Monday 9 April 2018

TRAVEL: Our Family Holiday at Burnbake, Dorset

TRAVEL: Our Family Holiday at Burnbake, Dorset
When it comes to looking for a family holiday in the UK there are so many different types of holiday to consider. Do you go Camping? Glamping? Self Catering? Bed & Breakfast? City Break? Countryside Break? Near Tourist Attractions? In the Middle of Nowhere? Since having children we have become big fans of 'staycations', simply because they are relatively easy. You can pack the car up and be exploring somewhere new in a matter of hours, without the hassle of airports and fitting everything into a suitcase!


Recently we were kindly invited to stay at Burnbake Lodges and Camping in Dorset, where luxurious lodges with hot tubs are set amongst beautiful woodlands. A real retreat from the busy hustle and bustle of everyday life, whether you live in the city or countryside. Though there is camping there at certain times of the year (there's even a new Tipi Village being set up for August 2018 where you can stay in a pre-pitched tipi for a slightly more luxury camping experience), as we visited at the end of March it was just the lodges that were occupied resulting in everywhere being very quiet and serene. 

Upon arriving at Burnbake we were greeted by the friendly staff at reception who gave us our lodge key, introduced us to the area and showed us the little shop they have during the winter months. In the spring/summer there are more facilities open on-site, including a café and larger shop. Unlike some of the other lodges you can stay in in the UK, Burnbake is relatively small with only 22 lodges available to stay in. There is a combination of lodges with two and three bedrooms, as well as the executive three bedroom lodges which is the type we stayed in. All of them have parking right outside the front door, so no trekking with all of your luggage or struggling to find parking near-by. Anything that makes life easier when holidaying with children is a winner with me.
We stayed in Lodge 21, which has two bedrooms downstairs, a master bedroom upstairs and lots of more luxurious touches as it is one of their Executive Lodges. The perfect size for our family, so that Isabella and Poppy didn't have to share a room (they wake each other up all the time) but you can fit up two six adults comfortably. The layout of the lodge meant that we were upstairs and the children were downstairs, which is something perhaps to bear in mind because it did mean going up and down the stairs a lot in the night thanks to Poppy waking up a lot. All of the bedrooms are a generous size with ample storage/wardrobe space for your clothes; you even get slippers and fluffy dressing gowns waiting for you, which is a special treat. The master bedroom had two large skylights, which meant we could lie in bed and look at the stars (and dream of a full nights sleep!). There is also an en-suite shower room, which has one of the best showers I've ever experienced. The dressing area with light and mirror was handy for getting ready and the flatscreen tv was a nice addition. 

The bedroom Poppy slept in had two single beds with plenty of space to fit the travel cot (available upon request from Burnbake) and a dining room chair for me to sit on while feeding in the night. Isabella's bedroom had two singles pushed together, though made up as two separate beds. All of the beds are quite high so we just popped a couple of pillows on the floor next to the side Isabella could roll out of, though they weren't needed as she loved spreading herself out across the two beds! The open wardrobes in both of the girl's rooms were the perfect height for standing the baby monitors on, which was a relief as sometimes we can end up struggling to find a way to see both girls on the monitors.

In between the two bedrooms downstairs is the bathroom with a shower over the bath, mini toiletries provided and fluffy towels; it has everything you need. As you walk through into the open plan dining/living area there is a door your can slide across to separate the bedroom area off. I believe it is there as a fire door, but it was perfect for when the girls had gone to bed and we had the tv on or were cooking as we didn't have to worry about disturbing them. The living/dining area is also very spacious with a well equipped kitchen with extra details like dishwasher tablets and a Tassimo coffee machine with Costa Coffee pods included. As Burnbake Lodges are pretty remote they provided you with a breakfast welcome pack filled with local bacon, butter, fresh bread, Dorset tea, sugar, milk and eggs - everything that is needed for your first breakfast there. Whenever we get a hamper at somewhere we're staying I find it the most exciting thing, does anyone else? 

Over in the living area there is a cosy woodburner, large tv on the wall, coffee table and Bang & Olufsen surround sound music player. It was really nice having the open space because it meant that Poppy could explore and we could keep an eye on her! There are also French doors that open up to a large balcony equipped with outdoor seating, a barbeque tray and your own hot tub. The addition of a hot tub is such a treat and really makes the lodge a destination to stay for the day rather than just somewhere to sleep. Isabella loved splashing around, while we enjoyed a slightly more relaxing dip in the hot tub under the stars. As the hot tub is just outside the living area and the girl's bedrooms were downstairs both of their monitors (one summerinfant and one BT) signal stretched to outside, which meant we could see them both while in the hot tub. Something that really impressed me about Burnbake was how diligent the staff were, every day someone came round to check the hot tub. 

Unfortunately during our stay the weather wasn't the sunshine we had hoped for, but we spent a day in our lodge and the combination of the hot tub, woodland to explore and woodburner we were all kept entertained. There is also a small children's play area onsite and lots to discover nearby. Burnbake is very close to the coast with Studland only about 15 minutes drive away. Swanage is also very near, with Corfe Castle just down the road. We found the location of Burnbake absolutely ideal for exploring the Dorset Jurassic Coast; some of the places we went to were West Bay (about an hour drive), Weymouth (about 40 minute drive), Durdle Door/Lulworth Cove (about 20 minute drive) and Blue Pool and Tearooms (about 10 minute drive). There are also lots of walks and cycle routes in the area too.

Burnbake Lodges is the perfect base for exploring the breathtaking Dorset coast and I would highly recommend it for a family holiday. We had such a lovely week spending quality time together, embracing the outdoors and enjoying the luxurious touches throughout the lodge. You can find out more about their lodges here and their camping here

Where is your favourite place for a staycation?

Feel free to leave a comment - I love reading every single one :)

Helen x

*We were kindly offered a complementary stay in exchange for a review. As always all opinions are 100% my own and honest.
I'm linking this blog post up with #ablogginggoodtime


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32 comments

  1. The accommodation looks amazing, so clean and crisp. We don't really do Staycations and instead prefer to fly somewhere but it is looking like this year we will have to stay closer to home so this will be one for me to remember. The quality of accommodation is a big thing for me.

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  2. So glad I just saw this as we're looking for somewhere to stay near the Jurassic Coast (my little one is obsessed with dinosaurs) and after seeing all your gorgeous photos of the area recently I wondered where you'd stayed. Your lodge looks stunning and so much better than the totally lacking in personality hotels I'd been looking at!

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  3. Wow! This place looks amazing! They have thought of everything. I would love to stay here with J. We live in Dorset but would like to take him to stay in the Purbecks in tbe summer so this would be perfect. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. It looks really idyllic. We're off on a staycation to Aviemore in the summer. Really looking forward to it, no airplane stress.

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  5. So much thought and attention to detail has been put into the accommodation. Understanding the different types of clients who will be staying and finding a balance between them all. It looks so beautifully finished and that hot tub looks so inviting.

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  6. I'm originally from Dorset and had no idea this little gem existed. May have to stay here and combine it with visiting family and friends as it looks lovely ��

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  7. That place looks amazing! I bet you and your family had a whale of a time.

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  8. This looks so beautiful, clean, and I love the style of decor they have done, and it has such a cosy feel to it. I prefer smaller places too so this looks like the sort of place our family would really love to visit

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  9. These look so amazing. As Sonia has said the cleanlyness looks fantasic which is just want you want on a family holiday.

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  10. Your lodge loos wonderful and is situated in my favourite holiday destination. The beds look super comfy and the hot tub is a real plus. Mich x

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  11. I love lodges and this looks wonderful like a hotel room!

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  12. We LOVE Dorset and actually went twice last year. The second time we got a cottage with extended family and it was so beautiful and fun. Can’t wait to go back. These lodges look lovely x

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  13. WOW the accomodation looks absolutely gorgeous! Although the outside is pretty, you would never guess it looked like that inside!

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  14. I have not heard of Burnbake before but it looks stunning. I love in Dorset and love exploring all the places you mentioned :)

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  15. Aw we are off to Dorset next month! This looks like a lovely place to stay. We always choose places like this now we have kids so much easier! And yes I love hampers too haha x

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    1. Even though I live in Devon, I don't know a lot about Dorset, other than that there are black swans there, the accommodation you stayed in looks fantastic #mudpiefriday@_karendennis

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  16. I would love to visit Dorset someday as it looks like a brilliant and beautiful place to visit. Burnbake looks amazing, I love that it is not a huge site and the lodge you stayed in looks amazing. The hot tub would be a huge hit with my children x

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  17. Oh wow, the lodges look so bright and luxurious. I love Dorset, so much to do along the Jurassic Coast.

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  18. Wow it looks very high class and so beautiful with all that wood and soft furnishing. We tend to stay in a caravan or tent but I would love to try a lodge holiday as it feels more homely.

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  19. Those lodges look and sound amazing. They've certainly thought of everything and the hot tub sounds fab. We've never been to Dorset but if we plan to go I'll certainly be checking out Burnbake!

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  20. Your lodge was gorgeous! Clean ans modern yet so cosy. I am glad to hear that you had an amazing time at Burnbake 😊

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  21. This is like a home away from home! It looks super clean and bright. I love it! x

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  22. oh this looks brillant, I love lodges and with a hot tub is amazing. I'm off to find out more as I love Dorest

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  23. My step children live in Dorset and we have recently been looking for somewhere to stay so that we can visit them- this looks perfect! #ablogginggoodtime

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  24. That accommodation looks fab. I love self catering in rural serviced accommodation. And I love staycation as I hate the hassle of flying

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  25. What a stunning place! The decor is lovely and the setting sounds perfect;)

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  26. Oh wow!!! I've always wanted to go on a hot tub break! I don't think my littlest ones would appreciate it yet though.

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  27. Wow this lodge looks absolutely incredible, i would like to take my parents somewhere like this, we busy jetting around when we have such luxury at home. Incredible

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  28. What a beautiful place to stay! I love Dorset and I would love to stay here on my next visit.

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  29. I love a peaceful weekend away. Looks like a gorgeous location.

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  30. This place looks lovely for a family holiday - and that bed looks super comfy!

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  31. This looks so beautiful. I really want to try more staycations, we live in such a beautiful country it's a shame not to explore it fully.

    Katie xoxo

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