As you awake to the to the morning call of a chimpanzee or the screeching of golden-cheeked gibbons, you’d be forgiven for believing that you’ve woken up in some tropical South American rainforest. And as you unzip your tent, locking eyes upon your friendly neighbours – a pack of woolly alpacas – you’re now convinced you’re a million miles from home. Peru? Bolivia? Ecuador? In fact, you’re at Longthorns Farm, a relaxed 'back to nature' type of campsite close to Dorset’s glorious Jurassic coastline. And with so many sights and activities right on your doorstep, Longthorns is a great choice for those seeking a change of scenery. That’s assuming you don’t live next door to a family of golden-cheeked gibbons.
Life at Longthorns is wonderfully simple; there’s a relaxed, ‘pitch where you like’ approach on the site's large, well-maintained camping field, which is surrounded by fencing and lush woodland. For those seeking a touch of luxury, there’s four tipis, furnished in a luxurious way with futon beds, candles, cushions and other decorative items. Or, take yourself back to the days when shepherds lived in their huts amongst basic furnishings, and had a potbelly stove to cook and keep warm. Longthorn's four uncluttered shepherd's huts (which are open all year round) allows guests to experience cooking in the great outdoors, with a Dutch oven which hangs over your very own fire pit – perfect for sizzling those locally-sourced sausages you bought from the farm's honesty shop.
Not only can you stroll directly into Monkey World from Longthorns Farm to meet your noisy neighbours, you’re also perfectly positioned to access the famous Jurassic Coast. This remarkable stretch of crumbling coastline along the county’s southern tip is home to many of England’s most important fossil discoveries. Lyme Regis is a must for fledgling ammonite hunters, but to sample the classic British seaside, head to the coastal resorts of Weymouth (15 miles west) and Bournemouth (20 miles east), where vacationists have been strolling along the promenades for more than a century.
And after a busy day exploring Dorset’s many hidden treasures, guests can relax and toast marshmallows over the embers of a fire pit, whilst taking in that relaxed, “back to nature” atmosphere. Welcoming owners, Sally and Mark, arrived at Longthorns Farm fully aware of what a magical spot this is in ecological terms and were desperate to keep it that way, whilst still offering the functional facilities that makes camping comfortable. And we, for one, think they’ve succeeded.
