A small-scale camping site in Dorset is preparing to reopen for the 2026 season, offering a niche experience centered on cider production and adult-only accommodations. Dorset Nectar Orchard Campsite, located within a working cider farm, will reopen on March 27, with its on-site bar operating between April 1 and August 15.
The campsite is designed with a limited capacity of 14 tent-only pitches, each accommodating up to six people. The layout prioritizes spacing and privacy, with pitches set among more than 3,000 apple trees that form part of the orchard. The site also enforces an adults-only policy, restricting guests to those over the age of 20.
A central feature of the campsite is its taproom, where visitors can purchase and sample 13 varieties of cider produced on-site. Additional offerings include apple juice, craft beer, and apple cider vinegar. Guests can consume beverages at picnic benches within the orchard setting, and raised firepits are available for cooking and barbecuing near individual pitches.
According to The Sun, the operation also includes scheduled cider farm tours on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, providing an added layer of engagement for visitors interested in production processes.
Food service is limited but targeted, with Oliver’s Kitchen operating on Saturdays and offering items such as cider sausage baps. Live music is also scheduled in the Cider Garden on Saturdays, aligning with peak visitor periods.
Customer reviews highlight the site’s distinctive layout and integrated experience. One guest wrote:
“We loved the quirkiness of camping between the orchard rows. The trees give your pitch separation and privacy, and it’s so peaceful! Added bonus having a taproom just up from the pitches with a wonderful beer garden with lots of space in the sunshine.”
Another noted: “relaxing live music and fab homemade Burgers on the Saturday as well as sampling their delicious ciders.”
Beyond the campsite, the property is located approximately a 15-minute drive from West Bay beach on the Jurassic Coast, a destination known for its cliffs and as a filming location for the ITV drama Broadchurch.
For outdoor hospitality operators, the campsite reflects several broader industry trends, including the move toward low-density, experience-led accommodations and the integration of on-site food and beverage production as a primary draw.
The adult-only positioning may also appeal to operators seeking to differentiate their offerings in a competitive market. With pricing starting at £34 per night for two adults, the model demonstrates how smaller sites can leverage specialization and local products to create value while maintaining limited capacity.