Sika and Fallow are our two gorgeous shepherd’s huts. Both built by Plankbridge Master Hutmakers (also natives of Dorset of course), they are luxurious and snug, equipped with wood burners and a kitchen.

Each hut has its own separate bathroom hut with a power shower, basin and compositing loo, and each is arranged around its own little camp – with fire bowl and outdoor seating – all nestling in enchanting woodland. They sleep two in a double bed with the finest down duvets and pillows.

Fallow has a separate cooking hut giving you a little more space especially if you are considering a longer stay.

The huts are a little way from the main house, so you can enjoy complete privacy. They can be booked independently, subject to availability.

It’s a secluded piece of Dorset magic – a special world of walks, wellies and wonder.

Contact us for enquiries or to make a booking.

ESSENTIALS

Two night minimum stay – prices from: £120
Closed October-April 

Check In: 3.00pm
Check Out: 10.00am
We can be flexible on times with prior agreement.

Facilities
Sika
Double Bed
Table
Kitchenette
Wood Burner
Separate Adjacent Bathroom with toilet, shower and basin.

Fallow
Double Bed
Table
Wood Burner
Separate Adjacent Bathroom with toilet, shower and basin
Separate Kitchen Hut

 

WHAT WE PROVIDE:

• Winter & Summer weight down-filled duvets and 4 feather pillows (please ask if you need an alternative)
• Egyptian cotton bedding
• Spare blankets, towels, shower mat (please bring your own swimming towels for the beach)
• Kindling, logs, matches and natural fire-lighters for the wood-burner/charcoal for the fire-pit
• Outdoor Kedai fire-bowl
• Extra large coolbox with chilled ice-blocks
• Basic cooking/BBQ utensils, storage tubs, washing-up liquid, tea-towels
• Basic cooking ingredients – olive oil, salt/pepper, sugar, tea & coffee
• Roberts Radio with spare re-chargeable batteries
• A hammock and outside tables/chairs
• Torch and two kerosene-filled lanterns.
• Small first-aid kit
• Books & Games (though sadly we cannot provide these during Covid so please do bring your own)
• Maps & Information leaflets (again we are not supposed to provide these during Covid though there are a few wipe-clean versions available for you)

GETTING HERE

Before leaving home it is best to put Warmwell House rather than our postcode (DT2 8HQ) into your satnav.  This is because (annoyingly!) the postcode actually takes you to the Livery yard on the other side of the road.

The village is situated on the B3390 approximately 5 miles south-east of Dorchester.  If you are approaching from the north-east (London) direction you will probably enter the village, having passed a number of holiday sites.  Go down the hill into the village, past the red telephone box, around a sharp right-hand bend, up the hill, passing the church on the left.  The entrance to the house is the second on the left after this.  You will see the white gate (with Warmwell House sign) and the Lodge at the beginning of the drive.  If you are approaching from the west you will most probably take the A352 from Dorchester which will bring you to Warmwell Cross Roundabout.  Take the first exit, go down the hill into the village and the drive to Warmwell House is on the right.

On arrival please park at the front of the house and pull the bell or call us on our mobiles (see below)

TRANSPORT

The two nearest train stations are Wool or Moreton.  Either is a short taxi-drive away.  If it’s convenient we are happy to collect guests from Moreton (about 3 miles away).  Otherwise there are various taxi services….

Weyline Taxis  (Weymouth) – 01305 777777

Garrison Cars (Wool) – 07774 453234

Durdle Door Cabs (near Wool Station) – 01929 444546

Bob’s Cars  (near Wool station) – 01305 269500

Wool Taxis – 01929 558119

Xways cars – (Crossways, nr. Moreton) – 01305 854719 – Good for Airport transfers

THINGS TO DO

THINGS TO DO ON THE ESTATE:

There are a number of lovely walks on the estate.  We have provided maps and descriptions of three of the best.

The Kitchen Garden – guests are welcome to grab a basket and pick some of our produce (within moderation!).  Do ask our gardeners, Carl & Calypso, to point you in the right direction if you need help.

The Maze – though small it is surprisingly difficult – Best to accompany children

Wildlife spotting – you should see plenty of deer, birds of prey, pheasants, rabbits and maybe, even, the odd badger or fox.  Warmwell Heath is an S.S.S.I site with Exmoor ponies and many rare species of birds, butterflies and wild flowers.

Tennis – you are welcome to use our court.  Just drop us a text to let us know when you’d like to play.

The Church – do visit the lovely Holy Trinity church.  There are beautiful stained-glass windows and well-tended war graves.  Warmwell had its own Airfield during WW2.

 

THINGS TO DO FURTHER AFIELD:

ACTIVE:

Walk the Southcoast path – stunning scenery from Ringstead to Purbeck.  Old Harry’s Rocks are a spectacular sight and make for a great walk in the Corfe/Studland area.

Ringstead Beach – Our local.  4 miles by car (£5 for car park) or you can walk  from the huts (1.5 hour strenuous walk). The sea is very clear but jelly shoes are recommended

Puddletown Forest – Good for mountain biking/walking and Hardy’s cottage

Jurassic Water Sports (jurassicwatersports.co.uk) – Kayak rental, coasteering and climbing at Lulworth.

Portland Sailing Academy (site of 2012 Olympic sailing) – Excellent facilities for windsurfing/sailing tuition

Mountain Biking – (cyclex.co.uk or weymouthbikehire.co.uk)

RIB motorboats can be hired from Weymouth (with correct licences etc.)

Riding:  Lulworth Equestrian Centre (www.lulworthequestriancentre.com – 01929 400396)

Kingston Maurwood College (01305 215135)

CULTURAL/HISTORIC:

Corfe Castle – Magical site and charming village

Dorchester Museum – currently undergoing a multi-million pound facelift but still open to public

Maiden Castle – Fascinating  landscape on the edge of Dorchester formed by ancient fortifications.

Moreton Church, ford and tea rooms – Beautifully etched windows in this small village church a few miles from Warmwell

Lulworth Castle and Bay – An impressive ruin with occasional events. The Bay and iconic Durdle Door are worth a visit but can be very busy at peak times.

Kimmeridge Bay – Lovely bay famous for fossils.  The museum and café in the village are well worth a visit

Tyneham Village – Deserted village, now a time-capsule,  near Lulworth.  Lovely walks and an interesting information centre documenting the evacuation of the village during WW2.

Abbotsbury Swannery, village and St. Catherine’s chapel – charming thatched village just inland from Chesil Beach

RAINY DAYS/CHILDREN:

Some of the above.  Also….

Monkey World

Bovington Tank Museum

Weymouth Sea World/mini golf

Monart Spa, Poundbury (www.monartspa.co.uk – 10305 595000).

Poundbury, Prince Charles’s development on the edge of Dorchester, is well worth a visit for those interested in architecture and good coffee shops!

FURTHER AFIELD:

Sherborne Abbey & Town Centre – lovely town with good cafes and independent shops

Minterne Gardens – En route to Sherborne.  Wonderful collection of Himalayan Rhododendrons and azaleas.

Bridport & The Golden Cap – Lovely market town, golden beaches (of Broadchurch fame!) and great coastal walks

 

FOOD & DRINK:

Being a very foodie county the list is endless!  Here are a few of our favourites….

PUBS:

The Wise Man, West Stafford, DT2 8AG (01305 261970) – Gastro pub with delicious food  (approx. 5 miles away)

The Sailor’s Return, East Chaldon, DT2 8DN (01305 854441) – A good destination if you’re walking from Ringstead or Lulworth.

The Springhead, Sutton Poyntz, DT3 6LW (01305 832117) – A little bigger than the above so good for families.

The New Inn, West Knighton DT2 8PE (01305 852349) – Food and décor more basic than the above but worth mentioning since it’s the one pub you can walk to from the huts (via Warmwell Heath)

The Smugglers Inn, Osmington Mills DT3 6HF (01305 833125) –  A good walk (about ¾ of an hour) from Ringstead, along the beach and then up on to the hills.  Large Garden but can be very busy during peak season

 

CAFES AND RESTAURANTS:

Yalbury Cottage, Lower Bockhampton DT2 8P2 (01305 262382).  Dinner Tues-Sat, Lunch – Sundays only.  Charming thatched small hotel. Very good food.

The Boat Shed Café, Lulworth (01929 400810) – Great location for a snack right on the beach but can get very busy at Lulworth

Clavell’s Restaurant, Kimmeridge BH20 5PE (01929 480701) – Lovely spot opposite the museum. Very friendly staff.

The Crabhouse Café, Weymouth (01305 788867) – Quirky but delicious.  Lovely creek-side spot on a mild evening.

The Clubhouse, West Bexington DT2 9DG (01308 898302)  – Great to tie in with a visit to Abbotsbury.  Fun location right on Chesil beach. Delicious fish.

The King’s Arms, Dorchester (01305 238238) – Newly revamped hotel on Dorchester high street.  A good vibe and delicious food.

Vinny at Six, Dorchester (01305 267679)

 Myra’s Japanese restaurant,  Dorchester (01305 751 859)

 

FOR THAT SPECIAL OCCASION:

The Pig on the Beach, Studland BH19 3AU (03452 259494) – Great spot, excellent service.  Need to book well in advance.

The Priory, Wareham BH20 4ND (01929 551666) – Lovely riverside location – very civilized!

Rick Stein, Sandbanks (01202 283000)– A bit of a hike (need to go over the chain ferry) but great if you’re not in a hurry.

Shell Bay Seafood Restaurant, Studland BH19 3BA (01929 450363).  Wonderful spot overlooking Brownsea Island.  Bistro & restaurant

The Station Kitchen, West Bay – Quirky, fun restaurant in a converted train carriage behind West Bay (www.thestationkitchen.co.uk)

 

LOCAL SHOPS & SERVICES

Kate’s Farm Shop  (2 miles) – Good selection of local/artisan produce. In the direction of Wool (up to roundabout and first exit – 1.5 miles)

Broadmayne Post Office  (2.5 miles) – Lovely friendly people and good basic supplies. En route to Dorchester.

The Co-op, Crossways (2 miles) – Good for basics (open 7 days a week)

WEYFISH in Weymouth (approx. 5 miles)  have their own boats and wonderful fresh fish

Jurassic Meats (4 miles). Farm shop with locally sourced meat and other produce.  Great for the BBQ!

THINGS TO BE AWARE OF:

• A few horse owners sometimes keep their horses in an adjacent field.  They will occasionally need to visit and feed their horses (by foot) but have been asked not to disturb you.
• There is some distant road traffic noise from the A353 which is about 1km away (depending on wind direction and time of day.
• Guests should bring insect repellent and wear long-trousers when walking through long grass or bracken.  Ticks are always a risk where sheep or deer graze.
• There is good phone signal but no wi-fi or charging facility for laptops.  However, we are happy to charge things in the house on request.
• The water from the tap outside the huts is drinkable but we always advise to run the tap for a good few minutes on warm days before drinking.
• Guests may bring an extra tent on request.
• Cars may not be parked by the huts and there is quite a steep walk through the garden to access them.  However, we are normally on hand to help with luggage and guests may request to park a little nearer to the huts on initial arrival if they have a large amount of kit.
• We are sorry we do not allow dogs unless there are special circumstances.