Woodland glamping in Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs AONB

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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.

95% (337) 172 campsites

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

Abbey Home Farm

1. Abbey Home Farm

94%
(224)
Cirencester, England · 21 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Eco-camping for real. Cooking on an open fire. Unspoilt natural beauty.
Campfires
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Potable water
Brig's Farm

2. Brig's Farm

97%
(157)
Bridport, England · 21 units · Tents, Glamping
Family camping with campfires near Charmouth, with sea views and a couple of quirky glamping lorries
Pets
Campfires
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The Old Airfield

3. The Old Airfield

85%
(143)
Burley, England · 114 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
A New Forest airfield that's been overtaken by nature, less than 10 minutes' drive from the coast
Pets
Campfires
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Jurassic Airstreams Spa Glamping

4. Jurassic Airstreams Spa Glamping

England · 4 units
Hartridge Springs – Jurassic Glamping with Rare Vintage Trailers Tucked into wildflower meadows and ancient woodland, Hartridge Springs is a soulful glamping retreat near the World Heritage Jurassic Coast — home to one of the UK’s rarest collections of original American trailers from the 1940s and ’50s. These aren’t just vintage caravans — they’re icons of travel history. Stay in a 1946 Spartan Manor, once owned by Roger Daltrey of The Who, with a twinkle-effect starlight ceiling, plain wing seats, wood fractal-burn tables, air conditioning, and hand-finished birch details. Or step inside the 1949 Silver Streak “Minnie” Clipper, believed to be one of only seven ever built, personally crafted by Wally Byam, the founder of Airstream. We also have two larger Silver Streak Clippers from 1950 — aerodynamic beauties nicknamed the “Twin Alien” for their space-age curves. With fewer than 200 left in the world, these trailers are considered some of the coolest-looking caravans ever made. Each has been lovingly restored by hand. Elegant domes and luxury canvas tents complete the site — each with its own fire pit / barbecue, perfect for slow evenings under the stars. Facilities include a luxury eco toilet block with hydrotherapy showers, incinerator toilets, and a large wood-fired sauna adds to the off-grid indulgence. All water comes from our own borehole, providing pure Jurassic spring water filtered through 180-million-year-old rocks — crisp, mineral-rich, and flowing throughout the site. Just 20 minutes from the coast, we offer exclusive night fossil hunts to what many call the best beach in the world for finding golden pyritized ammonites, revealed under torchlight and tide and due to it being at night you get the whole beach to yourself. Nearby, explore a peaceful monks’ monastery, enjoy the region’s amazing local food — fresh, seasonal, and lovingly prepared by local restaurants and pubs. Hartridge Springs is where vintage Americana meets ancient Earth — a place to unplug, reconnect, and experience something truly rare.
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Harry's Meadow

5. Harry's Meadow

97%
(73)
Fordingbridge, England · 51 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Back-to-basics camping with campfires in a spacious wildflower meadow, set on a beautiful New Forest estate
Pets
Campfires
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Bridgewood Camping - Woodland camps

6. Bridgewood Camping - Woodland camps

97%
(34)
Sherborne, England · 4 units · Tents, Glamping
Nearly wild woodland camping in Dorset
Pets
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Tom's Field (New Forest)

7. Tom's Field (New Forest)

99%
(44)
Fordingbridge, England · 40 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Small, family-run camping in the New Forest National Park, brought about by popular demand
Pets
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Strive Glamping

8. Strive Glamping

100%
(1)
Dorchester, England · 5 units
Strive Glamping offers a unique holiday experience in a beautiful meadow surrounded by woods and wildlife. Keeping life simple and looking after the environment are central to the ethos of the woods. The woodlands extend to over 60 acres, nestled in Dorset countryside. Only 20 minutes from the Jurassic Coast, and connected by numerous bridleways and footpaths to both local and national walks, it is perfectly positioned for a wonderful break. Our pretty paddock surrounded by fields contain 5 beautiful classic 5 meter Bell tents. Glamping is 20 minutes’ drive from Dorchester in Dorset Half an hour’s drive to the Jurassic Coast and Weymouth harbour Woodland walks accessed from the pitches, trout fishing next door Whether you’re looking for a couples’ getaway or a weekend meet-up with a large bunch of pals, you’ll find what you’re looking for at Strive Glamping at Southover Woods, With more than 60 acres of private woodland and meadow, and the perfect view of a stunning sunset. No matter whether there are two of you or 6 of you, you’ll have plenty of space and privacy. Each comes with two camping beds with mattresses, two bedside tables and lamps, carpeting and rugs, outdoor seating and a travel cot if requested on booking. If you’re quiet at night, the chances are you’ll get to hear owls a-hooting and may even see elusive deer flitting through the trees. Direct from the pitches, you can walk for miles on an extensive network of footpaths in Southover Woods, connecting up with the long-distance Hardy Way and Dorset Jubilee Trail. Keen angers can head right next door to the well-stocked trout pools at Wessex Fly Fishing. The Southover Woods owners also organise bushcraft sessions, yoga, forest bathing and woodland games please see activities listed. Just so you’re aware, the Bell Tent pitches are down a long and bumpy track that can get muddy, and there will be some fetching and carrying of gear required from your vehicles. Situated in the heart of Southover Woods is the amazing Chloe at Birchbark Events. Chloe offers a full range of activities including bushcraft and survival, Foraging, Wellness, Yoga, Team Building, events catering for children, families, large groups and survival specialists. Birchbark Events tailor events around you. Bushcraft is the practice of outdoor skills, studying and developing the understanding, in order to not only survive but thrive in nature. Fire lighting and management, Tools of the trade, Shelter building and camp craft, Axe and knife skills, Water purification, Natural navigation, Tree identification, Whittling, knots and ropes and Access to Wooodland play area.
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Potable water
Harry's Field New Forest

9. Harry's Field New Forest

92%
(60)
Fordingbridge, England · 63 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Family-friendly, traditional New Forest camping with a pub next door and footpaths leading directly from the gateway
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Camping at Brandiers Farm

10. Camping at Brandiers Farm

88%
(12)
Upper Minety, England · 2 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Bucolic rural glamping in a beautiful natural beauty spot on the borders of Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
Hollington Park Glamping

11. Hollington Park Glamping

96%
(12)
Woolton Hill, England · 5 units
Pod and bell tent glamping in woodland on the edge of the North Wessex Downs
Pets
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Campfires
Walnut Farm Glamping

12. Walnut Farm Glamping

97%
(39)
Bridport, England · 7 units
Cosy en-suite yurts with acres of space, campfires, a hot tub and wild swimming on site.
Pets
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Campfires
West Holme Glamping, Wareham,Dorset

13. West Holme Glamping, Wareham,Dorset

100%
(6)
Wareham, England · 2 units
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.
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Cooking equipment
Gold Hill Glamping

14. Gold Hill Glamping

90%
(5)
West Melbury, England · 1 unit
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.
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Nordic Glamping at Botswicky

15. Nordic Glamping at Botswicky

100%
(8)
England · 4 units
Handcrafted, eco-conscious stays in harmony with nature. Tucked away in a secluded pocket of countryside, Nordic Glamping offers an off-grid retreat designed for those who seek peace, privacy and a gentler pace of life. Our four beautifully handcrafted yurts sit within ten acres of unspoilt organic hay and wildflower meadow surrounded by ancient woodland, thick hedgerows, a bubbling stream, a weather-led newt pond and charming little bridges. There is a lot to explore! This untouched, undulating landscape is home to thoughtfully designed, eco-friendly facilities: composting toilets, hot copper-headed showers, fresh running chalk stream filtered water and a covered kitchen and dining area. Shaded spaces for gathering or unwinding allow you to unwind and disconnect in nature comfortably. Each yurt has been handcrafted by ourselves and contains everything you need for a cosy stay on site. Our handmade beds have comfortable mattresses and are dressed with organic cotton or linen bedding, wool blankets and super soft pillows. Everything here is off-grid for a low as impact to nature as possible - although a reliable 4G signal is on hand for those absolutely necessary connections ;-) Nordic Glamping shares Botswicky Copse with award-winning organic farmer Helen Browning. Together, we’re committed to working with the land and not against it - ensuring its vitality for generations to come. We’re proud members of the Greener Camping Club, which helps support more sustainable, low-impact camping in the UK. To stay with us, we kindly ask that one person per booking is, or becomes, a member. A seasonal membership is just £12 and supports our shared vision of responsible travel and eco-conscious living. (*Existing members do not need to pay again.)
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Homemade Holidays

16. Homemade Holidays

100%
(20)
Colyford, England · 2 units
A hidden paradise of organic vege, swimming pond, wild areas and views, next to a large ancient woodland, footpaths and the Jurassic coastline near Lyme Regis. Two unique and comfortable off grid yurts (each sleep 5), with extra sleeping spaces available on request. Dog friendly. Kid heaven! No smoking please in the yurts. Beware fire risk in other spaces. Buzzard Yurt on the hillside at the top of the paddock, with its large terrace and stunning views across the Axe valley. Kingfisher Yurt, nestled down by the wild swimming and kayaking pond, amongst the oak trees. Each has exclusive use of their own homemade, separate, fully equipped kitchen, a cosy chill-out area with books and games, and private indoor shower. Each yurt pitch has its own compost loo and campfire area. Extra wood at low cost, freezer space and additional tent space all available. Buzzard also has a rustic indoor loo (close to daytime spaces.) Shared games/pool/music room with a piano and guitars. Homegrown vege and eggs often available from the organic smallholding. Welcome to join in with growing, harvesting, juicing, preserving, cooking, egg collection etc. Detox and unwind from the digital world - though you'll find wi-fi /ethernet cable in daytime spaces😉 Wild swimming in our natural swimming pond, which has a selection of kayaks and boards. Great for building open water confidence and paddle practice. Woodfired hot tub £50 one day, £75 for two. Msg me to book. Fresh spring water (no chemicals). Relax and enjoy the views. Dog friendly, but please let me know. Please pay for any damage to bedding or fittings, thanks 🐾 Next to Holyford Woods Nature Reserve, famous locally for its magical bluebell display. Please msg for details of great local walks, eating out etc. Seaton Wetlands, Tramway and new Jurassic Centre...Fossil hunting..Lyme Regis museum and aquarium...Beer Quarry Caves, Pecorama model train gardens...crazy golf...Sidmouth Folk Festival...Beavers on the River Otter...wolves, bears, lynx and more at Escot Park. By booking either yurt you take full responsibility for your group's safety.
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Fernwood Glamping (New Forest)

17. Fernwood Glamping (New Forest)

100%
(21)
New Forest, England · 2 units
Secluded, peaceful glamping on the edge of the New Forest
Showers
Campfires
Potable water
Stud Farm

18. Stud Farm

100%
(4)
Brockenhurst, England · 1 unit
A shepherd’s hut on a traditional New Forest farm
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Campfires
Lower Keats Glamping

19. Lower Keats Glamping

Tytherleigh, England · 6 units
Luxury safari lodges in a prime Axe Valley locale, with the best of the West Country and Jurassic Coast to explore
Pets
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Campfires
Korkhouse

20. Korkhouse

England · 1 unit
KorkHouse is an off-grid cozy, sustainable tiny house for two, made with eco-friendly cork cladding and a plywood interior. The cabin features it's own outdoor hot tub/bath, private mini island, solar power, a kitchenette, memory foam bed, wood burner, TV, shower, and it is surrounded by restaurants, art galleries and fun things to do even on a rainy day. Located at the crossroads of Dorset, Somerset, and Wiltshire, it's perfect for creatives seeking inspiration. Near Bruton, Glastonbury, and Frome, with easy access from London. 4 min Taxi & 10 min Bike from Gillingham station. 4min drive & 30 min walk to nearest pub.
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Hot Tub

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Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs AONB camping 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.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Popular Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs AONB holidays

Popular Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs AONB glamping styles

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