Meet Ellen Kingston, who runs Coppet Hill Glamping with her sister Pippa and parents George and Amanda. Surrounded by Dorset’s most magnificent hills, the 600-acre farm site boasts peaceful, private havens for couples and small families, surrounded by wildlife and golden sunflowers.
What first inspired you to create Coppet Hill as a retreat?
In 2021 my parents made the difficult decision to move out of dairy farming and explore a new more environmental approach of managing the land. My sister Pippa and I, along with our parents quickly realised that we could use some of the land for unique camping and glamping that would work in synergy with this new conservational way of farming and utilise it to educate and support the community and local businesses.
Have you always been in hospitality? If not, what else did / do you do?
Gosh no, this is our first! Our farm was a dairy farm for nearly 70 years as well as a successful cheese and bacon producer which our parents were incredibly involved in from every angle; land manager, managing director and heads of sales. I ran the marketing for the bacon business and my sister, Pippa, was a Personal Assistant in London for nearly 15 years before we both decided to return to the farm and partner up with our parents. So we all bring something different and useful to the partnership.
What’s the best thing about being the owner of Coppet Hill?
Where to begin! The stunning views we have all year round, the range of guests and visitors who come to enjoy them with us in the summer months, but the top of the list is of course working with my family every day!
What’s your favourite feature of the retreat?
The numerous ponds and rich grass margins we have. Each one provides us with so much wildlife. From kingfishers and moorhens to hobbys and kestrels, they all survive on the rich wildlife that lives in these habitats.
What do you love about the local area?
The community. The support we have from our neighbours is wonderful. And that we can return this by selling locally made walking sticks in our small shop, or hosting the Duke of Edinburgh Awards group, or recommending the local pubs. We all help each other out.
What’s next for Coppet Hill?
We’re very excited to be putting outdoor wood fired baths in next to our two glamping landpods! And also to be adding a new camping pitch, but this one will have the tent fully set up for the whole season with two beds, a hot running shower and it’s own compost loo, hidden away next to a secret pond. Guests then bring all their camping equipment but without the stress of the tent!
If you couldn’t stay at your place, where would your ideal holiday be?
On a canal boat in the South of France! The wildlife, the food and the fun of the boat.
Sum up Coppet Hill in three words.
Peaceful, Nature, Secluded
If you were visiting, how would you spend a day at Coppet Hill?
Ooooh the fun! I would start by visiting the Purcombe Barn for a cup of tea and cake and to see what’s happening that day. If there was a tractor trailer tour I would definitely work my day around that! I would take a walk around the sunflowers and wild flower areas, or maybe follow one of the nature trails up the hill to the trigpoint to see the views of the Marshwood Vale and Lyme Regis. Then return to the Barn for a well earned ice cream and say hello to the pigs on my way out.
Find out more about Coppet Hill Glamping via their Host Unusual listing below!
