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Hook Farm Camping and Caravanning S…

Lyme Regis, Devon, England
1 acre hosted by John B.
Attractive terraced site in a prime location for fossil-hunting

Island-hopping dinosaurs were part of the scenery in these parts some 190 million years ago. Many lost their footing and fell into the sea, leaving their mark on what became known as the Jurassic Coast. Hunting down their fossils is a popular sport in the quaint harbour resort of Lyme Regis.

Picturesque and peaceful, but within a stone’s throw of the lively harbour town, Hook Farm offers the best of both rural and urban worlds. Tucked away in the small village of Uplyme, with views up the pretty Lym Valley, it’s a lovely, leafy site that feels quite remote: being in a designated ‘Dark Valley’ there’s no light pollution at night – just lie back and watch the stars emerge on a clear evening.

A few steps is all it takes to be warmly welcomed at reception, whisked past a section for caravans, and ushered into a beautiful terraced garden valley, where campers look like they’re proudly privy to one of the best-kept camping secrets on the south coast

Friendly, quiet and gently undulating, it’s a perfect spot for families: children will enjoy the playground, complete with an old boat to clamber around, while their parents will appreciate the well-stocked shop selling fresh bread and croissants in the mornings and a village pub within easy strolling distance that serves local real ales and wholesome pub grub.

The site itself is well-maintained and welcoming, with pitches on several different levels, some spacious and open, others secluded and sheltered behind trees and bushes. All offer ample room to spread out with gazebos and blankets if needed, while a dozen are tucked beside various bushy nooks and crannies, offering the most privacy on the campsite. You could select your patch according to your sleeping habits. Early risers should head west to enjoy the morning sun, while night owls looking for a lie-in can camp to the east, where the last rays of the day fall. Sunsets look best from the top of the hill, and the lower area is better shielded from the elements.

And if the peace and quiet of the countryside isn’t enough, there’s a great 45-minute walk down the valley which runs alongside the River Lym and into the cobbled backstreets and alleyways of Lyme Regis, with its bustling harbour, arty gift shops, sandy beach and array of restaurants and cafés.You can either make it a circular walk and return via the coastal path (the camp shop can provide details of the walking route and maps) or, if you can’t face the steep walk back uphill, call the resident local taxi, which will come and pick you up and take you back to the campsite for about a fiver.

Fortunately for any young, eager fossil-hunters returning empty-handed from a day’s beachcombing, plastic dinosaur eggs are sold in the campsite shop, which ought to lift spirits before the next outing.

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Location
Lyme Regis, Devon, England, United KingdomTraditional, ancestral territory of various First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by John B.Joined in March 2017
From the host
We are a quiet family-run campsite in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with beautiful views across the valley. Situated in a wonderfully dark valley, our location also makes for fantastic star gazing. The campsite is perfectly situated for exploring the famous Jurassic Coast – if you are lucky you may find some fossils. The campsite is within walking distance of the historic town of Lyme Regis with its stunning harbour and perfect for shopping and eating. For walkers there is easy access to both The East Devon Way and The South West Coast Path. If you don’t feel like cooking we are also just a five minute walk from the local village pub, while River Cottage HQ is a short drive away.
Nearby attractions
Guided 3-hour fossil walks along the coastline, Sat–Tues only (07854 377519). Dinosaurland Fossil Museum (01297 443541) in town opens daily. Great walks down the valley to Lyme Regis and along the coastal path; fossil hunting beneath the local cliffs; and exploring the shops, cafés and restaurants of Lyme Regis. Oh, and if the weather’s good, you can just go to the beach.
Food and drink
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage (01297 630302) is less than 2 miles away. Or take your pick of the many places in Lyme Regis, from Thai on the seafront at Largigi (01297 442432) to high-end cuisine at Hix Oyster and Fish House (01297 446910), where floor-to-ceiling windows giving breathtaking views over the harbour and Cobb.

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