Guests loving a Romany romance at Dorset park

Dorset visitors can now discover the real romance of their favourite county by waking up each morning in a picture-postcard Romany caravan.

The experience is being offered by South Lytchett Manor holiday park near Poole which is the current holder of the AA’s national Campsite of The Year title.

All three of the striking bowtop caravans sited on the park were commissioned by the family-owned business, and hand-built by a Dorset specialist using traditional artisan skills.

But despite appearing to have arrived through a time-warp from the 1700s, each provides facilities comforts which belong entirely in the present day.

There are plug sockets with USB points, a TV and DVD player, refrigerator, cooking hobs, and an authentic-looking log burner which just happens to run on electricity.

Also keeping life snug is an insulated oak floor throughout the caravans, each of which features a full-size double bed and two singles, plus classically upholstered furnishings.

What really gives the caravans their distinctive appearance, however, are the hand-painted exteriors with their deep-gloss rustic shades and colourful swirling motifs.

Responsible for the decoration was Dorset artist Sarah Harvey who has won a national reputation for her skills at recreating the original appearance of horse-drawn Romany caravans.

There are even plans, says Joanne Bridgen of the park-owning family, for Sarah to hold one-day courses for anyone interested in learning the techniques of this specialist art.

The park, set in the former grounds of an historic country manor house, has received a raft of honours since Joanne and her husband David took on the business nearly ten years ago.

The couple have invested much time and energy into developing the grounds, putting the emphasis on first-class facilities and led by the principles of sustainable management.

Their reward has been to see the now five-star park scoop a host of awards from tourism authorities and environmental bodies – plus regular visitors from all over the UK and overseas.

South Lytchett Manor holiday park is a member of the Best of British group which comprises some 50 independently-run parks with top tourist board ratings throughout the UK.

More information about the park, and details of the Romany caravans which can be hired from £70.00 to £130.00 per night, are available at www.SouthLytchettManor.co.uk