Good as ever
First visit to this site for us, but we would go back if we want to visit the area again. Very pleasant quiet site, with first class staff.
Haycraft Club Campsite
close panel
Log in to write a review
Dorset Knobs
Just returned from a 7 night stay at Haycraft - our first visit.
Good directions provided and access roads good up to last half mile, being Haycraft lane itself. But there are passing places and only half mile. Definitely do NOT try to access from Langton Matravers end of Haycraft Lane - it's very steep downhill and no passing places.
We received a warm welcome from the lady warden and had a choice of pitches. Weather on arrival was wet, so unsure of position of sun. Warden advised that upper level was better for sun but exposed to wind. We chose pitch no 48. Turned out it faced due south and as weather was kind to us, it was perfect. It has no neighbours one side and is close to water/waste points. These are on the lower level, so full barrels have to be pulled/pushed up the slope - beware if this is an issue.
The site is very compact and tidy. We use onboard facilities but the washroom block was very clean on the two occasions I visited.
The area is great. I cycle and took my road bike, Some really challenging hills. Swanage is a lovely compact seaside resort. Great fish and chips - eat them in the car in the longstay carpark and watch the lights come on over the bay. Bootiful! Studland is great for a level walk and Durdle Door a must.
Overall - will certainly return.
PS Dorset Knobs are a local biscuit.
Always a pleasure to visit Haycraft
Thank you Trevor and Claire who are superstar wardens. This site is one of our favourites and the last trip of the year for us in our California is always Haycraft. The wardens can not and I mean can not be faulted!
For those who haven't visited before the site is half way up a hill - so be prepared to walk up and down hill if you wish to take the bus or the train. I noticed a bus stop at the bottom of the road although we have never used it, but have hiked up the steep hill to use the bus stop at the top of Haycrafts Lane.
There are some grass pitches but they are currently applying to make more hard standing (Trevor told us), I agree the lower level next to the hedge can be much cooler as there is little sun on that side. The top level is lovely and sunny but obviously gets very hot in summer. When it's wet the grass is very wet as is the dog walk as water runs through the site.
There are three showers in the ladies and four loos and some private cubicles for washing, always lovely and clean, a nice little shop and information. Ideally located for visiting the Purbecks, Swanage, Studland, Wareham, Corfe Castle - you can walk to Corfe cross country - couple of miles or lanes slightly longer. You can also walk to Swanage via the coast path but for the fit and able.
The train is wonderful - worth a trip. Durlston Country Park is really nice to visit. Studland owned by NT so if you are not a member £10 for a motor home to park in peak time. The coast path is stunning !
All in all a very popular site because of all the benefits and we can't wait for our next visit.
Very nice but.....
This is undoubtedly a very nice, peaceful and attractive site. The wardens are great and as usual the toilet facilities are also very good (not too sure why some have rated them as in need of up-dating!).
Access to buses is as described but beware - walking to the bus stop is like climbing the North face of the Eiger - especially for those who may not be as fit as they used to be!
So why the "but"? I cannot comment about what it's like in the height of the summer when the sun is higher in the sky but September onwards there is a problem if you are allocated pitches 10-18 (those on the right-hand side as you enter - next to the trees) - there is no sun, the pitches are permanently in the shade whereas ALL the others have no shade at all.
No doubt this is good if you prefer constant shade but its a pain when there is a nice sunny day or evening and you want to sit in the sun - its also much colder.
Needless to say, on arrival there was a choice of only three pitches - all in the shade.
Apart from that "moan" - everything else was good.
A lovely peaceful site
We had an overnight stay at Haycraft and found it to be a lovely peaceful site. The facilities were clean and tidy although the toilet block looked a little tired compared to some other sites we've recently used. Thankfully there was one hardstanding pitch left when we arrived as we had heavy rain overnight and the grass pitches looked a little muddy. We liked the area so much we've booked to return for three nights in October to explore the area more.
SBandKB
Reviewed on 21/09/2017 17:56
Wonderful
We booked this on the spur of the moment going on the area we wanted to visit and reviews...we were not disappointed. The wardens were extremely knowledgable and helped with their opinion of the best places to eat, see and visit, only being there for 3 full days we wanted to get the most out of our trip and their help was a bonus for us.The site is a little gem literally, a small quiet site in the countryside but a 10 minute walk away to the Swanage steam trains, that with a discounted ticket from the site takes you right into the heart of Swanage or up the other way. Swanage has a nice mix of old seaside attractions but tastefully done too and a lovely clean stretch of beach. Unfortunately when we were there dogs were not allowed on the beach but they were pretty much allowed everywhere else including wonderful cafe/restaurants and pubs, shops. If you wanted to travel further without driving the buses are waiting at the station to take you to a few of the coastal areas around. The site has a wonderful dog field with a circular walk if you want but the field is plenty enough for exercise, running and stretching legs, with public footpaths leading off the site if you needed more. We would not hesitate to visit here again if we travelled that far down the country again.
statusMoty1
Reviewed on 20/09/2017 21:44
Lovely Site, Friendly Staff
We stayed here very recently for 9 nights and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The grass pitch we had was excellent offering views of the Isle of Wight on a clear day. The wardens were very friendly and helpful. The shower block was always clean and tidy. The site is situated in a great location for visiting numerous local attractions. Wouldn't hesitate to stay again.
First stay at Haycraft
We recently visited the Haycraft Club Site for a 16 night stay for our summer holiday.
This was our first visit to Haycraft and in fact our first visit ever to Dorset.
The site access is off the main road at Harmans Cross, just after Corfe, and onto a single track road with a hill up to the site. Please note that arrivals are not permitted till after 12 o’clock. Arriving before 12 o’clock is very unfair on caravans who have till 12 o’clock to leave the site as it can cause unnecessary problems with cars and caravans. As well as the Club Site itself there are another two camp sites on the road also.
We were met by one of the wardens on our arrival who explained everything we had to know. The wardens, Trevor and Clare, were nothing but helpful during our stay. The site itself is a little smaller than we are used too and quieter, but that suited us just fine. Somewhere to chill and relax. The site is always busy which tells its own tale. When we arrived there was only a choice of two vacant pitches, I guess it makes the decision making a little easier. All during our stay as quick as someone left someone else was in.
The site is well kept and cared for. The toilets and showers were clean but unfortunately at peak times there just wasn’t enough of them. Although clean the facilities are looking obviously tired and in need of an upgrade was my own opinion. There was a good information room with lots to look at.
The Swanage Railway runs into both Swanage and Wareham. The station at Harmans Cross is less than a half mile walk from the Club Site and in a straight line. Discounted tickets for this can be bought from the reception on the site. The Swanage train takes you right into Swanage although Wareham town from the station is a bit of a walk, as we found out on our train trip for Sunday lunch.
Swanage itself is about 2 miles from the Club Site. A traditional Victorian style seaside town with shops, eateries and a nice beach and harbour in close proximity to the town itself. Harlees is a must for fish & chips with the restaurant on the first floor looking out to the channel, and on a clear day there are clear views of the Isle Of Wight.
The area of Studland is a fantastic mix of sandy beaches and lovely turquoise sea and is only a short drive from Swanage, or a hop on the number 50 open top bus, which runs from Swanage to Bournemouth via Studland.
The local ferry at Studland takes you over to Poole for £4.80 if you want to save driving all the way round the long way. Unfortunately the road into Swanage, about 10 miles, from the main road can be busy at peak times as there is only one way in and out.
Places to eat are in plenty and the highlights for us where The Halfway Inn, Harlees and the Duke Of York in Wareham for the Sunday roast. The local Conker Gin and Dorset Blush Cider are a must to try.
We totally fell in love with Dorset on our holiday and we for sure will be returning to Haycraft and Dorset next summer.
Another Wonderful Visit at Haycraft
This is an annual pilgrimage for us. We stayed for 15 days. Meeting many friends we've got to know on previous visits. Some who we've seen regularly did not visit this year at the same time as us. Once again the site and the wardens waswonderful. Trevor & Claire George, the wardens, are an absolute asset to the Caravan Club. The site is immaculate in all aspects. The wardens work extremely hard and are attentive to the needs of all visitors. I'm happy to say that this year there were fewer visitors who eexceeded the 5 m.p.h speed limit. I know it's a hobby horse of mine but with the possibility of toddlers and young children on the site it's essential for the speed limit to be observed. The weather was very kind and although we have visited for several years we still manage to find something new. Eating out we enjoyed meals at our favourite Italian restaurant - La Ristorante in Swanage; The King's Arms in Langston Matravers and the Golden Bengal Indian Restaurant. It was nice to be welcomed back by the manager at La Ristorante who recognised us from last year. The visit would not be complete without the walk to Corfe Castle and lunch at The Model Village and Cafe before returning in the Swanage Railway to Harman's Cross. Sad to leave but as I threatened Trevor and Claire we will return in 2018. We'll done Trevor and Claire!
Fantastic site
Great site and great wardens , very knowledgable of local area, great dog walk and facilities spotless , we had a wonderful stay here , went on the swanage steam train to Corfe castle which is only a five minute walk from the site.
Will be returning as soon as we can
Thank you both for a lovely stay.
Tim and nadine
