Dimpsey Glamping

UK England South West England Somerset Ilminster

01460 477 770   Beetham Farm, Combe St Nicholas, Chard, Somerset TA20 3PY

  • 3 Shepherds Huts
  • Couples Retreat
Shepherd’s huts with romance and style in Somerset’s Blackdown Hills

The three shepherd’s huts at Dimpsey Glamping each occupy their own field on a farm in Somerset’s Blackdown Hills. They also each have an outdoor hot tub or bath, a wood-burning stove and a pizza oven. Those are the headlines, but guess what guests who visit these romantic getaways comment on most? The little things. Like the locally-made biscuits that are waiting for you on arrival and the tiny hot chocolate corner. We’d love to tell you all about them but that might take away from the magic that makes this place so special. Instead, we’ll keep schtum and stick to the bigger picture.

The first shepherd’s hut arrived at Beetham Farm back in 2015. In some ways what’s on offer has not changed much since then — it’s always been about carefully-sourced, beautifully-designed, locally-made fixtures and features. That starts with the huts themselves (built by the craftsmen at Blackdown Shepherd’s Huts, less than 10 miles away) and is carried through to the toiletries in the bathroom cabinets. However, while the ethos at Dimpsey has stayed the same, the high-end glamping at this site has been honed over the years to give each hut its own personality and style.

Choose 'Dimpsey Hither' for a cosy stay with a wood-fired hot tub in a covered, fairy-lit, stone shelter outside. Choose 'Dimpsey Yonder' for a double-sized hut with a hot tub under the stars and a copper bed at the foot of the bed. Or choose 'Dimpsey Dapple' for a stay in a copse of trees with a bath outside, a starlit ceiling over the bed and the best chance of spotting deer. Each hut is self-contained with an outside space that’s yours for the duration of your stay. The site is dog-free, child-free and designed to be stress-free too. With that in mind there’s no wifi either. It’s a place to slow down, relax and enjoy simple things like good food, campfires and sunsets.

The name 'Dimpsey' is from an old Somerset word for the half-light at the end of the day – the type of light you’ll be enjoying after days out walking in the Blackdown Hills or exploring Lyme Regis, half an hour’s drive away. It’s the light you’ll be enjoying as you cook dinner on the campfire or walk to highly-recommended local pub, The Candlelight Inn. It doesn’t get much more romantic than that. And it doesn’t get much more romantic than Dimpsey.

Details

Facilities

The shepherd's hut is 18ft long and includes full en-suite facilities, including shower, flushing loo and bottles of bathroom products, right down to handmade soaps from Cornwall. The hut is sheep's wool insulated and has a log burning stove with a free, unlimited supply of wood. The double bed (linen and bedding provided) can be folded into the wall if more space is required, there is a long sofa, a practical area with gas hob, fridge, sink and all the utensils and cutlery you will need, plus a hand built oak table and benches for 4–6 people. Games, books, a radio, telescope, OS maps and star maps are all in there too. Outside there's a BBQ and campfire area plus ht and cold taps for washing up. Dimpsey is a small, mixed farm with 15 Dexter cows, 10 Jacobs sheep and 2 Tamworth pigs. 15 acres are a designated SSSI too, so expect plenty of varied wildlife and a blissful dawn chorus.

Remote working, we can offer longer stays and we’re particularly good for people who want to come and work in a peaceful place.  We have really good 4G but no wifi in the huts – lots of plug sockets etc.

Suitable For

Glampers only. Tents, campervans, caravans, dogs and pets – no.

Nearby

Walking and cycling routes surround the campsite and other activities (horse-riding, clay pigeon shooting, fishing trips and more) can be arranged on request. There are tourist attraction leaflets in the drawer above the fridge and they also provide an OS map of the local area. There is a lovely 3 mile circular walk, which starts and ends at the driveway. If you want to stretch your legs further then driving the 35 minutes to the coast is always a safe bet. Walk the beaches of Lyme Regis, explore Charmouth fossil beach or try Burton Bradstock. The National Trust properties of Barrington Court (01460 242614), a fine 16th-century Tudor Mansion, and Montacute House (01935 823289), Elizabethan and with exceptional gardens, are both well worth a visit.

Food & Drink

Subject to availability you can buy a selection of food direct from the farm including burgers made from their own Dexter beef, sausages from their pigs, lamb burgers and, of course, farm fresh eggs. Just ask what's available during your stay – or pre-order by email. Top pubs include the gastro stylings of The Candlelight Inn (01460 234476), a mile away, and one of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s canteens, River Cottage (01297 630314), 23 minutes away in Axminster. For something different try Mark Hix Oyster & Fish House (01297 446910) overlooking the harbour in Lyme Regis, or Mint and Mustard (01823 330770) – innovative Indian cuisine not far away in Taunton. There's a farm shop (5 minutes) while Ilminster is a lovely market town about 10 minutes away and has a fantastic butchers and delicatessen, as well as a Co-op and large Tesco.

Open

Open all year.

Pricing

£125 for two nights

Location

Contact Website  01460 477 770  Dimpsey Glamping, Beetham Farm, Combe St Nicholas, Chard, Somerset TA20 3PY

Show Map

Getting There

From M5 South: Exit M5 at J29. Continue on A30 signposted Honiton and then on the A303 to Yeovil for 24 miles. Turn right at crossroads signposted Whitestaunton, soon after the dual carriageway at Marsh. Continue for ½ mile, Beetham Farm is on the left opposite Higher Beetham Farm.

From M5 North: Exit M5 at J25. Continue on A358 signposted Ilminster, Langport & Chard. At the first roundabout turn right and take the 3rd exit onto A303 signposted Exeter, Honiton & Marsh. Continue for 5 miles and about ½ mile after the speed camera at the Eagle Tavern, turn left at crossroads signposted Crickleaze & Whitestaunton. Continue for ½ mile, Beetham Farm is on the left opposite Higher Beetham Farm.

The nearest train stations are Taunton (Paddington line), Honiton (Waterloo Line) and Crewkerne (Waterloo line).

Facilities

  • Adults Only
  • Campfires Allowed
  • Hot tubs
  • Laundry
  • Campfires allowed
  • Short walk to the pub
  • Walking
  • Good walks nearby

Related Guides

See Glamping in Ilminster

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