Camping in Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs AONB

Explore chalk ridges, ancient landmarks, and rolling countryside in this sprawling gateway to the West Country.

95% (1383 reviews)

United Kingdom
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England
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Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs AONB

95% (1383 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs AONB

Star Hosts in Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs AONB

97%

(77)

Available this weekend

93%

(64)

Southover Woods and Camping

15 units · Glamping, Tents60 acres · Dorset, South West England

Nearly wild camping in a vast Dorset woodland

100%

(4)

Bridgewood Camping

3 units · Glamping, Tents6 acres · Sherborne, England

Nearly wild woodland camping in Dorset

90%

(5)

Gold Hill Glamping

3 units · Glamping1 acre · Dorset, South West England

Hello, welcome to Gold Hill Glamping, which is based at Allan’s Farm, a working dairy farm and our family home. You are likely to see the cows coming in for milking twice a day. There are our lovely shetland ponies Pixie and Trudie to stroke and and past the time with, they love attention! There are usually fresh farm eggs available to buy if you wish. Wildlife is in abundance here. Deer and hares are regular visitors and different species of owl can be heard hooting behind the glamping fields. We have a lovely bell tent, called Willow Bell which has its own eco- loo and BBQ area with Kadai fire-pit and logs / chairs to sit around the fire. We are excited to be welcoming a spacious Lotus Belle tent to our glamping portfolio from Spring 2021. The Lotus Belle offers all the comfort and spaciousness of a yurt but with the simplicity and ease of a bell tent. Hazel, our Lotus Belle tent, will be situated in a separate, and peaceful location on the farm with its own eco – loo and simple glamping kitchen facilities. Thereby, allowing for visitors to glamp completely separately, but also offering the option for friends and family to stay here together. The tents have a very comfortable double bed, which will be fully furnished for your stay, plus two single futon-style beds (please bring your own bedding for the futons). All crockery, BBQ tools, bedding, a fire pit, seating area and a couple of finishing touches are provided for your stay. Both bell tents also have access to a hot shower, and flushing toilet a short walk away in a converted building in the farmyard. We are also planning a small honesty shop, to buy local sausages, eggs and Barber's cheese which is made from our milk.

89%

(240)

Radcot Leisure on Thames

50 units · Glamping, Tents1 acre · Oxfordshire, South East England

A Thames’ island campsite in the Oxfordshire countryside – with a lovely pub just over the bridge

Booked 11 times

Bredy Farm

31 units · Motorhomes, Tents30 acres · Bridport, England

Back-to-basics camping on a Dorset farm with a party vibe at weekends

12 top campsites in Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs AONB

93%

(209)

Sweet Hill Farm

10 units · Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Dorset, South West England

Simple, almost-wild, seaside camping on the Isle of Portland

100%

(2)

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!

100%

(44)

Woodfrys Farm

7 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents6 acres · Dorset, South West England

A sustainable, family-run smallholding in rural Dorset with a small lakeside campsite

90%

(132)

Lepe Beach Campsite

20 units · Tents7 acres · New Forest, England

Traditional tent camping with views of the Solent and Isle of Wight. Oh and did we mention it's only 150 yards from the beach!?

Radcot Leisure on Thames

50 units · Glamping, Tents1 acre · Oxfordshire, South East England

A Thames’ island campsite in the Oxfordshire countryside – with a lovely pub just over the bridge

Booked 23 times

Primrose Fields Campsite

30 units · Motorhomes, Tents11 acres · Wareham, England

Back-to-basics camping in a Dorset hay meadow

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

100%

(2)

Holyrood Farm Campsite

50 units · Motorhomes, Tents7 acres · Shaftesbury, England

Wild camping half a mile from Shaftesbury Spectacular views over the Blackmore Vale Campfires allowed As is the setting: small and secluded Holyrood Farm Campsite is in Dorset countryside overlooking the Blackmore Vale, within easy walking distance of the pubs and shops of Shaftesbury. It's close to several good footpaths for walking too. 10 minute walk to the famous Gold Hill.

90%

(5)

South Allenford Farm

3 units · Motorhomes, Tents2000 acres · Fordingbridge, Hampshire, South East England

-PLEASE BOOK 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE!!- Beautiful farm perfect for camping located in the Cranborne Chase area of outstanding natural beauty! Plenty of stunning walks can be done in and around the farm with lots of woodland areas and grassy meadows. Located 1.3 miles from the Compasses Inn, a quaint country pub with delicious food and drink. Around the area are some of the best fisheries - Damerham and Rockbourne.

Charisworth Farm

28 units · Glamping, Tents8 acres · Dorset, South West England

A spacious campsite in a traditional parkland setting, with campfires allowed and farm animals to meet

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

Southover Woods and Camping

15 units · Glamping, Tents60 acres · Dorset, South West England

Nearly wild camping in a vast Dorset woodland

Under £50

89%

(240)

Radcot Leisure on Thames

50 units · Glamping, Tents1 acre · Oxfordshire, South East England

A Thames’ island campsite in the Oxfordshire countryside – with a lovely pub just over the bridge

Haywards Bridge Farm

99 units · Motorhomes, Tents8 acres · Shillingstone,, England

Woodfrys Farm

7 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents6 acres · Dorset, South West England

A sustainable, family-run smallholding in rural Dorset with a small lakeside campsite

Lepe Beach Campsite

20 units · Tents7 acres · New Forest, England

Traditional tent camping with views of the Solent and Isle of Wight. Oh and did we mention it's only 150 yards from the beach!?

Sweet Hill Farm

10 units · Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Dorset, South West England

Simple, almost-wild, seaside camping on the Isle of Portland

Dog-friendly getaways

89%

(240)

Radcot Leisure on Thames

50 units · Glamping, Tents1 acre · Oxfordshire, South East England

A Thames’ island campsite in the Oxfordshire countryside – with a lovely pub just over the bridge

Woodfrys Farm

7 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents6 acres · Dorset, South West England

A sustainable, family-run smallholding in rural Dorset with a small lakeside campsite

Haywards Bridge Farm

99 units · Motorhomes, Tents8 acres · Shillingstone,, England

Primrose Fields Campsite

30 units · Motorhomes, Tents11 acres · Wareham, England

Back-to-basics camping in a Dorset hay meadow

Sweet Hill Farm

10 units · Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Dorset, South West England

Simple, almost-wild, seaside camping on the Isle of Portland

Camping in Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs AONB guide

Overview

This 380-square-mile (980-square-kilometre) chalk plateau on the borders of Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, and Hampshire boasts undulating hillside, historic landmarks, steep valleys, and traditional villages, making it a favourite for outdoor adventurers. Bridleways, footpaths, cycle routes, and wheelchair-friendly trails cut their way across the region’s fields, reserves, and ridges, while working farms and secluded glampsites provide plenty of spots to sleep beneath the stars at any time of year.

Where to go

Shaftesbury

Lined by steep, cobblestone streets and surrounded by rolling fields, this hilltop parish on the edge of Cranborne Chase is a hotspot for outdoor enthusiasts. No-frills farmland, eco retreats, and fancy glampsites provide plenty of camping options, while hiking and biking routes through the AONB and Blackmore Vale offer adventurers an intimate glimpse of England’s famous West Country.

Warminster and Longleat

Home to the UK’s most famous safari park, this rural region to the north of Cranborne Chase is a great destination for Hipcampers with kids. Overnight options include campervan parks, glamping lodges, and back-to-basics campgrounds, while sights like the River Wylye, Smallbrook Meadows Nature Reserve, and Shearwater Lake are ideal for rambling, riding—and even sailing!

Salisbury

This historic city just east of Cranborne Chase is convenient for car-free Hipcampers, at just 90 minutes from London and 2 hours from Cardiff via train. Take advantage of the region’s caravan parks, traditional tent grounds, and exclusive glampsites to enjoy easy access to the cathedral city itself as well as the Cranborne Chase and the West Wiltshire Downs AONB, Stonehenge, and New Forest National Park.

Fordingbridge

Nestled between Cranborne Chase and the New Forest, this riverside destination has something for every Hipcamper. Ancient archaeological sites, water parks, and archery centres provide plenty of thrilling daytrip options, while a network of riding routes and footpaths guide adventurers between the AONB and National Park. Outdoor accommodation includes pet-friendly touring parks, glamping huts, and traditional farmland campsites.

Wimborne

At the southerly tip of the Cranborne Chase and the West Wiltshire Downs AONB, this market town and its scenic surrounds are home to holiday parks, back-to-basics campgrounds, and glamorous yurt sites, providing easy access to AONB attractions such as the Kingston Lacy Country Estate and iron-age Badbury Rings. Plus, the Dorset coast is just a 20-minute drive away, making it easy to tick off multiple landscapes in one visit.