Haycraft Club Campsite
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Stayed for a week and what a lovely site. Quiet and peaceful, spotlessly clean and nicely laid out. The warden Trevor and his wife were very friendly, helpful and always had a smile but their local knowledge was the cream on the cake, making our stay even better. We gave Trevor a new name before we left....'Treasure'....as he helped to make our stay the best and even made sure my wife had her favourite sweets every day. We will most certainly be returning (providing the sweets are still available in the shop).
First Class
Very quiet small site, lovely to hear birdsong.
Station for steam train to Swanage is within walking distance with discounted tickets if bought from Reception on campsite.
We pitched on grass pitches at entrance and size of these pitches were generous. We preferred them to the hardstanding ones in the main body of site.
Spotless facilities and grounds but wardens kept a low key approach which we liked.
Albion23
Reviewed on 01/06/2017 22:20
Puff Puff Puff
Just come back from another relaxing stay at this site. Love this site being so close to Steam train station, we have visited several times and always have a couple of rides out to Swanage or Corfe......a little tip for you, if you buy your ticket from the warden it is discounted a little, and saves a lot of fuss.
Site is immaculate, the Wardens work very hard to keep it so, in the past there's been lots of disgruntled reviews about the shower block......it's absolutely fine, always immaculate, how many shower blocks have a fresh flower display??? Keep up the good work wardens.
Busy but quiet and friendly
We returned on Sunday having spent a lovely week at Haycraft. Trevor and Claire are excellent Wardens and work hard to make people's stay pleasurable. They are informative, friendly and willing to help. They were doing work on the site to improve it - developing a bio-diversity area for birds and small animals to feed by and clearing a play area. The shower block was clean and large enough for the number of pitches. The site was at least 75% full all week but we never had to queue for the facilities. Although there were a large number of caravans and motorhomes the site was quiet and everyone was friendly. The added advantage of the steam train passing not very far from the site was great as was being able to walk down to the station to take the train to Corfe Castle and Swanage. There are good walks from the site but accessing public transport is a steep walk uphill - worth the walk though as its half way to the Square and Compass which is a must and a very enjoyable walk. We felt very relaxed at teh end of our week and would highly recommend the site.
Birthday Surprise
We booked here for a birthday surprise for MrsP that entailed friends being on site before our arrival. We were able to locate a pitch opposite them. That evening we had a lovely BBQ at one caravan, the following evening a curry in ours, just what this caravanning lark is all about. On the second day we walked from the site to the coastal path and onwards to Swanage to find the car we had parked there earlier. A stroll along the promenade and ice cream was a treat. We then returned to site via the Square and Compass at Worth Matravers, that is well worth the experience, not to mention the beer. The next day after purchasing our train tickets from the helpful wardens, Trev & Clair, we walked to the nearby Harmons Cross station to catch the pre arranged train to Corfe Castle. Whilst standing on the bridge friends arrived to surprise MrsP, then sister and family, and then whilst on the platform our neighbours from home arrived. We boarded the train and arrived at Corfe Castle, where further friends were waiting on the platform. A little later in Corfe 2 more brothers and family completed the surprisers. We went into the castle, a first for us despite driving past over decades. The kids enjoyed climbing, exploring and learning the history of the Castle. A lovely relaxed lunch in the garden of The Greyhound, followed by local ice cream across the road finished off a great day out. Return to HC via train and a walk back up the hill to site. A lovely part of the world. We will return.
Easter Break
This is the third time we have been to this site. First class site. Shower block immaculate. Site wardens friendly and helpful. Best suited to older couples not young families.
First timer
We stayed for 3 nights at the beginning of the Easter school holidays, and were therefore prepared for the chance of noisy offspring. So it was a pleasant surprise to find the site was really quiet and peaceful, despite being full on the second night. Possibly this was because it is a small site, with no specific facilities for younger children. On arrival, the warden was very helpful, and recommended one of the grass pitches at the top end of the site, which had wonderful views. As it had been dry for some time the ground was firm so no risk of 'sinking problems', and she was spot on - it was a lovely pitch with far reaching views. The site is only 5 minutes walk from the steam railway station at Harmans Cross, which will take you to Swanage or Corfe Castle. There is a lovely walk across pastureland and Corfe Common to the Castle, and if you don't fancy the return trip, then it is a 10 minute train ride back. The facilities were good, although the shower block has only 3 showers in each section, of which one was not working in the ladies. Overall it is a site well worth visiting, and we will certainly be going back.
First Timers April 2017
Great site, peaceful and quiet. Location fab for waking and cycling, walk to Corfe Castle a must do. Close to Swanage steam railway, they charge for dogs not bikes, buy tickets at the site for a discount. Site clean loads of hot water, a bit too big in hand basins! Will definitely return.
Lovely stay
I booked this for me and my 7 year old son, it was the first time i had travelled without my partner and had to do everything solo. I read the reviews on here and i was a little apprehensive of the drive into the site, we have a autotrail apache 700 so shes not small. The drive in was absolutely fine and i arrived after dark. Yes the road in is a single track, there all pull over lay-bys to enable you to pass, other than I had no problems.
The site was nice and small and very well kept. we parked opposite the toilet block which was fine, nice level pitch and didn't need my ramps.
The site is a 5 minute walk to the station which is a traditional steam train. You can buy tickets at the site office but you must have cash.
if you don't have cash, you can still board the train but they will make you go up to the main station to pay as no card facilities on the train, they recognise this is their issue and don't make a fuss. Do check the train time table as we were given the wrong info which could have lead to us missing the last train back. the train is also dog friendly and they don't charge for the dogs. This is not advertised on the train website but i called to clarify.
I found the facilities fine and clean, and no issues wanting to use the showers etc... no quest and the site was full.
I will be returning and having a few more trips out.
Short break in March 17
The wife and I and our two dogs stayed for 4 nights Monday to Friday. Site was easy to find, although the single track final approach was interesting. Short dog walk onsite was enough for the last walk before bed for the dogs, but you will need to go further afield if you have larger more energetic dogs. At this location that's no problem as there are lots of walking routes from the site.
With Corfe Castle, Swanage and the railway, (When its running, check the Swanage railway website if you want to use it during your stay, we were a week early, also dogs are allowed on too).
Our tow vehicle is LPG and the BP garage stocks Autogas at St Michaels Garage on the way to Swanage and its only 1mile away. There is a SPAR at the end of the approach road at the garage, and a farm shop within a mile. All in all well located, and the walk over Knowle Hill into Corfe Castle afforded stunning views of Poole Harbour. Facilities are spotless with very powerful showers to wake you up in the morning. All in all a great base for ramblers and dog lovers. We would definitely stay here again.