Tiny houses in Dorset AONB

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).

64% (11)

Top-rated campgrounds

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).

64% (11)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. North End Farm

94%

(8)

3 units · Glamping · Bridport, England

North End Farm is situated in the spectacular Dorset countryside, yet only a couple of miles from the Jurassic Coast, beaches, pubs, restaurants. Wonderful walks are available on and beyond the farm. The Pavilion is a great place to rest and strike out from. The beach is 1.5 miles away. It is on a network of footpaths in the middle of it's own organic farmland. Bridport and Lyme Regis offer plenty of art and culture and are reknown for food, River Cottage and the Jurassic Coast. There is nothing better than being warm and cosy around the wood burner looking out at the great views. The Pavilion is good for couples, solo adventurers, art lovers, foodies and furry friends (pets)..

2. The Hobbit House and Secret Garden

100%

(4)

1 unit · Glamping · Ilminster, Somerset, South West England

Your own private retreat with cosy furnished Hobbit House and quirky features set in your own large private mature gardens. You have an outdoor under cover kitchen with sink and gas hob and prep area, campfire with tripod grill. You have you're own flushing toilet and hot shower. You have your own entrance to the garden. The house is approx 3x3m. We provide cutlery, cooking utensils and wood for the log burner and campfire. There is an electric socket in the house next to the bed suitable for charging purposes. Arrival 3pm and vacate by noon. The surrounding Somerset Levels aren’t just out in the sticks – they also produce them. Willow cane has been cultivated the traditional way in this part of the county for hundreds of years and can be seen growing within a mile of 5 Acres. The Levels are also a wildlife haven, making them an all-round top choice for country walks along the many trails nearby. And while this may be a rural retreat, it's also one that's easy to get to as it's just off the A378 (no winding country lanes to negotiate for this one…) Taunton town centre, with its wide range of shops and supermarkets, is a 15-minute drive away. The closest pub and coffee shop are five minutes away by road.

3. Korkhouse

1 unit · Glamping · England

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.

4. Riding Gate Lodge

1 unit · Glamping · Shepton Mallet, Somerset, South West England

A lodge with a hot tub in the Somerset countryside

5. Wild Offgrid Cabin w/ Unspoilt View

33%

(3)

2 units · Glamping · Weymouth, Dorset, South West England

In The Guardians Top 10 Best UK Off-Grid Retreats *Dog Friendly* Is it time for an escape from too much concrete and too many commitments? Escape Off The Grid will give you just that: this totally off-grid experience in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty is so peaceful that it’s hard to believe you’re just one-two hours from London. So what’s on offer here? A cool, sustainably made wooden cabin with a woodburner to keep you cosy, simple but comfy furniture, and best of all, a double bed set next to vast glass windows looking out on a wonderfully quiet landscape. Chances are you’ll want to stay there all day looking down the valley… breakfast in bed may well become a necessity. Everything is ready for you (bedding, cooking stuff, a fridge, kindling for the firepit and woodburner) so all you need to bring with you is food – pick up supplies from local farm shops – or eat at the rural pubs in the quaint local villages. With no phone signal and no wifi connection to distract you, you’ll have all the time in the world to chill out, read a book, write a journal, hike the unknown, or meditate in nature.

Stories from the community

Gareth

April 2025

3 nights at The Hobbit House and Secret Garden

Lost for words. The Hobbit House and accompanying grounds kept us warm, secluded and very happy for a three night stay. Although we would happily move in permanently. Worth a visit if you’re looking for somewhere secluded, off the beaten track and something back to basics. Kitchen area is beautifully simple in design and appreance. Toilet and separate shower block were clean and easy to use. The Hobbit House itself was snug, beautifully decorated and peaceful. Theo was an excellent host too. We will be back!

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Tiny houses in Dorset AONB guide

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.