Alastair Sawday's Special Escapes: Self-catering in the UK

Rosie, the Gypsy caravan

Rosie, the Gypsy caravan, The Old Forge, Fanners Yard, Shaftesbury, Dorset, England

It doesn't get much more special than this... An immaculately-restored 1934 gypsy caravan, with room for just two, next to an orchard and paddock (with a donkey and two Arab horses) and a big view to beautiful Fontmell Down. The place is magical, and so too is the care and work that the owners have put into rescuing it. Its colours are true Romany – deep burgundy and cream – there's an old brass kettle, which looks the part on the range (you'd never guess it was electric) and pretty little stencilled cupboards. Climb into the snug bed, and spend cosy evenings chatting together, with no distractions. Tim has installed some very discreet heating too, for chillier times; while on balmy nights you can sit out and watch the sun set over the fields, or stroll across them to the local restaurant for supper. There's a marvellous feeling of tranquillity and timelessness at The Old Forge: hens strut under retro enamel signs, donkeys bray and butterflies flutter in fields of rare wild flowers and grasses. Shaftesbury and Blandford, both interesting Dorset market towns, are to the north and south, and truly excellent walks are all around. This is such a peaceful and romantic spot, no wonder it's so popular with our readers...

This place is part of Sawday's Canopy & Stars, our dedicated website for unusual camping-style spaces. Click here to go its section on the site.

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Details

Rosie, the Gypsy caravan

Contact: Canopy & Stars

• Tel: +44 (0)1179 247877
• Sleeps: 2
• Rooms: 1 double
• Price: £85 - £95 per night
• Closed: Never

Checklist

• Dishwasher
• Electricity included
• Washing machine
• Microwave oven
• Central heating
• Mobile reception
• Television
• BBQ
• Beach within 3 miles
• Cooked meals available
• Restaurant nearby
• Short breaks possible
• Extra bed/cot available
• Shop within 3 miles

Points of interest

• Breadmaking courses available locally
• Just over half an hour from The Jurassic Coast
• On The Wessex Ridgeway
• Convenient for The Great Dorset Steam Fair at the end of August
• Thomas Hardy county
• Longleat, a half-hour drive

This information is provided by owners and is not endorsed by ASP. If you have questions about it, please contact the owners.