Crooked Willows Farm

The heathland of Holt Heath Nature Reserve surrounds Crooked Willows Farm and is your first port of call for a walk as there are footpaths leading across it in all directions. But the New Forest National Park is also a great place to walk or cycle and its western edge is only eight miles away. Closer than that is Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park (six miles). The pretty, riverside market town of Wimborne Minster is five miles away. The twin-towered church it’s named for is worth a look if you’re interested in history as it has one of only four chained libraries in England among its artifacts. There are also lovely walks along the two rivers that meet there – plus a high street of independent shops. Bournemouth and its beaches and seaside attractions are 14 miles from the campsite, Poole Harbour is about the same distance. Wareham (18 miles) is a half-hour drive from where you can head towards your choice of locations within the Isle of Purbeck and on the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jurassic Coast: Corfe Castle, Lulworth Cove, Kimmeridge Bay, Studland. All are within an hour’s drive from the farm.

The closest pub to Crooked Willows Farm, The Cross Keys Inn, is a short walk away in the village of Holt Heath. It’s a traditional pub and does simple pub fayre but has limited opening hours – so do check it’s open if you’re hoping for lunch or dinner. The Old Inn at Holt (two miles) is another nearby option. It has a modern menu of good pub grub – including wood-fired pizza. For breakfast, brunch or lunch, or to pick up local supplies if you want to cater for yourselves, head for Gulliver’s Farm Shop and Kitchen (three miles). It’s a social enterprise and an organic farm shop and cafe with a tasty menu. It’s situated close to the village of West Moors (four miles) which also has the closest small supermarket and grocery stores but Wimborne Minster (five miles) is perhaps a prettier place to head for if you want to browse the local shops.