Beach camping in Moors Valley County Park and Forest

·

Forest-themed fun is the name of the game in Moors Valley County Park and Forest, which lies along the Moors River. Walk, cycle, or ride a Segway around miles of leafy trails, go fishing at Moors Lake, or relax and admire the views on the Moors Valley steam railway. Woodland playgrounds will keep the younger members of the family entertained, but there’s plenty of entertainment for adults too, including Go Ape Treetop adventure courses, a bike park, and an 18-hole golf course. Bring a picnic to enjoy by the lakeside or stop by the park café for afternoon tea.

96% (572)

Top-rated campgrounds

West Holme Glamping, Wareham,Dorset

14. 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.
Potable water
Showers
Trash
from 
£100
 / night

Forest-themed fun is the name of the game in Moors Valley County Park and Forest, which lies along the Moors River. Walk, cycle, or ride a Segway around miles of leafy trails, go fishing at Moors Lake, or relax and admire the views on the Moors Valley steam railway. Woodland playgrounds will keep the younger members of the family entertained, but there’s plenty of entertainment for adults too, including Go Ape Treetop adventure courses, a bike park, and an 18-hole golf course. Bring a picnic to enjoy by the lakeside or stop by the park café for afternoon tea.

96% (572)

Top-rated campgrounds

West Holme Glamping, Wareham,Dorset

14. 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.
Potable water
Showers
Trash
from 
£100
 / night

Camper favorites in and near Moors Valley County Park and Forest

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Stories from the community

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

Beach camping in Moors Valley County Park and Forest guide

Notable campgrounds

  • Best for peace and quiet: Back of Beyond has grass pitches, hard-standing, glamping options, and wild camping in the woods. It’s adults-only, plus there’s a dog park and lake. 
  • Best for a family camping holiday: Red Shoot Camping Park is less than a 20-minute drive, within the New Forest National Park, and has self-catering huts, kids’ play areas, and a family pub right next door.
  • Best for riverside camping: Woolsbridge Manor Farm has spacious tent and caravan pitches, all within walking distance of the park.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. Campsites and caravan sites near Moor Valley can book up quickly, especially in July and August, and during school holidays. Early bookings are essential—up six months in advance for the most popular sites.
  2. You will need to pay a deposit to secure your campsite reservation; some sites ask for the full payment prior to arrival. 
  3. Be sure to check seasonal opening and closing dates, which vary by campsite. Many campsites open from March through October only.

When to go

Summer is peak season, but Moors Valley fills up with families on weekends and school holidays throughout the year. Make an early start if visiting at these times and book activities in advance to avoid disappointment. Walking and cycling are possible year-round, but other activities depend on the season. The steam railway runs from May through early September, while fishing on the lake is permitted from June through March. 

Know before you go

  • Moors Valley County Park and Forest is located in Hampshire, just west of the New Forest National Park. It’s about a 20-minute drive or bus ride from Bournemouth.
  • You can explore the park on foot or rent a bike.
  • The park has a café, kiosk, gift shop, and Visitor Centre.
  • Moors Valley has several accessible trails, and wheelchairs and mobility scooters available to hire.