I always have a lot of questions about accommodati I always have a lot of questions about accommodation when we stay anywhere as a family so I thought I’d share this little tour of our room at @windjammerlanding which was a pretty perfect place to stay.

It’s the ‘Ocean View Two Bedroom’ which was like a little house, with an upstairs and downstairs, built into the hillside. Both rooms had outdoor space and their own shower rooms. Such a great option for a family.
A little photo dump from our holiday in St Lucia. A little photo dump from our holiday in St Lucia. We’ve been back a few days now but still miss the heat, the food, the pool, the constant sounds of wildlife and the lovely people. It was such a great holiday and I’m sure we’ll be back one day.
And just like that, Athena is 12! What a joy it is And just like that, Athena is 12! What a joy it is watching her grow and what a wonderful young woman she is becoming. We could not be more proud. Love you Pickle, have a great birthday.
We’ve just got back from two glorious weeks in S We’ve just got back from two glorious weeks in St Lucia staying at @windjammerlanding and it was just the holiday we needed. Two weeks of sunshine and relaxation in what must be one of the most beautiful islands in the world. 

We can’t wait to go back again in the future. Here’s just a little snippet of our trip.
AD - Press Tickets | We had such a nice day at @na AD - Press Tickets | We had such a nice day at @national_motor_museum despite the rain! The children loved the Little Beaulieu play area and we loved exploring the National Motor Museum and Top Gear exhibit before having a ride on the monorail! We went on an old open topped bus, explored the Beaulieu Manor House and loved the gardens. 
Beaulieu is always a great day out - whatever the weather. This summer they have a whole ‘Summer of Fun’ planned, with activities most days - parades, bird shows and hundreds of sculptures within the grounds too. If you’re looking for a day out this summer definitely think about heading to Beaulieu.
AD - Press Tickets | Tonight we took the kids to t AD - Press Tickets | Tonight we took the kids to their first concert - but it was so much more than just a concert! @abbavoyage is incredible. With CGI ABBA and a live band, it’s like being at an ABBA concert 40 years ago but with modern lighting, effects and sound. ABBA look and sound real, it’s a mind blowing experience.
The set includes all the songs you know and love as well as a few less familiar ones.
You can’t take photos during the show which actually made a refreshing change. A whole arena focused purely on the show and soaking up the moment. It’s definitely something the four of us will always remember.
Now, I’m off to sing Dancing Queen all the way home.
AD - Press Trip | We had such a great day at @phdo AD - Press Trip | We had such a great day at @phdockyard today. They have a fantastic Ultimate Explorer ticket that lets you visit all the attractions as many times as you like for 12 months - and after a day at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard we can see that you need more than one day to really do everything!

We explored HMS Warrior, HMS Victory and the Mary Rose Exhibition - which is incredible! We also saw where ships are built and restored and spent time in Action Stations where the kids climbed and did an assault course.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is such a fun, educational day out with something for all ages - we can’t wait to go on their harbour tours next time we visit!
AD | WIN!! Would you love to win a holiday? To cel AD | WIN!! Would you love to win a holiday? To celebrate #100YearOfARoads National Highways have launched their #ARoadsToSummer competition! It's all about celebrating summer holiday moments, time together, fun in the sun, days out and more.

So why not be in it to win it? To enter, all you have to do is send @nationalhways a DM on here with a photo or video of your favourite holiday moments. You can also comment on their Facebook or Twitter #ARoadsToSummer posts with your holiday photos. I've shared a few of our favourite photos to give you some inspiration.

The best six entries will each win a £500 @nationaltrust holidays voucher! SO what are you waiting for? Dig out your favourite holiday photos or take some new ones to share!

The #ARoadsToSummer competition runs from 24 July to 10 September 2023. Winners will be announced in September 2023.

Good luck!
Oh these two! Every day I feel lucky to have them. Oh these two! Every day I feel lucky to have them. As school draws to a close at lunchtime, I’m looking forward to a whole summer with them. My favourite people.

They’ve both had a great year at school this year. Troy’s first without his sister by his side and Athena’s first at secondary school. 

They both had great reports, always did their best and have made some really lovely new friends this year. I could not be more proud of them.

Now, let’s go and enjoy the next six weeks before school starts all over again!
  • Reviews
  • Recipes
    • Slow Cooker Fudge Recipes
    • Christmas Recipes
    • Easter Recipes
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • All Recipes
  • Travel
  • Blog
  • About
  • Featured In…
  • Work With Me/Contact
  • Reviews
  • Recipes
  • Travel

What the Redhead said

The Future's Bright, The Future's Ginger

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • As Featured In…
  • Work with Me

Holidays & Accomodation, Reviews, Travel · September 26, 2018

A Relaxing Weekend at Caalm Camp – Our First Yurt Experience

Disclosure: We were invited on this break for the purpose of this review however all opinions are my own.

Sometimes it’s so nice to have a weekend somewhere on a self catering holiday where you can just be together as a family, spending time together, switching off and just getting away from day to day life. Last weekend that is exactly the experience we had when we were invited to stay at Caalm Camp – and we can’t wait to go back.

A Relaxing Weekend at Caalm Camp - Our First Yurt Experience

Caalm Camp is a collection of six yurts in the Dorset countryside, near Shaftesbury. We’d never stayed in a yurt before and didn’t know what to expect but it’s safe to say that our weekend was far removed from a typical camping experience – and was very much glamping at it’s finest.

A Relaxing Weekend at Caalm Camp - Our First Yurt Experience

To give you all the home comforts you need, Caalm Camp has the Haybarn which houses individual shower rooms for each yurt, a fully equipped kitchen with two ovens and hobs as well as a cupboard and fridge for each yurt and also a big lounge and dining room full of seating, books, toys and even a TV and DVDs to watch.

A Relaxing Weekend at Caalm Camp - Our First Yurt Experience

It was so nice having our own bathroom where we could leave our wash bag and toiletries, locking the door when we left and knowing it was there to go back to whenever we wanted a shower or when the children needed to use the toilet. Having to take your wash bag with you to the shower block on camping trips – and even glamping trips – is something that no-one enjoys so Caalm Camp have made it so much nicer for everyone who stays there. The shower rooms were so much nicer than typical camping facilities too – it was lovely.

A Relaxing Weekend at Caalm Camp - Our First Yurt Experience

The yurt was absolutely beautiful. We had the furthest one away from the facilities which wasn’t that far away at all but it meant we had maximum quiet – with no-one walking past our yurt and fields as far as we could see.

A Relaxing Weekend at Caalm Camp - Our First Yurt Experience

Our yurt was really lovely and traditional. It had a wooden door complete with a proper lock and the wooden interior was beautifully painted and decorated with wonderful designs. It had a huge bed for Dave and I, two day beds for the children and the yurts can accommodate two extra roll away beds on request. All of the beds had luxury hotel quality bedding with extra blankets too and storage drawers under the beds as well.

A Relaxing Weekend at Caalm Camp - Our First Yurt Experience
A Relaxing Weekend at Caalm Camp - Our First Yurt Experience
A Relaxing Weekend at Caalm Camp - Our First Yurt Experience
A Relaxing Weekend at Caalm Camp - Our First Yurt Experience

The yurt had electric lights and more plug sockets than we usually get in hotels – even ones next to the bed! It had coat hooks, a door mat and even a little kitchenette set up with a hob and traditional kettle to make cups of tea. There were a few utensils, pans, crockery and a washing up bowl meaning that you could make basic meals – soup or hot dogs – in the yurt if you wanted to. Outdoor shoes aren’t allowed in the yurt so we took slippers with us to wear whilst we were inside.

A Relaxing Weekend at Caalm Camp - Our First Yurt Experience

As well as the shared kitchen and hob in the yurt there was also a barbecue outside each yurt and a fire pit too – which we enjoyed toasting marshmallows on during our break. The Caalm Camp facilities gave us everything we wanted from a camping trip but with all the luxury of a high end glamping holiday. It was perfect.

A Relaxing Weekend at Caalm Camp - Our First Yurt Experience
A Relaxing Weekend at Caalm Camp - Our First Yurt Experience

The yurt was heated by a wood burning stove in the centre which kept the yurt really warm. We had as much wood as we needed for the duration of our stay and Dave quickly mastered how to light the fire and keep it burning. We were given a fire lighter to start with and more fire lighters were 20p each with us only needing a couple for the whole weekend. The fire lasted really well overnight and we didn’t feel the cold until we woke in the morning – when Dave swiftly put the fire back on again. In the colder months Caalm Camp offer buckets of coal for £3 each which would burn throughout the night, stopping the cold from being felt at all.

A Relaxing Weekend at Caalm Camp - Our First Yurt Experience
A Relaxing Weekend at Caalm Camp - Our First Yurt Experience

During our time at Caalm Camp we spent time inside the yurt relaxing and playing board games. It was the perfect base for a break away and even when the rain was at it’s heaviest we didn’t notice it at all – aside from the relaxing pitter patter noise on the yurt roof.

A Relaxing Weekend at Caalm Camp - Our First Yurt Experience
A Relaxing Weekend at Caalm Camp - Our First Yurt Experience
A Relaxing Weekend at Caalm Camp - Our First Yurt Experience

There was a fantastic children’s play area and trampoline right opposite our yurt as well as an area with a playhouse, ride on vehicles and a sandpit next to the Haybarn. Caalm Camp also had a pizza oven for sociable evenings when the weather’s nice and plenty of shared space – with a communal fire pit and lots of deckchairs to sit and relax whilst watching the stars in the evening.

A Relaxing Weekend at Caalm Camp - Our First Yurt Experience
A Relaxing Weekend at Caalm Camp - Our First Yurt Experience
A Relaxing Weekend at Caalm Camp - Our First Yurt Experience
A Relaxing Weekend at Caalm Camp - Our First Yurt Experience

As well as the kitchen and living areas in the Haybarn building, Caalm Camp also has a barn attached with table tennis and pool tables as well as another seating area. The whole main building worked really well and is such a fantastic communal space and a great escape when the weather’s not at it’s best. One thing to bare in mind though is Caalm Camp does allow group booking for family gatherings or hen and stag parties which don’t have to book exclusive use. There was a family gathering whilst we were there – four yurts celebrating their Nan’s birthday – and it seemed like they had such a wonderful time celebrating and enjoying the communal space. However, using the communal facilities whilst not being part of their family gathering did at times feel like we were encroaching on someone else’s holiday.

A Relaxing Weekend at Caalm Camp - Our First Yurt Experience
A Relaxing Weekend at Caalm Camp - Our First Yurt Experience
A Relaxing Weekend at Caalm Camp - Our First Yurt Experience

We slept so well in the yurt, with literally no noise overnight and just the sound of the cows in the morning. The bedding was so thick, the fire lasted well and it really is one of the most relaxing places I have ever stayed – and such a novelty for the children. Also, the yurts are really well insulated from a noise perspective as when we were walking past the other yurts we could only hear the gentle hum of voices – none of the noise you’d expect on a typical camp site.

Ever since we got in the car to head home the children have asked to go back. They loved the slower pace that Caalm Camp gave us, they loved having other children to play with and they loved that they could go and play on the adventure play equipment whenever they wanted. Caalm Camp is a really safe and secure environment for children with fences all the way around. We saw children happily going from the main building to the yurts and around the camp, enjoying the freedom and independence it gave them.

A Relaxing Weekend at Caalm Camp - Our First Yurt Experience

Caalm Camp is everything we wanted from a weekend in the countryside with all the home comforts we could possibly need. It’s clean, well looked after and loved by everyone who visits. If you’re looking for a weekend away, surrounded by the great outdoors but still close enough to amenities then Caalm Camp could be the place for you. You can find out more over on their website.

A Relaxing Weekend at Caalm Camp - Our First Yurt Experience
A Relaxing Weekend at Caalm Camp - Our First Yurt Experience

In: Holidays & Accomodation, Reviews, Travel

You’ll Also Love

A lovely day at Drusillas Park
Wholesale Children’s Clothing from Kimidog | AD
Making Sustainable Choices: Small Changes that Make a Real Difference | AD

Comments

  1. Sam | North East Family Fun Travel Blog says

    September 26, 2018 at 4:25 pm

    We’ve stayed in a yurt a couple of times and I must admit I think it’s my favourite kind of glamping – it’s always so cosy!

    I’ve never come across anywhere where you have your own allocated shower and loo in the main block – this is SUCH a fab idea and I think more places should definitely offer this!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

14 Things we Loved about Walt Disney World, Florida

About Me
Hi everyone! I'm Donna. Mummy. Blogger. Social Media Manager. Traveller. Lover of stars, rainbows and gin. Firm believer that tea and cake can fix most things.

Sign up for Emails

looking for something?

Reader Favourites

Privacy Policy | Disclosure

Copyright © 2023 What the Redhead said · Theme by 17th Avenue