🇬🇧 Cool Camping is now Hipcamp - Learn more.

Campsites near Dorset

Discover and book the best camping, glamping, caravan parks, and more.

Best camping, glamping, and outdoor stays in Dorset

From the edge of the New Forest to its border with Devon, Dorset offers a wealth of perfect spots for camping and glamping. This unspoilt county marks the start of England’s south-west with a countryside that’s inspired literary greats and a coastline that’s world class. The soaring cliffs of the Jurassic Coast protect sandy beaches, while, inland, more than 40 per cent of the country is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. But while its natural highlights come on a grand scale some of the best things about Dorset are small and bijou – the campsites. We love them and we think you will too!

Top-rated stays

Flowerdew Farm
100%
(1)
Flowerdew Farm
8 units · Glamping, Tents2 acres · Bridport, DorsetFlowerdew Farm is a eco friendly two acre working alpaca and goat smallholding, glamping and camping site. Located in an area of outstanding natural beauty on West Dorset’s stunning Jurassic coast, surrounded by stunning views. Perfect for those that want to experience sleeping next to our alpacas and goats; go explore the beautiful Dorset beaches; of for those that want to adventure off on a hike. We also offer animal experiences for those that want to meet our animals.
from 
£25
 / night
Charisworth Farm
97%
(48)
Charisworth Farm
28 units · Glamping, Tents8 acres · Dorset Dt11 9 Al, DorsetA spacious campsite in a traditional parkland setting, with campfires allowed and farm animals to meet
from 
£30
 / night
Glamping at Swanage by PitchingIt
Glamping at Swanage by PitchingIt
4 units · Glamping1 acre · ENGCamping 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.
from 
£115
 / night
Glamping at Parley by PitchingIt
Booked 1 time
Glamping at Parley by PitchingIt
12 units · Glamping1 acre · ENGSet on the Parley Estate near Bournemouth, with a Georgian mansion sitting in four-acres of lovely Dorset parkland, Glamping at Parley by PitchingIt offers pre-erected bell tents on level grass meadows. No fuss, no puzzling tent poles to mess around with. Just arrive on site, move in and your holiday has started. Local attractions and activities include: - Bournemouth Beach & town centre for shops and restaurants 5min drive - Golf: on site 18 hole course and driving range! - Local pub short 10 min walk - Adventure Wonderland (kids’ theme park): five minutes’ drive - Snowtrax Alpine Activity Centre: 10 minutes - Go Ape Moors Valley (tree-top zipwires): 15 minutes - Bournemouth Beach: 15 minutes - Splashdown (water park): 20 minutes - Moors Valley Country Park and Forest: 20 minutes - Mudeford Sandbank: 20 minutes - Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum: 20 minutes - Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park: 25 minutes.
from 
£100
 / night
Southover Woods
91%
(34)
Southover Woods
12 units · Glamping, Tents59 acres · Dorchester, DorsetNearly wild camping in a vast Dorset woodland
from 
£20
 / night
A charming Dorset campsite overlooking the beautiful Stour valley and a short walk from both the river and the market town of Wimborne Minster.
97%
(92)
Farrs Meadow
31 units · Glamping, Tents7 acres · Dorset, DorsetA charming Dorset campsite overlooking the Stour Valley and a short walk from both the river and the market town of Wimborne Minster
from 
£35
 / night
Coppet Hill
100%
(40)
Coppet Hill
17 units · Glamping, Tents600 acres · Bridport, DorsetWildlife-friendly camping and glamping with private loos at each pitch, 15 minutes' drive from the coast
from 
£60
 / night
Caalm by name, calm by nature. This blissfully chilled-out Dorset hideaway promises a relaxing stay for all.
100%
(13)
Caalm Camp
6 units · Glamping70 acres · Stour Row, DorsetCaalm by name, calm by nature. This blissfully chilled-out Dorset hideaway promises a relaxing stay for all
from 
£125
 / night
The luxury en suite yurts at Walnut Farm Glamping are airy and comfortable.
96%
(28)
Walnut Farm Glamping
5 units · Glamping12 acres · Bridport, DorsetCosy en-suite yurts with acres of space, campfires, a hot tub and wild swimming on site.
from 
£165
 / night
Shilvinghampton Barn Glamping
100%
(10)
Shilvington Barn Glamping
5 units · Glamping2 acres · Weymouth, DorsetBell tent glamping with views of Hardy's Monument, Chesil Beach and the sparkling Fleet
from 
£80
 / night
Goldhill Glamping, Shaftesbury, Dorset.
90%
(5)
Gold Hill Glamping
3 units · Glamping1 acre · West Melbury, DorsetHello, 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.
from 
£95
 / night
Hobby Farm
94%
(24)
Hobby Farm
16 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Whitchurch Canonicorum, DorsetA peaceful, adult-only campsite 10 minutes' from the Jurassic Coast
from 
£20
 / night

Outdoor stays for every style

Find your new favourite spot.

Value Prop
Value Prop

Dorset is a county of contrasts, offering beautiful countryside and a stunning coastline, ancient ruins and modern family attractions. All of these things combined make it one of the best places to go camping or glamping in the UK. Home to the famous Jurassic Coast, with its craggy rocks and steep cliffs, you’ll find plenty of campsites that capitalize on the good views or the shelter of pebbled bays. Seaside campsites and campsites within walking distance of the beach aren’t hard to find and, away from the seaside and beaches, there are ample opportunities for camping in the countryside too.

There are great campsites all across Dorset whether you’re looking for a place to pitch your tent or somewhere to park up in a campervan or caravan. And, with glamping in Dorset growing in popularity, you can now leave your tent at home and spend nights in a yurt, shepherd's hut or gypsy caravan instead. As always, we at Hipcamp have bypassed the big commercial holiday parks and plucked only the very best campsites in Dorset for our collection. Browse our favourite Dorset campsites now and book your next adventure online today.

Dig deep into Dorset history

Dorset is rich in history and, although tourism in around the county has increased over the years, the region’s heritage remains protected thanks to organisations including the National Trust, English Heritage and UNESCO who have recognised and protected some of the most special places. The jewel in Dorset’s crown, of course. is the Jurassic Coast which is designated as a World Heritage Site where fossil finds and rocks have documented a staggering 185 million years of history. On a camping holiday in Dorset today, fossil hunting on the beach makes for a great day out and can still unearth a host of treasure. Particularly good beaches to find fossils are Kimmeridge Bay and Charmouth but simply walking along Dorset’s coastal paths is enough to give you an appreciation of its fascinating geology.

The Dorset countryside also lays claim to some historic sites which tell of its rich past. The county remains rural through and through, with much of its heritage respecting lost legends. From Thomas Hardy’s birthplace, a tiny cottage in rural countryside, to Sherborne New Castle, once the home of Sir Walter Raleigh, there are sights and sounds of the past galore. You can visit the enchanting ruins of Corfe Castle or step back even further to the Iron Age and explore the site of Maiden Castle, one of Europe’s greatest hillforts.

Seaside campsites in Dorset

If you're looking for a campsite near the beach in Dorset then you needn't fret. While much of the coastline is thankfully protected from development, small-scale campsites and farm meadows still offer ample opportunities for you to park up your campervan or pitch your tent within strolling distance of the sand or shingle. In fact, because Dorset’s coast is largely undeveloped, camping and glamping offer the best way to get close to the coast. So, whether you're after a traditional camping spot a stone's throw from Durdle Door or you want to have a family gathering overlooking the Isle of Portland, there'll be a campsite to suit your needs.

Some campsites are around for summer only – pop-up campsites that farms run during the school summer holidays but graze during the rest of the year, while other campsites are open all year round. Whatever the season, come rain or shine, you can always enjoy a seaside camping holiday in Dorset and with the beach so close by you’ll never be short of things to do. Swimming, sandcastle-building and strolling on sandy shores, rockpooling, fossil-hunting and watersports: seaside camping in Dorset can be as active or as relaxed as you like.

Campsites in the Dorset countryside

One of Dorset’s most-famous former residents, Thomas Hardy, drew on the scenery of his home county to write novels including Far From the Madding Crowd. If it’s a rural retreat you’re after, what could be better than camping in the Dorset countryside that’s become known as Hardy Country? It’s the perfect place to relax – far from crowds of any sort. You can wake up to the sound of birdsong, rest your eyes on the green farmland of this largely rural county, cook up a feast using delicious local produce and fall asleep under starry skies undisturbed by light pollution. Sound like bliss? Then you better get packing and book yourself in for a taste of the good life on one of the many excellent country campsites in Dorset.

There are farm-based campsites where you can immerse yourself in the rural way of life and campsites based among the trees of orchards and woodlands. More than 40 per cent of Dorset falls in to the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and many of the best campsites we’ve found in the county are based in that area. Walking, picnicking and cycling offer great days out in the Dorset countryside but there are plenty of rural attractions too from small-scale farm attractions to historic castles and grand houses. Most campsites will have information about the walking routes and attractions that are closest to the campsite but there’s lots of information on the Visit Dorset website too.

Family-friendly campsites in Dorset

While history lovers flock to the Jurassic Coast for their chance to find ancient fossils and geologists marvel at the stones of Chesil Beach, it's families that really rule the roost here during summer time. Dorset has long been one of the most popular holiday locations in the UK, easily reached from much of the country and offering the ideal blend of seaside, countryside and (reasonably) reliable weather. The easy-going mix of ice-cream stalls, family-friendly restaurants and pubs that welcome muddy boots, muddy dogs and muddy children, makes the county a rightfully top spot for families and, thankfully, there are plenty of great campsites to boot.

Lots of campsites know their audience well and specifically cater to families with the likes of family-sized washrooms, baby-changing facilities and cheap rates for children. Some have play equipment and activities specifically to keep kids occupied and the natural delights of both seaside and farm-based sites are likely to go down well with younger campers. That’s not to mention the fact that the adventure of sleeping under canvas, the chance to play outdoors all day and to make new friends on site, make camping holidays a winner with almost all children. The only issue you’re likely to have is persuading them to get in the car to go home again at the end of the holiday!

Kid-free camping in Dorset

While the summer holidays might attract families in large numbers, Dorset also offers some tucked away retreats that are just for grown-ups. There are both adults-only camping and glamping sites that offer quiet getaways, whether you visit in the low-season or the height of summer. With so many historic attractions, charming rural villages and interesting seaside resorts, there’s plenty of places that make for great days out without kids in tow. Wildlife watching, walking and eating out are all easy on an adults-only camping holiday too.

Whether you are camping as an individual, as a couple or with friends, if it’s an adults-only trip, you don’t need to stick to adults-only sites. How about mid-week camping? Or camping in spring or autumn? If you are unrestricted by the school holidays you can often find last-minute stays, great-value deals and a quieter site too – all advantages of camping without kids. If it’s romantic camping you’re after, the same rules apply: quieter times on site and more secluded spots tend to make for a more romantic atmosphere. With candlelight, campfires and time together away from the stresses of work, chores and children, camping and glamping make for an ideal romantic break.

Glamping in Dorset

Looking for luxury? Don't own a tent? Or simply don't fancy the faff of loading up the car and going on a camping holiday? Dorset is home to one of the very first glamping locations in the UK and has long been ahead of the game when it comes to offering luxury in the great outdoors. A glamping holiday in Dorset is great for people who want the adventure of camping among the county’s gorgeous scenery but don’t want to scrimp on comfort. It’s also great for first-time campers, families with young children and families who are divided in their love of camping – a sort of half-way house between camping and a self-catering cottage or hotel.

From bell tents in the summer to cosy shepherd's huts hidden among the trees during the autumn and winter months, there is something for everyone here. And the range of accommodation continues to grow from treehouses to tipis, modern geodesic domes to old-fashioned gypsy caravans. Some glamping sites will have the works – hot tubs, activities, bottles of bubbly and freshly cooked meals – while other locations will simply offer comfortable off-grid accommodation that saves you the time of bringing your own tent along. There are sites where you can enjoy the sociable side of campsite life and places where your glamping accommodation is out on its own offering seclusion, peace and privacy. Whatever you look for in a glamping holiday, you’ll find it in Dorset.

Top 10 things to in Dorset

If you’re looking for inspiration of things to do on your camping holiday you might want to have a read of our handy blog on five great things to do in Dorset but we’ve put together a quick top ten here too. You'll need some good walking shoes if you fancy roaming the miles of footpaths and don’t forget your bucket and spade if you’re heading to the beach…

1. Picnic at Lulworth Cove and marvel at Durdle Door’s iconic arch.

2. Have an ice cream on Bournemouth beach.

3. Take a walk along the South West Coast path.

4. Visit Thomas Hardy’s birthplace.

5. Breathe in Dorset’s history at Maiden Castle.

6. Go fossil hunting at Kimmeridge Bay or Charmouth.

7. Walk out on the Cobb, harbour wall, at Lyme Regis.

8. Swim in the sea and build sandcastles on the beach.

9. Watch wildlife in the Dorset countryside or at RSPB Arne.

10. Feast on local produce from farm shops or farmers’ markets.

More Dorset travel ideas & inspiration

Dorset is a real land of contrast, from the cliffs of the Jurassic Coast that protect sandy beaches, like Charmouth, and sheltered bays, like Lulworth Cove, to the inland patchwork of fertile farmland and rolling countryside immortalised in the novels of Thomas Hardy. The grand scenery gives way to delightful small, picture-perfect villages and crumbling hilltop castles. Campsites in Dorset, too, tend to be smaller, independently-owned places, often on farms or smallholdings. These are the sort of places that the Hipcamp team love and, while out on our travels, we're always keen to share not only the latest campsites, but also the best pubs, eateries and beaches we visit too. Of course, for full details on the county's attractions, we can beat the likes of the official Visit Dorset website, which is always a good place to get up to speed with the very latest events and activities in the county. But for a little outdoor inspiration and tips on what to do in and around the county, check out or latest blogs and discussions too.

Latest blogs

In Short: We love camping in Dorset because...

wherever you pitch your tent in the county everything seems to be in easy reach. The history of Lyme Regis, Cerne Abbas, Dorchester, Swanage and more are all just a drive (or steam train journey) away, while the beaches give way to some of the most majestic countryside in all of England, folding back into the Cranbourne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The campsites here are almost invariably family-run establishments, many on small farms or secreted away in the private gardens of grand houses, and local attractions are family-friendly and easily accessible. For a family camping break, we can think of few better places in the UK and, whether it's re-enacting Hovis adverts or swimming in the shadow of famous Durdle Door, you'll find fun and excitement at every turn.

About

You can’t beat camping in Dorset. Looking for a campsite? Browse this collection of expertly-chosen campsites from the Hipcamp team, including seaside campsites, woodland campsites, dog-friendly campsites and even luxury glamping in Dorset, all available to book online at the very best price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wild camping is not officially permitted in Dorset, United Kingdom, as most of the land is privately owned or part of nature reserves. However, there are many designated campsites and caravan parks in the area where you can legally camp. If you are considering wild camping, it is important to seek permission from the landowner and practice the principles of "Leave No Trace" to minimize your impact on the environment.

Safety partners

Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future.