TWO GO MAD FOR DORSET

I have a romantic view of Dorset.

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It comes from reading Famous Five books as a child and memories of family camping trips near Durdle Door. Vague recollections of waterside fish and chips in Wareham, melt-in-your-mouth biscuits in Bridport and farm shop milkshakes a stroll away from the campsite... Memories that are all wrapped up in an early 1980s soundtrack featuring the likes of Dexys, Gary Numan, Adam and the Ants, Talking Heads and The Jam - served up with 'lashings' of ginger beer, of course!

I've returned to the county over the years and it never disappoints. So when the opportunity came to take a sparkly new motorhome to South Lytchett Manor Caravan and Camping park near Poole, I jumped at the chance.

Perfect fusion

First stop was at Marquis Leisure where we took delivery of a very smart-looking McLouis Fusion 330 (see PM 303 for my review of this versatile motorhome). After a comprehensive briefing, we were on our way to the family-owned South Lytchett Manor - just a short hop along the A3049. Although new to me, the Fiat Ducato-based Fusion was an easy drive, and we made short work of the 15-minute journey.

Entering the park through its charming, ornate gates was a lovely introduction to what is a top site. Indeed, the park has just been awarded the AA Five-Star Platinum Award for the tenth consecutive year and is the Regional Winner in our Top 100 Sites Guide 2025, where it's listed as the Best Site for Motorhomes and Best Site for Pets. It also achieved a 99% score in its latest VisitEngland quality assessment, securing a prestigious Gold Award.