Peter Broach Friday 23rd November 2018 15:03 29488

Camping at Eweleaze

Every August we open Eweleaze Farm for tent camping for just 4 weeks.

The campsite is located in an area of outstanding natural beauty, making it quiet and secluded, and safe for children. There are extensive sea views from most parts of the site, and guests have the use of the of the private beach, which forms part of the farm.

The site covers several fields there is plenty of space even on busy weekends, and it is usually possible to choose your own pitch. Friends and families can camp in groups as they please, and parking by your tent is allowed on most of the fields. There is loads of room for kids to run around, fly kites, play ball games and the like.

Campfires are allowed, adding to the atmosphere and firewood is available to buy.

Please note this is a tent only campsite.

Facilities

Toilets - every field has toilets
Showers - there are free hot showers at six locations around the campsite
Solar Showers - in addition to the main showers, we have outside solar wash-off showers by the beach
Washing Up - washing up sinks with hot water are located around the site
Drinking Water - from stand pipes around the site
Laundry - drop off at the Booking Centre

Recycling Facilities - these are available at six locations
Ice Pack Exchange - this is available in the farmyard area
Camp Fires - these are allowed, firewood is available to buy in the new barn
Pets - are welcome both on-site and on the beach
Bicycles - the site covers a fairly large area, so some people bring bicycles to get around the site

Bell Tent Hire - luxury tents pitched in the most desirable spots on the site - book online

Retail & Catering
In the central farmyard area

Farm Shop - beef, lamb, pork, chicken, eggs, milk, cheese, bread, vegetables, beers, ciders, wines, gas, camping gear etc.
Bakery - a range of organic breads, rolls, baguettes and pittas
Patisserie - croissants, cakes, flapjacks, savouries
Hot Food & Salads - chips, pies, sausage rolls,jacket potatoes, filled baguettes, salad boxes
Ice Cream & Coffee Shop - ice creams, sorbets, milkshakes, ice, ice pack exchange, coffees, teas
Pizza Van - fresh made-to-order stone baked wood fired pizzas
Charcoal Grill - breakfast rolls, burgers, steaks, kebabs, pulled pork rolls
Juice Bar - smoothies, juices & more
Crepe Bar - fresh made to order filled sweet & savoury crepes
Barn Restaurant - candlelit restuarant in the old threshing barn

And near the dog pen:
Log Shop - firewood, kindling, hay bales, charcoal, gas cylinder exchange (907 / 904 / 4.5kg / 7kg etc)

On-Site Activities
Link to Activities Page

Hay Bale Play Areas - there are hay bale play areas for the kids around the farm
Petting Animals - we have tame goats, pigs, dogs, puppies, ponies, alpacas, cows etc for the children to see and touch
Dog & Puppy Petting/Handling - in the dog pen
Dog Walks - with the farm collies, several times a day starting from the dog pen
Guinea Pig & Rabbit Handling - several times a day, in the inner yard
Animal Petting - pony grooming, pony walking, goat & pig feeding
Sheep Shearing - on Saturday afternoons
Kids Crafts
Sandpit
Giant Chessboard

Massage & Therapeautic Spa - on-site, book treatments at the Booking Centre
Turkish Bath House - somewhere to unwind
Shepherd's Hut Sauna - like the Turkish Bath, there is no charge for this

Beach

The beach is a quiet, shingly cove running alongside the site and out to a rocky headland. The headland forms a sheltered area with rockpools which is good for snorkelling. The beach is clean and good for swimming. Fires and barbeques are allowed on the beach - some people catch their own supper...

Swim Raft - located off the beach, for more experienced swimmers
Fossil Hunting - this coastline forms part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, with an abundance of fossils about for those with the eye for them

Other local beaches include:

Ringstead Bay - this bay is 6km from Eweleaze, along a toll road, £5 including parking for the day.
Bowleaze Cove - popular with windsurfers, this beach is 6km from the site. Free on-road parking.
Weymouth - this is a long sandy beach with a typical English seaside theme. It does get busy in the season.

And for more try www.dorsetbeaches.co.uk

Local Area - print the guide

The South West Coast path runs along the edge of the fields by the beach, with walks to Osmington Mills, Ringstead, Durdle Door and Lulworth to the east and Weymouth and the Isle of Portland to the west.

Weymouth is 3.5 miles by car (walking 3 miles/50 mins), and has a sandy beach, a harbour and very good nightlife
Dorchester with its museums, market and other attractions is about 6 miles
Isle of Portland is worth a visit, with highlights including Portland Bill, the Verne Prison & Jailhouse Cafe, and Tout Sculpture Park among others

A good source of local info is the Visit Dorset website

Off-Site Activities
Link to Activities Page

Horse Riding - available at Rosewall Equestrian
Kayak Tours - available from Weymouth Outdoor Education Centre
Coasteering - available from Weymouth Outdoor Education Centre
Bicycle Hire - available from Jurassic Trails Cycle Hire

Local Shops - print the guide

The nearest shops are the Spar and Co-op located in Preston 2km down the road towards Weymouth.
In Weymouth itself there is a large range of shops, supermarkets and restaurants.
Dorchester is less hectic in the summer, and has more upmarket shops for crafts, gifts and antiques

Preston - 1.5km walk from Flat Field or 2km drive towards Weymouth - Spar with Post Office, Co-op (small) (cashpoints at both)
Overcombe Corner - 2.5 km towards Weymouth, on the roundabout - Charlbury Wine Store, Chemist
Littlemoor - 5km - Co-op (large), Chemist, Hardware shop, Newagents, Chinese takeaway
Dorchester Road, Weymouth - 8km, outskirts of Weymouth - Morrisons, Lidl, Tesco Express, Laundrette, Takeaways
Weymouth Centre - 8km - Asda, Iceland, Aldi, Tesco Express, Outdoor Store (camping equipment) etc.
Dorchester - 10km - Tesco superstore, Halfords, Waitrose, Co-op (Large), Great Western Camping etc.

Local Pubs & Cafes - print the guide

We have a number of good pubs and cafes within walking distance (1-3km) of the site. Of note are the Smugglers Inn at Osmington Mills, and the Oasis Cafe just west of Bowleaze Cove.

East along the coast path - Smugglers Inn, Osmington Mills (recommended)
West along the coast path - Oasis Cafe, Spyglass Inn
Preston via path from Flat Field - Spice Ship, Bridge Inn, and a little further the Springhead, Sutton Poyntz (newly renovated with recommended restaurant)
Weymouth - Floods, Vaughans, Oasis Bistro, Galley Bistro, Dining Room, Mallams, Enzos (Italian), Balti House and many others
Dorchester - Brewery Square, Sienna (Michelin, book!), La Caverna (Italian), Rajpoot (Indian) and others

For local food and drink the Visit Dorset website is very comprehensive

Fees for 2019

Adults
£9/night Sunday to Thursday nights, and
£18/night for Friday and Saturday nights (and Sunday of the bank holiday weekend)

Children, 3-14 inclusive
£4.50/night Sunday to Thursday nights, and
£9/night for Friday and Saturday nights (and Sunday of the bank holiday weekend)

Vehicles
Flat fee of £15 for each vehicle brought onto site for the stay

No charge for: Infants under 3, pets, extra tents, gazebos etc.

Booking System

How	- Bookings are taken exclusively by debit/credit card on the online booking system (link above right) - No bookings can be taken by phone or email
Deposit	- A 10% non-refundable deposit (min £10) is payable immediately on booking - You should receive a confirmation email with your booking reference
Changes	- Log on with your booking reference to make changes - Adjustments to dates or people can be made up until the balance is paid
Balance	- You must pay the balance at least 2 weeks before your stay otherwise your booking will cancel - We do not store card details so you must log back in to pay the balance - We send email reminders from 3 weeks before your stay - Note: No more changes are possible after the balance is paid