Smedmore House Caravan Club Site

We paid £19.75 per night for 5 nights/2 adults and 16A un-metred electricity. The site has 9 rough stone hardstanding pitches in two areas - pitches 23 to 26 at the bottom of the site and pitches 37 to 41 higher up to the right of the site entrance. Pitches 37 to 41 have an open aspect and slope towards the view with varying degrees of side slope. With levellers we were unable to level our motorhome on pitch 38 no matter how we parked but we were able to level it on pitch 41 but only by facing away from the view with our awning and habitation door on the same side as our neighbour. The warden said other motorhomes had difficulty levelling their vans on these pitches so he is going to see if there is a way of making them more level. The hard standings on pitches 23 to 26 are longer and may be more level. They are next to woodland making them relatively shady and enclosed. As we don’t drive off site and the phone/internet and TV reception were poor (with a high gain vertically polarised elevated directional antenna pointed at Portland), we were limited to chilling out and scenic walks for which the site excels. There is an easy permissive path from the site to Kimmeridge Bay and an equally easy walk down the Smedmoore House drive to Kimmeridge village and Clavells restaurant which is open all day for coffee, snacks and meals. Clavells restaurant have a refreshment trailer at Kimmeridge Bay but it had closed for the season when we visited. The two main walking routes are the SW Coastal Path and the Hardy Way from Kimmeridge Bay to Kimmeridge village and onto the high ridge behind the site to Swyre Head and then inland to Kingston and Corfe Castle. The shortest and quickest way onto the Hardy Way is turning right outside the site heading beyond Swalland Farm onto a permissive path that runs between Swyre Head and the SW Coastal Path. A reasonably fit person with no stopping and detours can reach Swyre Head in 25 mins but it’s a steep, Kingston in 1 hr and Corfe Castle in 1 hr 40 mins. You should plan on it taking longer. An attractive alternative to Swyre Head with some ups and downs is to turn right on the permissive path to the SW Coastal Path and then left towards Chapman’s Pool where there are 2 paths inland to Kingston and a 3rd at Chapman’s Pool to Corfe Castle. The significance of Kingston is that several routes converge here, the Scott Arms is open daily and the No 40 Breezer bus runs regularly to Swanage and Corfe Castle (Wareham & Poole). In less than 6 hours we walked to Kingston, bussed to Swanage, bussed to Corfe Castle and walked back to the site. We would have spent longer in Corfe Castle and Swanage but needed to get back as rain was forecast. Turning right from the Swalland Farm permissive path onto the SW Coastal Path is a gentle route back to Kimmeridge Bay. During our stay all routes west of Kimmeridge were shut due to the MoD ranges but we have previously walked to Tyneham.

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I wonder when reading some of the reviews, if members and users can actually read the information supplied regarding this caravan park. Some of the reviews, and caravanners, we have met would be better suited to a hotel break, where they can complain to their hearts content. The popularity of caravanning, especially since the pandemic, seems to have attracted an 'interesting' selection of people. Nowt strange as folk. My wife and I love Smedmore House caravan park, the views and walks are fantastic and the dogs love it. The seasonal people are a great bunch too and bit by bit you get to talk to them. The ground is well kept but can get boggy after a lot of rain. Many pitched require significant chocking but there is plenty of tree sections scattered around. The ring of trees, at times of the year, can give a bit wake up call when 'cones' drop from the branches onto the 'van roof. The electric hook ups are plenty and easy to get at with a good voltage. The water and waste points are not too far away and in good condition. The site is not really 'young' family friendly unless they can make their own entertainment and the TV signal is intermittent but generally fine. Access to anywhere is a drive away, or a long walk, and the road leading in and out is a bit 'holey' as it is used by farm traffic too. You are in a good spot for visiting this area, nice and central and closeish to Weymouth, Dorchester, Lulwort and Durdle Door and Swanage. The lack of clubhouse is a great benefit as it keeps the noise down and the 'rif raf' away. Some of the reviews seem to lament the lack of clubhouse and also complain of the occasional event at the house. The events do not cause a lot of noise pollution and always end early enough not to be an issue, unless you are 'that' sort of person. It is mentioned in carious places so if it is a problem to you, go somewhere else and moan about something else. The road leading to the site, is a little narrow and hilly with pinch points but with care even the biggest outfit can negotiate it if you know how to drive. We, and the dogs, like it hence returning many times. If it isn't for you, go somewhere else and leave Smedmore House alone. We've only seen the warden once in many visits, but the chap who keeps the grass cut we have seen many times and he is always friendly and polite. Overall, we understand this site is not to everyones liking but it is VERY well described so there should be no surprises if you bother to read reviews and the information supplied. Most of thie issues experienced by other are easily avoided IF you read the information. Some people just like to moan I guess. The benefits FAR outweigh and detriments, and it is our go to place for a lovely break.

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The first time we stayed at this beautiful site there were no issues. On returning for a 1 night stay, we arrived on the Saturday early afternoon and on reaching the entrance a sign said 'Stop and read information board'. The office was locked and the only notice directing visitors had out of date information it. We decided to find a pitch ourselves and left a phone message with the site. There was also a sign at the office warning about outdoor wedding parties over the road at Smedmore House, held on specified throughout the year. We had not been informed of this and the music was very loud and went on from around 7:30 - 12:00 midnight. By the next morning, having not had a reply from the phone message we left the day before, we were about to leave and the site manager appeared for the first time. He was very apologetic and seemed unaware that we had stayed the night. He stated that the pitch details were on the small print of the booking confirmation, which indeed they were, though you would need to look hard to find it. There was nothing about the loud parties, except on the site's own website. Having booked directly through the CAMC site we hadn't seen this. The issues spoilt what should have been a quiet stay at a lovely site. In future, it would be much better if the nearby party dates were shown on the CAMC site, as well as the club's own site. If we had known this, we would not have booked on that date. In addition, the overall state of repair and tidiness of the site is not up to the standard of the many other affiliated sites we have visited.

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Don’t really want to share this as with most reviews we like to keep these wonderful places quiet so the don’t get oversubscribed, however this is a wonderful site , peaceful, quiet, and there is a wedding on today, faintly in the background but Calum informs everyone of this and there is also a sign outside the wardens hut giving clear information on this and future dates, but don’t let this put you off as it is not intrusive at all. There are walks out down to the bay or the coastal path is minutes away, stunning views, incredibly friendly and welcoming warden who goes that extra mile to make sure you have a pleasant stay, so as my title suggests, thank you Calum for making our stay that much more enjoyable 👍

Moderator Comment - The reviewer intended this to be a 5 Star review, not one star. To the reviewer posting multiple posts in the review section won't change anything, you need to contact the Community Manager to see if she can help.communitymanager@caravanclub.co.uk 

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This lovely site was everything we were hoping for. Beautiful views, access to magnificent walks, peace and tranquility.The site was well cared for and the warden was very friendly and helpful.. We had a pitch on the paddock area which is more level than some other areas and if this is important to you then it may be advantageous to choose your pitch carefully. There is a great dog walking field adjacent to the site which our dog couldn't wait to access at anytime of day! There was a wedding being held over the weekend that we were staying, however, this was not intrusive and we did not find any problem with excess noise. It is important to note that this is an affiliated site and does not have toilets or shower blocks, however, this is mentioned in the description of the site and should not come as a surprise. We will certainly be returning.

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