This summer, do yourself (and the planet) a favour and swap the flight and travel stress for a blissful, back-to-nature escape at Burnbake. There are no passports required, no last-minute taxis to the airport and no luggage weight worries – all you need to do is pack the car and make a beeline for Dorset’s spectacular Jurassic Coast. We’ve got a range of dog-friendly accommodation options to choose from, so you can bring your pet pals with you too!
Still feeling the FOMO? Here are just a few of the reasons why we think Burnbake has all the essential ingredients of an unforgettable holiday…
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Accommodation options for everyone
Whether you’re seeking a touch of luxury or a simple, back-to-basics getaway, we’ve got you covered. Hidden among the woods is our collection of two and three bedroom luxury forest lodges, each featuring fully furnished decking terraces with your own private bubbling hot tub. Inside, you’ll find a spacious, open-plan living area with cosy sofas, a well-equipped kitchen, stylish bathrooms and inviting bedrooms with comfy beds.
For those of you who want a home from home in the great outdoors, we’ve got our luxury safari tents for groups of four or six, which each come with a well-stocked kitchen, lounge and dining area, comfy bedrooms (with proper beds) and an outside deck.
Our three spacious bell tents in the Camp Field offer a more basic, but hassle-free, drive-up-and-drop-your-bags camping option, or you could book a pitch in one of our camping fields and bring your own tent for a holiday under the stars.
For larger groups, we’ve got our newly-refurbished, dog-friendly Rempstone Farmhouse, suitable for up to eight guests, sleeping six in the main farmhouse and two in a private log cabin, with private parking, gardens and a hot tub.
Stunning beaches
Seeking sun, sea, and sand? Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, named after the fossils and dinosaur bones found in its cliffs, is home to some of the UK’s best beaches. Just a short walk or cycle from Burnbake are the dunes and sheltered waters of Studland Bay. Alternatively, you could visit the nearby village of West Lulworth to take a dip at Lulworth Cove, a natural horseshoe bay, or take a walk along the coast to see the famous rock formation at Durdle Door. In the opposite direction is Sandbanks, a small peninsula crossing the mouth of Poole Harbour, with golden sands and some of Dorset’s most expensive real estate.
History and culture
Looking for a history fix during your days out? A visit to the mighty ruins of Corfe Castle, towering above the village below, is a must. Further inland at Bovington is The Tank Museum, where you can explore a collection of over 300 vehicles that saw action in all the major wars of the 20th Century and hear first-hand accounts from those who fought in them. A short drive west from Burnbake is the Museum of Jurassic Marine Life in Kimmeridge, with its displays of ancient sea creatures and fossils found along the Jurassic Coast. Or perhaps you’d prefer an old-fashioned steam train ride through beautiful scenery on the historic Swanage Railway?
You can also find plenty of historic treasures in the towns and villages surrounding Burnbake. These include Wareham, with its ancient town walls and ramparts, built by Alfred the Great in the 9th century to defend the town from the Danes, along with Tyneham village, which was abandoned in the Second World War and remains frozen in time.
Wildlife and nature
The Rempstone Estate is a natural haven, with a network of footpaths and cycling trails to explore, but for those of you looking to enjoy an encounter with the local wildlife, it’s possible to book a 4×4 driving tour with Purbeck Safari. Starting in Wareham, you’ll travel across the heathland of the Arne peninsula, home to rare birds of prey, including osprey, merlin and peregrine falcons and a spectacular array of wetland birds, such as spoonbill and avocet. Then you’ll explore the incredible chalk and limestone ridges of the Purbeck Hills to discover the geology, people, fauna and flora that make this landscape so special.
Other local wildlife hotspots include RSPB Arne, officially the most biodiverse region in the UK, and Durlston Country Park and Nature Reserve, where you can enjoy events, guided walks, boat trips, talks and activities throughout the year.
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Outdoor adventure
For those of you wanting to get active in the great outdoors, there’s a whole host of land and water-based activities on our doorstep.
One of the best ways to explore the Purbeck coastline is on a coasteering adventure, with Fore Adventure, who offer action-packed, expert-led sessions scrambling over rocks, exploring sea caves, sea swimming and jumping from cliffs into the water below.
Or how about booking a two-hour paddleboarding session from the beach at Sandbanks or Swanage with Land & Wave? For groups of 6 or more, they also have the option of hiring a giant paddleboard for collectively launching yourself into the waves.
Alternatively, if you fancy exploring the Purbeck Heath and Studland coast on horseback, it’s possible to book a variety of rides with the friendly team at Studland Trekking Centre, with special discounts available for Burnbake guests.
If you want to get out exploring on two wheels, we have our own bike hire available, along with our Wild Space sauna to unwind after a hard day’s adventuring.
Great food and drink
Talented chefs, bakers and farmers have put Dorset well and truly on the culinary map. And with a huge selection of restaurants, cafés, bistros, pubs and tea rooms on the Isle of Purbeck, there is something on offer for all tastes and budgets. Seafood fans will love the Shell Bay Seafood Restaurant overlooking Studland waterfront or the Rick Stein restaurant in Sandbanks, where you can enjoy a slap-up seafood lunch while gazing out over Poole Harbour.
If you’re looking for something a little more relaxed, tasty options include The Salt Pig, a café, restaurant and urban farm shop in Wareham and Swanage, or the traditional Bankes Arms Country Inn in Studland, serving a menu of hearty English classics.
For a tasty local treat, look out for Purbeck Ice Cream, with a range of delicious flavours to cool you down on a hot afternoon.
Counting down the days until summer? Then give yourself something to look forward to, and book your Burnbake break today.
