Why We’re Not a Glamping Site – And Proud of It

by Emily and SimonJun 6, 2025Camping

Real Camping. Real Connection. Right Here in West Dorset.

Camping in the orchard - Dorset Campsite

Here at Old Bidlake Farm, nestled in the beautiful West Dorset countryside just a stone’s throw from the stunning Jurassic Coast, we often get asked: “Do you do glamping?”

The answer is: not quite. And that’s on purpose.

While we’re all for a comfy beds and a bathtub, we believe there’s something truly valuable — even transformative — about traditional camping. Pitching your own tent, cooking under the stars, chatting with your neighbour as you untangle guide ropes. It’s these simple, sometimes slightly wonky moments that bring people together.

We call it hassle-free camping, not glamping.

Reconnecting in a Disconnected World

In a world where so much is pre-packaged, pre-planned, and filtered through our social media algorithms, there’s something refreshing about getting back to basics. Glamping often promises luxury, but what it sometimes lacks is the real stuff: connection, community, calm and authenticity. At Old Bidlake Farm, you won’t find hot tubs or champagne on ice. But you will find wide open skies, friendly faces, and the gentle pace of nature all around you.

We’ve deliberately kept things simple: flat pitches, clean facilities, and a setting that encourages you to slow down and breathe. Our site offers the space to unwind, to reconnect with yourself, your family, and even a few like-minded campers around a fire.

Building Resilience — One Tent Peg at a Time

Putting up your own tent may not always be glamorous, but it builds something that all the fluffy robes and fairy lights can’t: emotional resilience. It teaches problem-solving, teamwork, patience and communication — especially with the kids! Life lessons that make such a difference for young ones to learn. Those moments when the tent goes up wonky, or someone has forgotten the pegs, often become the stories you laugh about for years to come.

And while we don’t offer WiFi in the meadow and never will, we do offer something far more powerful: real connections. The kind that happen when screens are away, marshmallows are toasting, and the stars begin to come out.

Campfires, Conversations & Community

Magic around the campfire at Bidlake Farm Campsite

During school holidays, we host shared campfires on Wednesday and Saturday evenings — a space for the kind of relaxed connection that’s hard to find in everyday life. It’s not entertainment; it’s human warmth, shared under the sky.

So if you’re looking for…