If you search “camping in Dorset”, many glamping spots and guides will pop up on the web. As the new camping style takes over the countryside, many farms have transformed their rustic spaces into chic well-furnished destinations.
This article discusses the difference between glamping vs camping and how you can make sustainable choices during your trip to Dorset.
Let’s begin!
The Location: Why Camping in Dorset Is So Popular?
Dorset (formerly called Dorset shire) shares a border with Hampshire and is located in southwest England. Campers arrive here to enjoy the pastoral beauty of its grassy fields intermixed with the salty sea breeze and sun-toasted shores of the Jurassic Coast. The fossil-collecting site is one of the main attractions of this county.
It’s equally popular amongst bibliophiles who want to visit the picturesque place that inspired many writers, including Thomas Hardy, Jane Austen, and Enid Blyton. While the locals preserved the natural beauty that piqued the interest of these writers, modern trends have changed the meaning of holidaying in this scenic sight.
Instead of traditional DIY camping, many people have moved onto pre-made bell tents, huts, treehouses, and yurts. Therefore, if you are planning to go camping in Dorset, you might want to weigh the pros and cons of each option.
Camping vs Glamping: What’s Right for You?
Conventional camping in Dorset requires you to return to basics with little or no amenities. It's a thrilling experience that tests your survival skills and even your cooking capabilities.
You have to pitch a tent, cook over a campfire, and some people forage around for wild fruits and herbs.
If you want to reconnect with nature and don’t mind taking the DIY route, you enjoy camping. Otherwise, you can take things up a notch with glamping.
What Is Glamping?
It means glamorous camping. Instead of packing everything and the kitchen sink, one only needs travel essentials for a glamping holiday.
Everything else will be available inside your glamping pod, depending on the site you choose. The spacious tents are pre-pitched and furnished with luxury bedding, plush interiors, and a kitchenette.
You can even opt for a woodsy treehouse, futuristic eco-friendly pod or a yurt.
Like many deluxe holiday resorts, glamping areas give guests electricity, plumbing, and WiFi access. In turn, these spaces you have the comforts of home when you return from a long hike around Dorset.
Best of Both Worlds: Where Should You Stay?
As with any popular camping area in the UK, Dorset offers various options. We shortlisted the ones that maintain a good balance between conventional camping and upscale glamping sites.
Here are our top picks:
- Shilvington Barn Glamping
Luxury glamping blends with camping in Dorset in this prime location. Here you will find pre-pitched and well-furnished tents ready to welcome you.
- Donkey Down Camping at Culliford Tree
Here you will learn what camping Dorset-style in a good-old-fashioned way means as you pitch a tent amidst the rolling fields. Recent upgrades include biodegradable plumbing spots for campers.
- Bloomfield Camping Dorset
Organic farming meets modern glamping practices in this lush green countryside. Fully-furnished yurts are available for booking for families, couples, and groups of friends.
- Coppet Hill
If you’re searching for a middle-ground, then Coppet Hill lets you experience rural life in Dorset with a few eco-friendly amenities. The owners rotate pitching spots to protect their land, but campers can choose water patches and scenic spaces before booking.
- Omaha Meadows Campsite
A deluxe glamping spot in Dorset that has converted basic B&B services to a chic bell-tent-and-breakfast setup. It’s a cosy, comforting place to be when you go camping in Dorset.
Each place offers a unique experience as you explore the natural beauty and bounties of the countryside.
Are You Interested in Adopting Sustainable Habits on Your Trip to Dorset?
Many campers harm nature by forgoing eco-conscience methods during the trip. Some common mistakes made on these expeditions are using plastic camping cutlery, forgetting to clean the campsite, and putting out a campfire.
Fortunately, My Little Panda helps you adopt environmentally-safe habits when you go camping in Dorset. We do this by offering camping cutlery and toiletries options you can pack for your trip.
These include:
- A personalised lunch set for you and a smaller lunch set for kids.
- Disposable and reusable bundles for camping cutlery when you’re travelling in a group.
- Multisized reusable bamboo straws and party packs.
- Bamboo toothbrush travel set.
- Naturally-dyed bamboo socks
Our sustainable line of bamboo products allows you to swap stainless steel and plastic products for safer alternatives.
Parting Words
In the end, the debate about glamping vs camping in Dorset is exhaustive. We recommend choosing a place that brings you joy and a camping style that would suit you. Our eco-first products have the potential to make the transition from home to a remote location in southwest England. That’s because our camping cutlery, personal care products, and travel essentials are plant-based and cruelty-free.
Plus, they have the perfect shape for eating on the go without leaving traces of plastic or non-biodegradable elements behind.