Overview

This campsite has won awards for its exceptional location, only three miles from the Jurassic Coast. It is situated amid some of Dorset’s most stunning hills, providing a tranquil retreat for hikers, campers, and nature lovers. The 600-acre family farm where the campsite is located offers a peaceful setting for visitors to unwind and enjoy their surroundings.

Activities

The farm is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including nesting barn owls, kestrels, and families of deer that roam in the woods. After sundown, the ponds teem with dragonflies, and the farm becomes a haven for nocturnal creatures such as owls, badgers, and foxes. You can rent one of the farm’s camera traps if you want to observe the wildlife.

For those who enjoy walking and hiking, the farm offers eight miles of nature trails that weave through the bluebell woods, wildlife ponds, and quiet fields. Climbing the hills offers stunning views of Lyme Bay and the Marshwood Vale, while the smugglers’ paths that lead to the sea offer a great coastal walk.

Families with children will find plenty of activities to entertain them on the farm. Kids can explore the woods, play by one of the ponds, wander through the five-hectare sunflower maze, or stargaze and toast marshmallows by the firepit. The farm designs a new sunflower saunter every year, which takes about 20-30 minutes to complete.

Food

If you’re feeling peckish, the tea room is open throughout August, offering light refreshments, local cakes, and ice cream. Alternatively, several pubs are within walking distance, including the 14th-century Shave Cross Inn, less than a mile away. Booking in advance is recommended.

Accommodation

The farm offers unique accommodation options, including two family-friendly Quiet Camping Fields with 14 spacious and secluded pitches, each with its compost loo. Visitors can also opt for the Pond Hideaway from Tree Tents, a new tent that sleeps two adults and two children and is nestled next to the Secret Pond. The tent is a unique space with a mezzanine bed up in the trees, and it provides stunning views of Pilsdon and the Marshwood Vale. Visitors must bring their sleeping bags, towels, and cooking equipment. A firepit is supplied, along with a picnic bench and deck chairs.

Another option is the Church, a quiet meadow in the farm’s secluded corner. The 6m Lotus Belle Stargazer tent sleeps four, with a king-sized bed and two camp beds suitable for kids under 10. A bathroom shed with an L.P.G. shower and compost loo is adjacent. There is a covered alfresco kitchen area with decking and seating for four, including a gas hob, large cool box, pots, pans, utensils, and crockery and cutlery. A firepit is also supplied. A Hikki wood-fired Nordic bathtub is tucked away among the trees, providing beautiful views of the hills and the night sky.

All of these spaces are off-grid, providing a unique and memorable experience. The Pond Hideaway has a solar panel for lighting, while the Church has a solar power hub that includes USB charging for phones and iPads and battery-powered lighting that can also be charged via USB. All linen and towels are provided for visitors’ convenience.

Nearby

West Dorset is a beautiful region with lively market towns, peaceful country roads, and the stunning Jurassic Coast. The nearest town, Bridport, is just a 15-minute drive away and is renowned for its twice-weekly street market, vintage and antique quarter, and independent shops and cafes. For those interested in fossils, Lyme Regis is only a 20-minute away and famous for its iconic Cobb harbour, fossil shops, museums, and the Marine Aquarium.

West Dorset is home to some of the most breathtaking beaches breathtaking, including Lyme Regis, Charmouth, Seatown, Eype, and West Bay, all within a 15-20 minute drive. Broad Ledge in Lyme Regis is one of the best places in England for rock pooling, while West Bay is a popular destination for paddle boarders and kayakers on the sea and River Brit.

The region boasts several ancient hillforts such as Lambert’s Castle, Pilsdon Pen, and Lewesdon Hill, all offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The National Trust owns much of the coastline, with Golden Cap just a few miles away.

West Dorset also boasts two of the country’s finest stately homes and gardens: Mapperton, which has been dubbed ‘the nation’s finest manor house’ by Country Life Magazine, and Forde Abbey, a former Cistercian monastery with diverse and breathtaking Kitchen Gardens, Arboretum, Rock Garden, Herbaceous Borders, Bog Garden, and Woodland Garden.

Animal lovers can visit Axe Valley Wildlife Park, a small family-run zoo about 20 minutes away, or Dorset Falconry Park, which offers fantastic flying displays throughout the day and is around a 30-minute drive away. Monkey World, home to over 250 rescued apes and monkeys, is just an hour’s drive away.

For those who want to venture further afield, there are several tourist attractions such as Abbotsbury Swannery and Sub-tropical Gardens, Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Kingcombe Meadows and Powerstock Common, and the Seaton Wetlands, over the border in East Devon. Dorset’s biggest tourist attractions, including Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door, The Tank Museum, Corfe Castle, and Portland Bill, are all within an hour’s drive.

Summary

Step into a world of peaceful serenity at this delightful farm, where they have not one but two serene Quiet Camping Fields to choose from. Their accommodations are as unique as comfortable, with options like the tranquil Pond Hideaway and our gorgeous Lotus Belle Stargazer tent. Enjoy refreshments and delectable snacks in the inviting tea room, venture out for a delightful picnic or explore nearby pubs. The farm is a natural haven for majestic creatures like barn owls, kestrels, and deer. West Dorset is a stunning location that will take your breath away. Lyme Regis, just a short 20-minute drive away, boasts a world-famous harbour, fascinating fossils, museums, and an incredible Marine Aquarium. Come and experience the beauty and tranquillity of Coppet Hill.