The best campsites in Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs AONB with horseback riding

·

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.

96% (606) 161 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs AONB

Sweet Hill Farm

1. Sweet Hill Farm

94%
(296)
10 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Dorset, South West England
Simple, almost-wild, seaside camping on the Isle of Portland
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£12
 / night
Woodlands Camping

2. Woodlands Camping

97%
(104)
10 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Ropley, England
A back-to-basics campsite in the South Downs National Park
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£27
 / night
Hardyes Countryside Camping

3. Hardyes Countryside Camping

98%
(43)
35 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Weymouth, Dorset, South West England
Camping in a Dorset field between Dorchester and the Jurassic coast.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Showers
from 
£25
 / night
The Yellow Submarine!

4. The Yellow Submarine!

100%
(1)
1 unit · Glamping · England
Stay in the only Yellow Submarine Glamping in the UK! Our Yellow Submarine is comfy and cosy and lots of interactive fun. Its a unique, magical (and totally land-based!) experience! The Yellow Submarine is complete with Radar, Giant Octopus Detector, Shark Warning System, Anti-Whale-Bump technology and a special cool space for Mums' wine. There are buttons to press, and knobs and dials and gauges and lights and real portholes. Look through the Periscope to check for any Sharks, Whales, Dolphins and Sea Monsters lurking nearby. There's a Galley Kitchen with Hob, Fridge, Sink, Crockery, Cutlery, and all the bits and bobs you'll need. Outside you'll find a BBQ & Firepit. When not deep under the Ocean, you'll find the Yellow Submarine at Petruth Paddocks - the best fun Free-Range Camping in Somerset. The vibe is as chilled as a rather good Prosecco thanks to the cucumber-cool Jules and the team there. There's a Family Field with an activity area where kids are free to clamber on old cable reels, sleepers, tractor tyres and an old Land Rover. You’ll find a great food shack serving delicious Paninis, Loaded Chips, Baked Potatoes, and brekky rolls in the morning and get your caffeine hit with proper coffee, or great tea, iced milkshakes and hot choccy! Veggy / dairy free available too! ‘Kev the Ice-Man’ has the most delicious flavours of Marshfield’s Ice Cream, and the most wonderful Stone-Baked Pizzas are on Friday evenings from June - end August with Vegan & dairy-free options available. A small shop in Reception sells the essentials - drinks, snacks, toiletries and a few other bits and bobs! ​​​ In the Village nearby; 6 great Restaurants 5 lovely Take-aways (some deliver) 8 fabulous pubs plus lots more a short drive away Local stores, farm shops, supermarkets​​​ In the area; Buses, Bike / E-Bike hire, Taxis, Trains 9 Gorgeous Beaches Marshes, Lakes, Cheddar Gorge, Wookey Hole, RSPB / Nature Reserves, Animal Parks and Zoos, Landscaped Gardens, Culture, Historical Landmarks and the Paranormal! Whooooooo! Local activities; A Shooting Range, Yachting, Kayaking, Horse Trekking, Alpaca Experiences, Activity Centres, Ballooning, Gliding, Racing, Karting, a Steam Railway Walking, Running, Cycling, River activities, Wild Swimming, Carboot and Local Market, Cakery, Softplay, Gym and Leisure Centre… Phew!
Showers
Campfires
Potable water
from 
£159
 / night
Small Trees Campsite

5. Small Trees Campsite

97%
(38)
33 units · Tents, Motorhomes · West Wellow, England
A small, campfire-friendly and dog-friendly campsite with approachable hosts
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£12
 / night
Harry's Field New Forest

6. Harry's Field New Forest

92%
(60)
63 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Fordingbridge, Hampshire, South East England
Family-friendly, traditional New Forest camping with a pub next door and footpaths leading directly from the gateway
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£32
 / night
Glamping Retreat & Campsite

7. Glamping Retreat & Campsite

95%
(10)
17 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Ryde, England
Retro Staycations near Ryde on the Isle of Wight
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from 
£19
 / night
Buckland Farm Camping

8. Buckland Farm Camping

95%
(21)
12 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Somerset, South West England
Dog-friendly camping on the edge of the Blackdown Hills
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£22
 / night
Southover Wood and Camping

9. Southover Wood and Camping

95%
(100)
18 units · Tents · Dorset, South West England
Nearly wild camping in a vast Dorset woodland
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£12
 / night
Camping in Nature at Vallis Veg

10. Camping in Nature at Vallis Veg

99%
(148)
15 units · Tents · Frome, Somerset, South West England
Back-to-basics, natural camping with campfires encouraged and easy walks to the local attractions in Frome
Campfires
Potable water
from 
£20
 / night
Gurt Yurts

11. Gurt Yurts

100%
(23)
9 units · Tents, Glamping · Churchill, England
Off the beaten track on top of the Mendips in an area of outstanding natural beauty. A mixture of four acres of wild woodland, orchard and field set on a hillside. Our Yurt is set up in the trees giving you peaceful seclusion and a clear view across the sea to Wales and the mountains of the Brecon Beacons. A huge range of activities are possible or you can lie in the hammock with a good book. We have very friendly dogs and rescue chickens who may come and visit. Wild deer wander past in the early morning mist and the odd buzzard picks an argument with a bunch of crows but nothing much else should disturb you. We moved here after an 18 month search 8 years ago. It was close to everything we wanted and we've spent some time getting a bit closer.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£12
 / night
Goren Farm

12. Goren Farm

100%
(85)
7 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Seaton, Devon, South West England
Nearly wild camping in Devonshire wildflower meadows
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
from 
£21
 / night
The Old Airfield

13. The Old Airfield

85%
(143)
114 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Hampshire, South East England
A New Forest airfield that's been overtaken by nature, less than 10 minutes' drive from the coast
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£30
 / night
Park Farm Campsite

14. Park Farm Campsite

98%
(24)
3 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Malmesbury, England
Off-grid pitches on an organic farm – with a sauna on site
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£20
 / night
Stud Farm

15. Stud Farm

100%
(4)
1 unit · Glamping · Brockenhurst, England
A shepherd’s hut on a traditional New Forest farm
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£125
 / night
Romantic Country Glamping

16. Romantic Country Glamping

91%
(11)
2 units · Glamping · Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, South West England
A pair of self-contained glamping getaways in Wiltshire
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£110
 / night
Great Cotmarsh Farm

17. Great Cotmarsh Farm

100%
(13)
7 units · Tents · Swindon, England
Nature isn't tidy so expect some wilderness when you visit. We manage Great Cotmarsh Farm in a way that helps nature flourish and our small campsite, with panoramic views of the Marlborough Downs, is managed to the same philosophy. Small and quiet, tucked away in the Wiltshire countryside our campsite is arranged around pathways and pitches mown into one of our fields for Spring and Summertime. Bring your own tent to share our little slice of heaven.  Sleep under canvas and enjoy the pleasures of campfires and proper outdoor cooking. We have our own delicious 100% pasture fed lamb and beef to buy for hearty evening meals and a pizza oven for your to make the best tasting stonebaked pizzas with bases provided. When you visit you can say hello to our stunning native breed cattle and sheep and explore our wonderful, species diverse pasture. If you are after the kind of holiday where you can have fun outdoors, nourish yourself with delicious food and discover your connection to nature - Great Cotmarsh Farm is the perfect place to come and stay. Whether you're an outdoor adventurer, foodie fanatic or love touring historic homes and gardens, Wiltshire and the surrounding area has tons on offer and we will provide you with a welcome pack full of useful information. If you want to keep your stay super local, there are footpaths leading off the farm into local meadows and up onto the Marlborough Downs, including access up onto the White Horse Trail. Within walking or quick cycling distance of the farm is the fantastic Broad Town Brewery and Hop Garden where you can enjoy locally brewed ales and street food vendors at the weekends.
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
from 
£41
 / night
Fernwood Glamping (New Forest)

18. Fernwood Glamping (New Forest)

100%
(21)
2 units · Glamping · New Forest, England
Secluded, peaceful glamping on the edge of the New Forest
Showers
Campfires
Potable water
from 
£80
 / night
Feltham’s Farm Cheese Barn

19. Feltham’s Farm Cheese Barn

100%
(8)
1 unit · Glamping · Shepton Mallet, England
Farm stays on a Somerset smallholding with a cheese dairy
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£160
 / night
West Holme Glamping, Wareham,Dorset

20. West Holme Glamping, Wareham,Dorset

100%
(6)
6 units · Glamping · Wareham, Dorset, South West England
West Holme Glamping is a micro-site with pre-erected bell tents in the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Just the job for romantic mini-breaks or holidays for small families, it's set in 20 acres, so there’s plenty of privacy and lots of space to roam around. The bell tents here come equipped with a double bed, rugs, picnic tables, lanterns, a gazebo and a gas barbecue. The three showers and three toilets are shared between six tents.. You'll just need to bring your own bed linen and towels or add them to your booking. You can explore the area by car – medieval castles, beaches, National Trust sites and the Jurassic Coast are all less than half an hour’s drive away. Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove are 20 minutes' drive away. Pretty market towns like Dorchester (also 30 minutes) or seaside resorts like Swanage (20 minutes) are all worth a mosey, while historic Wareham has Saxon town walls and riverside churches to explore. The sandy beaches of Studland and Swanage are also within half an hour's drive of the site. If you’re feeling energetic, the Isle of Purbeck has plenty of walks and bike rides on the rocky peninsula overlooking the English Channel, as well as parts of the South West Coast Path. The local farm shop is a five-minute walk and sells the very best of local Dorset produce if you fancy cooking on the barbecue. And if you don’t, there’s a cosy tea shop attached, and there are plenty of gastropubs serving real ales and great grub in less than a 15-minute drive too.
Showers
Potable water
Cooking equipment
from 
£100
 / night

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.

96% (606) 161 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs AONB

Sweet Hill Farm

1. Sweet Hill Farm

94%
(296)
10 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Dorset, South West England
Simple, almost-wild, seaside camping on the Isle of Portland
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£12
 / night
Woodlands Camping

2. Woodlands Camping

97%
(104)
10 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Ropley, England
A back-to-basics campsite in the South Downs National Park
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£27
 / night
Hardyes Countryside Camping

3. Hardyes Countryside Camping

98%
(43)
35 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Weymouth, Dorset, South West England
Camping in a Dorset field between Dorchester and the Jurassic coast.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Showers
from 
£25
 / night
The Yellow Submarine!

4. The Yellow Submarine!

100%
(1)
1 unit · Glamping · England
Stay in the only Yellow Submarine Glamping in the UK! Our Yellow Submarine is comfy and cosy and lots of interactive fun. Its a unique, magical (and totally land-based!) experience! The Yellow Submarine is complete with Radar, Giant Octopus Detector, Shark Warning System, Anti-Whale-Bump technology and a special cool space for Mums' wine. There are buttons to press, and knobs and dials and gauges and lights and real portholes. Look through the Periscope to check for any Sharks, Whales, Dolphins and Sea Monsters lurking nearby. There's a Galley Kitchen with Hob, Fridge, Sink, Crockery, Cutlery, and all the bits and bobs you'll need. Outside you'll find a BBQ & Firepit. When not deep under the Ocean, you'll find the Yellow Submarine at Petruth Paddocks - the best fun Free-Range Camping in Somerset. The vibe is as chilled as a rather good Prosecco thanks to the cucumber-cool Jules and the team there. There's a Family Field with an activity area where kids are free to clamber on old cable reels, sleepers, tractor tyres and an old Land Rover. You’ll find a great food shack serving delicious Paninis, Loaded Chips, Baked Potatoes, and brekky rolls in the morning and get your caffeine hit with proper coffee, or great tea, iced milkshakes and hot choccy! Veggy / dairy free available too! ‘Kev the Ice-Man’ has the most delicious flavours of Marshfield’s Ice Cream, and the most wonderful Stone-Baked Pizzas are on Friday evenings from June - end August with Vegan & dairy-free options available. A small shop in Reception sells the essentials - drinks, snacks, toiletries and a few other bits and bobs! ​​​ In the Village nearby; 6 great Restaurants 5 lovely Take-aways (some deliver) 8 fabulous pubs plus lots more a short drive away Local stores, farm shops, supermarkets​​​ In the area; Buses, Bike / E-Bike hire, Taxis, Trains 9 Gorgeous Beaches Marshes, Lakes, Cheddar Gorge, Wookey Hole, RSPB / Nature Reserves, Animal Parks and Zoos, Landscaped Gardens, Culture, Historical Landmarks and the Paranormal! Whooooooo! Local activities; A Shooting Range, Yachting, Kayaking, Horse Trekking, Alpaca Experiences, Activity Centres, Ballooning, Gliding, Racing, Karting, a Steam Railway Walking, Running, Cycling, River activities, Wild Swimming, Carboot and Local Market, Cakery, Softplay, Gym and Leisure Centre… Phew!
Showers
Campfires
Potable water
from 
£159
 / night
Small Trees Campsite

5. Small Trees Campsite

97%
(38)
33 units · Tents, Motorhomes · West Wellow, England
A small, campfire-friendly and dog-friendly campsite with approachable hosts
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£12
 / night
Harry's Field New Forest

6. Harry's Field New Forest

92%
(60)
63 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Fordingbridge, Hampshire, South East England
Family-friendly, traditional New Forest camping with a pub next door and footpaths leading directly from the gateway
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£32
 / night
Glamping Retreat & Campsite

7. Glamping Retreat & Campsite

95%
(10)
17 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Ryde, England
Retro Staycations near Ryde on the Isle of Wight
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from 
£19
 / night
Buckland Farm Camping

8. Buckland Farm Camping

95%
(21)
12 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Somerset, South West England
Dog-friendly camping on the edge of the Blackdown Hills
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£22
 / night
Southover Wood and Camping

9. Southover Wood and Camping

95%
(100)
18 units · Tents · Dorset, South West England
Nearly wild camping in a vast Dorset woodland
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£12
 / night
Camping in Nature at Vallis Veg

10. Camping in Nature at Vallis Veg

99%
(148)
15 units · Tents · Frome, Somerset, South West England
Back-to-basics, natural camping with campfires encouraged and easy walks to the local attractions in Frome
Campfires
Potable water
from 
£20
 / night
Gurt Yurts

11. Gurt Yurts

100%
(23)
9 units · Tents, Glamping · Churchill, England
Off the beaten track on top of the Mendips in an area of outstanding natural beauty. A mixture of four acres of wild woodland, orchard and field set on a hillside. Our Yurt is set up in the trees giving you peaceful seclusion and a clear view across the sea to Wales and the mountains of the Brecon Beacons. A huge range of activities are possible or you can lie in the hammock with a good book. We have very friendly dogs and rescue chickens who may come and visit. Wild deer wander past in the early morning mist and the odd buzzard picks an argument with a bunch of crows but nothing much else should disturb you. We moved here after an 18 month search 8 years ago. It was close to everything we wanted and we've spent some time getting a bit closer.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£12
 / night
Goren Farm

12. Goren Farm

100%
(85)
7 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Seaton, Devon, South West England
Nearly wild camping in Devonshire wildflower meadows
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
from 
£21
 / night
The Old Airfield

13. The Old Airfield

85%
(143)
114 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Hampshire, South East England
A New Forest airfield that's been overtaken by nature, less than 10 minutes' drive from the coast
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£30
 / night
Park Farm Campsite

14. Park Farm Campsite

98%
(24)
3 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Malmesbury, England
Off-grid pitches on an organic farm – with a sauna on site
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£20
 / night
Stud Farm

15. Stud Farm

100%
(4)
1 unit · Glamping · Brockenhurst, England
A shepherd’s hut on a traditional New Forest farm
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£125
 / night
Romantic Country Glamping

16. Romantic Country Glamping

91%
(11)
2 units · Glamping · Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, South West England
A pair of self-contained glamping getaways in Wiltshire
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£110
 / night
Great Cotmarsh Farm

17. Great Cotmarsh Farm

100%
(13)
7 units · Tents · Swindon, England
Nature isn't tidy so expect some wilderness when you visit. We manage Great Cotmarsh Farm in a way that helps nature flourish and our small campsite, with panoramic views of the Marlborough Downs, is managed to the same philosophy. Small and quiet, tucked away in the Wiltshire countryside our campsite is arranged around pathways and pitches mown into one of our fields for Spring and Summertime. Bring your own tent to share our little slice of heaven.  Sleep under canvas and enjoy the pleasures of campfires and proper outdoor cooking. We have our own delicious 100% pasture fed lamb and beef to buy for hearty evening meals and a pizza oven for your to make the best tasting stonebaked pizzas with bases provided. When you visit you can say hello to our stunning native breed cattle and sheep and explore our wonderful, species diverse pasture. If you are after the kind of holiday where you can have fun outdoors, nourish yourself with delicious food and discover your connection to nature - Great Cotmarsh Farm is the perfect place to come and stay. Whether you're an outdoor adventurer, foodie fanatic or love touring historic homes and gardens, Wiltshire and the surrounding area has tons on offer and we will provide you with a welcome pack full of useful information. If you want to keep your stay super local, there are footpaths leading off the farm into local meadows and up onto the Marlborough Downs, including access up onto the White Horse Trail. Within walking or quick cycling distance of the farm is the fantastic Broad Town Brewery and Hop Garden where you can enjoy locally brewed ales and street food vendors at the weekends.
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
from 
£41
 / night
Fernwood Glamping (New Forest)

18. Fernwood Glamping (New Forest)

100%
(21)
2 units · Glamping · New Forest, England
Secluded, peaceful glamping on the edge of the New Forest
Showers
Campfires
Potable water
from 
£80
 / night
Feltham’s Farm Cheese Barn

19. Feltham’s Farm Cheese Barn

100%
(8)
1 unit · Glamping · Shepton Mallet, England
Farm stays on a Somerset smallholding with a cheese dairy
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£160
 / night
West Holme Glamping, Wareham,Dorset

20. West Holme Glamping, Wareham,Dorset

100%
(6)
6 units · Glamping · Wareham, Dorset, South West England
West Holme Glamping is a micro-site with pre-erected bell tents in the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Just the job for romantic mini-breaks or holidays for small families, it's set in 20 acres, so there’s plenty of privacy and lots of space to roam around. The bell tents here come equipped with a double bed, rugs, picnic tables, lanterns, a gazebo and a gas barbecue. The three showers and three toilets are shared between six tents.. You'll just need to bring your own bed linen and towels or add them to your booking. You can explore the area by car – medieval castles, beaches, National Trust sites and the Jurassic Coast are all less than half an hour’s drive away. Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove are 20 minutes' drive away. Pretty market towns like Dorchester (also 30 minutes) or seaside resorts like Swanage (20 minutes) are all worth a mosey, while historic Wareham has Saxon town walls and riverside churches to explore. The sandy beaches of Studland and Swanage are also within half an hour's drive of the site. If you’re feeling energetic, the Isle of Purbeck has plenty of walks and bike rides on the rocky peninsula overlooking the English Channel, as well as parts of the South West Coast Path. The local farm shop is a five-minute walk and sells the very best of local Dorset produce if you fancy cooking on the barbecue. And if you don’t, there’s a cosy tea shop attached, and there are plenty of gastropubs serving real ales and great grub in less than a 15-minute drive too.
Showers
Potable water
Cooking equipment
from 
£100
 / night

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The best campsites in Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs AONB with horseback riding guide

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.

Top towns in and near Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs AONB