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Shilvington Barn Glamping

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· Weymouth, Dorset, England
2 acres hosted by David C.
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Bell tent glamping with views of Hardy's Monument, Chesil Beach and the sparkling Fleet

There's a reason this part of West Dorset has been designated an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty'. The number of stunning spots is difficult to count. And if you want a vantage point from which to take it all in, Shilvington Barn probably deserves the title of 'Campsite of Outstanding Natural Beauty'. Set in the grounds of a family-run farm, the place is both lost within the folds of the landscape yet also high above it, with breathtaking views right from your tent door.

To reach the site you’ll first have to travel up a sloping farm track, gifting better and better views with every metre climbed. At the top is the flat, grassy field, where glampers enjoy views north to Hardy's Monument and, to the south, of shingle Chesil Beach, which seems to float above the shimmering waters of the fleet. In the foreground, meanwhile, cattle graze the neighbouring meadow, seemingly unaware of the glorious views they get to enjoy even when the glampers have gone home.

There's just a handful of tents available, pre-pitched and fully furnished. Each is individually decorated with full moon mats and rugs and a double and single bed. Firepits and cooking tripods are also provided for al fresco cooking and there's a complimentary basket of firewood, kindling and matches to get you started. Otherwise, things here are relatively paired back. The site is largely off-grid, so it's a great place to forget about WhatsApp and emails and absorb the view and the sound of the birds. There's still the use of good showers, loos and washing-up facilities though of course.

The view will no doubt draw you out. You can hop on the Jubilee Trail near the far end of the campsite, following the footpath to the Hardy Monument (around 40 minutes' walk) or east to the pub and tea rooms in Upwey (just under an hour). The real attraction, though, is undoubtedly the Jurassic Coast, with Weymouth, Abbostbury and Chesil Beach all within a 15-minute drive. The trapped brackish water behind the Chesil Beach – The Fleet – is an ideal bird-watching spot and there are great walks along the South West Coast Path, which follows the shoreline for several miles.

Activities
Hiking
Natural features
Beach
Field
Farm
Not currently accepting bookings on Hipcamp
More camping spots nearby
100%
14 Ratings · 13 reviews
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Amanda H.recommends
August 29, 2022
Willow Bell Tent
Lovely spot for glamping bell tents, alittle windy as you are fairly exposed. Great base for Weymouth and the Dorset coast.
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Jessie H.recommends
August 21, 2022
Kingfisher Bell Tent
Glamping With Kids
Stunning views. Stayed for 3 nights and on our first morning there were about 30 sheep grazing in the grass near our tent. We loved it! The tent stayed warm in the night even with pretty big winds one night. We slept great. Our 6 year old said it was “a dream come true”. We played the games supplied in the tent and probably could’ve managed our stay with only bringing a couple of garbage bags and some Dr. Bronners soap for dishes/shower. Showers were lovely. The poo-loo had run out of wood shavings which is the only downside I can think of other than the wind, which was only bad for one day. We walked to the pub our first night for dinner and our kiddo managed fine as there were a lot of animals to see and name along the way. Just make sure to book a table! We didn’t and it was fully booked. We were soaking wet and so hungry that we all nearly cried, but managed to luck out.
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Jennie H.recommends
August 15, 2022
Heather Bell Tent
Camping with our puppy
Had a wonderful weekend with my husband and our puppy it was her first camping trip and Dave and his dog were very welcoming and kind and very helpful the campsite was clean and tidy , the showers were really good and clean would definitely come back to stay was lovely quiet and very calming and beautiful with stunning view s of the countyside
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Nina H.recommends
August 15, 2022
Dandelion Bell Tent
Great tent with super views
What a great spot. The panoramic views were amazing. The tent was lovely, so nice not to have to set up. The bed was super comfy too. I willeefinitelu return as soon as I can
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James C.recommends
August 14, 2022
Heather Bell Tent
Wonderful views. Great showers that were nice & hot. Portaloos which hot a bit hot, plenty of toilet paper. Nice & clean. Comfy beds and spotted some wildlife. Great stay!
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Zarni A.recommends
August 12, 2022
Willow Bell Tent
Our very first campaign
We loved camping experience on David’s land. This was our very fast experience for camping. Toilet area is clean and have hot showers too. Have several of washing sinks and also have fresh water . And the bins area is far away from all the tents too. Overall, our very first campaign experience was brilliant and we will definitely come back again . I highly recommend . But just tiny disappointing was found dog hair around on the camping floor.They could do more hovering lol
Location
Weymouth, Dorset, 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
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Hosted by David C.Joined in March 2021
From the host
Glamping here enjoys stunning views with Weymouth Bay and Chesil Beach in one direction, Hardy's Monument in another direction and beautiful rolling hills and fields in every direction. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway or a family holiday, it's ideal for a stress free getaway in the heart of nature. The bell tents are located on Shilvington Barn Campsite. Each bell tent has a double bed and a single bed. An additional fold out bed (Futon) can be added if needed. The tents are individually decorated, with full moon mats and rugs for additional comfort. Each tent has a bench outside for your own personal use, a fire pit and a cooking tripod for some outdoor cooking or simply for some warmth in the evenings. A basket of firewood, kindling and matches are available to order, along with some finishing touches for you to discover on arrival. Fantastic walks and views are available directly from the site and stunning beaches within a short drive. There's no electric or WiFi, meaning you can fully focus on relaxing and enjoying yourselves without the distraction of devices. You can bring your pets with you as long as they are kept on a lead whilst on site.
Nearby attractions

It's 10 minutes' drive to the Abbotsbury Swannery (01305 871858), sanctuary to 100 swans, and the 18th-century Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens (01305 871387) – if you're visiting both, get a dual ticket and it's cheaper. There are plenty of beaches nearby. The closest are Chesil Beach (15 minutes' drive) and family-friendly Weymouth. The latter, a seaside resort town, has a lovely crescent-shaped beach is great for kids and you can hop on a mackerel-fishing trip straight from the harbour. There's also West Bay, famous as the home of the Broadchurch TV series, Charmouth and Lyme Regis which are great for fossil hunting, Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove to name but a few. For walking, try The Jubilee Trail or the South Dorset Ridgeway, which takes in the Hardy Monument and the Hell Stone burial chamber.

Food and drink

The Kings Arms in Portesham (01305 871342) is under 10 minutes away in the car. Serving hearty local produce, the award-winning pub has a lovely beer garden with a stream running through it, while the friendly dining service inside is relaxed and dog friendly. Elm Tree Inn in Langton Herring (01305 871257) is also under 10 minutes away, built some 400-years ago, the pub is full of character and charm, serving local ales, ciders and fine wines galore. Around 15 minutes away is The Brewer’s Arms (013058 89361), this traditional spot also has a great beer garden for making the most of the summer weather as well as a real fire inside for when the forecast isn’t looking so great, they also have a tempting takeaway menu if you’d rather eat back at camp.

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