Mount Pleasant Farm, Woolland, Blandford Forum, Dorset.

The farm and surroundings

Mount Pleasant Farm is situated in the heart of the famous Blackmore Vale in beautiful rural Dorset. Our farm is just outside the village of Woolland, which is located under Bulbarrow Hill, seven miles west of Blandford Forum. Despite our postal address, our nearest town is in fact Sturminster Newton.

Sturminster Newton is a market town steeped in history and tradition. The Market Charter was granted 700 years ago but although the Livestock Market ceased in June 1997, the town still continues its traditional Monday Market which has been established for many years. The monthly Farmers’ Market sells food traditionally produced in the ‘Vale’ and attracts people from far and wide. The well managed River Stour runs parallel to the town and attracts fishermen throughout the area. The beautiful unspoilt country-side, with its abundance of flora and wildlife, offers a stunning environment for walkers, cyclists and country lovers alike.

Blandford Forum developed as one of the major market towns in the eastern part of Dorset during the medieval period. The primary reason for its development was that the main roads from Salisbury to Dorchester and from Poole to Shaftesbury met there to cross the River Stour. In 1713 and again in 1731, the town was destroyed by fire. The first blaze decimated much of the eastern part of the town. The second and more serious destroyed virtually everything that had survived the first fire and after the fire of 1731 the town was rebuilt. Today Blandford Forum is one of the best preserved Georgian market towns in England and the majority of the buildings in the centre of the town date from the period 1735-1760. The completion of the programme was commemorated by the erection of the Fire Monument. The commercial prosperity of the town was greatly enhanced by the deliberate destruction of the neighbouring market town of Milton Abbas between 1771 and 1790 by the Earl of Dorchester, who replaced it with a more modest model village.

The farming at Mount Pleasant farm

Formerly an award-winning dairy farm, Mount Pleasant is a 300 acre beautiful organic grassland farm.We run a herd of Hereford cross organic beef, a pedigree flock of Polled Dorset sheep producing delicious organic lamb, and our free range hens. We lamb pretty much all year round so there are always lambs to entertain you and your children. We train point to point racehorses which are turned out in the lush grass for their long, lazy summer holidays and in his spare time Mike is an amateur jockey. Our very small Shetland pony, Fergus belongs to our young daughter, Maisy. Mike would be lost without his sheepdog, Mollie along with her over-enthusiastic apprentice, Polo. We have a couple of Gloucester Old Spot Pigs to add to the menagerie of cats and dogs, oh and not forgetting Dominic, our pet ram.

The Mount Pleasant farm family

Mount Pleasant farm is run by husband and wife team, Mike and Anna Miller, with a little help from their very young daughter, Maisy. The farm has been run by the Miller family for 40 years.Mike was brought up on the farm and last year returned to take over the runningof the farm from his father.

The location of the Feather Down tents

The tents enjoy unspoilt views across the beautiful Dorset countryside, stretching all the way to Shaftesbury and beyond.

You will find no shortage of peace and tranquillity, and are more likely to hear a tractor than a car. We have a pond containing many newts, frogs and tadpoles etc and the surrounding fields and woodland have an impressive array of wildlife including many deer, foxes and owls. A pair of barn owls have even made Mount Pleasant their home. Bats also inhabit the farmyard barns and for a short time at twilight make an impressive display.

EXTRA IN 2010

• Premier Service - £ 10.00 per person; for late arrivals only (after 19.00 hrs). The Premier Service includes: Beds made up upon arrival, Wood-burner and lanterns lit, a hot cheesy jacket potato and a hot drink (hot chocolate, tea or coffee) The Premier Service must be pre-booked and does not include stripping beds on departure

• Pets, horses and ponies welcome

Well- behaved pets are welcome, but we do request that you keep them under strict control around our livestock. You can also bring your horses or ponies to Mount Pleasant farm. We have some terrific bridleways around our farm where you can enjoy all that the Dorset countryside has to offer close up.

• Care for your own "Pet Bunny"
Hire your very own ‘lop eared’ bunny for your stay with a hutch and run right next door to your tent. Food and bedding will be provided and this is a perfect way to teach children how to look after their own pet rabbit. The costs are £10.00 for a weekend/midweek break and £15.00 for a week. Don’t forget to clean out your hutch before you leave to receive your ‘Bunny Care Certificate’

• Pre ordered Food
Have a delicious hot meal waiting for you on your arrival night or arrange with the farmer for a meal during your stay (available on various farms).

• Camp Fire facilities
Gather your friends and family together for an evening beside the camp fire telling stories and toasting marshmallows!

>> Click here to make a reservation at Mount Pleasant farm.

Things to do and discover in the area of Mount Pleasant farm:

>> Click here to make a reservation at Mount Pleasant farm.