Zambuka Campsite

Positiv Lovely campsite in a great location with beautiful views. We didn’t get to meet Kay when we arrived so didn’t know where the dog walking field was, or that we could have walked into Osmington via the farm back fields, but we’ll know for next time! Two showers and two toilets, spotlessly clean. There were only 2 other camper vans there but think there would be queues if the campsite was fuller. Overall a very enjoyable stay though.

Negativ There was some road noise and it started quite early. I slept in the van, so wasn’t too aware of it, but my partner in the pop top did say it bothered him a bit. The lack of wi-fi and phone signal is a bit of a problem really as you can’t always plan day trips and activities in advance due to weather conditions etc, but you can’t plan them when you’re there either as no signal. Taxis are also prohibitively expensive. £18 from Smugglers Inn to campsite. And they wanted to charge £56 return to a pub 4 miles away. We declined! This is in no way the campsite’s fault, just something to be aware of!

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Positiv Fantastic view
Small compact site

Negativ Lack of signage to indicate site entrance
Advertised as dog walking nearby failed to mention hike up steep hill through uneven ground to get to walks not really suitable for older people

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Positiv Really liked the peace the sea view the kindness of Kay, help was there if needed.
Shower and toilets were spotless and warm
Hot water was very hot
Very enjoyable stay

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Positiv Great view, facilities really clean and comfortable, simple and peaceful.

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Positiv The view of the sea out to Portland and beyond.
Proximity to Ringstead
Shower has plenty of hot water

Negativ Expensive. I mean, for what you get, PROHIBITIVELY expensive.
We paid, including paying £4 / night to take our little dog and (only 6 Amp) electric hookup, I think £169 for 4 nights
She charges exactly double the price per kWh that I pay at home (49p per unit!).
She only accepts cash payments, no bank transfers etc, but I'm sure she declares it all....yeah right 😏.
Also, when I went to settle up and was going through the bill, I mentioned that I'd paid a deposit when I booked and she came straight back at me, quite aggressively "No, you've paid me no deposit", which was plainly nonsense as you can't book on pitchup without paying a deposit. I stood my ground and said I can show you that the deposit went out of my account, she went away to get her phone and showed me that yes, I had indeed paid a deposit!
Things like the cover to the chemical disposal point is hinged and doesn't stay up; you have to hold it up while trying to empty the toilet cassette. That's a 20 minute fix.
Note that there isn't any WiFi
The sliding door to the toilet block sticks. Some simple maintenance and not such a greedy approach to bleeding the punters.
We love that part of the Dorset coast and visit every year, but we've definitely struck Zambuka off the list of sites we'll use in future

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Positiv Very welcoming and friendly, great place to stay, as first time campers they were very helpful and unjudgemental, beautiful scenery with lovely walks to coast and pubs nearby 😊

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Positiv Beautiful location, small friendly site with great walks direct from the site. Dog friendly and adult only.

Negativ No Wi-Fi and poor reception on phones. Quite expensive for the facilities which were clean but very basic. Pitch sizes not huge thankfully lovely people next to us. Paying for the electric is at quite inflated prices

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Positiv Lovely views, friendly welcome, facilities clean and plenty of hot water

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Positiv Hot showers no timing restrictions

Negativ Noise from busy road below.
Shower whilst hot water great not particularly clean. Green & dirty shower curtain / basin - very old run down.
No WiFi / signal connection - no mentioned on booking !
Very hot water to point of boiling / scalding for washing dishes.
Paying and calculating own electric charge.

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Positiv A quiet, clean site. Showers were hot and clean and hosts were helpful. A walk to the pub - Smugglers Inn is well worth a visit.
Views were stunning and would definitely recommend staying.

Negativ Nothing

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