The best campsites near Bournemouth with horseback riding

·

Life is all about the beach in Bournemouth, and with seven miles of sandy shores, it’s easy to see why. Hit the beach to swim, stroll along the seafront promenade, or hire one of the traditional beach huts, then stick around after sundown to experience the renowned nightlife. Adrenaline junkies have their pick of water sports—surfing, wakeboarding, and stand-up paddleboarding are popular choices—or if you prefer more leisurely pursuits, there are more than 2,000 acres of parks and gardens to explore. Touring caravan parks and holiday parks dot the Dorset coast, or escape inland to camp around the New Forest.

94% (479)

Top-rated campgrounds near Bournemouth

4. The Yellow Submarine!

100%
(1)
86km from Bournemouth · 1 unit · Glamping
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

17. Red Sky at Night Campsite

99%
(35)
141km from Bournemouth · 11 units · Tents, Motorhomes
If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see at least one of the amazing sunsets at Red Sky at Night Campsite near Monmouth – but if you don’t, there’s mighty compensation in the shape of the spectacular views from just about everywhere on the site. And of course, on clear nights, the night skies are diamond-bright with stars - we are under one of Wales' Dark Sky Reserves! This family-run camping field on a livestock farm is managed on very laidback lines. Pitch up wherever you like and feel free to park by your tent (weather permitting). Raised campfires are allowed and you can hire firepits and grills (the owners sell local eggs & sausages) and buy bags of wood & kindling. You can bring your dogs too (take them for walks in the adjoining woods) but just be sure to keep them on a lead. Kids are certainly carefully looked after here. Get a fact sheet on arrival and join mini-campers in wildlife hunts through the trees, looking out all the while for buzzards and red kites. Round and about the site, your offspring can entertain themselves on rope swings, making dens and following a mini-tractor course across the camping field. There’s also a football pitch. Wild camping this may be (there’s no electricity on site, please note) but there are two nicely designed compost loos and a covered sink areas with fresh water tap. So bring your guitar, light that fire, break out the barbecue and enjoy the chilled vibe.
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
from 
£13
 / night

19. Quaint Farm in a National Park

100%
(26)
81km from Bournemouth · 2 units · Glamping
Our 17 acre Farm is set deep within the beautiful South Downs National Park on the outskirts of the quiet village of Milland (near Liphook) in rural West Sussex (close to its border with Hampshire and Surrey). We have direct access to an excellent bridleway and footpath network through peaceful open countryside and quiet lanes as well as being on the Serpent Tail and close to the South Downs Way.​ Our Glamping Pod and Shepherd's Hut are available to book all year round. We also offer stabling if you would like to take your horses or ponies on holiday with you! Milland village (0.8 miles) has the Rising Sun pub, serving great food and drink, and Milland Stores, which stocks all your essential fresh and local produce as well as having a small cafe.
Showers
Campfires
Wifi
from 
£125
 / night

Life is all about the beach in Bournemouth, and with seven miles of sandy shores, it’s easy to see why. Hit the beach to swim, stroll along the seafront promenade, or hire one of the traditional beach huts, then stick around after sundown to experience the renowned nightlife. Adrenaline junkies have their pick of water sports—surfing, wakeboarding, and stand-up paddleboarding are popular choices—or if you prefer more leisurely pursuits, there are more than 2,000 acres of parks and gardens to explore. Touring caravan parks and holiday parks dot the Dorset coast, or escape inland to camp around the New Forest.

94% (479)

Top-rated campgrounds near Bournemouth

4. The Yellow Submarine!

100%
(1)
86km from Bournemouth · 1 unit · Glamping
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

17. Red Sky at Night Campsite

99%
(35)
141km from Bournemouth · 11 units · Tents, Motorhomes
If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see at least one of the amazing sunsets at Red Sky at Night Campsite near Monmouth – but if you don’t, there’s mighty compensation in the shape of the spectacular views from just about everywhere on the site. And of course, on clear nights, the night skies are diamond-bright with stars - we are under one of Wales' Dark Sky Reserves! This family-run camping field on a livestock farm is managed on very laidback lines. Pitch up wherever you like and feel free to park by your tent (weather permitting). Raised campfires are allowed and you can hire firepits and grills (the owners sell local eggs & sausages) and buy bags of wood & kindling. You can bring your dogs too (take them for walks in the adjoining woods) but just be sure to keep them on a lead. Kids are certainly carefully looked after here. Get a fact sheet on arrival and join mini-campers in wildlife hunts through the trees, looking out all the while for buzzards and red kites. Round and about the site, your offspring can entertain themselves on rope swings, making dens and following a mini-tractor course across the camping field. There’s also a football pitch. Wild camping this may be (there’s no electricity on site, please note) but there are two nicely designed compost loos and a covered sink areas with fresh water tap. So bring your guitar, light that fire, break out the barbecue and enjoy the chilled vibe.
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
from 
£13
 / night

19. Quaint Farm in a National Park

100%
(26)
81km from Bournemouth · 2 units · Glamping
Our 17 acre Farm is set deep within the beautiful South Downs National Park on the outskirts of the quiet village of Milland (near Liphook) in rural West Sussex (close to its border with Hampshire and Surrey). We have direct access to an excellent bridleway and footpath network through peaceful open countryside and quiet lanes as well as being on the Serpent Tail and close to the South Downs Way.​ Our Glamping Pod and Shepherd's Hut are available to book all year round. We also offer stabling if you would like to take your horses or ponies on holiday with you! Milland village (0.8 miles) has the Rising Sun pub, serving great food and drink, and Milland Stores, which stocks all your essential fresh and local produce as well as having a small cafe.
Showers
Campfires
Wifi
from 
£125
 / night

Camper favorites near Bournemouth

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp 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

The best campsites near Bournemouth with horseback riding guide

Where to go

Isle of Purbeck

The rocky peninsula known as the Isle of Purbeck juts out south of Poole Harbour and is part of Dorset’s UNESCO-listed Jurassic Coast. A hike along part of the South West Coast Path is the best way to discover the coast, passing landmarks such as the Durdle Door, Old Harry’s Rocks, and Kimmeridge Bay. Afterwards, ride the Swanage steam railway to Corfe Castle, stop at a country pub to sample Dorset’s local ale, or spot wildlife on a cruise to Brownsea Island.

East Dorset

Dorset’s rural landscapes are dotted with ancient woodlands, magnificent castles, and Victorian gardens. Picnic on the grounds of Highcliffe Castle, explore miles of hiking and cycling trails in the Cranborne Chase AONB, and camp on rural farms far from the crowds. Further north, the verdant Salisbury Plains are home to one of the UK’s most famous landmarks—the ancient stone circle of Stonehenge.

Hampshire

East of Bournemouth, the pretty coastal towns of Barton on Sea and Milford on Sea are popular destinations for summer campers, and lie on the southern edge of the New Forest National Park. Head into the park to enjoy woodland walks and scenic bike rides, stopping to explore traditional villages and dine at country pubs along the way. For a change of pace, ferries set sail to the Isle of Wight, where you can enjoy sea-cliff walks, blue flag beaches, and ocean-view camping.

When to go

Bournemouth’s coastal micro-climate has long been its unique selling point—the city has one of the warmest and driest climates in the UK. Beachgoers arrive en masse in peak season (July-August), but waters are often warm enough to swim in spring and autumn, which is the best time to avoid the crowds. Temperatures rarely drop below freezing even in winter and the city’s holiday festivities are worth a winter caravan trip.

Know before you go

  • Bournemouth has several camping and outdoors stores where you can pick up supplies for your camping trip. 
  • Bournemouth has public transport links to many of the surrounding towns and attractions, but it is handy to have your own transport, especially if staying at rural campsites.
  • Most campsites require advance booking, and many ask for the full payment in advance. Be sure to check opening dates, as some campsites close in the winter months.
  • Wild camping is illegal throughout Dorset.