Whitey Top Country Lodge

Set on a working dairy farm within the Cranborne Chase National Landscape, Whitey Top Country Lodge offers something increasingly rare: certified dark skies and the chance to see the Milky Way from your hot tub. This isn't marketing speak. The area holds International Dark Sky Reserve status, and on clear nights, the Andromeda Galaxy becomes visible to the naked eye. The lodge itself delivers modern comfort wrapped in countryside tranquillity. An open-plan living space features a Smart TV and French doors opening onto a terrace with views across the farmland. The kitchen handles serious cooking with ease, equipped with an electric oven, gas hob, dishwasher, and washing machine. A breakfast bar provides casual seating for morning coffee while you watch buzzards circling overhead. Two bedrooms offer flexibility for couples travelling together or families with children. The master features a kingsize bed with an ensuite shower, while the second bedroom's zip-and-link beds can be configured as twins or pushed together for another double. A proper bathroom with a bath and shower over serves the whole lodge, and a travel cot and highchair are available on request. Outside, your private hot tub seats four and faces the open countryside. Guests consistently mention watching red kites, buzzards, and hares from the bubbling warmth, while the resident cows provide gentle company across the fields. When temperatures drop, the Calor gas central heating keeps things comfortable, and the welcome pack provides everything needed for a first breakfast. Only three lodges share this select park, each well-spaced to ensure genuine privacy. The owners, Peter and Julie, receive consistent praise for their responsiveness and the thoughtful touches that make stays feel special. One guest arrived at Christmas to find a beautiful tree already lit and waiting. Martin Down National Nature Reserve borders the property, known for rare flowers, butterflies, and the kind of wildlife watching that rewards patience. The Jubilee Trail crosses through Dorset nearby, offering miles of footpaths and bridleways for walking and cycling. The New Forest National Park is just twenty minutes away, while the sandy beaches of the south coast and the fossils of the Jurassic Coast wait forty minutes distant. For family day trips, the area delivers plenty of options: Longleat, Peppa Pig World, Monkey World, and Bovington Tank Museum all sit within reasonable driving distance. But many guests find themselves quite happy to stay put, watching the light fade across the farmland as stars begin appearing overhead, knowing that tonight's show promises to be rather spectacular. This lodge suits those who appreciate modern comforts but crave genuine rural escape. The dairy farm setting feels authentic rather than staged, and the dark sky certification adds something genuinely special that few UK properties can match.