The Bingledon Bell Tent romantic offgrid in Dorset

Follow the bumpy farm track under the lime trees humming with bees and get away from it all in rural Dorset. Twenty acres of English parkland surround a spacious 6m bell tent with kingsize bed, fresh cotton linen and woodburner to keep you toasty by night. With a piping hot woodland shower and kitchen beneath the trees, guests enjoy total privacy and the entire place to themselves, shared only with roe deer in the early morning and the barn owl swooping low at dusk. The space Set beneath the canopy of three huge beech trees, the secluded off-grid space offers the perfect opportunity to unwind and get away from it all. Immerse yourself in nature, light a fire and relax while watching the sun go down. Read a book in our hammock while listening to the wind rustling through the leaves and the meadow grasses swaying gently in the breeze. The Isle of Purbeck is just half an hour’s drive away; spend your days exploring the Jurassic Coast; swim in the crystal waters at Durdle Door; climb the steep hill at ruined Corfe Castle and hunt for ammonites at Kimmeridge Bay. In the morning, wake to green woodpeckers drumming in hollow trees and warm your kettle on the gas stove in our rustic kitchen, hand built with tin and timber salvaged from the farm. SITUATION The Bingledon Bell Tent is set in 27 acres of English parkland, nestled amid beech, oak and sycamore trees. We have planted wildflowers this year throughout the entire field as well as a horse chestnut avenue just a little further down the hill. We are in the process of restoring the parkland so you’ll see fallen branches left on the ground to create a habitat for rare beetles and cover for ground-nesting birds such as English partridge. This rural spot has the convenience of being a five minute drive away from Blandford Forum, a pretty Georgian market town on the River Stour, with a bakery for early morning pastries, two butchers’ shops for firepit ingredients and a M&S foodhall for the other goodies. If you fancy a night off cooking, it’s a gentle twenty minute stroll along a farm track and through the village of Pimperne to the Anvil Inn, a thatched 17th century pub with locally brewed beers. THE BELL TENT The bell tent is a spacious six metres and has a comfy kingsize bed, fully equipped with pillows, duvet, toasty blankets, cotton sheets and fluffy towels. There’s no electric lighting or sockets, just rechargeable battery lanterns and the glow from your woodburner which comes fully stocked with logs and kindling from trees grown on the farm. You’ll also find forgotten fun like dominoes, board games and cards to rekindle simple time spent together. EXTRA BEDS There is plenty of space for a travel cot at no extra charge, but please bring your baby’s own bedding. At an additional cost of £25 per bed per night, you have the option to add one or two single mattresses on the floor in the six metre bell tent, allowing up to four guests in total. WOODLAND SHOWER Follow the wiggly path to the woodland shower and watch the beech leaves shimmering in the breeze while the birdsong echoes in the trees and the hot water rains down. Breathe in the peace and tranquillity and relax with Bramley toiletries provided. BREAKFAST We have a weekly changing breakfast menu homemade by Georgie, which we will send to you two days prior to your stay. (Think homemade banana loaf with whipped cinnamon butter.) If anything takes your fancy, just let us know and we will pop it in your kitchen awaiting your arrival. FOOD Either head to Blandford Forum or one of our many local farm shops and pick up some ingredients to cook on your fire pit, or gas stove or stroll to the village pub in Pimperne along a farm track. Other pubs are around a 15 minute drive by car or taxi and there are some good brunch options in Blandford Forum and Wimborne. KITCHEN We have built a timber and tin woodland kitchen with materials salvaged from the farm. It’s well equipped with a gas stove, sink with cold running water, crockery and cooking utensils. There is even a small solar-powered fridge with mini freezer and ice; perfect for a sundowner gin and tonic. EXTRAS Well-behaved dogs are welcome at a charge of £20 per dog per night; please let us know if you would like to bring your pet.