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Charisworth Farm

97%
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· Dorset, Dorset, England
8 acres hosted by Richard T.
11 glamping pitches · 17 tent pitches
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Richard is a Star Host
Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
Best in South West England: Finalist
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2023.
Family-friendly
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.
Amazing views
Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.
A spacious campsite in a traditional parkland setting, with campfires allowed and farm animals to meet

Kids love camping. And some campsites, like Charisworth Farm, seem ready made for them. Not because of any fancy facilities or organised fun but simply because of the space and freedom on offer. This expanse of parkland meadow, broken up by great oak and beech trees, is the perfect example, with a rope swing in the wooded area at one end, and animals, like Libby and Zed the horses, to meet. A chalkboard near the washing up sinks, meanwhile, is occasionally scrawled with interesting activities – ‘farm tour at 10am’ – and, at night, marshmallows around the campfire seal the deal. It’s good old fashioned camping and the result is good old fashioned fun.

The campsite is a pop-up, summer-only affair, with facilities in portable cabin blocks and no motorhomes or caravans allowed. It all lends the place a well-run but homespun charm. A marquee at the top of the field has a fridge-freezer and boiling water on tap for making tea and coffee – a very welcome touch – and, on Friday’s, there’s a barn that houses a bar and serves barbecued food, ideal after a long drive. They’re all touches that show the proprietors of the place really understand their campers and listen to their needs, including the offer of pre-pitched bell tents for those who don't really want to do much heavy lifting at all.

Charisworth is very much a working farm. Farmer Richard is happy to show campers around, with pigs, sheep, cows and chickens to meet, and the campsite also has excellent access on to the farm’s trails and wider public footpaths. South, over the fields, it’s a three-mile walk to the village of Winterbourne Kingston, where there’s a good pub with a Mediterranean-style, statue-dotted garden (around an hour’s walk each way), while, north, a footpath along a track leads to Gorcombe Activity Centre, if quad biking or archery take your fancy. Further afield, it’s four miles to the market town of Blandford Forum – a good place to eat on night’s the barn bar isn’t operating – and 10 miles to Kingston Lacey, one of the National Trust’s flagship country estates. Or of course, you can simply stay put at the campsite, as many do; enjoying the space and the setting and the fact that the kids are having fun.

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97%
76 Ratings · 42 reviews
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Mikey P.recommends
August 29, 2023
Grass Tent Pitch
Exceptional views/lovely experience
Can honestly say this is one of the best back to basic camping spots you could find. The views are stunning and the wildlife surrounding the farm is lovely to see. Richard is a fantastic, friendly and happy to help host. The only negative would be that there is only two showers. That being said, that’s not an issue for me as I showered midday opposed to your conventional times you would. All in all I would easily give this a high 8/10
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Daleen M.recommends
August 23, 2023
13 - Bell tent - 5m Bell Tent
Lovely views and the best fire wood! We loved the quiet camp and the facilities are good.
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Holly A.recommends
August 14, 2023
14 - Bell tent - 5m Bell Tent
A beautiful countryside camp
Thankyou to Richard and his family for our time on your campsite. We had a lovely time with all necessities provided. Hot showers and nice toilets, a tea urn and fridge/freezer available for our use. Kids loved the pool table and wooded area with rope swing. Lovely to meet some of the farm animals too! The space here is amazing, a real gem. If you want a peaceful camping experience, no frills, but everything you need - this is for you! We will definitely visit again :)
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C M.recommends
July 29, 2023
14 - Bell tent - 5m Bell Tent
Highly recommend
Would definitely recommend. Bell tent was cosy, sturdy and dry despite the wind and rain, and even had a torch inside. Lovely view to wake up to in the morning. A couple more signs to the field would make it easier to find but Richard was easy to contact and welcoming when we arrived. Good toilets (with plenty of toilet roll!), electric showers and washing up facilities at the top of the field as well as hot water to make tea and coffee (very welcome in the morning!) Only 10 minutes drive to the nearest supermarkets. A great campsite with everything you need
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Christine S.recommends
July 21, 2023
Grass Tent Pitch
We enjoyed four nights camping in our tent in the large field - plenty of space as it was very quiet. Lovely countryside. Hot water on tap was a nice touch and there was plenty of freezer and fridge space.
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Ally E.recommends
June 26, 2023
Grass Tent Pitch
Tent camping
Loved it! The views were beautiful , definitely will be going back soon! :)
Location
Dorset, Dorset, England, United KingdomTraditional, ancestral territory of various First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Richard T.Joined in June 2021
From the host
Charisworth Farm provides the perfect escape from everyday life. Despite being just 4 miles from the nearby town of Blandford, you'll feel like you've gone back to nature when you visit us. Based on a working farm, we offer a peaceful tree-lined campsite, surrounded by open fields offering superb country views. There's plenty of space to allow adults to unwind, while the children are free to play in the stunning parkland setting and woodland areas. In the evenings, this site is all about peaceful, quiet times around the firepit (music and parties aren’t permitted), with the added bonus of a quiet bar serving draught lager and cider, spirits and soft drinks on Friday nights. We are close to The Tank Museum, Monkey World, Lulworth Cove & Durdle Door as well as beaches at Weymouth, Studland and Sandbanks all within 40 minute drive. We are happy to show guests around the farm and to introduce them to the animals - we have cows, sheep, pigs, chickens and ponies.
Nearby attractions

Charisworth is nicely tucked away, with footpaths and bridleways nearby, including a good route along a sunken path to Great Coll Wood and a three-mile off-road route to The Greyhound pub (01929 471332) in Winterborne Kingston. However, the proximity of the A354 also makes it convenient for zipping around Dorset and visiting attractions further afield. It takes 10 minutes to drive the four miles into Blandford Forum, a pleasant market town with a museum (01258 450388) – as well as a separate Fashion Museum (01258 453006) – plenty of good places to eat and drink, and shops for stocking up. Wimbourne and Dorchester are also within half an hour, as is the National Trust's Kingston Lacy House & Gardens (01202 883402) and Bovington Tank Museum (01929 405096). If you like extreme sports and adrenaline, meanwhile, it's only a couple of miles to Gorcombe Extreme Sports (01258 452219; you can walk there from the campsite in around 20 minutes), where you can try quad biking, paint balling, archery and more.

Food and drink

There aren't any pubs within strolling distance but it's a 10-minute drive into Blandford Forum for plentiful options, including the flagship pub of the local Woodhouse Brewery, The Crown (01258 456626), and it's only five minutes down the A354 to the recently reinvigorated Milton Arms. Other top picks include The Greyhound (01929 471332) at Winterborne Kingston, the thatched, low-beamed Worlds End (01929 459036) in Almer and the magnificent Fox Inn (01258 880328) set in an old country house in Anstey. If you follow the footpath behind the campsite north to the Gorcombe Extreme Sports Centre, there is also a decent little café there – The Good Life Café (20–25 minutes' walk).

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