Spring News from Dorset Camper - Events, excitement and things to do

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Camping, caravans, motorhomes and getting out and about in Dorset

Bagwell Farm Touring Park, Chickerell, Weymouth

DORSET - THE GREAT ‘STAYCATION’ DESTINATION

Spring 2010

With more people than ever predicted to holiday in the UK this year, Dorset could be the ideal “staycation” destination for you.

Sea Barn, West Fleet and Bagwell Farms are all gearing-up for the new camping and caravanning season. And local visitor attractions are too.

Over the winter months, despite tricky weather conditions, the parks have been getting to grips with improvements and renovations, including resurfacing the roadways leading to the newly completed “Super Pitches” at Bagwell. Caravanners and motor-homers who haven’t already tried them will find these new hard-standings come complete with water, drainage, 16 amp electric and TV points.

At Sea Barn Farm, several of the hedges have been re-“laid” using traditional techniques. This will help ensure they continue to grow and provide shelter for campers and wildlife alike. There has also been some additional tree planting and fences have been remade around the outside of the park to help protect the hedges and to re-emphasise the boundaries between the park and farmland owned by others.

If weather conditions allow it is also hoped that additional electric hook-ups will be provided at Sea Barn during the next couple of months, ready for the main season.

At West Fleet, the “Bar in the Barn” has yet to be renovated. Responses to last summer’s customer-survey came as something of a surprise, with the majority of those who responded expressing affection for the “old place” and concern that any changes should seek to keep or build on “The Bar in the Barn’s” unique character. Mulling over these responses and trying to match modern necessities with the quirky and accidental “design features” of the existing Bar and Barn is a challenge. And one West Fleet doesn’t want to get wrong! So watch this space!

WHAT’S ON?

Dorset is a great place to get away from it all - and campers and caravanners aren’t the only ones to come here for a break.

This winter’s cold snap has brought masses of waterfowl, waders and other wild birds to the Fleet Lagoon and surrounding countryside. The South West Coast path and other public paths in the area have been rich with “birders” eager to study the array of species seeking respite from colder conditions further North and East. But you don’t need to be a seasoned watcher to enjoy wild life watching along the Fleet. In winter and early spring anyone walking along the Fleet shore is likely to see a variety of species with the naked-eye, making the next few months an especially good time to visit for budding-birders. Bagwell Farm is open throughout the year but, if you want to stay at Sea Barn or West Fleet, you’ll need to wait until March!

The coast and its wildlife is just one of the natural attractions for visitors to Dorset. But there are plenty of man-made attractions too. Many with something new to offer in 2010.

Weymouth’s Sea Life Centre is in the process of redeveloping and restocking some of its biggest exhibition tanks for 2010 with the “Shark Nursery” being made ready for new arrivals and rescued turtles joining other regulars at this magnificent and fun attraction (don’t forget visitors get huge discounts on Sea Life tickets pre-booked at the camping park shops at Sea Barn, West Fleet and Bagwell).

At the Bovington Tank Museum, along with the new exhibition hall and the ever-popular tanks in action arena, 2010 sees the return of TankFest (26-27 June). Others with military interests may also want to hop over the border into Somerset to see the new exhibition at the Fleet Air Arm Museum.

And then there are the Swans at Abbotsbury, the Monkeys at Monkey World and a host of other places and attractions to visit...some for free!

HOLIDAY LETS...

Bookings are coming in steadily for the holiday lets at Sea Barn Farm. Dates are still available for both the Caravan and the Bungalow throughout the year, but key dates are selling quickly. For more details visit www.seabarnholidays.com!

UPTON GLEN

Luxury Park Homes are still available for those looking for a place to live on the Dorset Coast. Ideal for those looking for a rural hideaway to enjoy their retirement.

LOOKING AHEAD

We know many of our customers come to Dorset for some of the special events held in the area. Weymouth Carnival is a perennial favourite at this year will be held on 18 August, with a host of other events throughout the week.

Looking further ahead the massive Great Dorset Steam Fair will be held in the first week of September - if you’ve never been it’s not to be missed!

...AND FINALLY

Are you one of millions of people who follow the horses? If so, did you know that Sea Barn Farm, as well as being home to a beautiful camping park, is also the home of Sea Barn Racing stables? To find out more, why not take a look at Sea Barn Racing’s new web site!