You go to this site, not for the facilities, not for the people but for the location! Once you've found the passthrough to the coastal path you've got a great walk in front of you!
This is a peaceful and quiet site, which is located on a large private estate. So you can relax and enjoy the countryside. The views are there although fairly distant as well as the walk to the beach, it will take at least twenty minutes to walk there. There are cliffs to walk along but definitely keep your dogs on a lead. The site has a very large dog walking field, but you cannot properly exercise your dogs as they have to remain on their leads at all time. Although Jo the warden only chose to inform my wife in an abrupt manner which we felt was unnecessary. This information is not on the website to inform you of the fact. You need to ensure that you have everything with you as the nearest reasonable shops are in Wareham. There are a few flat pitches but the majority are on slopes, so read the site pages and download the site map to see where they are. Blocks to help level your caravans are available, but some looked quite precarious. If you like hiking and long walks then this is ideal, or if you just want to relax then you can. It is a remote site to get to and the views are not stunning as described unless you walk to the coast then you can see the beautiful Jurassic Coast in all its glory. We don’t regret trying this site but we won’t be revisiting in the near future.
The site is one to relax on. Big and wide open spaces give plenty of space so no one feels crowded. It is a quite site in a unique location and for those who do not mind being self sufficient as far as facilities go its nearly perfect. We loved the site and had great week wishing we could have staid longer. We love walking but here is the rub, like many places in Dorset this is part of a larger farming estate that rather guards its access. Whilst it is true that hey have provide two permissive paths one is rather rugged and hard to locate the other again rather a marsh to anyone wanting to reach the Coastal Path. Dogs are restricted to being on leads at all times on these paths and even in the large fenced dog walking field. Wi-Fi service (pay as you go) was some of the best we have enjoyed and far faster and more reliable than on most of the Club sites we have used. If you book on the web site you get some great information and directions sent with your receipt together with your pitch number. This is rather essential as both the route could be confusing and the site manned only for two short periods each day....so it is a case of roll up and pitch up. Everyone we met on site was friendly and relaxed...its one of those places that invites you to chill out and I those with seasonal pitches seem so much at home. We did met up with the warden but not an experience that made us feel either welcome or keen to rush back....that said I guess we will be back for the stunning area, the beauty and the peace when on site.
Amazing weather always makes everywhere look better, but this place is genuinely lovely. Peaceful and quiet, great walking on your doorstep and some great views. The site is really well kept and Jo is really helpful and very knowledgeable. Kimmeridge Bay is great and the dogs loved the walk there and playing in the sea. Be aware that the coastal path in this area is just that - on the very edge of steep cliffs so unless your dog is extremely well trained it can be a challenge ! Overall a lovely place to visit, some narrow lanes but nothing that tricky.
The road from Corfe Castle to the site is narrow in places and rather twisty, but not a problem – just watch out for the locals and day visitors to the beach who seem to drive like bats out of hell! The site is predominantly sloping, so if you want to pitch an awning you need to chose carefully, The newly-created hard standings on the right as you enter the site are on the flat and can be recommended, and there is a new chemical toilet disposal point on the left as you enter. Emptying the loo is a daylight-only task as there are no lights to help you see what you are doing when it is dark. Many comment on the fantastic views; however, in our opinion they are over-rated. Only a few select pitches have views of the sea and even they are disappointing, unlike the sunsets which can be truly spectacular.
Phone signals are variable and poor at best, though we did achieve 4G on Three and O2 intermittently at different times of the day. Fortunately, the site’s wifi is fast with PAYG for one week costing £10 for 5Gb (just make sure you inhibit Windows 10 from downloading updates, otherwise all your data allowance will vanish in 2 hours, like ours did!). TV is limited with the best signal coming from the Weymouth transmitter (aerial needs to be vertical) which only has a limited number of channels. Nine miles away is Wareham, the nearest town for fuel and a supermarket (Sainsburys – 70p parking charge refundable on a £15 spend).
There are a number of good circular walks from the site, but beware that some of the permissive footpaths pass through fields which can have cows and sheep in them. The 5 mile, 2 hour walk up to Swyre Head, then along the ridge to Kimmeridge and back to site is well worth the effort.
We enjoyed staying on this site. It is quiet and peaceful. It is well set up although the toilet emptying point is not particularly convenient. The pitches are all grass, some sloping but generous and many have good views. Plenty of walks from the site or nearby but you need to use the car to travel to any facilities.
My first time at this lovely site. A beautiful setting with great walks through the local farmland to connect with the Dorset coast path. You need to be self-sufficient, as far as sanitary facilities are concerned but electricity is on tap and the site is very well maintained. Very few pitches are completely level but blocks are provided for the more extreme slopes. Shops etc are a few mile's drive away, either in Swanage or Wareham, so don't forget that bottle of milk. A very peaceful and lovely place to spend time.
A beautiful site within the Smedmore Estate. We arrived just before 6pm and Jo the warden was due to knock off, but she stayed and advised us on setting up on our 'very slopey' pitch, but we were assured that we had the best views. She was right :) Jo was very helpful with much advice and maps to hand. A wonderfully peaceful site with lots of wonderful walks right on the doorstep. The sunsets were amazing - armed with a G&T, my husband and I sat and watched the sun lower itself down into the sea over Kimmeridge Bay, or so it seemed .......
Just had a couple of nights on pitch 16 at this lovely and well kept site - and for just £10 a night, with EHU.
Lovely over-fields mile walk to the fossil bay at Kimmeredge or a bit further to the village. The small historic town of Wareham is a short drive with its tranquil river, restos and quirky streets.
My first stay on a 'commercial' site but it's just like a large CL. Some of the pitches are very slopey but it seems that levelling blocks (slices of tree trunk) are readily available. Pitches 15, 16, and 17 are entirely level although shaded from mid afternoon by the copse alongside.