FAMILY FRIENDLY CAMPSITES

Camping has grown in popularily in recent years and Dorset has tons of great sites offering outstanding views, swimming pools, play parks, entertainment and fire pits ready for toasting marshmallows. 

Below is a list of fab local campsites, many of which have been recommended by Dorsetmums readers, so please take a look and see where your next family adventure will take you!

SOUTH & EAST DORSET

Neddy Green has only recently opened and is located on a small organic farm with open fields and beautiful views.  At the moment composting toilets and cold water tap are the only amenities but they can provide you with wood for campfires in the designated areas.

Recommended by Dorsetmum Boudicca - At Neddy Green there are wide open fields overlooking the Purbeck Hills in the distance.   Campfires are allowed, there is ample sheltered space with tables and chairs.  It's quiet and peaceful, plenty of walks to interesting viewpoints and landmarks.  There are cold tap sinks and composting toilets.

Website: Neddy Green

This award winning holiday park is set in beautiful countryside located near Poole, Bournemouth and the Jurassic Coastline.  There’s a large choice of camping pitches, electric hook ups available, toilet and shower facilities, laundry room, children’s playground, well stocked shop and pubs within walking distance.

Website: South Lytchett Manor

Riverside Lakes is an informal, non-commercial & environmentally friendly campsite.  There are flat pitches on this site within yards of the fishing lakes and limited electric hook-ups.

Recommended by Dorsetmum Harjout - It's a very chilled out site, lots of family's and not for big crowds who wish to get loud at night.  Really helped to switch off and just relax with nature, my three kids made friends easily on site and played in nature without need for tablets or entertainment.  It's a lovely family run site.

Website: Riverside Lakes

Farrs Meadow sits on a hill surrounded by woodland.  The River Stour is nearby which is perfect for a paddle and Wimborne Minster is only a 15 minute walk away.  The Meadow is largely a tents only site however they also have fully furnished yurts, gypsy wagons and shepherds huts.  Facilities include eco toilets and hot showers which are housed in upcycled horse boxes.

Recommended by Dorsetmum Claire - We stayed in their lovely rustic shepherds huts.  It’s very much a back to basic campsite with eco toilets and showers but the site manager is very friendly and nothing is too much trouble.  It’s only in Wimbourne but feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere.

Facebook: Farrs Meadow 

Default image

Wilksworth Farm is situated in a historic setting.  The Olde Cart Shed serves breakfast and lunch and while they have no license to serve alcohol you are more than welcome to bring your own.  They also have shower and toilet facilities, a shop, laundry room, sports facilities, tiny town with a mini village of playhouses and a fully heated outdoor pool.

Recommended by Dorsetmum Jen – Wilksworth Farm is lovely and quiet with clean facilities. There is a lovely heated outdoor pool, a play area, a village of playhouses and tennis courts.  It feels safe and secure and we are happy to let our little man ride about on his bike or scooter there. We love going back time and time again.

Website: Wilksworth Farm

Default image

Merley Court Holiday Park is set within 15 acres of parkland and woodland. Facilities on the park include a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, a bar with food served, a shop, park wide Wi-Fi and a launderette.

Recommended by Dorsetmum Lindsey - Staff are so helpful and kind.  Very child friendly campsite with lots for children to do.  Very clean shower blocks and toilets.  So close to Poole and Bournemouth.  We love it there! 

Website: Merley Court Holiday Park

RURAL & NORTH DORSET

The caravan and camping park is part of a 130-acre family run working farm.  The park is level and sheltered in a quiet country setting with spacious pitches and electric hook ups available.

Website: Woolsbridge Manor Farm

St Leonards Farm is a quiet family run park with electric hook ups, shower and toilet block, play area for children, picnic area, washing up area and launderette.  Pitches are situated in relaxing rural surroundings and evenly spaced.

Website: St Leonards Farm Park

The Inside Park campsite is a farm based touring caravan and campsite with some pitches having electric hookup.  They have modern washrooms, site shop, large children’s adventure playground and indoor games room.

Recommended by Dorsetmum Rachel - It's a beautiful non commercialised campsite with a little shop, games room with wifi and showers. Surrounded by woodland with walks and cycle routes too.

Website: The Inside Park

Default image

The award winning site offers camping and motorhome pitches, boutique bell tents and yurts which are all situated on a rural working farm.  Activities can be arranged on and off site and there are toilets, showers, an established farm shop and tearoom.

Recommended by Dorsetmum Camilla - It’s quiet, peaceful, no allocated pitches with rows and rows of campers, a brilliant on site farmshop, farm animals, loads of space for kids to run free (and safe!) and also you can hire yurts or bell tents for those who prefer glamping more.

 Website: Home Farm Camping

PURBECK AREA

The award winning Longthorns Farm offers camping and glamping with no regimented allotted pitches.  Enjoy their woodland walk, friendly alpaca's, chickens, horses and cows on the dog friendly site.  Facilities include toilets and showers, washing up area and electric hook up plus there’s a seasonal shop, bar, local food and live music.

Recommended by Dorsetmum Lizzie – Longthorns is an amazing place.  Always has clean facilities and helpful staff.

Website: Longthorns Farm

This family run campsite can be found on the Isle of Purbeck with the Steam train to Swanage just a short walk away.  Facilities include toilets, disabled toilet and wet room, laundry and washing up rooms, pooch parlour, farm shop and play area.

Recommended by Dorsetmum Katie - Really good facilities and really popular with families.  We had a fire pit on the go every evening.

Website: Norden Farm

East Creech Farm is beautifully situated in the Purbeck area of Dorset with wonderful views all around.  There are approximately 80 grassed pitches with electric hook up available on a number of them.  Facilities include a well equipped toilet block, showers, laundry room , 2 play areas and a tea room.

Recommended by Dorsetmum Ellie – They have a lovely little farm, play park and a fishing lake.  Also has a shop that sells eggs, fresh bread and ice creams.

Website: East Creech Farm

This superb spacious campsite has everything for families with modern toilet blocks, showers, laundry and dish washing facilities, family room with table tennis, children’s adventure playground, sports area, licensed shop and of course the wonderful heated outdoor pool.

Recommended by Dorsetmum Kelly – It’s a safe spacious park which has a small and bigger swimming pool, games room, outside play area and on site shop.  Some evenings they also have outside food companies in so you don't have to worry about cooking!  The shower and toilet blocks are clean and warm.  We went camping as a family for the 1st time recently and it was great!  Also surrounded by woodland so you can go on walks.  Highly recommend!

Website: Wareham Forest Tourist Park

Birchwood Tourist Park is a lovely rural family-run campsite.  Facilities include a shop, take away food, toilet and shower blocks, launderette, children’s play area and games field.

Recommended by Dorsetmum Kerry - Birchwood in Wareham is fab, and cheap.  Ace park, lovely splash pool which the kids love, sandpit and more.  It's safe and clean too.  We live in Dorchester and come here every year!

Website: Birchwood Tourist Park

Get back to nature at Burnbake with wonderful woodland and plenty of space.  Facilities include toilets and showers, seasonal eatery, shop and children’s playground.  You can even hire a fire pit to toast your marshmallows on.

Recommended by Dorsetmum Eleanor – We visited Burnbake with a toddler and a baby.  Really family friendly with lots of kids there, natural wooded camp site and lots of wildlife too.  Nice showers and toilets, baby changing in 2 unisex toilets, bathroom for babies and a laundry room with tumble drier. Small shop and cafe too. 

Website: Burnbake Forest Lodges and Campsite

PRIMROSE FIELDS wareham

Relaxed rural campsite set on wildflower meadows with campfires welcomed.  Facilities include toilets, showers and washing up facilities.

Recommended by Dorsetmum Elizabeth - Child friendly site, doggy friendly, camp fires and it’s family run.

Facebook: Primrose Fields 

Woodyhyde is set within 13 acres in the heart of the Purbeck countryside.  Facilities include a modern shower block and onsite shop.

Recommended by Dorsetmum Jane – We took our 2 children under 5, there's a dog free field and you get to see the steam trains at they go past.  Lots of children there to play with too.

Website: Woodyhyde

WEST DORSET

Sandyholme is the perfect countryside base to explore the best Purbeck has to offer.  Set in Thomas Hardy country and flanked by meadows and farmland, Sandyholme has a quiet rural location with a network of country lanes, footpaths and rivers.  The park is close to some of the best locations on the Jurassic Coast and family-friendly attractions including Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove, Weymouth, Monkey World and The Tank Museum.  Accommodation includes caravan holiday homes for hire and pitches for touring caravans, motorhomes, campervans and tents.

Recommended by Dorsetmum Katharine - I would recommend Sandyholme it as it is a nice enclosed meadow where you pitch your tent wherever you like in the field, facilities are clean, there is a nice little park, duck pond and small convenience shop.  It is very friendly and relaxing.  We often go with extended family and because there are no allocated pitches we can all camp together.  We particularly like the nearby Moreton river where the children can play and paddle.

Website: Sandyholme Holiday Park

Highlands End is a 5 star Holiday Park with excellent facilities, accommodation and in one of the best locations anywhere in the UK, on the clifftop overlooking 99 miles of coastline.  Highlands End is great for families, with a swimming pool, soft play, pitch ‘n’ putt and bar and restaurant with live music and events.  It is a short walk from the coastal locations of West Bay and Eype Beach.  The range of accommodation includes luxury lodges, premier camping pods, caravans, apartments, bungalows and pitches for tourers, motorhomes and tents.

Recommended by Dorsetmum Georgia – Thoroughly recommend this site, it has a nice swimming pool and play park.

Website: Higlands End Holiday Park

Default image

A truly scenic getaway, Golden Cap is a welcoming park on the Jurassic Coast, just 150 yards from Seatown Beach and surrounded by 2,000 acres of National Trust Land.  Nestled in a quiet valley by the River Winniford, Golden Cap is the perfect location for a relaxing holiday involving walking, exploring and dining out.  There is a range of accommodation including luxury lodges, caravans, glamping, camping and touring.  There is a small shop, pizza takeaway, children’s play area and fishing lake on the park.  Campers have access to toilets, showers, launderette facilities and a freezer for ice blocks.

Website: Golden Cap Holiday Park

Default image

Graston Copse is a beautiful, small and peaceful park in the Bride Valley, just 1 mile from the Jurassic Coast.  Surrounded by fields, rolling hills and the meandering River Bride, Graston Copse is a fabulous retreat for a holiday in Dorset.  Explore the park with its riverside walk, wildflowers, bee hives and woodland walk awash with bluebells in the Spring.  On the park you will find pitches for motorhomes, touring caravans, campervans and tents as well as camping pods.  The park is just a 15 minute walk along the river from the village of Burton Bradstock and a further 15 minutes to Hive Beach.

Website: Graston Copse Holiday Park

Eweleaze Farm is located in an area of outstanding beauty and opens only for the month of August.  Facilities include toilets, showers, laundry and washing up area plus there’s a farm shop, crepe bar, restaurant, play areas, animals to pet and even a Turkish Bath House!

Recommended by Dorsetmum Deborah - Eweleaze is only open for 4 weeks of the summer but it is brilliant!  They have animals to pet, hay play area, private beach and wood fired pizza.

Website: Eweleaze Farm

This family run campsite is set within 23 acres of landscaped grounds surrounded by beautiful countryside.  Facilities include a bar and lounge area, swimming pool, play areas and entertainment.

Recommended by Dorsetmum Gemma – They have an indoor and outdoor pool, entertainment, bar, chippy and it’s close to the beach and a little village, lovely site.

Website: Newlands Holiday Park

West Fleet Holiday Farm is set in 15 acres of beautiful countryside overlooking Chesil Bank, Fleet Lagoon and Lyme Bay.  They have plenty of space for children to run around, a play area, outdoor heated swimming pool and peak season entertainment in the clubhouse and bar.

Recommended by Dorsetmum Gemma – Campsite with lovely views and walks, outdoor pool, play area and a bar.

Website: West Fleet Holiday Farm

This is a quiet, family orientated campsite with generous sized pitches.  Facilities include toilets and showers plus they have a vintage marquee bar and wood fired pizza during peak periods.

Recommended by Dorsetmum Gemma –There’s a large marquee tent with entertainment in the evenings, wood fired pizza nights and a play area.  Really nice site and very clean.

Website: Higher Moor Farm

Default image

Freshwater Beach has everything and caters for those wishing to stay in a caravan or those would love to camp.  The camping area covers over 20 acres of grassland and has modern amenities.  The park facilities include swimming pools, restaurants, bars and entertainment.

Recommended by Dorsetmum Helen - We went to Freshwater Beach on the wettest, stormiest weekend of the Summer but despite the weather the kids loved it!  There is a fantastic pool which kept them entertained for hours and the children's entertainment in the evening is brilliant, although this is seasonal.   The showers are good and the staff seem to work hard to keep them and the toilets clean.  There are a couple of nice pubs nearby which we went to for dinner.  I'm sure it would be even better in good weather as it has an outside pool and it’s right on the beach (albeit a stony one).

Website: Freshwater Beach Holiday Park

Default image

East Fleet Farm is located on the shores of the Fleet Lagoon overlooking Chesil Beach and the sea.  Facilities include 3 excellent amenity blocks, bar and games area.

Recommended by Dorsetmum Clare – East Fleet Farm has the most amazing views and sunsets.  Also has a great play park, lots of space, a pub and a very well equipped shop.  It’s a great base for exploring the local area.

Website: East Fleet Farm

Default image

Monkton Wyld Holiday Park is situated just 3 miles from the coastal village of Charmouth has 25 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds.  Facilities include a heated shower block with individual cubicle washbasins, dedicated family toilets with shower rooms, baby change area and toddler seats, disability rooms, large laundry with dryers and a separate dishwashing area.  Bath baths can be borrowed from reception on request.  For the children there is a play area with plenty of space to run around.

Recommended by Dorsetmum Suzannah - We went for our first ever camping trip in 2019 and it was brilliant. Clean, lovely facilities, not very big but with 2 play areas for the kids.  Food outlets visit most days.  All set in a lovely countryside location, but close enough to Charmouth and Lyme Regis for you to easily visit for the day or short trip.

Website: Monkton Wyld Holiday Park

Default image

BAGWELL FARM TOURING PARK weymouth

Bagwell Farm is set in a tranquil and rural location providing magnificent views of the Jurassic Coast, Chesil Bank, Fleet Lagoon and Lyme Bay.

Recommended by Dorsetmum Chantelle – My family have been going to this amazing campsite for 3 years now. They have friendly staff, a lovely shop and a beautiful barn that serves wonderful food and drink. It also has clean shower and toilet facilities, a small play area for young children, spacious pitches, wonderful views and good walking spots.

Website: Bagwell Farm Touring Park

GLAMPING & SHEPHERD HUTS

These amazing yurts can be found on a small family run farm set in an idyllic 50 acres of pasture land adjacent to a beautiful woodland area.  The site has 4 beautiful yurts plus there is an outdoor kitchen, children’s play area, toilet, shower room and a woodland walk with bluebells in the Spring.

Recommended by Dorsetmums - To read about our stay in 2018 please visit the Dorsetmums blog.

Website: Mountain Cottage Yurts

Default image

DEWFLOCK FARM dorchester

Dewflock Farm is ideally placed to offer families a chance to explore the Dorset countryside and the Jurassic coast whilst having a base that offers a safe and interesting environment.  With bell tents and shepherds huts to hire, cattle and sheep in neighbouring fields and the farm lambs on the loose, children will really love the place. 

Website: Dorset Farm Camping

Black Pig Retreats offers luxurious safari tents with hot running water and wood-burning stoves.  Enjoy the tranquility of nature, stunning scenery, and comfortable beds.  Perfect for groups and families, with dog-friendly options.  Close to Longleat and beautiful walking routes.  A memorable countryside glamping experience.

Website: Black Pig Retreats

RECOMMENDED CAMPSITES NEAR DORSET

The award winning camping and caravanning site is located in beautiful countryside and only a short drive from Dartmouth.  The campsite grounds toilet facilities are kept very clean and tidy plus there is an onsite shop, pizza parlour, games room and of course the theme park which will keep children of all ages entertained for hours.

Recommended by Dorsetmums - To read all about our fantastic stay in 2019, please visit the Dorsetmums blog.

Website: Woodlands Grove

Default image

Wookey Farm is a small family run dairy goat farm where children can pet the animals and everyone can learn all about the running of the farm.  The eco campsite is perfect for families with plenty of space and a river to splash in.

Recommended by Dorsetmum Magda - We had a fantastic stay at Wookey Farm which is a lovely old school campsite. We went there with our 2 children and a dog last summer. Wonderful large private pitch with individual camp fire. Very friendly and relaxed, my kids loved feeding the goats and other live stock. We all enjoyed the rope swing and paddling in the stream. Cannot recommend this campsite highly enough we will definitely be back!

Website: Wookey Farm Campsite

Default image

Are you looking to buy or sell camping equipment?  Why not join the Dorsetmums camping group on Facebook!

Default image

On holiday in Dorset and looking for a pub with a play park for the kids?  Visit our page Pubs with play parks for ideas on where to go.

Dorsetmums has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this site and does not accept liability for any errors or omission.  All reviews have been given by local parents and those wishing to camp should contact the sites directly before making the journey to ensure it is open and not fully booked.