An idea born out of lockdown has come to fruition for Henry Bond, who has turned a field into a food and drink pop-up next to the stunning Isle of Purbeck viewpoint on top of Grange Hill near Creech.
With visitors flocking to Dorset this summer, Henry, whose family own the land surrounding the viewpoint, hit on the idea of offering visitors refreshment away from the crowded beaches, calling it the Pop-Up On The Hill.
The Isle of Purbeck viewpoint, also known locally as the Creech viewpoint, off Grange Road, overlooks breath-taking countryside that rolls down to the coastal areas of Kimmeridge, Worbarrow Bay and Lulworth.
Juicy burgers with steak and vegetarian options
Toby Wood from Four and Twenty Blackbirds catering company in Wareham grills the homemade burgers
Homemade Dorset Rose Ice lollies and Purbeck Ice Cream are perfect on warm summer days
Laura Self from the Wild Poppy Bar serves up the drinks
“A local project with local traders and local food”
Henry Bond said:
“It’s really a reaction to the hard times that local traders have had over the pandemic. It just seemed like a good idea and the right thing to do, to create a pop-up selling food and drink to visitors and locals.
“There’s great views up here with plenty of parking, so during lockdown I started thinking that we should create a food pop-up in the countryside – there’s plenty in urban areas like in Brixton in London but few in Dorset.
“Pop-Up On The Hill is a local project with local traders and local food – everything local! There’s gourmet burgers, homemade ice lollies and amazing cocktails.
“We’ve advertised at local campsites and on social media, and of course lots of people are finding out about it by word-of-mouth. Everyone’s welcome to come and find us!”
A tranquil place to relax
The view from the Isle of Purbeck viewpoint looking towards the Jurassic Coast
The team behind Pop-Up On The Hill: Left to right, Henry Bond, site manager Carl Grice, marketing advisor Holly Guest and Susie Bond
“All rather magical up here”
Henry has also roped in family and friends to get the project off the ground. His mother Susie Bond painted all the signs and helped assemble chairs and tables. She said:
“I think it’s all rather magical up here, a lovely place in the open air – just what we all need. A lovely escape from the crowds!”
Further information
Pop-Up On The Hill is open from 10 am to 8 pm over the summer and more about its location and how to find it, is on its website
The entrance to Pop-Up On The Hill from the Isle of Purbeck viewpoint car park
