Lodge 16, Purbeck

We found Lodge 16 to be well maintained, comfortable and very well situated in the Burnbake Nature Reserve camping site. The property was clean on arrival. There was plenty of storage and good size bedrooms with comfortable mattresses and adjoining bathrooms one with an an over bath shower and the other with a shower based cubicle. Fresh sundry food essentials were provided on arrival, which was a pleasant surprise. A folder with comprehensive instructions and information about places of interest and local amenities was most useful. The only issue we encountered was that the heated towel rails could not be switched on. However, a maintenance person arrived promptly and discovered that the fuse box had been inadvertently turned off. He explained that there was a fundamental design issue inasmuch that the cleaners stored their equipment where the consumer unit was housed, often tripping off fuses he reset the fuse box. The chalet was very warm with underfloor heating and a guarded log stove, which we didn't have to use due to the unseasonably warm day time temperatures, albeit the evenings were chilly with slight ground frost on a couple of mornings. It was noticeable how warm the lodge became during sunny days often quite stifling when the property was secured during our outings. In fact, on one occasion, we found that chocolate had melted on the kitchen top during our absence. Whilst windows and patio doors could be opened in residence, the lack of air flow when the property is locked down could be an issue in warmer weather with just one small kitchen air extractor. We noted that other lodges had velux blinds, which may be a solution. Externally, the lodge is perfectly located with good privacy, unlike some other properties that seem to be much more squeezed together. However, they all appear to offer some privacy from each other. There is sufficient room to park two vehicles. The spacious hot tub was a great facility to use and maintained daily. Being slightly separated from other lodges by carefully crafted hedges, we were visited by an abundance of wildlife. In particular, we were entertained every morning by a cacophony of birdsong, which was delightful. At one time, our smartphone software identified up to 11 different birds in the vicinity of the lodge. Burnbake is well situated with local shops, amenities and National Trust properties and beaches no more than 3 miles away. The reception building also doubles up as a convenience store for essentials. We were lucky to pick a week with the opening season gala of the Swanage railway, which was a great occasion to travel by vintage rail to the spectacular Corfe Castle. Overall, we were most satisfied with our holiday property and facilities, which contributed to a great vacation in the Isle of Purbeck, an area which offers so many attractions in a beautiful part of Dorset.