A holiday guide to DorsetDorset holidaysThere are some gorgeous campsites in Dorset, many overlooking the Jurassic Coast. The founder of the Cool Camping Guides picks his favouritesAs featured in our Dorset holiday guide
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Eweleaze Farm, Osmington, Weymouth
The best way to enjoy Dorset’s Jurassic coastline is to get your walking boots on, and you’d be hard pressed to find a better base than Eweleaze Farm. Situated along the stretch of coastline between Durdle Door and Weymouth, Eweleaze is one of the loveliest places to camp in England. Campfire smoke wafts through the air, and there’s a real sense of shared energy; a community with a purpose – like some kind of cult celebrating the outdoors. And let’s not forget the location. From many pitches, you can view the curved coastline, and there’s the added luxury of a private beach, which is perfect for swimming, paddling, snorkelling and sandcastling.
01305 833690. Adults £6-12 a night, children £3-6. Open end July-end August
Burnbake, near Corfe Castle
It’s the small touches at Burnbake that quietly add up to make it a truly exceptional campsite. The main attraction is the woodland location; while some areas have been cleared for easy pitching, most of the site has simply been left untouched, so you can seek out your perfect shady spot. A small play area provides some old-school fun, including every kids’ favourite, the swinging tyre. During school holidays, make sure you visit the on-site cafe; a cosy little joint that’s perfect when you need a night off from cooking.
01929 480570. An adult with tent, car or camper van £8-10 a night, extra adults £2-4 and children £1-3. Open March-September
Downshay Farm, near Swanage
No trip to Downshay Farm would be complete without taking the Swanage to Norden steam locomotive (swanagerailway.co.uk), which stops close to the campsite. It’s a fitting way to arrive, as Downshay Farm isn’t a modern, manicured kind of site, mainly because it isn’t very flat. But sloping campsites are often on higher ground and higher ground often means views, and these views stretch out across the Dorset countryside like a landscape painting. Enjoy looking out across the rugged hills, the medieval ruins of Corfe Castle, and glimpse the chugging steam train as it snakes through the valley below.
01929 480316. Adults £4 per night, children £1-£2, plus £2-4 per tent. Open mid-July to early September
Hook Farm, Uplyme, Lyme Regis
After a warm welcome at reception, you’ll be ushered into a beautiful terraced garden valley, where campers are privy to one of the best-kept camping secrets on the south coast. Spacious pitches allow plenty of room to spread out, with a dozen or so tucked in among various nooks and crannies, offering a little more privacy. Early risers should head west to enjoy the morning sun, and night owls looking for a lie-in can camp east, where the morning rays fall last. Sunsets are best viewed from the top of the hill, and the lower area is better shielded from the elements.
01297 442801. Tent plus two adults £15-26 a night, children £2.50, under-5s free. Open March-October
Riversidelakes, Horton, Wimborne
Riversidelakes has managed to retain an aura of secrecy, aided by low-key signposting that helps to conceal its magic. The camping area comprises 12 acres of meadow and woodland, with three lakes enclosed by circumferential paths and thick shrubbery. Mown pathways lead to clusters of pitches separated by long, wild grasses that offer great privacy; all that sedentary campers can see of their neighbours are the wafts of smoke rising from their braziers. Junior campers can be found tearing along the paths on their bicycles, climbing trees, or playing on rope swings. As for everyone else, they’re just kicking back and enjoying the magic.
01202 821212. Adults £7-£10 a night, children £5-£7, under-5s free. Open May-September
North West Farm Retreat, Blandford Forum
Set within 500 undulating acres of lush, green Dorset countryside, North West Farm is a “retreat” in the truest sense of the word. With the nearest village road a mile away, this is an ideal location to gently unknot the stresses and strains of urban living in one of England’s most magnificent rural settings. Though still in its infancy, this picturesque old barley farm campsite is proving very popular with young families. With an array of accommodation options, including tents, the charming Badger’s Sett and Pheasant’s Rest shepherds huts, as well as group hire for the whole 10 acre site, North West Farm Retreat caters to all campers.
07810 505180 or 07974 425547. Huts from £60-£95 a night, sleeping two to five people. Open all year
Sea Barn Farm, Fleet, Weymouth
This gorgeous little tenters’ campsite, neatly contained by a low stone wall, has the most fantastic panorama as a backdrop; the view of Fleet Lagoon, Lyme Bay and the Jurassic Coast can be seen from many of the pitches. A friendly, family atmosphere permeates throughout; kids will be in their element with a great playground, use of a swimming pool and an adjacent field full of amiable, prize-winning cattle to admire. Facilities are shared with the adjacent touring park, so families can get the best of both worlds – quiet and peaceful camping, with extra entertainment just next door.
01305 782218. Pitch prices (including two adults) £12-19 a night, extra adults £4-5, extra kids £1-2.50. Open April-September
Acton Field, Langton Matravers, Swanage
Hidden behind a discreet residential slip road in Langton Matravers, random tufts of wild flowers adorn the natural bumps and curves of Acton Field on the Purbeck Hills. The unspoilt – verging on wild – terrain comprises a wide, sloping, and grassy campsite where you can see Swanage Bay glistening in the distance. Essential day trips include the scenic cliff-top walk from the village to swim at the Dancing Ledge tidal rock pool and caves. In 40 minutes you can walk along Priests Way down to Swanage Bay for a fish-and-chip supper by the beach.
01929 439424. £6-12 per adult per night (depending on tent size). Open spring bank holiday week, then late July-late Aug.
Tom’s Field, Langton Matravers, Swanage
Tom’s Field comprises just over four acres of gently rolling grass with old stone walling around much of its perimeter. It’s divided into a flat lower field, and a slightly more undulating higher field, which is compensated for by the outlook. If you’re looking the right way, you can see a long view seaward across Swanage Bay, and on a clear day you might see the Isle of Wight. No stay is complete without visiting the Square and Compass in Worth Matravers, a traditional country pub that has become a local attraction in its own right.
01929 427110. Pitches (including one or two adults) £7-£18 per night, extra adults £5-£6, children (four-13) £2. Open March-October
Rosewall Camping, Osmington Mills, Weymouth
Rosewall Camping is a highly polished, lovingly-manicured camping ground with plenty of awards and accolades to prove it – perfect for a comfortable, easy, hassle-free family holiday. Such perfection won’t suit all campers, but the cracking views and coastal location will. There is a small rocky beach about 200m from the site. It’s fun for rock-pooling or catching crabs, otherwise the shingle beach at Ringstead Bay is ideal for swimming. Head down the road to the Smuggler’s Inn (pictured), which has a little stream running through a pleasant garden kitted out with swings and slides.
01305 832248. Two people, one tent and one car £15-£25 a night, extra adult £4-£5, extra child £2-£3, depending on season. Open Easter-end October
Cool Camping England is available from coolcamping.co.uk, priced at £14.95
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