Glamping with kids: Green Valley Yurts
I will let you into a secret here; I haven’t always been a great lover of camping, however I do love glamping. I secretly like my creature comforts (a coffee machine anyone!?) and I am not a huge fan of spending hours trying to put up a tent in the dark (particularly as we are always late) and taking it down at the end of the break. I do however, LOVE the great outoors. I love watching the kids running around a field squealing with laughter still in their onesies. I love toasting marshmallows on a fire pit, wrapped up in a blanket and listening to the sound of nature. I love having an opportunity to ‘unplug’ from the world and enjoy pure uninterrupted family time in the fresh air. Camping can be such a wonderful and memorable experience. I guess that is why we purchased our campervan, it allows us to fulfill our desire to travel on a budget, and still keep our creature comforts and luxuries, whilst enjoying the great outdoors.
Last weekend saw our our littlest girl’s 3rd birthday, and we wanted to do something super special for her. We try to keep with our ethos of ‘collecting memories and not things’ where we can, so therefore agreed that it would make a lovely idea to plan a little family birthday break. I am afraid we ‘cheated’ slightly on our wonderful campervan, Otis. I really wanted to try out glamping this weekend, and knew that it would make for a memorable weekend.
Glamping
Glamping offers the same exposure to the great outdoors, but with luxurious accommodation in the form of a yurt, tipi, log cabin and more. The sites often have excellent amenities and all in all, glamping can make for a relaxing and comfortable experience (say goodbye to putting up a tent or a drive away awning in the dark at midnight after a long journey!).
Green Valley Yurts
Trawling the internet I spotted this gem of a site and hoping that it lived up to my great expectations, we headed off to Dorset in search of a wonderful experience glamping in Green Valley Yurts. Green Valley Yurts is nestled in the heart of the Cerne Valley in Dorset. It is an area of ‘outstanding beauty’ making it the perfect location to cycle, walk, and explore the surrounding area. The yurts are set on a beautiful organic farm and the site boasts an onsite shop and cafe, allowing you to purchase local produce and find those little treats to enjoy during your stay.
The Yurts
The Yurts are located in the ‘yurt field’ You will find 3 yurts in the field, 2 sleep up to 4-5 people and 1 larger yurt that sleeps up to 6-7 people. The yurts are beautifully furnished with an eclectic mix of furniture including a double bed and single futons. There is an abundance of beautiful colourful blankets, throws, cushions, colourful wool rugs and sheepskin rugs. Each yurt has its own shoe box to protect the rush matting floor. In the centre of the yurt is a wood stove so you don’t have to worry about those cold evenings. There is no electricity in the yurt, but there are a number of lanterns dotted about to add to the charm.
Outside, the yurt sits on a large decked area with a picnic bench and seating around a large fire pit.
Facilities
The campsite boasts a lovely timber clad facilities barn. This is a communal area where guests can relax, cook, play and eat under cover. There is a well equipped communal kitchen with a fridge and a hob, and you will find everything here that you may need…pots, pans, crockery, cooking utensils, glasses. You really don’t need to bring anything with you. There are two large tables with beautiful painted chairs and benches and a high chair.
In the corner of the room is a large chest of wooden toys and books to keep the kids entertained. I have to say the owners have literally thought of everything.
The barn is home to individual showers, toilets and a family bathroom with a bath (and when you camp with little ones, a bath is definitely welcomed!!) The water is heated by the solar thermal panel on the roof, and the water is wonderful and hot. The barn and showers are spotless.
Green Valley Yurts: Things to do
The yurt field has a sandpit, small play area with swings and adventure bridge, a tyre playground, and a beautiful shallow stream that the kids can paddle in (supervised of course!). The Yurts are set on a beautiful organic farm and the kids can visit the resident pigs, Rennie and Bennie, and the chickens. Rosie the farm’s ever attentive and friendly sheepdog likes to visit you once in a while. It is such a beautiful setting for kids to learn and explore. We ventured out to Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door which is about half an hour away from the Yurts, and on our way home we stopped off at Stonehenge in Salisbury, but to be honest you really don’t need to venture far at all. There are great cycle and walking routes around the site and the County town Dorchester is only a short drive away.
This site is absolutely beautiful and in a fantastic location. The only thing you really need to bring is bedding (and we bought the travel cot for baby S), but everything else is already here (and if it isn’t here…then you probably don’t need it!).
The owners are so welcoming and accommodating. I sent Heather a text when we were not too far away and they met us on arrival and showed us around. Nothing was too much trouble.
We had a truly wonderful weekend here. The Green Valley Yurts are stunning and the setting is really special. The owners have thought of everything to make your stay comfortable, relaxing and special. Honestly…I can’t wait to return. It has a really natural, organic, raw feel to the experience. I absolutely loved the fact that we had no electricity – a weekend ‘unplugged’ to enjoy quality family time, relaxing, exploring, and toasting marshmallows as the sun goes down.
You can find all the information, ways to book and prices on their website
Have you ever tried glamping?
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For an alternative glamping experience;
head over to Giving up Normal for a review of The Really Green Holiday Company, Isle of Wight!
Or try out glamping at Warwick Castle with My Gorgeous Boys
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I must say I’ve not tried glamping, like you I’m not a tent person, however that said I’d like the location with the river there and the sense of getting away from things and making the most of the outdoors. So many of your Instagram photos from the week now fall into place reading this post. It really does look beautiful and easier than camping too with everything there for you. Looks like you had the weather on your side which must be a huge bonus. Happy Birthday to your beautiful daughter.
Thank you for sharing your adventure at #CountryKids
Author
Thanks so much Fiona, hopefully we gave her a birthday to remember. We had the best weekend and we were so lucky with the weather. Thanks for hosting country kids – I love it xx
I haven’t tried glamping yet – I think the boys would love it. Just need to convince my husband…. #countykids
Author
There is a fire pit for pizza, and a fridge for beer, and wine… and a fire to keep you toasty! Got to be a winner 🙂 good luck with convincing the hubby:)
Wow those yurts look lovely!
I think even I could manage glamping like that!
I love the collecting memories ethos! I agree xx
Author
Donna it really was stunning…even for non campers – you would love this place!
This is adorable and now has me trolling the internet for a yert near us us! I love glamping and this yurt you found looked so cute and comfortable. Thanks for sharing. #MondayEscapes
Author
This made me smile! Exactly what I have done recently….read about an amazing place and spent all night trawling the net for similar 🙂 Hope you find a little glamping retreat !
This looks like a wonderful place to stay. I’m not a fan of camping but the yurt looks so cosy and welcoming, I think I could manage a few nights of glamping!
Author
It was so lovely, the yurts were stunning. It is a real ‘gem of a place’ I should’ve kept it secret 🙂 ha xx
I haven’t tried glamping but after my camping experiences I’d much prefer to do it this way.#Countrykids
Author
Ha ha camping isn’t always fun is it 🙂 But glamping…….well thats something else!
wow that looks really fab, i’ve only ever glamped once, but loved it, i do camp quite a bit, but not for a long time
#MondayEscapes
Author
Thanks ever so much it was such a fab weekend, we found a gem of a place – I should’ve kept it a secret 🙂
I like the sound of that, it looks so idyllic, we tried glamping for the first time recently and I’d definitely give it another go #CountryKids
Author
Mary it was such a fab weekend, the yurts were beautiful! Did you enjoy the glamping? 🙂
It looks incredibly idyllic here I’d love to try it! #MondayEscapes
Author
Karen it was such a gem of a place. We will definitely be back xx
Katie I do not camp but I love this post, I so want to visit the Yurts they look so cool and have all the comforts for us not campers x
Author
Sarah you would love it here it really was stunning!! A proper bed, a wood burner and loads of beautiful lanterns…what’s not to love :)!
So handy to be able to go camping without the hassle of putting up the tent! We’re staying in a yurt for the first time this year and I’m looking to it even more after reading your post!
I’ve not tried glamping, but those yurts look fab and they are definitely tempting me to give it a try!