Hobby Farm

View prices & book 9.3 161 reviews
Views from the site
Great views
Looking down over the pitches
View across the pitches

  • Dog-friendly, adults-only couples’ country retreat in rural Dorset
  • A 10-minute drive from Charmouth and 15 to Lyme Regis and West Bay
  • Walking paths to the beach from the site; pub a five-minute stroll
Whether your pastime is active or more laidback, Hobby Farm in Marshwood Vale has you covered. Like a bit of walking? Set in the Dorset National Landscape, this site’s got that in spades. Prefer relaxing? As a small adults-only site with a low-key atmosphere where guests are encouraged to be respectful of one another, the place is kept nice and peaceful too… The site’s also a 10-minute drive to the famous fossil beach in Charmouth (for hunting dino remains) and footpaths connecting to the coast from here mean you can roam on down through the green countryside in about an hour and a quarter. If Fido fancies a break, you can bring him as well: dogs are welcome at Hobby Farm. For beaches with a bit of bustle, West Bay and Lyme Regis’ restaurants, bars and boutiques are less than a 10-minute drive away, and if guests are hankering after eats closer by a pub serving grub is about a five-minute walk up the lane. A supermarket is less than a 15-minute drive away for supplies if you're aiming for alfresco cooking (and barbecues are allowed back on base). If legs still have a little life left in them, Stonebarrow Hill (a 10-minute drive) has 25 miles’ worth of trails around Golden Cap. Factor in a stop uphill for vistas of Lyme Bay over to Dartmoor, then keep going to Langdon Hill-Wood via Smugglers’ Trail. Or carry yourself off towards the cliffs for the old Thorncombe Beacon and views of Bridport and Chesil Beach, one of England’s longest shingle shorelines.

Site type

Tent sites 14
RV sites 14
Lodges, cabins, pods or huts 3
Open all year
Opens
Please note
  • Your dog must be tattooed or microchipped.
  • No bachelor/bachelorette parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • Guests under the age of 18 are not allowed on site.
  • The park does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Breed-specific legislation (i.e. Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro).
  • The park caters for families (immediate members) and couples only - bookings from all other forms of groups are not accepted.

Languages spoken

English

No availability here for your search criteria

Pitch types & availability

Reviews

  • 67%
    10
  • 9%
    9
  • 16%
    8
  • 2%
    7
  • 1%
    6
  • 1%
    5
  • 0%
    4
  • 0%
    3
  • 0%
    2
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    1
Location
10
Value for money
9
Accommodation
9
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
9
Child friendliness
6
Cleanliness
9
Wifi
9

94% would recommend this site to a friend

94% would stay here again

What customers say

Hobby Farm provides a quiet, adult-only camping getaway with roomy, private spots and lovely country views. Guests rave about the spotless facilities, including hot showers and tidy dishwashing areas, plus a handy communal fridge/freezer and Wi-Fi. Many enjoy the laid-back vibe and campfire freedom. Despite a few notes on narrow access and occasional dampness, most guests loved it and want to come back.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 17
Arrival date (latest first)

Loved our stay, was very peaceful…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
No rating
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
Christopher B.

Primitive grass campervan, tent or trailer tent campsite

Liked Loved our stay, was very peaceful and secluded. Loved seeing the wildlife when we woke up. Showers and toilets were very clean! Will definitely be coming again!

Disliked Only issue we had was finding the location in the dark, the sign was tiny and half covered by bushes

Recommend to friends Visit again

Quiet site in lovely lake setting ideal for those who love walking.

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
9
Value for money
8
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
No rating
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
8
Wifi
8
Audrey G.

Primitive grass campervan, tent or trailer tent campsite

Liked Spacious pitches with fire baskets available. Wood on sale on site. Nice set up next to little lake. Basic, but sufficient toilets and showers. Lots of footpaths from the site through the rolling countryside. Short walking distance to pub, 3.5-4 miles to Charmouth and 2.5 miles to Chideock.

Disliked Some pitches on a bit of a slope and, although not essential, electric would be icing on the cake.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Peaceful secret winter camp

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
9
Value for money
10
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
9
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
No rating
Wifi
10
Caro B.

Primitive grass campervan, tent or trailer tent campsite

Liked Peaceful, cute little site with trees around and a little lake. Proper dark skies (I saw a shooting star!). Very reasonable facilities for it's size - I'm a pretty low-maintenance camper, so I had everything I needed. The lighting wasn't on/working, but it was a quiet weekday in February, and it did mean I got to enjoy the dark skies!

Disliked I booked online and saw no one at all during my stay. It was kinda fun having the site to myself, but it did feel slightly weird - I did wonder if it was actually open, or if I had the wrong place! I think this was more noticeable for me as I was on my own so text or a hello would've felt more comfortable. Small gripe though, and I'll definitely come again!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent, welcoming site, clean and well maintained, great location.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
8
Noelle B.

Badger's Retreat shepherd's hut (ensuite)

Liked Second time we have stayed in Badgers Retreat and it was very quiet, cosy and comfortable with everything we needed to relax. It is well situated to visit the beautiful Dorset coast in a pretty little village with great pub. We could lie in bed and see the ducks in the pond and beautiful sunsets over the trees. A great site for perfect break.

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Peaceful getaway

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
April H.

Badger's Retreat shepherd's hut (ensuite)

Liked Love Hobby Farm , peaceful and serene , stayed in both Badgers and Fox shepherds huts equally lovely in their own way, will be back soon x

Disliked Nothing to dislike

Recommend to friends Visit again

Amazing place to stay

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
10
April H.

Fox's Den shepherd's hut (ensuite)

Liked Absolutely loved this place, very peaceful with lovely views, the shepherds hut is really cosy and I slept well it's a comfy bed, there's an enclosed area around the hut perfect for the dog mine had a great time doing zoomies, the lake is cool with ducks nice to see in the morning having a cuppa, I will be back soon 😀

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

A nice peaceful campsite. I was…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Rachel G.

Primitive grass campervan, tent or trailer tent campsite

Liked A nice peaceful campsite. I was looking to test out my Tentbox out in winter conditions and this overnight was perfect. I survived the -3 degrees. Nice, clean facilities. It had all I needed. Lovely views for a sunset, sunrise too

Recommend to friends Visit again

The lack of rules. The space The loos…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Amanda S.

Primitive grass campervan, tent or trailer tent campsite

Liked The lack of rules.
The space
The loos and showers and washing up stuff, clean and well kept
Availability of logs

Disliked Couldn’t see numbers on pitches

Recommend to friends Visit again

Gorgeous location! Had hot showers and…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
9
Wifi
9
Anonymous

Primitive grass campervan, tent or trailer tent campsite

Liked Gorgeous location! Had hot showers and taps even in -1° temperatures. All for a really reasonable price.

Recommend to friends Visit again

The scenery, the secluded pitch, the…

Overall

7 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
6
Customer service
8
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
8
Wifi
No rating
Marion H.

Primitive grass campervan, tent or trailer tent campsite

Liked The scenery, the secluded pitch, the space

Disliked I suggest you improve the signage to the camp site - we drove past. Also, please label the drinking water - we were not sure if the tap was drinking water or not. One of the showers did not have hot water.

Recommend to friends Visit again


Features

Leisure on park

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Playground Recreation room/arcade TV room Takeout Tennis Watersports

Amenities on park

Bath available Car parking by site/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Free wifi Grocery store Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundromat Parent & baby washroom Payphone Pick-up from public transport Picnic table Portable toilet Pub toilets Restrooms Shower available Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Adults only Barbecue grills allowed Barbecue provided Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Themes

Budget/backpacker Forest Hikers’ paradise Lake and/or mountain Luxury Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Dump station Electric car charging point(s) Propane/gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Convenience store nearby Dog walk nearby Nearby farmers' market

Type

Farm Small (11-25 sites)

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horseback riding nearby Indoor pool nearby Leisure/theme park nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby Tennis nearby Watersports nearby

Location

Hobby Farm

Whitchurch Canonicorum

Bridport

Dorset

England

DT6 6RJ

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London GMT (GMT+00:00)

GPS

50.75551°N
2.84665°W

Route directions

Coming along Blunts Road from Ryall, pass Hobby Farm (the equestrian stables) and look for the next turning on the right to find the site. It's better to use the Google Maps location for Hobby Farm Holidays to find the exact spot rather than using the postcode. If coming from the A303 and Crewkerne, after Bettiscombe, your satnav may suggest going down a bridleway to Mandeville Stoke Farm. Don't take this turning but carry straight on instead.

Nearest transport

Coach
6.4 km Coach Station
25.9 km Yeovil Bus Station
29.3 km South Station
Rail
11.5 km Axminster Rail Station
14 km Crewkerne Rail Station
19.7 km Maiden Newton Rail Station
Ferry
32.5 km Weymouth Ferry Terminal
43.6 km Exmouth Ferry Landing
44.3 km Bridgwater Ferry Terminal
Airport
40.3 km Exeter International Airport

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

Book as much time as you can off work, as this area’s brimming with things to do. Quirky times can be had at Lyme Regis’ crazy golf course on the promenade, while boat trips are available from West Bay to see beaches from a watery vantage point. Meanwhile, museums like Dinosaurland Fossil (15 minutes' drive) will school you on what puts the Jurassic into the Jurassic Coast. For country houses with a twist, former Cistercian monastery Forde Abbey is a 20-minute drive or you can journey an hour into the countryside past Yeovil for Sherborne Castle. Car enthusiasts can have a gander at the Haynes Motor Museum near this 16th-century Tudor mansion, some 50 minutes from Hobby Farm. Back towards the coast, town times are top in Sidmouth, 40 minutes east by car, with its Regency houses, botanical gardens and donkey sanctuary. Heading in the other direction will take you to the Hardy Monument on Black Down within 35 minutes for views of the West Dorset Heritage Coast from way up high.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Seatown 4 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Charmouth West 4.7 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentGood
Eypemouth 6.2 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Lyme Regis Front Beach 7.4 km Sea N/AGoodGoodN/A
West Bay (West) 7.5 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Mapperton House & Gardens 10.7 km

Abbotsbury Swannery 20.4 km

Montacute House 23.7 km

Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site 29.1 km

Radipole Lake Nature Reserve 31.4 km

National Trust

Shute Barton 15.3 km

Loughwood Meeting House 15.4 km

Branscombe: the Old Bakery, Manor Mill and Forge 21.7 km

Barrington Court 22.9 km

Montacute House 23.6 km

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

Langdon Hill - Golden Cap - Langdon Hill 2.6 km

North Chideock - Symondsbury and More. 2.7 km

Fishpond Bottom - Wootton Fitzpaine and River Char 4 km

Seatown - Golden Cap - Ridge Barn - Stanton St Gab 4 km

Champernhayes - Monkton Wyld - Wootton Fitzpaine 5.2 km

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Offers

Lodge, cabin, pod or hut
Badger's Retreat shepherd's hut (ensuite)
  • 15% off 15% discount (3-night stay)
  • 20% off 20% discount (4-night stay)
  • 25% off 25% discount (7-night stay)
Lodge, cabin, pod or hut
Fox's Den shepherd's hut (ensuite)
  • 10% off 10% discount (3-night stay)
  • 15% off 15% discount (4-night stay)
  • 25% off 25% discount (7-night stay)

Conditions apply - see pitch type section for details

Want to know more about camping in Dorset?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Hobby Farm have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Hobby Farm dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Hobby Farm? Book as much time as you can off work, as this area’s brimming with things to do. Quirky times can be had at Lyme Regis’ crazy golf course on the promenade, while … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Hobby Farm?
    RV, travel trailer and tent sites
    Arrive:  noon –  8 p.m.
    Depart by:  noon
    On-park accommodation
    Arrive:  3 p.m. –  8 p.m.
    Depart by:  10 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Hobby Farm? From $32.91 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.