Accessible glamping experience

 My son, Luke and I like to travel as much as possible but we’ve never visited somewhere and been desperate to return before we’ve even left..

Luke is severely disabled, he can move his arms but he’s Paralysed from the chest down. Luke can’t balance very well when sitting and can’t weight-bear at all ~ Luke has always wanted to experience Glamping but as I weigh 8st and Luke is 17st, being in that situation with no disability equipment I didn’t feel was ever possible. Six Months ago I nearly lost Luke to Sepsis and when he got well I was determined to make sure he had done all the things in life that he stated he wanted to do so this was why I booked a Yurt.

From the moment we entered the gates of the site we fell in love. We parked immediately outside of our Yurt.  The small ramp provided outside for the tiny lip was perfect ease for Luke’s Chair to enter. Although Luke is 34 years old and intellectually very able he was like Child when we arrived, he didn’t know what to do first, explore the accessible Site, Cafe, or enjoy the cosy, stunning Yurt. Inside the Yurt with the decor and flames from the fire we both felt like we were in a Fairytale. When Luke went off exploring, all of the surfaces around the park were manageable with Luke’s Powerchair but Luke could have been pushed with ease if we had brought a Handchair, any gravel was shallow.

The site had everything anyone could need able bodied or not. It’s absolutely stunning. The facilities are IMMACULATE. The homemade cakes and bread. The smell of Breakfast cooking in the Morning and I swear as soon as someone uses the toilet/shower or washing up facilities then little elves come out and clean it! It’s spotless at all times and the beautiful Flowers, stunning.

At bedtime Luke slid over into the bed with ease and put his Wheelchair on charge next to the bed, having never slept under the Stars before I know it was a while before he eventually fell asleep. After a wonderful nights sleep, in the morning we realised you had an accessible bus service right outside the Gate. That is such a treat for us and only the second time Luke has been able to access a Bus. We actually got on and told him to take us ‘Anywhere’ ~ We subsequently got lost and had to get an accessible taxi back to the site!!

Luke insisted we bought a disposable BBQ whilst we were on our Mystery Bus ride and when we got back we placed it on a metal surface and Luke cooked my Tea for the first time ever! It was awful, it was a bit burnt!! But that’s besides the point – it was amazing how the adventurous side of Luke had emerged from this whole experience. I’m not sure why the Yurt had such an effect on him. Not only is it beautiful but I think it was the accessible freedom he’d felt for the first time in his life. He chatted to the neighbours and felt included in this common interest and the ‘Sleeping in a Field’ Adventure.

So thank you again so much for this experience. Each Day we explored all the wonderful things to do in Dorset and had an incredible Week. Whilst making friends with the neighbours Luke enquired about their tents and campers so I don’t think he is going to stop here now you have given him this taste of Adventure and if we are ever to experience camping then I know you’re going to be seeing us again, he’ll insist on that and instead of any apprehension I can’t wait..

Sarah & Luke