DREAMY DORSET
Practical Motorhome|August 2023
Susan Taylor enjoys welcoming hostelries and world-class scenery
DREAMY DORSET

Follow a straight line (well in our case, given the vagaries of the land, it was more of a wobbly line, veering slightly north to avoid the rain) between the well-known destinations of Weymouth and Poole and you travel for about an hour through the gorgeous county of Dorset.

What is perhaps not immediately noticeable is that as well as fine scenery, you will also be surrounded by great history, from TE Lawrence (aka Lawrence of Arabia) to Robert Baden-Powell (of Scouting fame), from the Tolpuddle Martyrs (school history lessons, anyone?) to Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy (who served with Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar).

Oh, and don't forget the ghost village taken over then abandoned by the army during World War II. Add a naked giant on a hillside, a couple of small breweries, plenty of walks, and one of the best-known limestone rock formations in the country, and I think you will agree that you are travelling through a rather special part of the world.

There is a good chance that somewhere around the midway point along this journey, you will pass close to the small and seemingly innocuous village of Wool. I mention this because it was here that we decided to base ourselves for a long weekend break towards the end of last summer, at Whitemead Caravan Park.

Comfortable campsite

This proved to be a comfortable, friendly site which backs onto countryside and has two pubs and a train station less than a stone’s throw away. Added to this, Monkey World and The Tank Museum are just over half an hour’s walk from Whitemead.

At first glance, despite its handy location, the village of Wool itself isn’t much to look at – but it is one of the friendliest villages we have stayed in, with those welcoming pubs less than a five-minute walk, and a third just a 20-minute stroll, away.

This story is from the August 2023 edition of Practical Motorhome.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the August 2023 edition of Practical Motorhome.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM PRACTICAL MOTORHOMEView All
2015-present ELDDIS ENCORE
Practical Motorhome

2015-present ELDDIS ENCORE

Each issue, Gentleman Jack focuses on a great secondhand motorhome. He then reveals which is the best of the bunch, what to pay and which problems to look out for

time-read
4 mins  |
May 2024
BEAT THE BLACK STREAK!
Practical Motorhome

BEAT THE BLACK STREAK!

Grimebuster John Sootheran dons rubber gloves and grabs his cleaning kit to take on arch-enemy The Black Streak, pitting jumbo sponge against ingrained grunge!

time-read
8 mins  |
May 2024
HOW GREEN IS YOUR MOTORHOME?
Practical Motorhome

HOW GREEN IS YOUR MOTORHOME?

Listening to the arguments about climate change, it can sometimes feel we're simply doomed - but in reality, even though motorhomes are not the biggest culprit. we can all do our bit to cut carbon emissions.

time-read
10+ mins  |
May 2024
TIMELESS TURKEY
Practical Motorhome

TIMELESS TURKEY

Returning to a warm welcome in Turkey, Marcus, Kim and the children enjoy exploring ancient ruins in glorious landscapes

time-read
8 mins  |
May 2024
BURGUNDY & BEYOND
Practical Motorhome

BURGUNDY & BEYOND

Over a long, hot summer, Sonia Wignall journeys through fields of sunflowers, alpine meadows and snowy peaks, then on to Germany

time-read
7 mins  |
May 2024
I WANT TO RIDE MY BICYCLE!
Practical Motorhome

I WANT TO RIDE MY BICYCLE!

And where better to enjoy getting back in the saddle than idyllic Ile de Ré, off France's west coast? Elaine Ormerod reports

time-read
7 mins  |
May 2024
JUST WHITE
Practical Motorhome

JUST WHITE

With its easy access from the mainland and everything from palaces to gastronomy, the Lyons find the Isle of Wight to be a touring delight

time-read
7 mins  |
May 2024
BLACK GOLD
Practical Motorhome

BLACK GOLD

Janette Sykes finds Georgian gems, an ancient forest and much more in the Midlands' Black Country

time-read
6 mins  |
May 2024
PERFECT PEMBROKESHIRE
Practical Motorhome

PERFECT PEMBROKESHIRE

After the long winter, Colin and Elaine Burdett find a springtime break in Wales the ideal tonic

time-read
8 mins  |
May 2024
21 WAYS TO BE A BETTER MOTORHOMER
Practical Motorhome

21 WAYS TO BE A BETTER MOTORHOMER

Old hand at motorhoming or new to our fantastic pastime, you can't deny there's a lot to learn. From campsite etiquette to knowing what kit to take abroad, there's always something new to discover. With this in mind, our special report brings together 21 ways to improve your touring and become an even better motorhomer than before!

time-read
4 mins  |
May 2024