At Burnbake in Dorset, every day is a holiday, but this summer promises to be a landmark occasion for General Manager Zoe Woodberry, Deputy Manager James Mills and their team as they prepare to celebrate its 50th anniversary over the summer holidays.
How Burnbake began…
Burnbake’s story first started in 1975, when founder Philippa Ryder had an idea to create a campsite on a patch of sun-baked heathland on the sprawling Rempstone Estate, halfway between the historic Corfe Castle and Studland in Dorset. Created to supplement the income from the estate’s farm, the campsite has since grown to become one of Dorset’s most cherished holiday hideaways.
“Back then, the farm wasn’t making a huge amount, and the estate wasn’t either,” Phillippa recalls. “This area wasn’t suitable for farming, but it was in the perfect location.”
Her vision was simple, but radical: to reconnect people to nature. The campsite had no electricity, just a water pipe and a few chemical toilets. The first guests were attracted by hand-painted signs and word of mouth.
“We had signs at the top of the road and one down near Corfe Castle until the council said, ‘Oh, you can’t put that there’. But we’d already had it there for a summer before they caught up with me,” Phillipa remembers with a smile.
Recognising the need to modernise, Phillippa Ryder was joined by business partner Tim Bircham in the late 70s. The first proper toilet block came in 1981, followed by a shop stocked with milk, bread and ice packs. Throughout this period, Philippa was a constant presence, often with a child in tow.
Burnbake today…
Fast-forward half a century and Burnbake has continued to evolve without losing its original ethos. The site has expanded to include 22 luxury forest lodges, including seven dog-friendly cabins, safari tents that offer a luxurious twist on the original camping plots, 3 bell tents and the recently restored Rempstone Farmhouse provides a premium option for up to eight guests. The site remains a sanctuary for multi-generational family holidays, with exceptional customer service still firmly at the heart of Burnbake’s offer.
At 80, Philippa still carries the same fire. She’s an entrepreneur, a mother, a sailor, a gardener and a quiet force who defied expectations at a time when few women dared to lead. Burnbake’s golden anniversary isn’t just a milestone – it’s a celebration of her courage to build a legacy, rooted in resilience and wrapped in wild beauty.
To mark Burnbake’s Golden Jubilee, Zoe, James and their team are planning a series of nostalgic moments throughout the summer of 2025 that honour the holiday park’s roots and invite previous guests to celebrate with them.
Highlights will include a full website takeover themed around Burnbake’s 1975 beginnings, exciting competitions and limited – edition retro T-shirts.
They also plan to host a special anniversary party, encouraging guests to share in the memories and celebrate the timeless spirit of Burnbake that has welcomed generations of nature lovers for half a century.
Here’s to the next 50 years of Burnbake wonder.
