Exclusivity is pretty much baked in to the experience at West Holme Glamping, a glamping micro-site set on a working equestrian estate in the heart of the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. And we really do mean 'micro', with just three bell tents available over the summer, set in a lush meadow off a quiet country lane on the farm estate. The rest of the world might be piling on to the nearby beaches of the Jurassic Coast, but couples and small families can retreat to the site at the end of a busy day out, secure in the knowledge that they have two sets of neighbours, max, and plenty of space to chill.
Each five-metre bell tent is fully furnished, with a proper double bed and all the usual bits of kit and equipment, from a wood-burner for chilly nights to a gas barbecue for summer cook-outs. There's plenty of space inside for two people, while it's cosy for four – the kids, if you remembered to bring them, get a blow-up bed (bring their sleeping bags or hire them from the site). But you barely need to bring anything else, save a torch and towels, and in good, dry weather you can park right by the tent. Best of all, there's no sharing of facilities. Each tent has an assigned gas-powered shower, proper flushing loo and wash-basin – all screened off, just for you. Dining is at your own rustic table, and there are windbreaks and gazebos available, so the weather shouldn't put a stop to your gallop. There's no power – everything is either solar or battery – which means we're talking gentle, stress-free, fairy-lit evenings and quiet nights under rural Dorset's dark skies.
And what will you do, fully relaxed and ready to go for the day? Well, you could start with breakfast, a short walk down the country lane at the local garden centre, where's there's a cafe and farm shop. Other supplies are in nearby Wareham, a five-minute drive away, an old market town of the type that Dorset does so well. There are pubs and restaurants here too, from traditional to fancy. Beyond that, you have one of the most exhilarating parts of England to explore, with heathland strolls and famous coastal walks right on the doorstep (you could hardly be closer to Lulworth Cove), plus castles and beaches, stately homes and gardens, and country pubs and market towns. Nothing micro about the choices there, that's for sure.
The farm is in beautiful countryside, right in the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so bring walking boots or shoes if you want to explore on foot. A bike too would be handy, this is great touring country, with plenty of trails, bridleways and country lanes. The Saxon town of Wareham is a little over three miles away, while the extraordinary beach and coastal walks at Lulworth Cove are six miles away. From here you can stroll out on the South West Coast Path National Trail – right along the famed Jurassic Coast, with stupendous views over the natural rock arch of Durdle Door. It's also about six miles to the National Trust's iconic Corfe Castle, set in summer grasslands, and 15 miles west to the county town of Dorchester, if you're hankering after coffee houses and shops. For families, there are loads of other local attractions too, from the ape rescue centre of Monkey World to the activities and events at Lulworth Castle.
Nearest place for a fab breakfast, lunches and local produce is the Orchard Cafe (01929 554716) at Holme Garden Centre, just a two-minute walk from the site. It's got a terrace area and pond-side seating, and a well-stocked farm shop. The Weld Arms at East Lulworth is a five-minute drive away – a thatched, 17th-century inn that's a great place for a meal or a drink. In fact, you can't move for thatched pubs in these parts, as there's also the well-regarded Halfway Inn at Norden, five miles away on the road to Corfe Castle. The market town of Wareham is the closest town for a bigger choice of pubs, cafes and restaurants – the Old Granary is a favoured spot, an all-day cafe, bar and restaurant on the banks of the river. For something posher – say a genteel afternoon tea or a celebration dinner – the Priory Hotel in Wareham is another gorgeous riverside spot.
