Lucy Caille | Thu, Jun 23rd, 2016
An article popped up on my Twitter feed recently praising a quiet little camping spot in Langton Matravers in Dorset. As I read, a smile crept across my face as memories came flooding back to trips in my 20’s when I frequented this stunning part of the world, the first on a hen weekend to a cottage in this very same little hamlet!
So with an abundance of memories of relaxed walks along the stunning Jurassic coastline, funny games in the local pub and dipping toes in the fresh coastal waters I decided it had to be a focus for a GlamperRV blog as it presents such a rich area of geographic, cultural and culinary interest! Dorset really is a beautiful place to visit.
Starting in the East in Swanage and moving West along the coast to the wonderful seaside resort of Lyme Regis I hope to give you some ideas of what to do and where you can park GlamperRV overnight to enjoy this magical region.
Tom’s field in Langton Matravers, subject of the tweet, is a great place to start exploring. From Tom’s you can walk to the South Coast path in twenty minutes and from there into Swanage before jumping on the bus back to Langton Matravers.
Not far away is Corfe castle, the dramatic ruins of which stand on a natural hill guarding the principal route through the Purbeck Hills. I would recommend parking at the park & ride at Norden from where you can catch the steam train to the village.
If you fancy exploring some of the wonderful local beaches, Kimmeridge Bay is excellent for rock pooling and Lulworth Cove for the infamous Durdle Door. There is also a great heritage centre here which is worth a visit.
Although not top of my list for idyllic locations to overnight, the town of Weymouth offers plenty of entertainment for all the family. The Sea Life Adventure Park has a lovely little sea life ‘zoo’ with great rides for younger children including a log flume! For the more active, Weymouth is on the Sustrans cycle route No. 26 and there is a lovely 6km traffic free cycle route along the Rodwell Trail down to Portland Beach.
To the west of Weymouth, you will find the pretty town of Bridport, complete with vintage market on a Wednesday and Saturday and plenty of great places to eat including the hip pizza restaurant, The Stables! Nearby is the Jurassic Fun Centre complete with swimming pool, slides and bowling alley – a great hang out for a rainy day!
Just along the coast from Weymouth and within a few hundred metres of the coastal path is Sea Barn Farm, a rural camping park with excellent facilities and access to a swimming pool as alternative to the sea for those not so hot summer days!
Further still up the coastline is a 700-year-old Inn, situated in the centre of the beautiful Marshwood Vale and complete with skittle alley and large ‘motorhome friendly’ car park. This Brit Stops member will welcome GlamperRV for an overnight stay! Staying here you will be a stone’s throw from Chideock, the starting point for the Golden Cap Walk to the highest point on the South Coast and definitely worth doing.
From these locations there are a range of excellent restaurants worthy of a visit, the Hive on the beach in Burton Bradstock is really popular and does amazing fish and The Boarding House Hotel in the same village if you fancy some cocktails overlooking the sea!
Our trip ends in the seaside town of Lyme Regis – great large sandy beaches for the children and a typical English seaside resort with all the usual attractions. Going slightly against the grain is the HiX Oyster Bar & Restaurant, a must for some of the best seafood!
GlamperRV has limited availability over the summer months and will accept 2 night bookings, where available upon request. Please email for dates and pricing.
