The Old Forge Glamping and Cottage Stays

15/09/2026

Evening ride up on Fontmell and Melbury Beacon this week — light going gold over the Vale, Lily happy to be out. Some evenings you just have to down tools and get up on the Downs while the light lasts. 🐴🌅

11/09/2026

A beautiful afternoon blackberry picking with Lily and Shortie!

09/09/2026

We're absolutely thrilled to share some exciting news...

🏆 The Old Forge has been named a Finalist in the Dorset Tourism Awards 2026 in the Glamping Business of the Year category! 🏕️✨

As a small family business, doing everything ourselves while raising two young children, this recognition means the world to us.

A huge thank you to everyone who has stayed with us, supported us, recommended us, and cheered us on over the years. Every booking, kind review and recommendation has helped us get here, and we truly couldn't have done it without you.

We're incredibly proud to be recognised alongside so many wonderful Dorset tourism businesses.

Thank you for being part of our journey. ❤️

02/09/2026

Our free-range chickens, happily scratching, pecking and roaming around the smallholding — and the lovely ladies behind your delicious breakfast eggs. 🥚🤎

And have you spotted our newest arrivals? 👀 The Silkies with their fabulous little pom-pom heads!

20/08/2026

Welcome to the flock! 🐔🤎

Iris and Woody each chose a chicken of their very own today using their pocket money from our local show! 🥰

So, please welcome Hazel and Brave to the flock! 🐔🐔

Hazel is a gorgeous Polish Bantam — she is so soft and fluffy! ☁️ And Brave is a beautiful Polish cross with plenty of character already! 😍

They’ll be introduced to the rest of the flock slowly and carefully over the coming days while everyone gets used to each other.

We can’t wait to watch these two settle into their new home! ❤️

CountryKids ChickenKeeping OurSmallholding TheOldForgeDorset

12/08/2026

⚠️ Important: Fire Safety Update 🔥

Due to prolonged drought conditions and the increased risk of wildfire in our area, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend the use of barbecues, outdoor fires, our wood-fired pizza oven, and the wood-fired hot tub burner, in line with fire service guidance for the region.

We don’t take this decision lightly. As a family who have cared for this land since 1986, being responsible stewards of the countryside comes first, always.

Rest assured, your stay is still full of everything that makes The Old Forge special:

•⁠ ⁠A fully equipped kitchen with a gas cooker for all your cooking needs.
•⁠ ⁠The hot tub will be warm and ready for your first soak. Afterwards, it also makes a wonderfully refreshing cool dip in the summer heat. If you do need to reheat the water, please be mindful that the tub holds around 600 litres, and with the current drought we’re asking guests to use water as responsibly as possible.

We’ll lift these restrictions as soon as it’s safe to do so and keep this page updated. Thank you for your understanding, and for helping us protect our home, our animals, and this beautiful part of Dorset.

11/08/2026

A visit to our local town of Shaftesbury with a walk down Gold Hill never gets old!

04/08/2026

From tree to table 🍑💛

Today Iris picked fresh plums straight from our orchard, helped make a homemade plum crumble, and of course enjoyed the best bit… eating it! 🥄

There’s something so special about showing children where food comes from. From gathering fruit in the sunshine to mixing the crumble topping and sharing it warm from the oven, these are the moments that make childhood magical.

Simple ingredients, little hands, and memories that will last a lifetime. ❤️

CountryLife Smallholding Homemade OrchardLife SlowLiving FamilyMoments DorsetLife

10/07/2026

Look up !

10/07/2026