Dorset camping last minute help!

[dontlikecold]

Hello!

So, we're meant to be camping this weekend in the Brecons Wales, but the forecast is not looking good! So, was thinking of heading further south where the forecast isn't quite so grim.

I'm in Bristol, so thought that Dorset would be a good option, but am open to other suggestions.

Does anybody know of any sites where we might get a pitch at this late stage?

Thanks!

NOt quite Dorset but near, had an email from Sandy balls yesterday saying tehy had vacancies if that helps?

Am in Wales now and its amix of rain and heavy showers. OK, but not great.

I have just got back from Downshay Farm, it was very good!!! we didn't book, just turned up. Views amazing, basic really clean facilities, 4 washing up points, two shower blocks, freezer block freezer, hairdryer point...can see Corfe Castle and steam train gong through valley which my children loved. £15 per night for family of four with medium tent and one car. Ask any questions if you need to know more

Great recommendation poppyboo. I've just had a look at Downshay Farm and it looks glorious. We're going camping for a few days on Sunday and haven't booked, so might well go there.

Thanks so much! I did actually come across Downshay in Cool Camping, gave them a call but got an answering machine, then DD decided to have a massive conversation at the same time as his message, so didn't hear a word. Sigh.

I'll try give them a call in the morning, am just a bit concerned that places will be busier with it being a Saturday arrival.

Thanks SanctiMoany for your recommendation too, I think you've confirmed that maybe we'll camp in Wales next time....

DH really loathes camping, so it needs to be a good trip if we're ever going to be allowed to camp again, so wish me luck!

ps chicaguapa might see you there!

THe weather is supposed to be OK in wales on the weekend.
ou might struggle to get in somewhere, I phoned around 40 sites to get in for this coming week..

Just got an email from Broadway House in cheddarr thatb tey have vacancies for summer so try there?

Ooo! I'll be looking at everyone wondering if it's you dontlikecold!

We went here last week:

fab

We camped at a site called Actons Field in Langton Matravers not far from Swanage. Came back yesterday. Great views of Swanage Bay and the Isle of Wight and, probably as it is not in the Cool Camping guide, they had spaces when we turned up late on Friday night. Not many admittedly. Tom's Field and others including Downshay Farm were full.

It was a nice site, though no open fires. Showers are on a meter - 20p for 3 minutes, 40 for 6, which was fine. Only two sinks to wash up at which did make for long queues at busy times. Once the weekend was over though the site was relatively quiet.

They do have a website here: www.actonfieldcampsite.co.uk/

And if you do go near there try the Square and Compass pub in Worth Matravers for a pasty and a cider. The cheese seller there is great too.

thanks all so much for your input.

Apparently Downshay are expecting a few spaces at 11am tomorrow, so need to be out of here first thing in the morning.

If that doesn't work out, we'll then attempt the other sites that have been suggested.

Wish us luck!

thanks again

I hope you like Downshay farm! We loved it! We stayed on the field on the right hand side of the concrete farm track you drive up to get to the camping fields, this field had the best views on the campsite. If you get a space on a level bit at the top of the field the view is beautiful but it is a trek to the facilities so if you do go into this field you might be better off at the bottom where the views are still great but is much closer to toilets etc!!! Mind you, my girls loved rolling down the hill and crawling back up and is fantastic for flying kites at top of hill!!! We had pee bucket for middle of night toilet emergencies so it didn't bother us ot being close to toilets LOL

I saw that the regatta and carnival finishes tomorrow so hopefully there'll be even more spaces on Sunday morning. Is 11am the time to get there then dontlikecold?

We went to a lovely site in Up Lyme near Lyme Regis. I can't remember the name, but it was a farm site and the owners were nice and the views across the valley were glorious.

I assume 11am is the time to arrive, because that's when folk will be checking out?

I'm now writing a list of sites with postcodes and phone numbers. Getting excited!

Just wanted to thank Poppyboo for your suggestion of Downshay. Got back this afternoon and had a ball!

AMAZING views, and even though it was busy, it's so spread out it worked brilliantly.

Only downside was that we accidentally pitched next to the rope swing that's hidden in the bushes for the kids, so we had a lot of children, pretty much all day long. But that was our own fault, and did have an upside too, as it meant that DD could go and play in there without us having to leave our wine tent

Thanks again xx

I am so so so glad you had a good time! My little ones loved it, in fact to quote "I never want to go to another campsite again mum!"
We will definitely be going back again next year!

Now I just need to find a little campsite to go for three nights if we get some good weather before end of august...somewhere in South West.....with no need to book ahead....... I would love to find another little gem!

We are off to the Insidepark at Blandford tomorrow, for 2 weeks. But i know they are fully booked all summer, because people were trying to book at witsun and they were full then.
Good ones do get full early don't they ?

Glad you had a good time though.

We have stayed at West Fleet in Weymouth. They have pretty new showers and family bathrooms which is fab if you have little ones. Also has outdoor pool, play area and low key family evening entertainment/bar in a barn. Its not brash and commercial, It strikes a lovely balance IMO. I normally despise that type of thing but West Fleet was fab.

East Fleet Farm also at Weymouth is brilliant too, also with new shower facilities that are big shower rooms with sink, shower and bench in - again fab if you end up showering/washing with small kids. My pet hate is tiny little showers unsuitable for families. I seem to recall (from 2008) that East Fleet showers are unisex rooms so if you have an OH you can all go in together if you want/need to.

Inside Park is lovely but always full.