I am looking for a site as the title says in Dorset but I want one with an area set aside for "free" pitching rather than regulated square pitches, this is because we go as a small group of five families and like to set up a "corale" to keep an eye on the little ones and also gives us a feel of our own little village. We stayed at wareham forest and they have such areas but their pricing for 2010 seems crazy. For two adults and two 5 year old, grass pitch, no leccy it is £34
Is this the norm for next year? Can anyone suggest sites that would meet my criteria without breaking the bank?
Thanks
Justin.
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Full facilities is preferable although can dispense with the swimming pool as we didn't use it much. Otherwise all the usual ie showers shop as a minimum.
Quote: Originally posted by Hacksaw Bob on 22/12/2009 Norden Farm, as millermicm suggests, but check with owners first. (Shop and excellent shower block).
Woodyhyde(Shop not open all day).
Steeple Leaze (Minimal facilities but lots of space).
Woodyhide is a nice site but do not accept caravans as you enter through a very narrow bridge under the railway - caravan won't fit.
I would recommend Woodyhyde. Huge areas in 3 well maintained and mown fields. Very good facilities. No booking required just turn up, pitch camp, then pay the man when he comes round or at the small shop when it is open. Halfway between Corfe Castle and Swanage. No caravans.
A good day out is to park the car at the park and ride in Norden (was £2 all day this year), take the steam train into Swanage...£8 return I think. Which is not bad since parking in Swanage (on seafront car park) is expensive.
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Longthornes
Is lovely but has basic facilities but literally next door (you walk through a field) to monkey world and just down the road the tank museum and very close to loads of other great places like Lulworth castle which has jousting in the summer which was great. Their shop is local produce and you can order local meat and groceries which arrive at your pitch already packed in a cooler. You can hire a fire pit come BBQ and they do a package where they supply all the wood and charcoal (also locally sourced). There is planty of space for kids to play and there are lambs roaming around to feed. Sally and Mark were lovely even gave me advice on they best places to pick up gluten free food. Pitches are reasonably flat and if busy Mark will fence and area off for your party comes recommended by me!
Acton Field
This campsite is very bumpy but has a very goos atmosphere I recommend arriving early to get the more sheltered pictch. The campsite has a couple of wooded places where the kids can play. Each morning a VW van comes round with an onboard shop where you can buy all your basics. There are walks which start directly from the campsite.
Hannaxxx
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West fleet farm in Weymouth was like this when we last visited but that was a few years ago. They've done up the shower blocks since our last visit but i can't comment on that.
We used to go regularly and it has a barn that serves drinks and has entertainment in the evening and serves breakfast in the mornings.
Weymouth is a few miles away.
The site is situated above Chesil beach so can be windy but that would be the only down side.
I reckon it might fit the bill for you.
Try East Fleet Farm......although they have marked pitches, if you ask to be sited on the grass pitches altogether, they usually do their best to help.
We went there two years ago with two caravans and a tent, and they helped us move the vans around by hand to get the best position so we could have something similar to what you are after.
Cracking site, going back this year for our third visit - excellent place for kids to wear themselves out. No pool, but good shop and pub/restaurant on site. Easy access to Weymouth and local shops.
Highly recommended!
------------- Glyn W.
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