FAQ

When you arrive on the Monday, you will be shown your room. You will then have the opportunity to meet the rest of the group and the staff. There will be a welcome meeting where we all discuss the plans for the week. There is no pressure and if you feel unsure about any of the activities you can always talk to us. We are on hand to talk about any of your concerns and want you to have a really excellent holiday!

If you are able to arrange and fund your own travel to us, that’s great, we appreciate it. 

Equally if you require assistance with costs and arrangements, such as booking train tickets, please contact Wendy and she will help you.

We are a charitable organisation, so we would very much appreciate if you are able to afford your own transport costs. Those of 18 and over usually make their own way and some of you may have cars. There is plenty of parking at the farm.

Accommodation for your Youth Cancer Trust holiday will be in Dewlish, Dorset at Manor Farm Barn and the adjacent cottage Churn House. Both are located on the private land of a working farm. The holidays run from Monday to Friday during the school holidays.

Time of arrival is flexible depending on transport times – guests usually arrive late morning to mid afternoon on the Monday and leave before lunchtime on the Friday.

Manor Farm Barn, Dewlish, Dorchester DT2 7LR

Accommodation for your Youth Cancer Trust holiday will be at Manor Farm Barn and the adjacent cottage Churn House. Both are located on the private land of a working farm.

Manor Farm is located in the quiet village of Dewlish. The nearest town is Dorchester. 

Much of the beautiful surrounding landscape featured in Thomas Hardy’s novels.

Both properties are relaxed, warm and friendly; however there are a few house rules to ensure the safety and comfort of everyone. These will be discussed on the evening of your arrival.

Guests are expected to treat the properties as they would their own home and to treat all the other guests and the staff with respect and consideration.

On the first evening, Laura, Jo and Josh will run through the various activities on offer so a decision can be made as a group. Certain activities will have to done on certain days as they need to be booked ahead of time. You can always add a note on your application form if there is an activity you would like to do or would rather not do.

There is support from the Puddletown Surgery, which operates a walk in service in the mornings, 10 mins from the house, All employed staff are fully trained in emergency first aid. If there is a serious medical issue, a staff member will take you to Dorchester County Hospital (DCH) A&E Dept.

If you feel very ill and want to go home we will speak to your parents and arrange for this to happen.

You do not have to take part in anything you don’t want to – it is up to you. If you do not want to take part – you can either go along to the activity and watch the others or stay at Dewlish. There is never any pressure to do something if you don’t feel up to it.

Depending on the activity planned, you can get up when you like. However our chef Ian cooks breakfast for everyone from 8 so if you want a cooked breakfast you will have to rise early. Typically, the earliest you will have to leave for an activity, is 10am – so there is still plenty of time to relax before you leave.

All meals and refreshments are provided free of charge, provided by our new talented chef Ian.

A cooked breakfast is available at 8am or there is cereal and toast.

During the summer a BBQ is usually held on one of the evenings.

Guests can help themselves to drinks and snacks from the kitchen at anytime during the day or night. Packed lunches are provided to take out with you on the activities consisting of sandwiches, crisps, chocolate biscuits and fruit.

If you have special dietary requirements, you can let us know on the application form or by contacting us beforehand. If you need something very special, you can always arrange to bring it with you. By all means give us a call on 01305 584064 if you have any questions.

Our chef, Ian, is able to cook pretty much anything and can cater for vegans, halal, vegetarians, etc. Please just ask and will make sure you are full catered for.

Clothing – it is advisable to bring a range of clothing and footwear in case of changes in the weather. We are on a working farm so it’s advisable to bring some footwear that you don’t mind getting a little muddy.
Trainers or shoes are required for some of the activities
Swimwear is needed for watersports and swimming, more than one pair is useful if swimming everyday.
Gloves and thick socks for outdoor fun!
Towels are provided but guests may like to bring their own beach towel.
Wash bag – Guests need to bring own wash bag – e.g. shower gel/shampoo/soap.
Devices – You are welcome to bring your own iPad, smart phone or laptop – we have Wifi.
Meds – Any medication you require. There will be a locker and a fridge managed by staff to keep your medication safe.
Diet – Any special food/drink if you have a specific dietary requirement.

Bedrooms at Manor Farm 

1 x ground floor twin with en-suite bath, hand-held shower, basin and WC

7 First floor bedrooms:

2 x double with en-suite bath, hand-held shower, basin and WC, 

1 x double with en-suite shower, basin and WC,

 2 x twin with en-suite shower, basin and WC,

 1 x twin with en-suite bath, hand-held shower, basin and WC

Bedrooms at Churn House (all on one floor)

Four Ground Floor Bedrooms:

• 2 x super king-size double (zip/link can be twins on request)
• 2 x double

Bathroom with bath, separate shower, basin and WC, shower room with shower, basin and WC

Your room will be allocated on arrival. Priority for ground floor / accessible rooms will be given to guests with mobility needs. We will try to accommodate any preferences after that.

Some activities are arranged for the evening for the group e.g. karaoke, cinema evenings or friendly group meals out at a local restaurant in Dorchester. Under 18’s will be accompanied by staff. Over 18’s may go out in the evening unaccompanied with permission.

There will free time available for groups to visit local towns and we will still visit Bournemouth for days out. Under 18’s will be accompanied by a staff member.

If it rains there are still lots of activities you can do! Some of the outside activities such as horse therapy can take place in the indoor arenas.
We also have lots of indoor activities and entertainment e.g. XBox 360, Nintendo Wii, pool table, fuss-ball table, Sky TV, DVDs/Videos, karaoke, and lots more.
There are also lots of activities in the surrounding areas – Weymouth and Dorchester are the closest towns and we will also take trips to Bournemouth where there is lots to do!

We try to do as much as possible as a group but small groups may be allowed to choose different activities depending on their age and if time allows.