A peaceful, adult-only campsite 10 minutes' from the Jurassic Coast
In the height of the school holidays, when seaside campsites bulge and spread and ice-cream vans jangle their tune down on the waterfront, places like Hobby Farm can become true sanctuaries. Equidistant from Dorset’s highest point, Lewesdon Hill (three miles north), and it’s lowest, the beaches or the Jurassic Coast (three miles south), this rural retreat in Marshwood Vale is a thoroughly peaceful slice of the Dorset pie. It’s both a secluded backwater and a well-located rambler’s paradise – dogs are welcome, there’s a good pub down the lane and every local footpath leads somewhere scenic, but when you simply want to stay put and relax, there are few quieter spots to be.
Hobby Farm is an adults-only campsite, which is undoubtedly the main reason that there’s such a notable sense of calm. But the general setting plays an obvious role too. The camping meadow is bound by mature trees and hedgerows, for example, and centres around a large pond, beside which alders and willows grow. There are just nine pitches in total, ensuring there’s never a crowd, and no electrical hook-ups, so old-fashioned tent campers reign supreme. A pair of traditional shepherd’s huts have been kitted out for glampers, too, and parked up in their own space – a handy option for walkers who don’t want to carry a tent.
If you’re open to ideas, amiable hosts Tom and Gaby are happy to recommend local pubs or walking routes. They also run the stables a few yards up the lane from the campsite and are happy to offer livery to campers who want to bring their horses along too. If you’ve got the time you can walk all the way to the beach – the nearest being at Seatown, where the Anchor Inn makes and excellent viewpoint-cum-watering-hole – or hop in the car and drive. It’s 15 minutes to Bridport, 15 minutes to Charmouth, 20 to West Bay and 20 to Lyme Regis, each one being worth several hours of your time. Though be careful not to eat into your camping time too much – it’s tough to put a limit on chilling around the campfire, fishing in the pond or paddling around in the small white row boat that waits invitingly on the waters’ edge.
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Details
Facilities
Shared toilet and showering facilities. Covered washing up area. Fridge and freezer for communal use. Phone charging points. No electric hook-ups. BBQs and campfires allowed but must be raised off the grass. Fishing in the pond is permitted and there is a boat for shared use. Livery yard available for those bringing horses.
Suitable For
Hobby Farm is an adults-only campsite. Campers, glampers, tents, small campervans, adults, well-behaved dogs – yes. Caravans, large motorhomes and under-16s – no.
Nearby
You're a matter of minutes from the Jurassic Coast: Head south-west for Charmouth, one of the best places for fossil-hunting, and south-east for the small fishing town of West Bay, where you can join family-friendly mackerel-fishing trips with West Bay Charters (01308 421800). Bustling and historic Lyme Regis is a few miles further than Charmouth with The Cobb, the 13th century harbour arm, a Dorset must-see. Lyme Regis is also home to Dinosaurland Fossil Museum (01297 443541), which helps you dip into the history of the coastline, explaining its geology and why it is now so famous. Back inland, the market town of Bridport is just under six miles from Hobby Farm Campsite, with a regular market on Wednesdays and Saturdays, a leisure centre, cinema and its own brewery, Palmers, which offers tours (01308 422396). The former Cistercian monastery, Forde Abbey, is around seven miles (a 20-minute drive), meanwhile, with beautiful gardens to explore.
Food & Drink
It's a 10-minute walk to The Five Bells (01297 489262), with an excellent beer garden in summer and Palmers Ales on tap. Further afield, The Anchor (01297 489215), overlooking the sea at Seatown is a 10-minute drive, while West Bay’s Rise (01308 422011) café/bar is a recommended all-rounder with harbour views. For seafood, you might like to try The Watch House Café, which is right on the beach (01308 459330). Bridport has a wide range of good quality eateries to choose from and there’s also a farmers’ market in the town on the second Saturday of the month. At Beaminster, Brassica (01308 538100) and Ollerod (01308 862200) are particular highlights.
Open
All year.
Reviews
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Rated ★★★★★ over 23 reviews
★★★★☆
Peaceful stay
We enjoyed our stay at Hobby Farm. Was quiet, the other campers all seemed friendly and relaxed. The pitches were spacious and the facilities spotless. We never felt like the site was too busy & always managed a shower when we wanted one. The fridge and powerpoints were a great touch. Loved having the pub a 10 min walk away. We'd come back :) thanks!
★★★★★
Beautiful view, poor facilities
There are only supposed be 9 pitches, but there were 15 different groups, meaning we had to take a tiny space, others just pitched where they could. There are only 2 toilets in a very cheap shed, people had stuffed paper towels in the knot holes for privacy, and there are long screws sticking through the walls. There is no chemical toilet disposal. The showers and toilets were kept very clean, but there were just too many people for the site, with only one sink people were queuing to wash up. The views were lovely, especially the sunsets, but we won't be coming back, we didn't expect so many people.
★★★☆☆
Lovely peaceful site in the countryside
Such a lovely campsite in the middle of the peaceful countryside. Nice & quiet to relax & leave your stresses at home with added bonus of availability for a fire pit. The owner Tom is a really nice guy & helpful with any local queries of places of interest etc. Only weaker points in my opinion are when we last camped there were 14 tents/vans on site. It states 10 on website. Sharing 2 small showers & 2 toilets with 28 people can be abit challenging. Plus on earlier visits there was a freezer to place your ice packs in, now there is a tiny freezer shelf that doesn't freeze them. Overall though a lovely spot for £20 a night.
★★★★★
Excellent Weekend at Hobby Farm
Lovely site, clean new facilities, hot showers. Not overcrowded and very quiet. Local pub just up the road. Had a great time.
★★☆☆☆
Disappointed
Lovely location, quiet, clean. But, you state you have 10 pitches, adults only. At one point I counted 12 tents and 4 vans, Including 2 vans on one pitch both with awnings, and one family with children. All well and good, everyone deserves a holiday, but 2 toilets and 2 showers are not sufficient for the amount of people on the site. At £20 per night, I guess you get what you pay for, but it's obvious by the amount of people you let on to the field, you're never fully booked. You're just in it for the money, and not the welfare of your guests. David came to see us and said he couldnt chat for long because his dinner was ready! He was with us less than a minute, telling us there was wood available if we needed it. Before he came to us, he spent around 20 minutes "chatting" with the couple next door, to us, and when he left us, at least 10 or 15 minutes with each of the other guests. He was on site well over an hour I'd say. We just felt that was a little rude. Overall, the break we had, did us both good away from work, and London. However, I feel it would of been better if you'd stuck to your policy.
★★★★★
Absolutely beautiful
We thoroughly enjoyed our break at hobby farm. It is so beautiful and peaceful. The shepherds hut was lovely and cosy and the staff attended to every need we had. We had an amazing break in Dorset and will definitely return in the future. Hobby farm is the perfect base to explore the area or just simply relax and enjoy the farm. Thank you so much
★★★★★
Peaceful and convenient location, plenty of space and privacy, clean facilities
We loved how remote this site felt with great views of rolling hills but still being within walking distance of a pub and a short drive to both Lyme Regis and Charmouth. We didn't see the owners whilst there but they kept everything clean and topped up. The facilities were quite basic in wooden sheds but had flushing toilets and hot showers and there was a decent sized sink for washing up and a fridge so there we had everything we needed. We would return.
★★★★★
Very chilled
Great spot. So peaceful. Friendly and helpful people. Clean facilities. What’s not to like!
★★★★★
Adult only site where your treated like an adult. Perfect.
Booked without prior knowledge and found a gem of a camp site. Now, your going to be disappointed if you rock up expecting a glamping experience. This is not boutique. It’s a simple, no frills peace of heaven. The shower and toilet blocks are basic but kept well stocked, clean and well serviced. Hobby farm is a working farm, not a theme park and the family work hard to manage the site and keep visitors happy but they cannot make the ground flat at visitors insistence. It’s a sloping field but there are plenty of places to pitch and the details do say it’s sloping. For the small in inconvenience, of uneven ground, you will be treated to big sky’s, peace and unbelievable views. The family have planted woods behind the site and there is a lovely dog walk to a view point and picnic table. There are two lovely ponds with a resident king fisher And nature surrounds you. It was a blissful 3 day break. There is a freezer for your cool blocks, fire pits, logs on sale, use of a toilet tent and loo if you want. Pick your pitch, put your feet up and enjoy. The staff are on hand to help if you need it but otherwise you are left to relax. It was perfect and we will go back.
★★★★☆
Lovely quiet spot. Superb location
Spent 4 nights in this lovely spot. Fridge and charging points were very convenient. Hassle free camping with no bother from anyone. Closely located to plenty of gorgeous beaches. If you’re looking for a quiet camping spot then look no further
★★★★★
Quiet & close to nature
I stayed only one night & wished it could have been longer. Beautiful views in lovely location. Close to the coast but away from too many people. It has proper Loos but certainly not a commercial campsite. Carefully looked after in unobtrusive manner. Thank u
★★★★★
Great stay at Hobby Farm
Peaceful and quiet campsite, with great and clean facilities. It was our first camping adventure with our two four-legged rascals, and there were plenty to do. Will definitely return!
★★★★★
Lovely quiet campsite
Hobby Farm is a lovely peaceful site with good facilities. Very clean shower and toilet - which we never had to queue for. There were definitely a couple of larger groups but they were quiet so it wasn't a problem. I'll be back for sure.
★★★★★
A little piece of heaven
I can honestly say this is the most peaceful and relaxing site that we have ever stayed at. Toilets, showers, fridge all so clean. Helpful and friendly owner. Covid friendly. Love love love this place
★★★★★
Relaxing holiday
The site owner is lovely and helpful. The facilities were good with freezer, fridge, kitchen sink, toilets and shower - always clean. There are pubs and shops close by. The site was beautiful and very quiet. Ideal for relaxing.
★★★★★
Great few days
Lovely peaceful site. Facilities clean and adequate. Tom comes round twice a day and cleans and restocks. Great to be able to have barbecues and log fires. Communal fridge a great idea to keep your beers cold. Hope to come back for a longer stay
★★★★★
Calm, quiet and relaxing site away from it all.
We stayed at Hobby Farm for 10 days this month. We searched the internet for adult only sites in Dorset and here we are! There are two fields with ponds, each has a shower and toilet section along with a washing up station. Showers are hot with good water pressure. Tom the site owner cleans and restocks the facilites morning and evening and also delivers wood for you to make a camp fire (remember to bring your own fire pit or bbq so you don't burn the ground.) Very relaxing site, off the beaten track, sounds of birds, horses and cattle. Moorhens and fish thrive on and in the ponds, bats swoop around the ponds in the evening. We are not dog owners and would have preferred dogs to be on leads on site as requested on the notice boards - some dog owners let their dogs run free and bark unneccesarily which can be a nuisence if you are not a fan. POINTS TO NOTE Covid19 precauctions in place! Basic but very useable facitlies! Not a flat site but plenty of space over the 2 fields to find your perfect spot! Reycling bins available so no reason not to! Take shower flipflops - helps keep the showers clean! WALKS There are ample walks from the site, we walked the River Char into Charmouth and another day we walked to Shaves Cross for lunch at the Shaves Inn. Thank you Tom and family - we will be back!
★★★★★
Peaceful, chilled, beautiful.
We stayed at the top of the field for 2 weeks. This campsite epitomises cool camping - and we’ve stayed at many of the best all over Europe. It is tucked away down country lanes and is well away from the madding crowd even at the height of this years national staycation. The pitches are beautiful and the sun sets between the distant hills at the bottom providing a drama that all the campers watch from their chairs. It is peaceful in the evenings with just the sounds of woodpeckers and, later, owls. The toilets are cleaned and sanitised like clockwork. There are fridges and charging points. The owner provides wood and kindling at cost price and everyone I spoke to during our time there were in a very happy ‘Cool Camping’ mode. Will be back for sure! Those moments of cooking alfresco in such beautiful scenery......pure bliss.
★★★★★
Really lovely campsite, immaculate facilities, peaceful and quiet.
This must be one of the loveliest campsites we’ve stayed at. Small but perfectly formed. Spotless loo and shower, plenty of hot water. Fridge freezer for everyone’s use and plenty of camping space. Highly recommended -we’ll be back!
★★☆☆☆
Dirty toilets, one overflowing chemical waste, the other an open cesspit - more mud than grass,
Dirty toilets, one overflowing chemical waste, the other an open cesspit - more mud than grass, sorry not up to Cool Camping standards in any way - utter disappointment, left a day early
Response from Hobby Farm
I am disappointed that you have chosen to write this review so many weeks after your stay, especially as we spoke on the phone at the time and I explained to you that you had not used the correct chemical disposal point, which has a sign next to it. You chose to use an older point (which is no longer in use and so has no sign near it) and proceeded to block it. The toilets are cleaned regularly as indicated by all other reviewers, and I work hard to ensure this. There is no mud on the pitches so I’m unsure where you think this is. Your comments are a hurtful and an untrue account and so I am naturally very unhappy that you have set out to damage the good reputation of Hobby Farm.
★★★★★
Peaceful, friendly, stylish, minimal and clean.
A lovely introduction to camping in a van for us. The facilities were spotless and the location was perfect with easy access to the coast. Open fires and a great sunset. It was the ultimate in a relaxed and quiet site.
★★★★★
A beautiful, peaceful spot. Highly recommended.
We spent just one night there last week on our way home from Cornwall. I only wish we could have stayed longer. A beautiful, peaceful location with hills and woods all around. Immaculately clean loos and shower. And very friendly team. Would definitely stay there again.
★★★★★
Lovely quiet campsite
The site has very basic facilities- one toilet, one shower and a couple of standpipes- but this a lovely place to camp, with a wildlife pond, great views of the hills, and no light pollution. The owners keep the site remarkably clean and discourage motorhomes, big groups and children, so it's really peaceful. You can choose your own spot, and there was always plenty of space while we were there for four nights.
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