Visitor’s Guide
Award-Winning Glamping in a Stunning Location!
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Contents
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- Welcome
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- Location Map & Directions
Check in and Departures Green Glamping Staying here under canvas or tin Enjoying your Hot Tub BBQ Hut
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Fire Safety Hampers and Farm Produce Recipe Exploring the Area Local Shopping Places to Eat Walking Dark Skies
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Thank you for choosing to stay at
Dorset Forest Garden!
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Dorset Forest Garden Shepherd’s Huts are set in one of those rare locations of the UK where little of the 20th Century is visible despite its far-reaching views. This means super dark skies, an ideal spot for stargazing.
Each hut has its own unique style furnished with an eclectic mix of vintage furnishings to give a relaxed rustic country feel unique to each space.
We take the same care in our hampers. Whether homemade produce or from the best of local suppliers our aim is to do the leg work to give you the opportunity to sample from some of the best local artisan producers.
We feel a good holiday does not need to be at the expense of the environment. With all our electricity from renewable sources we are keen to give you a comfortable relaxed break without costing the planet.
The wider area has a lot to offer – West Dorset is a wonderful, unspoilt part of the country. There is so much here for foodies, art lovers, or anyone wanting to connect with nature. We are just a few miles from the Jurassic coast, if you wish to spend your days exploring the region then you’ll find loads to do, however it is worth making time to cook over an open fire, and just chill out off-grid in the forest garden!
Tracy and James
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Finding us…
If you search Google Maps for Dorset Forest Garden Glamping the pin will show you our exact location.
If you are finding us using Sat Nav our postcode is DT8 3SG. This will get you very close to our farm but you
may end up at another farm covered by the same postcode, Down Farm. With Down Farm on your right drive about 1/3 mile and you’ll reach a staggered crossroad. Take the left (sign posted to Maiden Newton). Dorset Forest Garden will be on your left in about đ mile, opposite Kitwhistle Farm.
If you find yourself in Beaminster, take the road in between the Red Lion and the hair salon and follow it for 1đ miles up a steep hill to the staggered crossroads, where you turn right (sign posted to Maiden Newton). Dorset Forest Garden will be on your left in about đ mile, opposite Kitwhistle Farm.
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Departure day
Check-in day
Check-out is by 10.30; before you leave, please make sure that all fires are extinguished and everything is as you found it, with
Check-in is any time after 3.30; please let us know your expected arrival time so we can plan around you. Also if we know your arrival time and you have everything washed up and put away. booked a hot tub we will
light it for you.
If you have broken anything please let me know; we won’t be cross but we do need to know.
If you are held up for any reason or get lost do let me know. My number is 07971 652501.
We also appreciate feedback, so tell us if there is something we could improve on or if there is anything you particularly liked.
On Arrival
Follow the track up the hill past the farmhouse on the left and the forest garden on the right and park in the yard at the very top.
Have a safe journey home and we hope to see you again.
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Green Glamping
We have been passionate about the environment for years. It led us to build our Eco home in 2008. It was pioneering in its use of passive solar in the UK at the time.
We have taken this same concern into the development of our glamping business here in beautiful Dorset.
What we’ve done:
All our electricity is green, either generated by us or from other renewable sources.
EV charging is available to our guests with electric vehicles.
We not only use local skilled crafts people, we also carefully source and restore vintage furniture for our accommodation.
Food Hampers contain local produce celebrating the wonderful producers we are so blessed to have around us.
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Green Glamping
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We produce our own handmade soaps using all natural ingredients and essential oils (which smell divine) . Environmentally friendly cleaning products like Ecover are provided for your use and are used during change over. Recycling containers and a food waste caddy are supplied for each accommodation to make it easy for you to sort your waste. We reinvest both in charities we support and in adding trees to the Forest Garden every year. Your visit helps this to happen.
You can make a difference:
Sort your waste as you go using the recycling containers provided. The wooden crate is for glass and the green bin is for other recycling (paper, cans and recyclable plastic). There is also a general bin in the car park for things that really can’t be recycled.
Think about the wood you’re burning - wood is a carbon store. We supply a generous quantity of kiln-dried wood by your hut, but if you wish to use more we sell additional loads.
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Green Glamping
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Fun carbon-neutral activities during your stay include:
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Stargazing; we recommend you download the SkyView app which highlights constellations planets and moons - it’s fascinating!
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Wildlife watching; we provide reference books and binoculars for your use. The bird feeders in the forest garden attract a wide range of birds – see which ones you can identify! A great bird watcher App we recommend is the eBird App. This also enables you to record the birds you see which is then available for educational and conservation use.
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Walking; there is an ordnance survey maps in your hut, and we’re happy to point you in the direction of doorstep walks like the Hardy Way and the Donkey Sanctuary.
Playing board games and cards, a range supplied in your hut.
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Staying here under canvas or tin
Essentials
Check in after 3.30 pm; Check out before 10.30 am. Free roaming of the fields is not possible due to the horses, but there are footpaths and woodlands you have free access to.
There is no smoking on the farm. The lighting includes LED lights, and candles for a nostalgic touch. The space is heated by a wood burner; please read the fire safety page. Bed linen and bath towels are provided; bring wellies, slippers, outdoor towels and torches.
Each accommodation has its own personal wood store with a generous wood supply. The prices for various extras are listed within your hut.
Wildlife & Recycling
Under your hut is a wooden crate for glass and a green bin for paper, cans, and hard plastic to recycle. Do not put general waste or leave food outside as it attracts the wildlife and is not good for them. All landfill waste can be placed in the metal bin in the car park.
It is lovely to learn about your wildlife or star spottings. Do share in your Visitor Book!
Entertainment
There is a walking map in your accommodation along with cards, board games, binoculars and a range of books. We highly recommend downloading the SkyView app to get the most of the stars in our dark skies.
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Staying here under canvas or tin
Artisan or Forager shepherd’s huts
Cooking
You have your own private fire bowl that can be cooked over. Inside your hut there is a table-top electric oven pot, an electric kettle, a kitchen sink with washing up liquid and tea towel, and there is a supply of oil, salt and pepper, tea and coffee. Crockery and cutlery are provided.
There is a fridge (with some freezer space) in the BBQ hut. You can cook in the BBQ hut. This requires charcoal rather than wood. We sell sacks of Dorset artisan-made charcoal; the prices for various extras are listed within your hut.
Ensuite Facilities
Your shepherd’s hut has ensuite shower
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Staying here under canvas or tin
and flushing toilet. We provide our own range of handmade soap, which is also a good body wash. Bring your own shower gel and shampoo.
Note that occasionally, due to water demand elsewhere, hot water might not be immediately available.
All your drains go to a special septic tank and so it is important for the health of this system to ensure you only flush your ablutions and loo paper down the loo. Never flush sanitary towels or other non-natural items.
The Astronomer Shepherd’s Hut
This is set in a young copse, separate from the forest garden. The shepherd’s hut has a panoramic glass window in the copper ceiling over the bed so you can enjoy the Milky Way on a clear night. People often tell us of shooting stars they have seen.
Cooking
To add to the luxury it has many additions within the hut and a private covered BBQ area for al-
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Staying here under canvas or tin
fresco cooking. Inside the hut there is a slow cooker, fridge, electric kettle, a kitchen sink with washing up liquid and tea towel, and there is a supply of oil, salt and pepper, tea and coffee. Crockery and cutlery are provided.
Ensuite facilities
Your shepherd’s hut has ensuite shower and flushing toilet. We provide our own range of handmade soap, which is also a good body wash. Bring your own shower gel and shampoo.
Note that occasionally, due to water demand elsewhere, water pressure may sometimes drop.
Your drains go to a septic tank and so it is important for the health of this system to ensure you only flush your ablutions and loo paper down the loo. Never flush sanitary towels or other non-natural items.
The Nomad Yurt
Cooking
You have your own private fire bowl that can be cooked over with pots and kettle provided. Outside there are washing up facilities with washing up liquid and tea towel, and inside there is a supply of oil, salt and pepper, tea and coffee. Crockery and cutlery are provided.
There is a fridge (with some freezer space) in the BBQ hut, together with an electric kettle. You can cook in the BBQ hut. This requires charcoal rather than wood. We sell sacks of Dorset artisan-made charcoal; the prices for various extras are listed within your yurt.
Ensuite facilities
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Staying here under canvas or tin
The yurt has a private ensuite with composting loo. This is a very good system and rest assured it has zero smell!
Beautifully scented, locally made soap is provided for the basin. Please bring your own shower gel.
Please note that occasionally, due to water demand elsewhere, hot water might not be immediately available.
It is important for the health of the compost loo to ensure only your ablutions and loo paper goes down the loo. Never deposit sanitary towels or other non-natural items in the compost loo.
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Hot Tub
If you are staying in a shepherd’s hut and have booked a hot tub it is freshly filled for your arrival. A wood fired stove in the side of the hot tub heats it. The Artisan and Forager larger hot tubs’ first heating takes approximately 3 hours from starting the fire until it’s toasty warm (be careful not to keep feeding it once up to temperature or it can get too hot!) – the Astronomer has a smaller hot tub which takes about 1đ hours to heat.
After this initial heating the water holds its temperature very well and so it only takes a small amount of heat for subsequent uses.
If you give us an idea of your arrival we will aim to start your tub heating for you.
Making the most of your hot tub
Do use after dark. It is fun to use at anytime, but on a clear night it’s a great place to star gaze.
Do shower ahead of taking a dip, and avoid soaps in the tub. This way it’s lovely for your next use.
Don’t leave the fire unattended or light it if the hot tub is empty.
Do use it to relax. The warm water helps to release endorphins that naturally reduce stress.
Do bring your own outdoor towels.
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BBQ Hut
(Available to Artisan, Forager & Nomad)
A fun part of glamping is cooking over a fire. Your firepit is just in front of your accommodation and inside your accommodation you’ll find a wooden box with outdoor cooking equipment for use either over the firepit or in the BBQ hut. You have your own personal supply of wood for your firepit and if you’ve never lit a fire before, we’re happy to show you how.
The BBQ hut is an idea from Scandinavia and a lovely place to cook whatever the weather. Above the door is a vent that needs to be opened before lighting and it is worth opening the back window and door.
Inside the BBQ hut there is a fridge with marked shelves for each accommodation. For the Nomad yurt this also has power points and an electric kettle you can use as the Nomad has no mains electricity.
Please Note: You need to use only charcoal in the BBQ hut (we sell bags of quality Dorset charcoal which is easy to light).
Make sure to clean everything after you’ve used it so it’s ready for the next time.
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Fire Safety
Lighting Fires
The wood burners have vents on the front. When lighting your fire slide the vent open and this will allow oxygen in. Place your fire lighter in the grate and light it (only one is needed to light a fire and takes the place of kindling), place two dry smaller pieces of wood over the top close together. This helps the fire draw.
Your accommodation comes equipped with a fire extinguisher for use in an emergency.
Dos & Dont’s
Do toast your marshmallow carefully over the fire until all gooey. Even better make up your S’mores welcome kit supplied on your arrival
Don’t over-stoke the fires otherwise it can be a fire hazard.
Do close the fire air vent when leaving it and pull the wood apart using the poker to help stop the fire. Keep water near by your fire pit just in case.
Don’t dry clothes near the fire.
Do keep the door on your wood burners closed.
Do attend your fire at all times when lit
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Hampers and Farm Produce
We offer a range of hampers that can be ordered ahead of your visit, using locally sourced contents such as delicious apple juice from a fruit farm just a few miles away and artisan cider a similar distance in the opposite direction, or eggs from our own free-range hens on the farm.
For our latest range of hampers, or other goodies look at: dorsetforestgardenglamping.co.uk/menu/farmshoppings/
There is also a range of Extras available at all times. These are listed in your huts.
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Recipes
Pot oven (Artisan or Forager)
All the heat is from the lid. Make sure the pot is sitting on its stand (it will get very hot) and when ready place the lid on the pot and switch it on. Handle the with care, putting down upside down when looking inside.
Method
Sausage casserole
Place the onion and sausages in the
Ingredients
pot close the lid and cook until the sausage starts to brown. Stir occasionally. Add the rest of the ingredients and
1 onion finely chopped 1tbsp oil 2 carrots , sliced 4 sausages, cut into slices 1 sweet potato , peeled and cut into chunks cook 1- 1.5 hrs, until cooked. tin tomatoes resh herbs
1 beef stock pot
Method
Baked Mushroom and cheese
Place all the ingredients in the pot
Ingredients
and cook 20-30minutes or until the mushrooms are soft.
3 tbsp oil 10 medium mushrooms, trimmed tub ricotta 1 tbsp pesto garlic cloves , finely chopped 15g freshly grated parmesan (or vegetarian alternative)
Slow Cooker (Astronomer)
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Recipes
Method
Slow-cooker pulled pork
Heat the slow cooker to high. Put the onions in the bottom of the slow cooker. Mix together the remaining ingredients and rub all over the pork then sit on top of the onions. Cook for 8 hours. Remove the pork and shred into chunks. Mix in 4-5 tbsp of cooking liquid from the slow cooker. Serve in buns.
Ingredients
1 onion finely chopped smoked paprika 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp garlic cloves , finely chopped salt 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1 tbsp red wine vinegar 1.5 tbsp tomato purée 1 tbsp soft light brown sugar 1 tbsp boneless pork shoulder 1.5kg, skin and excess fat removed
Method
Macaroni Cheese
Put the milk, all the cheeses, mustard powder, a generous pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper into a slow cooker. Stir well, then add the macaroni and mix again. Cook on low for 1 1/2- 2 1/2 hours until the pasta is cooked and the sauce is creamy. Stir in a splash of milk if the mixture is a little stiff.
Ingredients
0.5l milk 1/4 tsp english mustard powder 150 g mature Cheddar, grated 50 g cream cheese 200 g macaroni
Method
Fish Curry
Place all the ingredients into the slow cooker.
Ingredients
2 cloves garlic finely chopped 1.5cm piece of ginger, finely chopped 1 red chilli deseeded, finely chopped 1 tsp ground turmeric 300 ml coconut milk
Cook on low for 2-3hours. Check to cod is cooked through.
200 g cod loin cut into 2 cm cubes 50 g broccoli 100 g carrot
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Exploring the Area
Barrington Court NT
Houses and Gardens to visit
An atmospheric fragment of old Somerset: an empty Tudor manor house, beautifully restored in the 1920s, with farm buildings, abundant flowers and orchards.
Mapperton Gardens
Spectacular formal valley gardens beside Jacobean manor. Voted 'The Nation's Finest Manor House' by Country Life
Sherborne Castle and Gardens
Abbotsbury Sub-Tropical Gardens
16th-century castle with lavish furnishings and fine art plus huge gardens and a lake.
Sculpture by the Lake
The sculpture park of renowned sculptor Simon Gudgeon nestled in 26 acres at Pallington Lakes.
Voted by HHA Garden of the
Year 2012. “One of the finest Gardens I have ever visited” Alan Titchmarsh
Days Out
The Tank Museum
Montacute House NT
Located in Bovington, the museum of tanks and armoured fighting vehicles.
A masterpiece of Elizabethan Renaissance architecture and design, with towering walls of glass, glowing hamstone and surrounding garden.
Dorset Falconry Park
Over 100 birds of prey including Owls, Hawks, Eagles, Falcons and Vultures. Daily flying demos.
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