California Meadows

22/08/2026

Buttercup off grid caravan now available for hire (minimum 2 nights from £80 for 2 nights for 2 people. Weekly reduced rates) Text 07730680579 for availability.

15/08/2026

More photos of "Buttercup" now available for hire. Basic but beautiful 😍

15/08/2026

Finally finished and fitted out for guests. "Buttercup" caravan. An off-grid little bolt hole on the campsite, sleeping 2. It compliments "Daisy" caravan sleeping 1/2 next to it.
Now both available for hire.

15/08/2026

Had a wonderful evening with friends watching the eclipse up in a field next to the campsite. Complete with shared glasses, collander and picnic.. and bubble blower! Due to its location the farm and campsite gets amazing vistas, sunsets and dark skies. We weren't disappointed.
I am expecting regular visitor Stewart to come for his usual stargazing holiday next month.

09/08/2026

The continuing dry weather, but fortunately, rarely as hot as inland, has decimated any grass and sadly wildflowers (unless in the shade and cool in the woods). The poor horses and chickens are suffering the consequences of lack of fresh grass and heat.
The campsite is bone dry and cracking. But people enjoying the unbritish summer we are experiencing.
Currently quiet and cool down by the only usable firepit on the site, as I banned fires and barbecues on the fields a few weeks ago.
I have availability in the coming weeks.

22/07/2026

I have to thank everyone that came, participated and helped at the archaeology and geology festival held at California Meadows on the weekend of 11/12th July.
It was a wonderful event with guest speakers (Dorset County Archaeologist, Steve Wallis, Bournemouth University marine archaeologist Tom Cousins), poet Peter Cooper, author and storyteller,Nick Jubber, Saexia Saxon re enactors, displays by Purbeck Mining museum, Dorset Diggers Community Archaeologists, the Purbeck Society and amateur metal detectorists and private collections of fossils, archaeological items and geolological samples.
The Muddy Drifters band and dancers kept us entertained for over 2 days.
Some good things have already come out of discussions and informal chats between those attending.
Thank you all for such a brilliant time on a hot and sunny weekend. Many happy memories.
My thanks to Freezone for the loan of their marquee, luscious cakes from Lyn and Linda and help from Shebear, artist Sarah and stall holders Jane and Nigel

22/07/2026

I have availability this weekend from 23 rd July and through the following week (swanage Carnival week...lots on down in Swanage, but the campsite is away from the action near cliffs and good walks)
Text 07730680579 if you need pitches for tents or camper vans and not caravans.
Currently not allowing any live flame or barbecues on the fields due to dry foliage fire hazard. However the fire pit area near the toilets in the copse, it is possible.

05/07/2026

I am looking forward to welcoming visitors to next week's event at California Meadows campsite, celebrating the archaeological and geological heritage of Purbeck.

Visiting speakers and displays including:-

Museum of London Coasts in Mind Poole harbour project (Saturday) -they are interested in hearing from anybody with stories, memories and experiences of Poole harbour and the area.

Tom Cousins, marine archaeologist from Bournemouth University will be talking about local wrecks and the history of marine trade.(Sunday morning)

County Archaeologist, Steve Wallis will be talking about historic communities and evidence of travel along the south coast (Sunday afternoon).

Dorset Diggers Community Archaeology Group will be on site all weekend.

Norden Clay Museum will have a display, along with private items highlighting the historic Purbeck clay industry and contemporary use by local artists.

A display of Items from the archive of the Purbeck Society.

Local re enactor group, Saexia , will be on site with displays, activities and their birds of prey.

Private collections of fossils and archaeological finds, guided walks around California Farm with its evidence of habitation over 1000's of years, through to present day.

Local metal detectoristss will be hoping to find evidence inc. that of WW2 army use of the farm, for DDay Training inc American troops.

Performers. Storytellers and musicians.
Artists and children's activities (paint a cave wall, add a fossil to a cliff face)
Entertainment by "Muddy Drifters", poet Peter Cooper, Author and storyteller Nick Jubber.
Food and hot and cold drinks provided from Friday evening to Monday morning by J and J (from the Jerk Shack).
As yet a bar needs to be confirmed,

The event is free however.....
There is limited weekend camping, but spaces are still available and can be booked (text 07730680579 for fees and booking).

Access and Parking is limited. to ensure availability and assist traffic, spaces will be allocated by texting 07730680579 up to 7pm the day before.
Allocated spaces -morning 10-1.30pm afternoon 2-6,
evening 6.30-10pm £5 a session.
Full day 10-6pm tickets £10.)

I look forward to hearing from those who wish to join us over the weekend. There is still room for independent stall holders if they contact me ASAP to allocate space, parking and camping needs.

05/07/2026

Just sit on the cliffs near the campsite and watch for dolphins. There have been several sightings.

You never know what you might see ...
As I stopped at the bottom of the gully by Tilly Whim to look at a Lulworth Skipper butterfly, a puffing noise, a bit like a scuba diver, made me turn, to look out to sea, and there the dark grey dorsal fins of a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins were visible, fairly close in.
At least 7 of these superb mammals, their fins rising and falling as they made their way slowly along the coast to the east, then a couple of tail slaps of the water before they all disappeared. After a few minutes the Bottlenose Dolphins reappeared further out, having changed direction – a few more breaths and fin sightings and then nothing!
You can always just sit in the cafe garden (with tea and cake) and hope!

04/07/2026

Just off the coast below the campsite. A regular event. Just keep your eyes peeled. The dolphins often follow/accompany boats and Kayaks.