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Glamping in Winter

Have you ever considered glamping in the winter? If not, you absolutely should! Between October and March are the most beautiful months to really appreciate yurting life. When you consider the history of the yurt, the yurt was in fact built for the freezing temperatures of Outer Mongolia. Luckily for you, we supply wood and coal for the wood burners – in Outer Mongolia they use cow dung!

The yurts are toasty and warm with the wood burners crackling, and it is an exquisite place to relax for a long weekend or short mid week break. During the cold winter nights the skies tend to be crisp and clear, creating the perfect environment for beautiful star gazing. An evening of sipping on hot chocolate whilst lying in your comfy bed star gazing through the perspex roof – it truly is a glorious way to spend a winter’s evening!

You would be forgiven for thinking it would be too cold to glamp at Caalm Camp in the Winter, but in reality it is quite the opposite problem. The yurts become incredibly toasty, so make sure you bring some light clothes as well as your fluffy onesie. Winter glamping offers a wonderful experience, whether you are looking for a family glamping holiday, group glamping break or a romantic weekend getaway.

Our top recommendations of things to do during your visit at Caalm Camp include: –

1. Winter walks on the Jurassic Coast – it’s a truly beautiful part of the world and just down the road.
2. Winter walks in the local area – Dorset is a beautiful country area and one that can be truly explored with a good pair of hiking boots.
3. Go and enjoy a lazy lunch by a roaring fire at one of the local pubs in the area. We are surrounded by wonderful country pubs.
4. Go and visit Wookey Hole – it is a fabulous day out and the caves truly are something to behold.
5. Longleat – a wonderful day out, and the Festival of Light is generally on between November and January.
6. Enjoy a day exploring Shaftesbury – if you haven’t seen Gold Hill from the Hovis advert, it is a must when you are at Caalm Camp. Shaftesbury has a really quaint high street with some lovely pubs to enjoy a nice lunch.
7. Wrap up warm and enjoy a glass of wine or hot toddy by your fire pit outside your yurt. It’s a magical place to sit and just be still.
8. Enjoy a nice long lie-in and stay wrapped up in bed inside your yurt. It’s such a toasty room, it’s a real treat to just sit, relax and be.
9. Go and explore the Christmas markets in Bournemouth. They are open between mid November and end of December.
10. Go and visit the local Alpaca farm and take a walk to see these beautiful neighbours of ours.

These are just a few ideas for winter glamping at Caalm Camp – it is a truly magical time to come and visit. If you’d like to enquire about a vist, please call us on 01747 838565, or to book your stay on our booking page.

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Whilst enjoying your glamping experience with us, why not get into the true spirit of Dorset country life and pour your own pasteurised, non-homogenised whole milk? You will find the milk station a short 5 mile drive from Caalm Camp.

The milk comes directly from the farm’s herd of pedigree Ayrshire cows. Each morning the station is filled with milk which has been collected from the cattle only yards away. You can’t get much fresher than that!

The milk is non-homogenised, meaning that the fat particles remain as they are intended to be, and therefore, your body can break them down as it should. The nutritional value remains in the creamy top layer found on the milk. If you don’t fancy the creamy layer, but want to retain the nutritious creamy loveliness, just give your bottle a quick shake before you pour.

The station has a vending machine which is open 24 hours a day, and you can also buy locally sourced eggs, cheese, and butter, as well as the farm’s own deliciously flavoured milkshakes. They have their own branded glass milk bottles which you may purchase to keep and refill. Alternatively, you have the option to purchase a plastic container or bring your own to fill.

So what makes the milk from Ayrshire cows different to that from the supermarket? The milk from these cows has a slightly sweeter taste that regular milk. In fact 87% of consumers chose Ayrshire milk as the best tasting milk! It has a silky smooth texture and the vending machine keeps it at the perfect temperature, no matter how unpredictable the English weather.

If you are visiting us with children, then this milk collecting experience is a great opportunity for them to actually see the cows that produce the milk they pour. Behind the vending shed you have the opportunity to get up close with a few of the farm’s Ayrshire residents.

It is clear to see that this lovingly run family business takes pride in keeping their herd grazing on the finest pastures. The cows are kept outside as much as possible, enabling them to graze freely and produce this fabulous milk. Take the taste test yourself. I can assure you, you won’t be disappointed.

So pop on down to the farm, collect some milk, and cosy up in your toasty yurt with a nice warm cuppa! You’ll be drinking the freshest milk you will likely come across, and at the same time, have the peace-of-mind that you are supporting a local producer.

For more information you can visit their website – www.madjestonmilkstation.co.uk. To book your Caalm Camp experience, please call us on 01747 838565, or to book your stay on our booking page.

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The town of Shaftesbury is a short five mile drive up the hill from Caalm Camp. There is a wealth of history surrounding this ancient Saxon town, but if it’s ghostly tales that you’re interested in, then Shaftesbury Abbey is where you need to begin.

Shaftesbury Abbey

Caalm Camp is perfectly located to enable a visit to Shaftesbury Abbey. Founded by King Alfred in 888, the Abbey, which housed nuns, was considered the second wealthiest nunnery in England. It attracted many wealthy visitors and was considered a place of pilgrimage.

The Abbey is home to the remains of St Edward the Martyr – a young man made King at the tender age of 17, only to be murdered at Corfe Castle just three years later. Many miracles were claimed during his transfer to Shaftesbury Abbey, and once in situ the miracles continued at his tomb side – a tomb which was observed to mysteriously rise from the ground.

In 1539, Henry VIII ordered that the nunnery be destroyed. Shaftesbury Abbey itself is haunted by a monk who was the sole guardian of the true location of the Abbey’s hidden treasure. He died without passing on the information and now returns to ensure it remains hidden.

If you would like to visit Shaftesbury Abbey here is some more information – Shaftesbury Abbey.

The Kings Arms Pub

The Kings Arms pub, located along Bleke Street in Shaftesbury, is said to be constructed using stone from the Abbey ruins. This could play a part in the mysterious activity observed here. The pub is also said to be haunted.

A figure known as ‘The Grey Lady’ has been observed walking through the bar area and disappearing through the wall where a coaching arch once stood. The Grey Lady is believed to be a 16th century nun who escaped from the Abbey during the dissolution. It has also been reported that the pub often has its gas taps turned off within the locked cellar.

If you fancy popping in for a spooky lunch or a spooky drink, here is some further information – Kings Arms Pub.

The Ship Inn

Also located along Bleke Street you will find The Ship Inn – a pub which reports mysterious temperature drops, unexplained noises from the cellar and phantom footsteps. A tall man in a black suit is believed to be the culprit – a man who rather resembles an undertaker.

A short distance away at Gold Hill, another worthwhile visit, it is said that the ghosts of two men leading pack horses escort the body of Edward the Martyr to his final resting place at the Abbey. Is it possible that this is one of those men?

Under the staircase of the Ship Inn is a sealed tunnel. This tunnel is said to lead to the Abbey via The Grosvenor Hotel. For more information on The Ship Inn, please click here – The Ship Inn.

The Grosvenor Hotel

The Grosvenor Hotel is located just off of Bleke Street and is situated between both aforementioned pubs and the Abbey. The hotel was once home to an order of monks who lived here until the building became a public house. The Grosvenor is said to be the 5th most haunted hotel in the country and has a well known reputation for being extremely haunted.

In the cellar of the Grosvenor (the oldest part of the building) many staff members have been terrified at the sight of a monk. Often caught in peripheral vision, he can be seen lurking amongst the barrels. In an interview only last month, the newly appointed manager was in the cellar going about her duties when plaster mysteriously started falling from the wall. The said wall was in no way damaged or unsafe and yet parts of it just fell to the floor. Could this be where the tunnel meets the Grosvenor Hotel from the Abbey? It would certainly explain a few things!

Other reports at the hotel include the renowned ‘Grey Lady’ who roams the corridors of the upper floors, and a young mischievous girl who likes to pull the bed sheets from the hotel guests at night. Maybe staying at The Grosvenor Hotel might seem a little bit too spooky, so we definitely advise staying with us at Caalm Camp, but visiting The Grosvenor Hotel for a spooky trip. Here is some more information – The Grosvenor Arms.

So whether you’re planning a Halloween stay at Caalm Camp, or you’re a scare enthusiast hoping to encounter a ghostly ghoul, a trip up the hill to this mysterious town is a must during your winter glamping.

The good news is that once you’ve finished exploring all the spooky haunts in Shaftesbury, you can return to our yurts, light your fire and relax. Rest assured that your bed sheets should remain intact during your stay with us. As yet there have been no paranormal activity reports at our Glampsite.

Happy Halloween 2018, and we can’t wait to see you for the best time of year – Autumn and Halloween are just fantastic at Caalm Camp! Do call us on 01747 838565 if you have any questions or to book your stay on our booking page.

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