If you’re thinking of going camping in Dorset this year, you will want to check out some amazing recommendations for the best campsites in Dorset in this article.
Camping has always been a popular holiday choice, and with some spectacular places to visit along the South Coast, Dorset has many amazing beauty spots to make your camping experience even better.
Why not check out this camping checklist to make sure you have everything you need before you go. If you’re thinking of going camping for the first time, these tips are a great read.
Holmsley Campsite
Address: Forest Rd, Burley, Christchurch BH23 7EQ
Katie from Mum’s Family Fun says
As a child I was brought up caravanning in the New Forest and loved it. Once I had children of my own it was only a matter of time before I took them camping there too! After lots of research I settled on Holmsley which is 5 miles outside Christchurch.
We fell in love with it and have camped there several times since. The site is really family friendly and pets are welcome too.
Holmsley is one of the ‘Camping In The Forest’ sites. The site has communal shower, toilet and washing blocks around the site which are all in good condition and cleaned daily.
There is a children’s play park and a well-equipped shop. The shop has fresh pastries for breakfast and a take away service in the evenings if you don’t fancy cooking! The staff in the shop are lovely and have a wealth of knowledge about camping and the local area.
If you need anything they are more than happy to help. On one particular visit my daughter had an accident (not at the site) and had concussion. The staff couldn’t have been more helpful! Other facilities include a laundry, chemical waste disposal point and drinking water taps.
There are hard-standing or grass pitches available, with or without electric. One thing to note is that Holmsley is an old WWII airfield so the ground is very hard. You will definitely need rock pegs to pitch your tent. They stock them in the campsite shop if you don’t have any.
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The site has loads of green space for the kids to play and climb trees. It has a lovely community feel to it and is in a great location for walking or cycling. There are always lots of wild ponies at the entrance gate too.
Nearby is the New Forest Reptile Centre which is small but free to visit. The town of Christchurch and its beaches are a short drive away or slightly further afield is Moors Valley Country Park, another of our favourite places!
Rosewall Camping
Address: East Farm Dairy Farm, Osmington, Weymouth DT3 6HA
Kat from Wandering Bird says
One of the nicest campsites in Dorset is Rosewall Camping, close to Durdle Door. This 13-acre camping field has beautiful views, both of the sea and the surrounding countryside.
The campsite is licensed for tents and vans and is a perfect stop for couples and families. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome.
There are no electric points, but there are two modern toilet blocks with showers, hairdryers, shaver points and washing up facilities.
The lower block has disabled facilities and a laundry room. Along with this there is a separate laundry room next to the upper toilet block.
The shop is well stocked with food basics, camping & motorhome essential accessories including gas and freezer packs.
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It’s perfectly placed for walking and exploring the area. Nearby you can enjoy pretty villages, superb watersports facilities, shopping and horse riding at Rosewell Equestrian.
The campsite is usually open from April (or Easter Holidays) until mid September. A minimum stay of 3 nights may apply in peak season.
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Tom’s Field Campsite
Address: Toms Field Rd, Langton Matravers, Swanage BH19 3HN
Breanne from Family Camping Europe says
Toms field campsite is a small campsite in the lovely Dorset town of Swanage. It’s a traditional, rural campsite just 3 miles from the town’s beachfront and we love it. We’ve stayed here a few times during Swanage’s annual carnival and have always walked to and from the town center with ease.
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The campsite facilities are basic, but that’s part of their charm. Showers are controlled by a 25pence token, there’s the usual toilet block facilities, a small campsite shop and on weekends/school holidays there’s even a breakfast hut serving food and drink from local manufacturers.
The campsite is both child and dog friendly so the whole family can enjoy the impressive Purbeck countryside.
It’s the perfect base for exploring the stunning scenery that Dorset has to offer. From the campsite, it’s just a short 20 minute walk to the coastal path and the dancing ledge.
Swanage itself is a quaint, typically British seaside town which hosts plenty of Summertime festivals and their annual carnival has visitors from all over the UK.
I will always recommend visiting during the carnival to families as there is so much to see/do and the firework shows are so good. For those wanting a quieter break? Well, I’d definitely avoid the school holidays.
Holton Lee Campsite
Address: 74 East Holton, Holton Heath, Poole BH16 6JN
Jenni from Travel To Recovery says
I went to Holton Lee camping site near Poole as part of a large group and it was set up so well. It is geared up for big groups, but individuals and families also use the Dorset camp site.
As well as being a dog friendly campsite, there are also facilities including a kids play area that the children on our camping trip loved. Situated on private land, the site felt safe. The camping field is flat so it’s easy to set up camp.
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The showers and toilets are clean and there are amenities to get fresh water. The campsite is set up for accessible camping which really appeals to me since I have mobility limitations.
What I loved about this campsite in Dorset were the grounds where you can go wildlife spotting. We saw cows and deer, and went on a bird watch where we saw so many insects and butterflies. There is also a coffee shack and a shop selling plants and essentials.
If you’re looking to explore, there are a few walking trails you can do depending on level of fitness.
The site is easy to find and has great access to local activities with a beach only a few minutes drive and local pubs for some great pub lunches. It is close to Poole centre and Bournemouth and makes a great coastal holiday in the UK.
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Highermoor Farm
Nottington, Weymouth DT3 4BW
A popular place for camping in Dorset is at Higher Moor Farm. There are flat, grassy pitches, and plenty to do with the kids.
Onsite facilities include a farm shop, award winning toilet blocks, hot showers, and in the Summer months a pizza from the wood fired pizza oven.
Also included are play areas for the children, a dedicated dog walking area if you’re bringing the dog, 4G phone coverage, free WIFI and bike hire.
Woodyhyde Campsite
Valley Rd, Corfe Castle, Wareham BH20 5HT
There is space for 160 pitches across three fields at Woodyhyde. You wont be short of space. There is free WIFi on site as well as a shop selling all the essentials and some camping supplies. With two shower blocks which include separate male and female showers, as well as disabled shower areas, the site won’t feel crowded.
Woodyhyde ticks the boxes for dog friendly camping in Dorset, welcoming dogs on leads in two of the three fields.
Not a fan of camping? Why not check out these great places for glamping in Dorset.
