South Lytchett Manor Glamping

• Sleeps: 2 (+2) per unit
• Bedrooms: Open plan
• Bathrooms: Communal
• Minimum stay: Varies

A multi-award-winning site, South Lytchett Manor is beautifully positioned close to the shimmering Dorset coastline, for a glamping escape filled with blissful relaxation and scenic wonder.

Rich in intriguing history (the manor house itself is believed to have been connected with saving members of the French Revolution from the guillotine) there’s also plenty of lush green space to explore, diverse wildlife to spot, and an abundance of five-star facilities that make holiday life a breeze.

Where will you choose to stay? Take your pick. The traditional bow-top Romany Caravans (2 adults and 2 children, some dog-friendly) offer an effortlessly elegant way to unwind; built by a master craftsman and boasting ornate hand-painted exteriors and insulated oak floors, for snuggly evenings in front of the TV.

Though if the sun is shining, cradle a sundowner out on your private decking and revel in the timeless beauty of your surroundings… both inside and out.

Ideal for a couples’ getaway (though two young children are welcome to join you, as well as your best four-legged friend), the colourful, hand-built Shepherd Huts are styled and furnished for comfort, with plenty of soft fabrics and plump cushions.

There’s a kitchenette for whipping up tasty snacks from fresh Dorset produce, and a coffee machine to charge your mornings… that is, if you don’t feel like visiting the friendly on-site café for a fresh pastry and a barista-crafted brew!

The bespoke, hand-built Glamping Pods meanwhile, are a perfect base for small families (some are dog-friendly, too) looking for a fun-filled stay in the Great Outdoors. Set close to the eco-friendly children’s play area, you’ll have toasty underfloor heating and a double and twin beds to curl up in after a hard day’s adventure.

At a glance

• A selection of hand-crafted glamping retreats for couples and small families of 2 adults and 2 children, secluded on a historic and award-winning site that’s close to the Dorset coast.
• Some retreats are also dog-friendly (an additional charge applies).
• Retreats include Romany Caravans, Shepherd Huts, Glamping Pods, and Stargazing Yurts (available from late March 2024)
• On-site facilities include award-winning amenities blocks, a shop, off-licence and café/bakery, a laundry, and an eco-friendly children’s play area. Bike hire is also available.
• The beaches at Bournemouth and Poole are close by, and there are excellent pubs (and a hot breakfast-serving café!) in walking distance.

Features

• Dog Friendly
• Family Friendly
• Seaside Breaks

More information

Brand-new for 2024, the Stargazing Yurts are based on a traditional Kyrgyzstani design, locally crafted from sustainable ash hardwood with luxurious Moroccan-inspired furnishings for a welcome sense of luxury.

Sleeping up to four guests (some are also dog-friendly), each yurt also features indulgent mood-lighting, intricate tapestry walling, and a gas-controllable log burner to help set the perfect holiday scene.

On site you will find a wealth of facilities, from the aforementioned café and bakery and dedicated space for outdoor games, to a shimmering woodland pond area that’s teeming with ducks and wildlife. There’s also a dedicated laundry, award-winning heated amenities blocks, a fully-stocked shop and off-licence, and an information hut dedicated to brilliant ideas for local days out.

Hire bicycles from reception and whizz through the dedicated, mostly off-road cycling tracks, or take a stroll to one of the excellent local pubs (tip: St. Peter’s Finger is dog-friendly, just 10 minutes’ walk from the site, and offers a free bottle of wine with two main courses). You could also plan an energising day out by the seaside. As luck would have it, both Bournemouth and Poole – where you’ll find Sandbanks, aka Britain’s best beach – are ridiculously close by, as is the bus stop if you’d rather leave your car behind.

You could also go fossil-hunting along the breath-taking UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast, before heading back to South Lytchett Manor to catch the latest of Dorset’s incredible sunsets.

Things to note

You will need to bring your own bedding, towels, cutlery and crockery. Glamping Pods are disability accessible – contact for more details. Stargazing Yurts can be booked from late March – early November.