Monkton Wyld Court

The first thing you notice is the stillness — tucked into a wooded valley near the Dorset-Devon border, Monkton Wyld Court feels miles from anywhere, though the coast path and Jurassic Coast beaches are close enough for a morning swim.

This one's for anyone after something a bit different: camping pods alongside guest house rooms in a rambling Victorian former school building with proper character. It suits solo travellers, couples wanting a retreat, walkers tackling the South West Coast Path, and well-behaved dogs (best to ask first). The West Dorset countryside here is all deep lanes, wildflower meadows and quiet villages — proper get-away-from-it-all territory.

WiFi's available if you need it, and campfires are worth checking about when you arrive. Open all year, so it works for midwinter boltholes as much as summer escapes. The vibe leans peaceful and community-minded — the kind of place where you might end up chatting over breakfast or sitting round a fire pit under the stars.