Thorncombe Farm
UK England South West England Dorset Dorchester
If Thomas Hardy had a knack for conjuring up images of rural Dorset, then the Hughes family certainly have a way of creating a story-book farm campsite. In the heart of Hardy's countryside, and just a stone's throw from the great man's birthplace, Thorncombe Farm is a classic farm campsite through and through, with more sheep and goats than campers, beautiful views across to a rich green-brown wood and ample wildlife at every turn.
The camping area at Thorncombe Farm is a small, perfectly formed series of paddocks, with room for 10-or-so tents and campervans in one area and a clutch of pre-pitched bell tents in another (kitted out with beds, rugs, mini fridges and other essentials). Over the fence, the campsite is also home to pedigree Dorper sheep and Boer goats, not forgetting the wider residents of the farm – the family of horses, chickens and an abundance of Roe deer, buzzards and nesting ravens that ensure the local landscape buzzes with wildlife all year round. As for facilities, they are as modest as you might expect on a working farm but more than adequate and very well kept, with toilets and showers operated by a fancy pre-paid card system. Part of the draw here is the site's sheer simplicity – no playground, no shop, and no eight-foot purple dinosaur “entertaining” the kids; just good old fashioned space, peace and quiet. And campfires, which are, of course, allowed. What self respecting farm campsite wouldn't allow that?
If you wish to get reacquainted with Mother Nature, Thorncombe Farm is undeniably well placed. Adjacent to the campsite are the open woods of Puddletown and Thorncombe, with endless miles of traffic-free cycling, walking trails and horse riding paths. The Jurassic Coast, meanwhile is less than 10 miles away and it takes around 15 minutes by car to reach the beach. Weymouth, Lulworth Cove, Lulworth Castle and Chesil Beach are all eminently reachable, or you can take a hike up the chalky slopes to the Osmington White Horse – a figure etched into the hillside above the coast and a great spot from which to survey it all.
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Details
Facilities
Toilets, showers (on a prepaid card system) and washing-up facilities all onsite. BBQs and campfires permitted but must be raised well off the grass (there are firepits for hire on a first-come-first-served bases; £5 for the duration of your stay). Logs for sale. Bell tents feature a double and two single beds (top sheet only, bring bedding), carpets and rugs, storage cabinet, mirror, mini fridge and recharging point for mobile devices. Outside, each bell tent has a firepit and BBQ and a double-ring gas stove is provided, along with four sets of cutlery, crockery and a washing-up bowl.
Suitable For
Glampers, campers, tents, campervans, motorhomes, caravans and dogs (on leads) – yes. Groups – by prior arrangement only.
Nearby
In 1789 King George III took a spontaneous skinny dip in Weymouth (10 miles) prompting the start of a classic English seaside resort. Today, the town remains popular with visitors enticed by a golden beach and revitalised harbour. Also on the to-do list: the Sea Life Tower (0871 423 2110) and for all you adrenaline junkies, take a high-speed ride around the bay with Weymouth White Water (01789 989 2317). Thorncombe Farm is only a 10-minute drive from the market town of Dorchester. Home to an eclectic mix of museums including: The Teddy Bear Museum (01305 266040), The Dinosaur Museum (01305 269880) and the fascinating Tutankhamun Exhibition (01305 269571). The son of a stonemason, Thomas Hardy was born near Dorchester in 1840 and became a local architect. After the success of his fourth novel, Far From the Madding Crowd, Hardy was able give up the architect game and concentrate on his writing. Nearby towns are recognisable in his novels, although given different names: Dorchester became Casterbridge, Lulworth became Lulstead, Tolpuddle became Tolchurch and Sherborne became Sherton Abbas. A life-size statue of Hardy stands in The Grove.
Food & Drink
Thorncombe Farm has a supply of meat cuts, mince, burgers and free range eggs (duck and chicken) for sale. Dochester, Puddletown and Bockhampton offer many different pubs, cafés and restaurants that cater for all tastes. Yalbury Cottage (01305 262382) produce creative yet classical French dishes using only the finest seasonal British fish, meat, vegetables and dairy products. The Wise Man Public House (01305 261970) is a 400 year old thatched pub in a quiet village. The food, presentation and service are all excellent, and dogs are welcome too. The Blue Vinny Public House (01305 848228) has a warm, friendly country ambience with a cool, airy modern interior. The food is home cooked and, where possible, the ingredients are seasonal and sourced locally from friends or trusted specialist suppliers.
Opening Times
Easter–October.
Why book with Cool Camping?
- Best Price Guarantee, with no fees
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- Trusted for over 10 years
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The Owner Says
Bell Tents
For 2020, glampers and those that want to take the hassle out of pitching/buying a tent/less baggage in the vehicle or even those that want to try camping under canvas for the first time our site has 3 (5 metre) furnished bell tents each with a separate dining area complete with seating and table. The tents have been upgraded with deluxe double and 2 single beds, carpeting and rugs , storage cabinet and mirror. We have now supplied electricity to the tents so we can provide a small fridge, recharge points for devices, In addition each bell tent has a fire pit and barbeque and a double ring gas stove. Four settings of cutlery , plates and mugs are supplied with a wash bowl.
The beds are supplied with a top sheet only. So please bring what you need or a sleeping bag.
Each booking is for a minimum 2 night stay and is for up to 4 people. Priced from £70/night
We can supply 2 additional Disco beds bunks to take the total to six guests . The additional guests would be subject to a supplemental charge.Any queries please contact us before booking if necessary.
CAMPING
All are grass pitches only. and we retain the same facilities. There will be 10 pitches available. Please note at Bank Holiday Weekends it is a minimum 3 night booking. Fri-Sunday.We allow fires and Barbecues. All we ask is the barbecue or fire pit is off the ground and does not burn the grass of the campsite.There are fire pits for hire on a first come first serve basis at £5 for the duration of your stay. There is firewood available for sale
Showers are on a card system; please see staff to purchase cards.
Accommodation
Three bell tents and room for around 10 camping pitches in the flat, grassy meadow.
Bell Tent
Standard Grass Pitch
Backpacker pitch
Large Grass Pitch
Location
Contact Thorncombe Farm, Higher Bockhampton, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8QH
Getting There
From the East: At the end of the A35 dual carriageway, before the bridge, turn left up the hill towards Higher Bockhampton. Go through the village towards Lower Bockhampton and Thorncombe Farm campsite is 500 yards on the left.
From the North: On the A37 from Yeovil, approach Dorchester, go around the town and bypass to the A35 (towards Poole.) At the roundabout, turn right in the direction of Kingston Maurward and Bockhampton. In around one mile (at the crossroads), turn left for Higher Bockhampton. Thorncombe Farm campsite is in 200 yards on the right-hand side.
Buses do run to Kingston Maurward but no further, so unfortunately there’s no bus route that passes the farm. That said, its only a short walk to the town, either by the road or the footpath through the water meadows (next to the River Frome). Rail links are to either Dorchester West or South (plenty of taxi service in Dorchester too).
Reviews
Add Your ReviewRated ★★★★★ over 2 reviews
Thorncombe
We stayed there for night on our cycling trip through South England. It was so wonderfully peacefully. The goatees where lovely and made notice we never heard of them before. It was so great watching them playing like children do.
Thanks for the option to be there.
Peaceful, perfect
Just had a wonderful couple of days at Throncombe, it was so peaceful there. Although only a few other camping so that helped. Loads of space, lovely flat field for the van. We just lounged around most of the time & spent time playing with goats & horses :) We even witnessed the birth of some newborn kidds. I would highly recommend Thorncombe for a peaceful get away. The owners were lovely. We'll definitely be back. We took bikes & cycled around the countryside, we didnt venture into the woods but that's for our next trip.
Why book with Cool Camping?
- Best Price Guarantee, with no fees
- Instant booking confirmation
- Trusted for over 10 years
- A chance to win prizes in our regular competitions
