Dorset Forest Garden is Closed

We are very sad to say that Dorset Forest Garden is currently closed until further notice. We are awaiting guidance from the government upon when we can safely re-open.

For now we are taking bookings from early March. So if you would like to start planning your romantic getaways do visit http://dorsetforestgardenglamping.co.uk/menu/glamping/

Booking Guarantee

With so much uncertainty we have made changes to our booking charges to reduce the risk to you.

We require just a 20% deposit to secure dates, with the balance required three weeks before your arrival.

All visit dates can be flexibly moved up to 12 months from the booking dates, or your payment can be turned into a DFG voucher, if there is another lockdown or if you are in tier 3 or above.

Our Enhanced Cleaning When We Are Open

At such a worrying time we are following the Airbnb 5 – step enhanced cleaning process designed with COVID in mind.

We have changed all our cleaning products and are now using Bio-D cleaning products BS EN certified products suitable for COVID that give a deep clean and are also non petroleum based.  

Alongside the standard clean we particularly ensure all handles and switches are disinfected in the accommodations.

All bedding and towels are washed at 60c with Bio-D washing liquid and the laundry basket is disinfected after use.

Guests are welcome to use their own bedding and towels if they prefer.

Guests’ safety

For all meeting and greeting of guests we wear masks and do this outside and at more than 2m distance. We never enter any huts with guests but talk them through the accommodation from outside.

As we walk every guest around the forest garden we talk about scanning the Track and Trace QR code in the car park and about using hand sanitiser and social distancing in the one shared area (the BBQ hut).  As this is shared between only 2 shepherd huts there is no need for guests to use this simultaneously.

Hot tub

Before emptying, bleach is added to the water for at least 15 minutes.  This ensures the internal pipes are reached. The hot tub is emptied and cleaned with suitable certified Bio-D cleaning products and then left drained for as long as possible before refilling.

If you know someone who needs a nature break get them a Dorset Forest Garden Gift Voucher. Transport them to a charming romantic getaway surrounded by stunning vistas nestled in Thomas Hardy countryside. With hot tub and real fires in an edible garden – the perfect experience for those who love an adventure.

• A range of values (just click on the value you wish to give)
• Stay any time in the future (no end date)
• If you provide an address the voucher can be sent out with our visitor’s guide
• Great walking straight from the gate.

Living in an area of outstanding natural beauty, and seeing our kids growing up free to wander and express themselves as they wish makes us feel truly blessed.

It is important to us that as part of our business we, in some small way, give back to help alleviate the suffering of others.

Here are a few ways in which we contribute through effective charities:

Who Gives a Crap:

Anyone who has been to stay with us will have seen our toilet rolls are from the wonderfully fun named “Who Gives a Crap”.  In their words:

“We think toilets are pretty funny, but we started Who Gives A Crap when we learnt that 2.3 billion people (roughly 40% of the world’s population) don’t have access to a toilet. Unfortunately that’s not very funny. Around 289,000 children under five die every year from diarrhoeal diseases caused by poor water and sanitation. That’s almost 800 children per day, or one child every two minutes. Luckily, toilets are proven to be a great solution—they provide dignity, health and an improved quality of life. And in case that wasn’t enough, it’s been shown that a dollar invested in sanitation yields $5.50 in increased economic prosperity. Toilets are magical!

We’re determined to prove that toilet paper is about more than just wiping bums. We make all of our products with environmentally friendly materials, and we donate 50% of our profits to help build toilets for those in need. To date we’ve donated over £1,000,000! to charity and saved a heck of a lot of trees, water and energy. Not bad for a toilet paper company, eh?”

Plant a Tree

Would you like us to plant a fruit tree towards your carbon footprint during your stay?  This is a new initiative and your tree will be added to our forest garden.  £25 for a tree will be added to your invoice.

World Vision:

We support Mercy in Zambia both financially and with regular communications:

“Child Sponsorship is a unique relationship, that brings real hope and a life-affirming experience. It gives children and their communities life-changing basics like nutritious food, clean water, healthcare and education. In places of extreme poverty simple things like running water and healthcare are a lifeline that everyone needs.“

Tear Fund:

The news can be overwhelming when it comes to people hit by disasters around the world.  We give on a monthly basis to Tear Fund.  In their words:

“We help communities overcome the worst effects of poverty and disasters – we believe that the same people who face these issues, also have the best idea as to how they can overcome them.

Tearfund works alongside local churches and other locally-based organisations in over 50 countries to help people realise their plans for a better future.

In 50 years we’ve seen millions of lives restored and we won’t stop until poverty stops. Together there’s more we can do.”

South Sudan:

2018 we donated money to help farmers returning to their land after civil war and famine to buy seeds and equipment to help them to become self-sufficient.

Pure Planet Energy:

On the farm we use a lot of solar energy.  We have our own PV cells, plus solar-thermal water heating, and the house is designed to heat passively through the sun coming in our south facing windows.

Beyond our own generation we turn to Pure Planet Energy who state:

100% renewable electricity

Zero markup on the energy you use

Tough on Plastic

I suspect many of you may have seen the Plastic Ocean film.  As parents, seeing kids playing up to their ankles in plastic waste was very upsetting.  Our shepherd huts have always been about natural, and so plastic is avoided wherever possible.

As apart of our actions in this area we are developing our own range of natural skincare (Fizzly Tree) which are plastic free.

This can be done quickly (using instant custard) or for a special occasion made with real custard. This is a favourite in our home, from our own family recipe and is a great winter pudding for a grownup party – it feels a tiny bit naughty – but nice!

Ingredients

Homemade custard:
3 egg yolks
1/2pt milk
1/2pt double cream
1 oz caster sugar
1 tbsp cornflower
(or use 1pt instant custard)

5 trifle sponges
apricot jam
8 oz apricots soaked over night in brandy
1 banana

1/2 pt double cream for topping

Homemade custard:

1. Heat the milk and cream in a saucepan.
2. Combine the egg yolks, sugar and cornflower together in a bowl.
3. Once the cream is hot (but not boiling) stir into the egg mixture.
4. Now return to the pan and continually stir over a low heat until thick.
5. Set aside to cool.

Making the pudding:

1. Break up the sponge and spread with apricot jam and place in the bottom of a glass serving bowl.
2. Chop the banana and the soaked apricots and scatter over the sponges.
3. Pour the custard over the top.
4. Whisk up the remaining cream and spread over the top.
5. You can keep back a few apricots to decorate the top.
6. Cover and chill for a few hours.

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