Merley Court Touring Park, Dorset
53584c13-353c-4d9d-87a9-8d46eb783dcb
A long woodland driveway takes you from main roads to tranquil Merley Court. And if you’re lucky enough to get a pitch backing onto that woodland, the dawn chorus will enchant you – and encourage you to rise early to enjoy this park.Natural though this woodland attribute is, Merley Court’s first-impact appeal is of topiary-standard hedging, spherical bushes – every bit the man-made traditional elegant parkland.
A gushing fountain surmounts a rock feature at the entrance; new for 2008 are green, red and blue lighting to create a psychedelic effect as soon as the daylight fades.
This park retains all the hallmarks of a grand estate, although stately Merley Court House, visible from the park, is now used as offices.
Play area and tennis courts
Investigate more closely and you’ll see that the bar opens onto a walled courtyard area where barbecues take place in the season.
The park looks immaculate – and there are further refinements in progress. Underfloor heating is a feature of refurbishment of one of the three amenities buildings.
The shop is shortly to be extended to offer more camping equipment, wine, walking information (there’s a good stock at present), plus enough food to ensure you wouldn’t starve if you arrived here with an empty fridge.
The Shorefield Group bought Merley in 2006. It was already an established and quality family park. Now, the attractions include the log fire in the cosy bar, discos on the small dance floor in another bar area, breakfast served at weekends, a room where traditional skittle equipment invites you, plus darts, a take-away
Pause as you take in the facilities list here and order, perhaps, scampi and chips, lasagne, salad, pizza, jacket potatoes – plus puddings and children’s meals.
We peruse the breakfast menu for tomorrow and decide on a full-English at £5.95 and a Breakfast Bap at £2.45 and move on, to discover more of this site for you.
Illuminated fountain entrance
Then Dave Hawkins, who runs the park with his wife Jane, leads me to a part of the site I would not have otherwise discovered – a natural woodland tent area where pitches are set amid the trees. There’s no electricity here – just wild woodland enclave pitches to enjoy.
Everything from tents to the largest RV is accommodated here – pitches of 15 metres x 5 metres are ample for RVs and fifth-wheelers and there are other pitches which are almost as big, to accommodate the largest of touring caravans.
Merley Court’s character is that of family park with no razzmatazz but bags of quality and refinement. After four nights at Merley Court – our second visit; I’d spent a happy half-term with our son here some years ago – we are sure we want to return again.
• For contact details, visit Merley Court Touring Park's listing in our Campsite Finder section by clicking here.
Recent Updates
Caravan chassis: all you need to know
A caravan chassis is a skeletal frame that runs from front to back, supporting the body and linking the entire structure to the axle or axles ...
Caravan cooking recipes
Caravan cookery inspirational ideas. No need to stress out in the kitchen with these quick and easy ...
Caravan satellite dish guide: everything you need to know
Few holiday types can rival the escapism of the humble caravan, but we all love to sit back and relax in ...
Caravan insurance: all you need to know
Navigating the world of caravan insurance can feel like a daunting task. Fear not, as this comprehensive ...
Caravan tyres: everything you need to know
In this tyre guide, we'll explain everything you need to know about looking after your caravan tyres and ...
Caravan solar panels: all you need to know
Whether you dream of roaming off-grid or just fancy reducing your carbon footprint, fitting solar panels to ...
Caravanning with dogs: all you need to know
Caravan holidays with dogs are a joy for lots of reasons. Firstly, many people choose to buy a caravan ...
How to set up a caravan: all you need to know
Setting up your caravan on a campsite pitch is just a sequence of actions. They’re second nature to ...
Caravan showers: all you need to know
In this guide, we’ll discuss the different types of showers, how they work, and how to fit an external shower ...
Towing a caravan: all you need to know
Towing a caravan may seem daunting initially, but a few simple tips can make the journey enjoyable and ...
Other Articles
Towbars & towballs: all you need to know
Flange, detachable, swan neck, retractable – towbar technology choice is bewildering. Don’t worry. We’ll explain the options and cut through the ...
Caravan WiFi: everything you need to know
Caravan holidays are the ultimate way of getting away from it all, although we sometimes need a link to the ...
Buying a caravan: what you need to know
Let us guide you through some of the complicated things to think about when first looking at buying a ...
Caravan awnings: a buyers' guide
Caravan awnings are a fantastic addition to any caravan as they are one of the simplest, quickest and most ...
Caravan electrics: avoid tripping out
All caravan owners have overloaded their mains supply at some time. Here’s how to master caravan electrics ...
Caravan heating systems: a quick guide to caravanning warmth
When winter is here, you’ll be glad of a decent caravan heating system if you’re out touring. Here’s how the ...
Caravan damp: a complete guide
There's little more guaranteed to strike fear into the heart of a caravan owner than the word 'damp'. But if ...
Caravan jockey wheels: the definitive guide
A well-functioning caravan jockey wheel can make all the difference to manoeuvring away from the towcar, ...
Caravan bike racks: a complete guide
Exploring the beautiful surroundings while on a caravan trip is undeniably one of the greatest joys of the ...
The ultimate guide to caravan layouts
Choosing the right layout or floorplan of your caravan is an all-important part of the buying process – find ...