Campsites with rock climbing in Dorset AONB

United Kingdom
—
England
—
Dorset AONB

91% (217 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Dorset AONB

Star Hosts in Dorset AONB

94%

(8)

Dog-friendly getaways

Monarch's Way Campsite

32 units · Tents2 acres · Sherborne, England

For a taste of delicious Dorset idyll, book a break at Monarch's Way Campsite, a small site where pitches are set in a sheltered orchard on the edge of a peaceful village. Located just off the Monarch's Way, a 625-mile long-distance footpath that crisscrosses some of England's most scenic rural areas, the pitches here are surrounded by blossoming fruit trees and dappled sunlight. Listen out for the gentle hum of bees and occasional chirping of the birds as you settle into your cosy camping spot. What you do next is up to you – you might like to just hang around and unwind among the trees as the evening draws in, but there's also a friendly village pub a few minutes' walk away that you can stroll towards for good food and drink. Back at your pitch, the campsite has good basic amenities, including clean toilets and fresh water taps. Well-behaved dogs and safely set up barbecues are allowed, so bring the whole family along and prepare for an alfresco cook-out or two. Nearby Sherborne (10 minutes' drive) has plenty of places to stock up, as well as other handy amenities like cafés and a railway station.

95%

(54)

The View Camping

53 units · Tents14 acres · Poole, Dorset, South West England

Welcoming family camping with campfires and far-reaching views over Poole Harbour and the Purbeck Hills

Andrea's Farm Breaks Keepers Hut

1 unit · Glamping1 acre · Corfe Castle, Dorset, South West England

Andrea's Farm Breaks is Keepers Hut glamping accommodation run alongside a working farm campsite in the heart of Purbeck. Andrea is pleased to offer a little luxury for those who want to camp at Downshay Farm in a comfortable bed. Farm is a working farm in the heart of the Isle of Purbeck, ideally located for exploring the stunning World Heritage Site coastline. The Pike family has farmed here since 1956. The farmhouse is largely Victorian although parts of the house and some farm buildings are much older. The accommodation looks out over the lovely views of Corfe Castle and the Purbeck Hills. The seaside town of Swanage is just over 4 miles away as are the sandy beaches of Studland Bay. Local footpaths and Swanage Steam Railway also make exploring Purbeck easy, and we are a few minutes’ walk from Harmans Cross Station. Enjoy the sandy beaches of Shell Bay, Studland and Swanage or go rock pooling or fossil hunting at Kimmeridge Bay. The Coastal Path will take you along the coast to Durlston Country Park, Dancing Ledge and Winspit. The deserted village of Tyneham and its own bay is a short drive away, then follow the scenic road over the Ranges to Lulworth and Durdle Door. Local attractions include Monkey World and Bovington Tank Museum, and a walk through the RSPB bird sanctuary at Arne to Poole Harbour is recommended.

93%

(207)

Sweet Hill Farm

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

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

86%

(7)

Mendip Ski Camp

30 units · Motorhomes, Tents5 acres · Cheddar, Somerset, South West England

Mendip Ski Camp is located at the foot of the Mendip Hills, an AONB area of outstanding natural beauty. The camp site is an easily accessible site comprising of 2 large, tree lined meadows offering a secluded and private place to camp. There is an abundance of activities to enjoy nearby as Mendip Ski Camp is located adjacent to an outdoor activity centre and dry ski slope. A short drive will take you to places of interest such as Cheddar Gorge and caves, Weston super Mare beach, Bath and Bristol, Glastonbury Tor and Wells Cathedral. You can hike across the Mendip Hills and enjoy traffic free walks along the Strawberry Line,

12 top campsites in Dorset AONB with climbing

93%

(207)

Sweet Hill Farm

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

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

The View Camping

53 units · Tents14 acres · Poole, Dorset, South West England

Welcoming family camping with campfires and far-reaching views over Poole Harbour and the Purbeck Hills

Mendip Ski Camp

30 units · Motorhomes, Tents5 acres · Cheddar, Somerset, South West England

Mendip Ski Camp is located at the foot of the Mendip Hills, an AONB area of outstanding natural beauty. The camp site is an easily accessible site comprising of 2 large, tree lined meadows offering a secluded and private place to camp. There is an abundance of activities to enjoy nearby as Mendip Ski Camp is located adjacent to an outdoor activity centre and dry ski slope. A short drive will take you to places of interest such as Cheddar Gorge and caves, Weston super Mare beach, Bath and Bristol, Glastonbury Tor and Wells Cathedral. You can hike across the Mendip Hills and enjoy traffic free walks along the Strawberry Line,

Monarch's Way Campsite

32 units · Tents2 acres · Sherborne, England

For a taste of delicious Dorset idyll, book a break at Monarch's Way Campsite, a small site where pitches are set in a sheltered orchard on the edge of a peaceful village. Located just off the Monarch's Way, a 625-mile long-distance footpath that crisscrosses some of England's most scenic rural areas, the pitches here are surrounded by blossoming fruit trees and dappled sunlight. Listen out for the gentle hum of bees and occasional chirping of the birds as you settle into your cosy camping spot. What you do next is up to you – you might like to just hang around and unwind among the trees as the evening draws in, but there's also a friendly village pub a few minutes' walk away that you can stroll towards for good food and drink. Back at your pitch, the campsite has good basic amenities, including clean toilets and fresh water taps. Well-behaved dogs and safely set up barbecues are allowed, so bring the whole family along and prepare for an alfresco cook-out or two. Nearby Sherborne (10 minutes' drive) has plenty of places to stock up, as well as other handy amenities like cafés and a railway station.

Camping in Nature at Vallis Veg

15 units · Tents18 acres · Frome, Somerset, South West England

Back-to-basics, natural camping with campfires encouraged and easy walks to the local attractions in Frome

Andrea's Farm Breaks Keepers Hut

1 unit · Glamping1 acre · Corfe Castle, Dorset, South West England

Andrea's Farm Breaks is Keepers Hut glamping accommodation run alongside a working farm campsite in the heart of Purbeck. Andrea is pleased to offer a little luxury for those who want to camp at Downshay Farm in a comfortable bed. Farm is a working farm in the heart of the Isle of Purbeck, ideally located for exploring the stunning World Heritage Site coastline. The Pike family has farmed here since 1956. The farmhouse is largely Victorian although parts of the house and some farm buildings are much older. The accommodation looks out over the lovely views of Corfe Castle and the Purbeck Hills. The seaside town of Swanage is just over 4 miles away as are the sandy beaches of Studland Bay. Local footpaths and Swanage Steam Railway also make exploring Purbeck easy, and we are a few minutes’ walk from Harmans Cross Station. Enjoy the sandy beaches of Shell Bay, Studland and Swanage or go rock pooling or fossil hunting at Kimmeridge Bay. The Coastal Path will take you along the coast to Durlston Country Park, Dancing Ledge and Winspit. The deserted village of Tyneham and its own bay is a short drive away, then follow the scenic road over the Ranges to Lulworth and Durdle Door. Local attractions include Monkey World and Bovington Tank Museum, and a walk through the RSPB bird sanctuary at Arne to Poole Harbour is recommended.

Gurt Yurts

3 units · Glamping, Tents4 acres · 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.

75%

(6)

Paddington Farm

20 units · Motorhomes, Tents43 acres · Glastonbury, Somerset, South West England

Paddington Farm is a charitable trust and social enterprise based on a 43 acre organic farm at the foot of the famous Glastonbury Tor in Somerset. We provide affordable camping for individuals, families and youth groups in our orchard and camping field. Facilities include toilets, hot showers, and the use of fire braziers. We can also accommodate a small number of self-contained campervans (but please note: we don’t have any electric hook ups or waste water disposal). Camping is open 1st May – 30th September

Andrea's Farm Breaks Bell Tent

1 unit · Glamping1 acre · Corfe Castle, England

A bell tent on a Dorset farm campsite with views of Corfe Castle

83%

(3)

Glamping at Swanage by PitchingIt

4 units · Glamping1 acre · Swanage, England

Camping is all about horses for courses: some people want to stay somewhere so remote that it’s accessible only by car, while others prefer the convenience of getting to the site by train and then being able to reach everything within a short walk. If you belong in the second camp (and if you are after a holiday at the seaside), Glamping at Swanage Bijou by PitchingIt, in Dorset, might well be the answer to your prayers. You’ll have little need for your car at this family- and dog-friendly Swanage site, since it’s only a short stroll from the High Street (about 10 minutes) and an even shorter stroll from the beach (five minutes). Despite being so close to town, though, the site feels remarkably peaceful – likely thanks to the high hedges that surround it and make it feel more secluded than it is. Bell tents decorated with bunting and floral accents sit on a level grassy field that’s part of Kirkwood Park, an outdoor complex that includes an 18-hole golf course, plus foot and frisbee golf. There is also direct access to a well-equipped playground and to a skateboard park with multiple ramps where the kids can practise their kickturns and flips. Toilets and hot-water showers complete the picture, alongside an area where you can wash up after your barbecue. The nearest supermarket is a five-minute drive away (10 minutes on foot), but if you prefer to let someone else take care of the cooking, there are lots of restaurants and cafés within walking distance.

Fire Beacon Camping

16 units · Tents2 acres · Sidmouth, Devon, South West England

Set in a peaceful, rural location in the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Fire Beacon Camping is a fabulous location for a countryside escape, 1.5 miles along a traditional Devon country lane, when you arrive the views of Devon countryside, will not disappoint! Perfectly situated for stunning sunsets and the best starry night skies, how many shooting stars will you see? (weather permitting) This is a tranquil, off grid nearly wild campsite, with a strong eco ethos and boasts an outdoor shower under the trees with views across to Exmoor, composting toilet facilities, a washing up area and recycling facilities. Biodegradable washing products are provided as all the grey water is reused. Pathways are cut through the meadow to access the facilities, the wildlife is abundant, all the pitches are extremely generously sized and a Fire Pit provided for each one. It's a 10 minute drive to Sidmouth with its beautiful beaches and wide range of Independent shops, Cafes and pubs, and 10 minutes drive in the opposite direction to Ottery St Mary, which also boasts a wide range of Independent shops, there are also plenty of Farm Shops in the area. There is no end of wonderful beaches to explore along the Jurassic coastline. From Fossil hunting in Lyme Regis to the East, the quaint fishing village of Beer to massive golden sandy beaches in Exmouth to the west. With lots of woodland walks on the 'doorstep' the East Devon Way is a 5 minute walk away, 15 minutes walk to the Fire Beacon Nature Reserve and for keen hikers, we're close to the South West Coast Path. For mountain bikers, there are some great routes in the local woodlands and bike routes are also close by with the challenging River Exe Loop and family bike routes along the Otter river less than 15 minutes’ drive away. Swimming but not a sea baby? You can take an indoor dip at LED Sidmouth Swimming Pool.

86%

(11)

The Enchanted Wilderness

5 units · Tents22 acres · Yelverton, England

Simple riverside camping pitches in the Tamar Valley on the edge of Dartmoor

Campsites with rock climbing in Dorset AONB guide

Overview

In Dorset, campers can enjoy some of the most spectacularly scenic camping in England thanks to the 95-mile, World Heritage-listed Jurassic Coast (which spills over into Devon). Here, golden beaches sit between rock-formed arches and chalk-white cliffs—and tents and caravans are perfect for soaking up the divine coastal views. In addition, over half of Dorset is protected by the 1,000-square-mile Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), where endlessly varied countryscapes await inland. Open-air adventures swing from kayaking to horse riding to coasteering and more, though the best way to explore is to strap on some walking boots and hit the trails (including the long-distance South West Coast Path).

Where to go

Jurassic Coast

From Lyme Regis near the Devon border, Dorset’s fantastical Jurassic Coast sweeps east along the 18-mile-long Chesil Beach, around the Isle of Portland, and on to Lulworth, Swanage, and Studland. Whether kayaking between bays, hiking along the jagged shoreline or hunting for hidden fossils, there are countless opportunities for outdoor fun, with campsites perched beside cliffs, tucked into peaceful valleys, and scattered around seaside towns.

West Dorset

Inland from the western half of Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, the Dorset AONB sprawls across miles of heathlands, bluebell-filled woodlands, and wide-open country views, especially around landmark Colmers Hill near Bridport. Go cycling, hiking, and horseback riding, then explore Thomas Hardy’s Dorchester before bedding down on a local farm campsite or in the comfort of a garden glamping pod.

Bournemouth, Poole, and East Dorset

Nowhere epitomises seaside-holiday Dorset quite like its southeast corner, where sunny Bournemouth has been drawing visitors to its sprawling sandy beach since Victorian times. Neighbouring Poole Harbour is a watersports hub, while the wild, trail-threaded New Forest National Park sits just over the border in Hampshire, and campsites and caravan spots dot the surrounding countryside.

North Dorset

Up on the border with Wiltshire and Somerset, blissfully rural and often-overlooked northern Dorset feels worlds away from the coastal buzz, opening up enormous potential for tranquil escapes under the stars, whether you’re camping on a family farm or kicking back in a hillside glamping hut. Green fields and hills give way to lavish country estates, prehistoric hill forts, and Sherborne town, known for its 8th-century abbey.