December 2011.

We are delighted to announce that we are embarking on various upgrades to our camping facilities, to be completed in time for the 2012 season. These include three new luxury tents, a shepherd's hut and improved facilities for the existing bell tents. Our planned opening date is 23rd April but it may be earlier - this is to be confirmed as the work schedule becomes clearer.

To be among the first to hear of new developments and dates, please sign up to our newsletter. Please bear in mind that the photographs on this page are, necessarily, from last season.

 

Camping With Us

Our aim is to provide a high quality luxury camping experience for people keen on woodland craft, people coming on courses or people simply looking for a peaceful break in uncrowded, quiet woodland.

All of our accommodation features king sized beds provided with linen, towels etc, to ensure an unforgettable - and comfortable - night's sleep. We strive to make all the associated facilities a similarly high quality too - from our sauna-in-a-yurt to having wi-fi in the kitchen and communal yurt.

The Woodland Workshop is a unique private woodland area that many of our visitors have described as idyllic. It's tranquil and uncrowded and very near to the Jurassic Coast 'World Heritage Site'. We're nestling in the glorious West Dorset countryside and just a stone's throw from East Devon and South Somerset too!

We hope the sections below will contain all the information you need but don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

The Accommodation
Communal Facilities
Things For Sale
Things To Do
Staying With Children
Course Days
Things And Dates To Note
Booking Details And Prices
Terms and Conditions
Group/Site Bookings
The Tents And Their Names

 

The Accommodation

We have three bell tents, Bodkin, Fipple and Twybil. For 2012 we have two new tents - a yurt called Poppet and a tipi called Hoppus and (ready for later in the year) there will be another new yurt called Coracle and a new shepherd's hut called Bodger. (Note: if you've stayed in tents called Poppet or Hoppus before, these have been completely replaced and relocated for 2012.)

All our accommodation features a king-sized bed provided with bed linen, duvets, pillows and towels.

Outside each of the tents and the shepherd's hut, there is a fire pit and BBQ, Kelly Kettle for boiling water and rustic wooden dining table with logs to sit on. Also included:

• cold box and ice packs
• BBQ tool kit
• lighter
• torch,
• First Aid kit
• fire extinguisher
• deck chairs
• hammock
• electricity point
• wood burner
• hot water bottles

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Communal Facilities

Everyone enjoying our luxury camping facilities also has -

• our wonderful woven willow shower, washing and (flushing) toilet facilities.
• use of the Woodland Kitchen. This has gas rings, an oven, hot water and a washing-up sink, a hand-washing sink, cold mains-fed drinking water, cutlery, crockery, tea cups and glasses and cooking utensils and recycling, compost and landfill dustbins.
• use of our 'sauna-in-a-yurt'.
• use of a pizza oven - you can't beat a freshly made pizza!
• use of a freezer for cold packs.
• use of our now legendary woven willow hot shower and, of course, our environmentally friendly grass-topped toilet block with flushing loos.
• use of a central communal yurt, which has sofas, a fire and a range of games, a library of green woodworking and craft books and a library of craft DVDs, along with local information (and our shop).

In addition:

• we supply biodegradable washing up liquid, shower soap and shampoo. If you would prefer to use your own please make sure that it is biodegradable.
• campers can help themselves to complimentary Dorset Cereals - the perfect start to a day in the woods (please bring your own milk).
• there is also a supply of free complimentary Clipper teas, infusions, coffee and hot chocolate.
• there is wi-fi in the Woodland Kitchen area but my advice is leave well alone and have a proper escape from the world outside!

All you really need to bring are clothes, a toothbrush, some milk and food, your toiletries and - given that it's England - a pair of wellies to be on the safe side.

If you're arriving late a torch is a good idea, and also some food for the first night. For all your other meals, there are some really excellent food producers and shops nearby - full information about them all is available in the communal yurt, along with local restaurants and pubs. You certainly don't need to worry about bringing a whole load of food with you.

The lake in the woods is stocked with rainbow trout, so if you fancy catching and cooking your own meal, bring your rod and rod licence! (Alternatively, you can buy a rod from the seaside towns of Lyme Regis or Bridport and a licence from nearby Thorncombe Post Office.)

The camping area also has a very tranquil circular woodland walk.

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Things For Sale

There is a village shop in Thorncombe and Spar about 10 minutes away; further afield, Chard, Lyme Regis and Axminster are just five-eight miles away and Bridport is about 16 - all have restaurants, local producers' shops and the usual supermarkets just in case. The River Cottage Canteen and produce store in Axminster is a particular favourite with guests.

We are able to take credit/debit card payment in the woods as well as cash and we have various things for sale on site:

• One-to-one, one-to-two, one-to-three and one-to-four green woodworking 'taster' sessions.
• Firewood.
• Locally made charcoal for BBQs and the pizza oven.
• The excellent Opinel range of pen knives.
• Head torches.
• Zippo Lighters.
• Various craft tools.
• Portable fire-pits (as used on site).
• Kelly Kettles (as used on site).

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Things To Do

We are very close to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and there is no shortage of things to do in the area. We are also very well provided-for with excellent places to dine. Please see our 'Things To Do' page for some suggestions and further links - and do remember to book up in advance for many of the things we mention as places are often limited and do sell-out.

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Staying With Children

The Woodland Workshop is primarily designed for adults and peace and tranquility is very much part of the experience. To try and strike the right balance between preserving this and offering family holidays, for 2012 we have decided to offer adults-only camping except for three family weeks - two half-terms and one week towards the end of the summer holidays.

The rest of the time we are adults-only, with the exception being when a group of friends books the entire site. On these occasions (and family weeks) children can be accommodated on single camping mattresses for an additional £10 per child per night.

IMPORTANT: while there is no minimum age for children during our family weeks or when the entire site is booked by a group, we must emphasize that the site is designed for and is primarily suitable for adults. There are many hazards such as an unfenced pond, boggy ditches and open fires, and therefore we strongly recommend that families with young children carefully consider this before booking as it will be necessary to attend small children at all times.

If you are staying with children, then the tents have room for one, two or in Hoppus' case three additional single camping mattresses, which can be provided for children to use. These come with a pillow and a towel - please bring a suitable sleeping bag.

(Bodger, the shepherd's hut, isn't suitable for children's camping mattresses.)

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Course Days

Do be aware that on course days up to 10 guests will be attending a course in the Woodland Workshop. Lunch for the course attendees will be being prepared all morning on site and therefore the kitchen will be unavailable from 9.30 to 5.00 each course day. Non camping course attendees leave the site in the evenings, others will be staying.

In 2012 courses are running on the following dates:

April 23-27 (Chair Making)
May 3-4 (Bowl Carving)
May 10-11 (Pole Lathe Turning)
June 11-12 (Bowl Carving)
June 18-22 (Chair Making)
June 28-28 (Pole Lathe Turning)
September 6-7 (Totem Pole Carving)
September 10-14 (Chair Making)
September 20-21 (Pole Lathe Turning)
September 27-28 Bowl Carving)
October 4-5 (Spoon carving)

We run one-to-one, one-to-two, one-to-three and one-to-four green woodwork 'taster' courses as well as our regular two and five day courses. The one-day sessions run from 10.00-16.00 each weekday and really add something special to a stay with us. See 'Course Details' for more information. ('Taster' courses do not involve use of the kitchen facilities.)

If you have previously attended a course, or after attending one of our 'taster' courses, all 'Crafty Campers' can then have access to all of our craft tools and equipment, whether in a bodger's shelter or in the main Woodland Workshop. Tool / equipment / shelter rental is £60 per day.

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Things And Dates To Note

The 2012 Olympics includes events at Weymouth, just one hour away. From 27 July-12 August there's Olympic sailing and from 29 August-9 September it's Paralympics sailing.

From 26 May-10 June is 'Dorset Art Weeks'. During this event the Woodland Workshop (including our 'pop up' pizza restaurant in the kitchen) is open to the public. Campers should be aware that there will be people coming and going and relaxing by the pond from 10.00 to 5.00 each day. The kitchen will be available for campers in the mornings up to 9.30 and after 5.30 in the usual way. The camping areas will be cordoned off and remain private. There are no courses (including taster courses) during this period.

Unfortunately we cannot accept dogs with campers or course guests - sorry. The woods are full of pheasants and deer!

In order to maintain the atmosphere and look of the Woodland Workshop we do not allow additional tents or camper vans in the woods.

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Booking Details, Dates And Prices

Bookings are available in blocks as follows:

• 4.00pm Monday - 10.00am Wednesday,
• 4.00pm Wednesday - 10.00am Friday, or
• 4.00pm Friday - 10.00am Monday,

or, of course, any longer period created by joining these blocks together.

All accommodation must be booked in advance as spaces are strictly limited and we can only allocate on a first come - first served basis. Contact us via email or phone (office hours, 01460 221 102 ) to check availability in the first instance. Payment in full for accommodation is by credit/debit card on booking.

Prices vary according to the date and are per tent per night:

• Apr 23-29 (Low): Bell tents: £70. All other tents/the shepherd's hut: £100
• Apr 30-May 31 (Mid): Bell tents: £80. All other tents/the shepherd's hut: £110
• Jun 01-Jun 10 (Family Week)(High): Bell tents: £90. All other tents/the shepherd's hut: £125
• Jun 11-Jul 01 (Mid): Bell tents: £80. All other tents/the shepherd's hut: £110
• Jul 02-Aug 21 (High): Bell tents: £90. All other tents/the shepherd's hut: £125
• Aug 22-Aug 28 (Family Week)(High): Bell tents: £90. All other tents/the shepherd's hut: £125
• Aug 29-Sep 09: Bell tents (High): £90. All other tents/the shepherd's hut: £125
• Sep 10-Oct 25: Bell tents (Low): £70. All other tents/the shepherd's hut: £100
• Oct 26 - Nov 04 (Family Week)(Mid): Bell tents: £80. All other tents/the shepherd's hut: £110
• Nov 05-25 (Low): Bell tents: £70. All other tents/the shepherd's hut: £100

Tuition can also been booked in advance and this is particularly advisable if you would like one-to-one tuition.

Tuition costs £250 per day. This can be purchased by one person, a group of two, a group of three or a group of four - with the cost split accordingly.

To hire a bodger's shelter for your personal use is £60 per day. This price includes use of a pole lathe, shaving horse, raw materials (within reason), drawknives, gouges, chisels, carving knives, spokeshaves, froes ... and an extensive first aid kit!

On booking you will be sent an arrival pack for what we think of as a DIY-check-in! Because of the many commitments we have with running courses, collecting materials and day-to-day family life we are not usually available to 'check people in'. Your welcome pack includes a map and directions of how and where to go to settle in.

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Terms And Conditions

Our full terms and conditions are available for download via the link below. These include details about cancellations, so we do urge you to read them!

Terms and Conditions

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Group/Site Bookings

Unless otherwise booked, the Woodland Workshop's accommodation facilities are also available for hire as an entire site. In these instances, of course, we can also allow children. The prices are:

• Apr 23-29: two nights: £1,220; three nights £1,830.
• Apr 30-May 31: two nights: £1,360; three nights £2,040.
• Jun 01-Jun 10: two nights: £1,540; three nights £2,310.
• Jun 11-Jul 01: two nights: £1,360; three nights £2,040.
• Jul 02-Sep 09: two nights: £1,540; three nights £2,310.
• Sep 10-Oct 25: two nights: £1,220; three nights £1,830.
• Oct 26-Nov 04: two nights: £1,360; three nights £2,040.
• Nov 05-25: two nights: £1,220; three nights £1,830.

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The Tents And The Shepherd's Hut, And Their Names

HOPPUS. A 24ft tipi positioned in the woods below the fishing pond, with a central fire, a king-sized bed and room for up to three additional children's camping mattresses. (A Hoppus is a traditional measurement of the volume of logs prior to being converted into square sections.)

POPPET. An 18ft yurt with a king-sized bed (and room for up to two additional, camping mattresses) situated in a clearing in the woods above the fishing pond. (A Poppet is the head and tailstock of a pole lathe, between which the work spins. In America they are referred to as puppets.)

FIPPLE. A 5M bell tent with a king-sized bed and room for up to two additional camping mattresses, located at the bottom of the wood by the ancient boundary of old trees, with a private eating/sitting area under an old willow. (A Fipple is the plug in a whistle that creates the constricted airflow required to make a whistle work.)

BODKIN. A 5M bell tent with a king-sized bed and room for up to two additional camping mattresses, under a large oak with a large level private grassed eating/relaxing area looking out into the woods. (A Bodkin is a round tapered rod with a wooden handle for opening up willow basket weave so that a rod can be inserted.)

TWYBIL. A 5M bell tent with a king-sized bed and room for up to two additional camping mattresses. Twybil is surrounded by trees with a clearing for the oak table and brazier overlooking the pond and a Bodger's shelter. (A Twybil is a T shaped gate-making and timber-framing morticing tool, with axe and chisel like blades to lever out the wood.)

To view a photo gallery showing the 2011 tents, their settings and the facilities, please click here:

» View Gallery

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