Campsites in Dorset

From orchards and river valleys to the epic Jurassic Coast, Dorset is made for camping.

92% (737 reviews)
92% (737 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Dorset

Dog-friendly getaways

Under £50

12 top campsites in Dorset

93%
(203)

Sweet Hill Farm

10 units · Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Dorset, South West England
Simple, almost-wild, seaside camping on the Isle of Portland
Pets
Potable water
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Showers
Trash
from 
£12
 / night
98%
(91)

Brig's Farm

21 units · Glamping, Tents1 acre · Bridport, Dorset, South West England
Family camping with campfires near Charmouth, with sea views and a couple of quirky glamping lorries
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Campfires
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from 
£12.50
 / night
Booked 1 time

Primrose Fields Campsite

30 units · Motorhomes, Tents11 acres · Wareham, England
Back-to-basics camping in a Dorset hay meadow
Pets
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Campfires
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from 
£12
 / night
Booked 3 times

Bredy Farm

100 units · Motorhomes, Tents30 acres · Bridport, England
Back-to-basics camping on a Dorset farm with a party vibe at weekends
Pets
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from 
£16.50
 / night
98%
(81)

Cider Farm Orchard Campsite

14 units · Tents20 acres · Dorset, South West England
Adult-only camping amid the apple blossom of an award-winning cider orchard
Potable water
Campfires
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from 
£16
 / night
93%
(63)

Southover Woods and Camping

15 units · Glamping, Tents60 acres · Dorset, South West England
Nearly wild camping in a vast Dorset woodland
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
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Cooking equipment
from 
£30
 / night
100%
(3)

The Blue Pool

8 units · Glamping5 acres · Wareham, England
Treehouses on the edge of Dorset’s Blue Pool
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£185
 / night
100%
(12)

Higher Hogleaze Farm

35 units · Motorhomes, Tents4 acres · Weymouth, Dorset, South West England
Situated 5 miles in from the stunning Jurassic Coast you'll find this little slice of tranquility that we call home. This peaceful site is ideally set close to not only the Jurassic coastline, but Dorchester too. A perfect retreat for those looking to explore nearby nature and see some amazing sunrises and sunsets. There are non electric and electric grass pitches for campers, featuring lovely countryside views that stretch for miles. There are also a couple of hardstanding picthes with electric hook up, suitable for caravans, campervans and motorhomes. Venture to Weymouth, just a 25 minute drive away and enjoy the golden sands beaches and incredible attractions, fun for all! Dogs are welcome and as there are so many nearby trails, this is a lovely retreat for you and your furry pals. The site is open on bank holidays and weekends between 29th July and 29th August.
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£20
 / night
100%
(9)

Flowerdew Farm

10 units · Glamping, Tents2 acres · Bridport, Dorset, South West England
Flowerdew Farm is a eco friendly two acre working alpaca and goat smallholding, glamping and camping site. Located in an area of outstanding natural beauty on West Dorset’s stunning Jurassic coast, surrounded by stunning views. Perfect for those that want to experience sleeping next to our alpacas and goats; go explore the beautiful Dorset beaches; of for those that want to adventure off on a hike. We also offer animal experiences for those that want to meet our animals.
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from 
£25
 / night
97%
(35)

Thorncombe Farm

57 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Dorchester, England
Situated in the heart of the Dorset countryside, Thorncombe Farm offers a warm, friendly welcome. Our mostly flat campsite has beautiful views into the valley and comes with all the amenities you would expect from a small site, with the add bonus of fresh free range eggs and home produced meat, burgers and sausages available for pre order! Bell Tents For 2023, glampers and those that want to take the hassle out of pitching/buying a tent/less baggage in the vehicle or even those that want to try camping under canvas for the first time our site has 3 (5 metre) furnished bell tents each with a separate dining area complete with seating and table. The tents have been upgraded with deluxe double and 2 single beds, carpeting and rugs , storage cabinet and mirror. We have now supplied electricity to the tents so we can provide a small fridge, recharge points for devices, In addition each bell tent has a fire pit and barbeque and a double ring gas stove. Four settings of cutlery , plates and mugs are supplied with a wash bowl. The beds are supplied with a top sheet only. So please bring what you need or a sleeping bag. Each booking is for a minimum 2 night stay and is for up to 4 people. Priced from £70/night We can supply 2 additional Disco beds bunks to take the total to six guests . The additional guests would be subject to a supplemental charge.Any queries please contact us before booking if necessary. CAMPING All are grass pitches only. and we retain the same facilities. There will be 25 pitches available. Please note at Bank Holiday Weekends it is a minimum 3 night booking. Fri-Sunday.We allow fires and Barbecues. All we ask is the barbecue or fire pit is off the ground and does not burn the grass of the campsite.There are fire pits for hire on a first come first serve basis at £5 for the duration of your stay. There is firewood available for sale Showers are no longer on a card system; Free as they should be Absolutely no pets in our bell tents whatsoever on the grounds of hygiene, health and the welfare of other guests , guest will be asked to leave if pets are found or seen in our bell tents. Pets welcome as per existing rules just not in our tents.
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from 
£17
 / night

Haywards Bridge Farm

99 units · Motorhomes, Tents8 acres · Shillingstone,, England
We are an Eight and a half acre small holding growing sustainable vegetables and wild flowers, hosting camping and events, nestled beneath Hambledon Hillfort on the bank of the Stour. We have access to the North Dorset trailway at our entrance, our neighbours are the North Dorset Railway, a museum, cafe and soon to be working line, all under preservation and within 50 yards walk, the mighty Hambledon hill is a great trek with breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, for those looking to relax Bournemouth and Weymouth beaches are less than 30 miles, for shoppers Salisbury to the East or Bath just over an hour to the North, there really is something for everyone!
Pets
Potable water
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from 
£30
 / night
97%
(117)

Farrs Meadow

31 units · Glamping, Tents7 acres · Dorset, South West England
A charming Dorset campsite overlooking the Stour Valley and a short walk from both the river and the market town of Wimborne Minster
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Potable water
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from 
£35
 / night

Available this weekend

Star Hosts in Dorset

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Campsites in Dorset guide

Overview

Dorset is a county of contrast, from the cliffs of the Jurassic Coast that protect sandy beaches like Charmouth and sheltered bays like Lulworth Cove, to the inland patchwork of farmland and countryside immortalised in the novels of Thomas Hardy. All combine to make it one of the best places to go camping in the UK. You might camp along the sea close to charming resort towns like Lyme Regis or Bournemouth, or choose to pitch inland near Hardy-related heritage sites at Dorchester. New Forest National Park is close by, too. Wherever you pitch your tent, everything seems to be in easy reach. The history of Lyme Regis, Cerne Abbas, Dorchester, and Swanage are all just a drive (or steam train journey) away, while the beaches give way to some of the most majestic countryside in all of England, folding back into the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Where to go

Jurassic Coast

Dorset’s biggest draw is this UNESCO-designated shoreline, rimming the county from Studland Bay near Bournemouth to Lyme Regis, then continuing into East Devon. Between the sand and pebble beaches, epic cliffs, internationally important fossils, and mad coastal formations are a slew of seaside resorts like Swanage and Weymouth, plus smaller charming villages like Charmouth. The coast is peppered by campsites small and large—heading east from Weymouth around toward Lulworth Cove is a happy hunting ground.

Cranborne Chase

Spilling over East Dorset, West Hampshire, and Wiltshire, Cranborne Chase is a big green swaddle of chalky downland and woods forming part of the Cranborne Chase & Wiltshire Downs AONB. It’s a fine place for archaeology lovers, with myriad Iron Age and Bronze Age sites awaiting discovery, and is noted for the diversity of its wildflower walks. Good camping can be found between the southeast side of the uplands and Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve.

Cerne Abbas & Around

There are many charming Dorset villages, but few can compare to the quirky allure of Cerne Abbas, which sits below a chalky hillside decorated by one of the largest hill figures (historic human-made etchings) in the UK. Hit the village pub and tearooms, or walk the long-distance Wessex Ridgeway trail nearby. Camping beckons at Giant’s Head, northeast of Cerne Abbas and connected to the Cerne Abbas Giant by footpath.

New Forest National Park

The largest expanse of unimproved land in lowland Britain, this montage of ancient woodland and low heath entices outdoor lovers from across Southern England. Come for forest walks among some of the UK’s most epic trees, where you’re likely to spot animals such as red deer and goshawks in what was a former royal hunting ground since the days of William the Conqueror. Several interesting campsites sit around heart-of-the-forest destinations like Brockenhurst and Lyndhurst.

Dig deep into Dorset history

Dorset is rich in history, and its heritage remains protected thanks to the National Trust, English Heritage, and UNESCO, which have recognised some of the region’s most special places. The jewel in Dorset’s crown, of course, is the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site where fossil finds and rocks have documented a staggering 185 million years of history. On a camping holiday in Dorset today, fossil hunting on the beach makes for a great day out—try Kimmeridge Bay and Charmouth, or a simple walk along Dorset’s coastal paths.

The Dorset countryside also lays claim to some historic sites that tell of its rich past. From Thomas Hardy’s birthplace, a tiny cottage in the rural countryside, to Sherborne New Castle, once the home of Sir Walter Raleigh, there are sights and sounds of the past galore. Visit the enchanting ruins of Corfe Castle, or step back even further to the Iron Age and explore the site of Maiden Castle, one of Europe’s greatest hillforts.

Kid-free camping in Dorset

While the summer holidays might attract families in large numbers, Dorset also offers some tucked away retreats just for grown-ups. Adults-only camping sites can offer quiet getaways, whether you visit in the low season or the height of summer. And with so many historic attractions, charming rural villages, and seaside resorts, there’s plenty to do without the kids in tow, whether you’re camping on your own, as a couple, or with friends. If you’re unrestricted by school holidays, you can often find last-minute stays, great-value deals, and a quieter site too—all advantages of adult-only camping. If it’s romantic camping you’re after, the same rules apply: quieter times and more secluded spots tend to make for a more romantic atmosphere. With candlelight, campfires, and time together away from the stresses of work, chores, and children, camping makes for an ideal romantic break.

Top 10 things to do in Dorset

If you’re looking for inspiration for your camping holiday, we’ve got you covered.

  1. Picnic at Lulworth Cove and marvel at Durdle Door’s iconic arch.
  2. Have an ice cream on Bournemouth beach.
  3. Take a walk along the South West Coast Path.
  4. Visit Thomas Hardy’s birthplace.
  5. Breathe in Dorset’s history at Maiden Castle.
  6. Go fossil hunting at Kimmeridge Bay or Charmouth.
  7. Walk out on the Cobb harbour wall at Lyme Regis.
  8. Swim in the sea and build sandcastles on the beach.
  9. Watch wildlife in the Dorset countryside or at RSPB Arne.
  10. Feast on local produce from farm shops or farmers’ markets.

Top counties near Dorset

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