and sensory delights when the first-ever Dorset Art Trail is held between April 5 and 7.

Focusing on the west and northwest of the county, this pioneering event, organised by Dorset Visual Arts, will see many renowned artists and food producers celebrating their talents.

Main events include a cookery demonstration by Lesley Waters, meet the artist occasions with photographer Jill Kennington Courtauld and sculptor Marzia Colonna, as well as special lunches and evening events with furniture maker John Makepeace, Plush Art and Sladers Yard which involve a number of other leading artists, designers and makers, all providing a very special cultural weekend in Dorset.

A master class in food photography and still-life led by award-winning photographer and filmmaker Robert Golden, a special pinhole photography day and a print workshop provide opportunities to get practical.

The weekend will also feature walks and cycle rides as visitors follow the route between Halstock, Powerstock, Beaminster, Bridport, Lyme Regis, West Bay, Portesham, Plush, Minterne Magna and Yetminster.

This trail, the first of four that will throw a spotlight on different parts of the county, is called A Movable Feast.

One of the highlights will be two days of demonstrations by chef Lesley Waters at her cookery school in Halstock.

Lesley, who recently opened a restaurant in Yeovil, said: “We will be inviting people to come and visit the school and taste food that they might not have thought of before and show people how easy it is to get into cooking.

“Food doesn’t have to be complicated and it’s a nice thing to have as part of the art trail.”

She added: “There is a lot of rubbish talked about art being elitist and cooking being elitist and difficult too and I want to show that it isn’t and that everyone can enjoy both. Art and cooking should both be relaxing and not poncy or pretentious.”

The Lesley Waters Cookery School is at Abbott’s Hill Farm, Closworth Road, Halstock on April 6 and 7 at 11am and 3pm. Booking is essential and the demonstrations cost £20. Call 0844 800 4633 for details and bookings.

For full details of tall events visit dorsetarttrails.co.uk or contact the Dorset Visual Arts office on 01305 853100.