Feather Down Farms - East Shilvinghampton
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Add your business details- Family-friendly safari tents at a scenic Dorset working farm
- A 10-minute drive to Chesil Beach and 15 minutes to Weymouth
- Farm tours, local produce and alpaca walks available on site
Where should you go in the UK to give yourselves the best chance of finding good weather? Make your way to Weymouth, on the Dorset coast – it’s said to have more sunny days per year than anywhere else in the country.
While it’s a good idea to keep fingers crossed for clear days, rainy ones shouldn’t pose too much of a problem when you’re staying at Feather Down Farm Days (East Shilvinghampton) – accommodation here is in sturdy safari tents that are almost like canvas cottages. Each one has its own ensuite bathroom, dining table and well-equipped kitchen as well as comfy beds so you’ll be self contained and cosy in all weathers.
The tents are part of a working farm on the south side of the valley that stretches from Portesham to Upwey, and you’ll be sharing the place with the resident animals who live in a paddock just a short way from the tent field. The farm is run by the Bartlett family, who are keen to help guests get the most out of their stay by giving farm tours (to meet and feed the pigs, goats and calves), answering questions and offering extras like alpaca walks (extra charge applies for this).
Of course, farm life is all about food – and there’s no shortage of that around here. The farm larder shop is stocked with local produce including the farm’s own beef and pork and other local goodies (including wine and beer from within a 20-mile radius). Home-made goodies are on offer too (with a highlight being the meringue roulade – grab a piece of this if you get the chance) and there are often pizza nights to join in with. Meanwhile, foragers are welcome to help themselves to things like sloes from around the farm.
Site type
9Languages spoken
English
This site is a member of Feather Down Farms group.
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Features
Dogs allowed
Leisure on site
Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Games room Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Play area TV room Take away Tennis WatersportsAmenities on site
Bath available Car parking by pitch/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Launderette Local produce Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area WifiGroups welcome
Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Rallies welcome Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcomeRules
Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all yearThemes
Peaceful Remote location Spectacular sceneryUtilities
Charging facilities Chemical disposal Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energyNearby amenities
Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Shop nearbyType
Tiny (1-10 pitches)Accessibility
Disabled facilitiesNearby leisure
Cycle hire nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Indoor pool nearby Restaurant nearby Tennis nearby Watersports nearbyLocation
Feather Down Farms - East Shilvinghampton
Portesham
Weymouth
Dorset
England
DT3 4HN
Directions Timezone
Europe/London GMT (GMT+00:00)
GPS
50.65693°N
-2.52762°W
Route directions
What3Words: basics.composers.bother
Please note: At the end of your journey, a sat nav will take you to the site's neighbours, but please do not enter West Shilvinghampton.
Nearest transport
Coach4.6 mi Marks and Spencer
5.3 mi South Station
11.6 mi Coach Station
Rail2.8 mi Upwey Rail Station
4.3 mi Weymouth Rail Station
5.3 mi Dorchester West Rail Station
Ferry4.8 mi Weymouth Ferry Terminal
23.7 mi Poole Ferry Terminal
24.1 mi Poole Quay Ferry Landing
AirportPlease note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.
Local attractions
This is the countryside that inspired Thomas Hardy’s novels – and you may find you grow fond of it too as you visit places like Dorchester (20 minutes’ drive), Kingston Maurward (25 minutes) and Hardy’s Cottage itself (25 minutes).
The Jurassic Coast is close by too – with highlights being the impressive shingle strand Chesil Beach (10 minutes), the pretty village of Abbotsbury (10 minutes) with its swannery and subtropical gardens and of course the splendid sandy beach, Sea Life Centre and nature reserves of Weymouth (15 minutes).
How else to fill days? Well, there are plenty of places for boat trips and watersports, plus outdoor art at Sculpture By The Lakes (35 minutes), bird of prey experiences at Dorset Falconry Park (25 minutes) and chances to step far back into the past at The Dinosaur Museum (25 minutes)…
Water quality at nearby bathing waters
| Name | Distance | Type | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weymouth Lodmoor | 4.3 mi | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Weymouth Central | 4.4 mi | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Bowleaze Cove | 4.8 mi | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Portland Harbour Castle Cove | 5.1 mi | Sea | N/A | Excellent | N/A | N/A |
| Portland Harbour Sandsfoot Castle | 5.2 mi | Sea | N/A | Good | Excellent | Good |
Data source: European Environment Agency
Must see
Abbotsbury Swannery 3.2 mi
Radipole Lake Nature Reserve 4.1 mi
Weymouth Sea Life Park and Marine Sanctuary 4.2 mi
Hardy's Birthplace 7.9 mi
Mapperton House & Gardens 12.3 mi
National Trust
Max Gate 5.8 mi
Hardy's Cottage 7.8 mi
Clouds Hill 12.8 mi
Corfe Castle 20.6 mi
Montacute House 21.9 mi
Cycle routes
Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.
Other
Hardy Monument Circular 2.3 mi
Nottington - Chickerell 2.3 mi
Nottington - Upwey - Broadwey 2.3 mi
Nottington - Southill - Chickerell 2.3 mi
Nottington - Lorton - Radipole 2.4 mi
Local events
- Dorset County Show (Saturday 6 September 2025 – Saturday 6 September 2025)
Dorchester, Dorset 6.4 mi
Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.
Payment terms
Offers
Conditions apply - see pitch type section for details
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Frequently asked questions
- Does Feather Down Farms - East Shilvinghampton have a swimming pool? No View all features
- Is Feather Down Farms - East Shilvinghampton dog friendly? Yes View all features
- What attractions are near Feather Down Farms - East Shilvinghampton? This is the countryside that inspired Thomas Hardy’s novels – and you may find you grow fond of it too as you visit places like Dorchester (20 minutes’ drive), Kingston Maurward (25 … Read more
- When can I check in and check out of Feather Down Farms - East Shilvinghampton?
Read moreOn-site accommodation Arrive: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Depart by: Anytime