Best Woodland Camping in Dorset 2025

In Dorset, forest camping means waking up to birdsong and the scent of pine. Over 230 forest sites dot the county, from tucked-away clearings to ancient woodland edges. Prices start at just £12 a night, with the average around £35. You’ll find sites that allow campfires, offer hot showers, and have proper toilets—no need to rough it unless you want to. Swimming spots, fishing lakes, and wildlife-watching walks are all easy to find. Locals rave about Primrose Fields Campsite (75 reviews) for its woodland pitches and relaxed vibe. If you’re after a Dorset forest escape, you’re spoilt for choice.

97% (477)

Top-rated campgrounds

In Dorset, forest camping means waking up to birdsong and the scent of pine. Over 230 forest sites dot the county, from tucked-away clearings to ancient woodland edges. Prices start at just £12 a night, with the average around £35. You’ll find sites that allow campfires, offer hot showers, and have proper toilets—no need to rough it unless you want to. Swimming spots, fishing lakes, and wildlife-watching walks are all easy to find. Locals rave about Primrose Fields Campsite (75 reviews) for its woodland pitches and relaxed vibe. If you’re after a Dorset forest escape, you’re spoilt for choice.

97% (477)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Primrose Fields Campsite

97%

(204)

15 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Wareham, England

Back-to-basics camping in a Dorset hay meadow

2. Walnut Farm Glamping

97%

(39)

8 units · Glamping · Bridport, Dorset, South West England

Cosy en-suite yurts with acres of space, campfires, a hot tub and wild swimming on site.

3. Brig's Farm

97%

(157)

21 units · Tents, Glamping · Bridport, Dorset, South West England

Family camping with campfires near Charmouth, with sea views and a couple of quirky glamping lorries

4. 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.

5. Snelling Farm Campsite

99%

(140)

70 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Wareham, England

An amazingly green, natural feel and care-free atmosphere near the Dorset coast

6. Bridgewood Camping - Woodland camps

97%

(33)

5 units · Tents, Glamping · Sherborne, England

Nearly wild woodland camping in Dorset

7. Hincknowle Cider Apple Farm Camping

100%

(7)

10 units · Tents, Motorhomes · England

Welcome to our peaceful 190 acres of glorious Dorset countryside. Here we operate a working farm where we grow apples for award-winning cider makers, along with keeping a range of animals. We are also well located for the Jurassic Coast, with Bridport ten minutes away and West Bay Beach within a 15 minute drive. Our location is perfect for those wanting to immerse themselves in the outdoors, whilst enjoying a relaxing break. We have a limited amount of pitches, along with a communal barn for unwinding (and sheltering from the unpredictable English weather). Both families and dogs are welcome too Facilities onsite include toilets and showers. There is also a communal barn with an equipped kitchen, seating, table tennis, darts and more. We also offer wood-fired pizza during peak season, with licensed premises too! For grabbing something to eat, we have The Half Moon just a ten minute walk away. A Lidl is also a five minute drive away for picking up any essentials. 9 x Non Electric Grass Pitches Spacious 10m x 10m grass pitches without electric. Suitable for tents or campervans up to 6m in length.

8. Benville Manor Camping

98%

(24)

15 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Dorchester, England

We set up our campsite to be a unique place where guests could be as close to nature as possible, while retaining some of the basic comforts of home. Think wildflower meadow with hot showers! We've gone for ultimate peace and tranquility, with a very limited number of pitches mown into the wildflowers with lots of space between. Our remote site is far from roads or light pollution, making for serene starry nights around the firepit. The camping meadow is bordered by woodlands, a small nature reserve, and the gardens of a stunning Tudor manor house, all of which you're free to explore. Nestled in a remote and picturesque corner of West Dorset, the campsite is within easy reach of some of the South West's most stunning spots, from world-famous fossil beaches to neolithic hill-forts.

9. 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.

10. Little Hill Farm Camping

100%

(2)

50 units · Tents · St Leonards, Dorset, South West England

Come and stay at Little Hill Farm, sleep where the stars shine bright and awake to the sound of birds singing, plus the wildlife who regularly visit, deer, badgers, foxes and rabbits. Little Hill Farm has a modern toilet and shower block and is approximately 12 acres of level grass land with hedged and treed boundaries. Our site is for tents only and all pitches are non-electric. There is an area divided into several paddocks with water stand pipes and then a large recreation area for games such as rounders, football, kite flying, cricket etc.

11. Kit Tipi - Milton Meadow

100%

(4)

1 unit · Glamping · Wareham, England

Secluded, private, pop up glampsite on a farm. Ideally situated to explore the Jurassic Coast.

12. Strive Glamping

100%

(1)

5 units · Glamping · Dorchester, England

Strive Glamping offers a unique holiday experience in a beautiful meadow surrounded by woods and wildlife. Keeping life simple and looking after the environment are central to the ethos of the woods. The woodlands extend to over 60 acres, nestled in Dorset countryside. Only 20 minutes from the Jurassic Coast, and connected by numerous bridleways and footpaths to both local and national walks, it is perfectly positioned for a wonderful break. Our pretty paddock surrounded by fields contain 5 beautiful classic 5 meter Bell tents. Glamping is 20 minutes’ drive from Dorchester in Dorset Half an hour’s drive to the Jurassic Coast and Weymouth harbour Woodland walks accessed from the pitches, trout fishing next door Whether you’re looking for a couples’ getaway or a weekend meet-up with a large bunch of pals, you’ll find what you’re looking for at Strive Glamping at Southover Woods, With more than 60 acres of private woodland and meadow, and the perfect view of a stunning sunset. No matter whether there are two of you or 6 of you, you’ll have plenty of space and privacy. Each comes with two camping beds with mattresses, two bedside tables and lamps, carpeting and rugs, outdoor seating and a travel cot if requested on booking. If you’re quiet at night, the chances are you’ll get to hear owls a-hooting and may even see elusive deer flitting through the trees. Direct from the pitches, you can walk for miles on an extensive network of footpaths in Southover Woods, connecting up with the long-distance Hardy Way and Dorset Jubilee Trail. Keen angers can head right next door to the well-stocked trout pools at Wessex Fly Fishing. The Southover Woods owners also organise bushcraft sessions, yoga, forest bathing and woodland games please see activities listed. Just so you’re aware, the Bell Tent pitches are down a long and bumpy track that can get muddy, and there will be some fetching and carrying of gear required from your vehicles. Situated in the heart of Southover Woods is the amazing Chloe at Birchbark Events. Chloe offers a full range of activities including bushcraft and survival, Foraging, Wellness, Yoga, Team Building, events catering for children, families, large groups and survival specialists. Birchbark Events tailor events around you. Bushcraft is the practice of outdoor skills, studying and developing the understanding, in order to not only survive but thrive in nature. Fire lighting and management, Tools of the trade, Shelter building and camp craft, Axe and knife skills, Water purification, Natural navigation, Tree identification, Whittling, knots and ropes and Access to Wooodland play area.

13. Gold Hill Glamping

90%

(5)

3 units · Glamping · Dorset, South West England

Hello, 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.

14. Pack Pony Wild Camp

8 units · Tents · England

This is a unique camping experience, where we walk you to our private ancient woodland with pack ponies, let me tell you all about it.. Dorset is a stunning county, with two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and 40% of the county designated National Landscape. It is a complex network of rolling fields, ancient woodlands, pine plantations and the tracks and green lanes that connect them, and we get you right in the middle of it, camping wild in ancient woodland. We take the work out of your walk by not only planning a gorgeous route through heathland and pine plantations, but also with the help of our gorgeous furry friends, Bob and Evie, the pack ponies. Meander through heathland, woodland & plantation. Cross sparkling fords, take in distant views. Visit thatched villages along old smugglers routes. As wild camping in England is not legal in most places, we have worked with landowners to secure safe and beautiful places to pitch with the ponies. We are lucky enough to have sole permission to camp in a 100 acre ancient woodland, it's completely untouched all year but for our August camps. Our route is carefully planned, tried and tested to give you the best experience with pack ponies

Camper favorites in and near Dorset

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Little Hill Farm Camping

100%

(2)

50 units · Tents · St Leonards, Dorset, South West England

Come and stay at Little Hill Farm, sleep where the stars shine bright and awake to the sound of birds singing, plus the wildlife who regularly visit, deer, badgers, foxes and rabbits. Little Hill Farm has a modern toilet and shower block and is approximately 12 acres of level grass land with hedged and treed boundaries. Our site is for tents only and all pitches are non-electric. There is an area divided into several paddocks with water stand pipes and then a large recreation area for games such as rounders, football, kite flying, cricket etc.

Kit Tipi - Milton Meadow

100%

(4)

1 unit · Glamping · Wareham, England

Secluded, private, pop up glampsite on a farm. Ideally situated to explore the Jurassic Coast.

Strive Glamping

100%

(1)

5 units · Glamping · Dorchester, England

Strive Glamping offers a unique holiday experience in a beautiful meadow surrounded by woods and wildlife. Keeping life simple and looking after the environment are central to the ethos of the woods. The woodlands extend to over 60 acres, nestled in Dorset countryside. Only 20 minutes from the Jurassic Coast, and connected by numerous bridleways and footpaths to both local and national walks, it is perfectly positioned for a wonderful break. Our pretty paddock surrounded by fields contain 5 beautiful classic 5 meter Bell tents. Glamping is 20 minutes’ drive from Dorchester in Dorset Half an hour’s drive to the Jurassic Coast and Weymouth harbour Woodland walks accessed from the pitches, trout fishing next door Whether you’re looking for a couples’ getaway or a weekend meet-up with a large bunch of pals, you’ll find what you’re looking for at Strive Glamping at Southover Woods, With more than 60 acres of private woodland and meadow, and the perfect view of a stunning sunset. No matter whether there are two of you or 6 of you, you’ll have plenty of space and privacy. Each comes with two camping beds with mattresses, two bedside tables and lamps, carpeting and rugs, outdoor seating and a travel cot if requested on booking. If you’re quiet at night, the chances are you’ll get to hear owls a-hooting and may even see elusive deer flitting through the trees. Direct from the pitches, you can walk for miles on an extensive network of footpaths in Southover Woods, connecting up with the long-distance Hardy Way and Dorset Jubilee Trail. Keen angers can head right next door to the well-stocked trout pools at Wessex Fly Fishing. The Southover Woods owners also organise bushcraft sessions, yoga, forest bathing and woodland games please see activities listed. Just so you’re aware, the Bell Tent pitches are down a long and bumpy track that can get muddy, and there will be some fetching and carrying of gear required from your vehicles. Situated in the heart of Southover Woods is the amazing Chloe at Birchbark Events. Chloe offers a full range of activities including bushcraft and survival, Foraging, Wellness, Yoga, Team Building, events catering for children, families, large groups and survival specialists. Birchbark Events tailor events around you. Bushcraft is the practice of outdoor skills, studying and developing the understanding, in order to not only survive but thrive in nature. Fire lighting and management, Tools of the trade, Shelter building and camp craft, Axe and knife skills, Water purification, Natural navigation, Tree identification, Whittling, knots and ropes and Access to Wooodland play area.

Gold Hill Glamping

90%

(5)

3 units · Glamping · Dorset, South West England

Hello, 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.

Pack Pony Wild Camp

8 units · Tents · England

This is a unique camping experience, where we walk you to our private ancient woodland with pack ponies, let me tell you all about it.. Dorset is a stunning county, with two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and 40% of the county designated National Landscape. It is a complex network of rolling fields, ancient woodlands, pine plantations and the tracks and green lanes that connect them, and we get you right in the middle of it, camping wild in ancient woodland. We take the work out of your walk by not only planning a gorgeous route through heathland and pine plantations, but also with the help of our gorgeous furry friends, Bob and Evie, the pack ponies. Meander through heathland, woodland & plantation. Cross sparkling fords, take in distant views. Visit thatched villages along old smugglers routes. As wild camping in England is not legal in most places, we have worked with landowners to secure safe and beautiful places to pitch with the ponies. We are lucky enough to have sole permission to camp in a 100 acre ancient woodland, it's completely untouched all year but for our August camps. Our route is carefully planned, tried and tested to give you the best experience with pack ponies

Stories from the community

F

Fiona

September 2025

8 m Class A

With pets

Weekend Trip to Primrose Fields Campsite

Lovely spacious site. Loos and showers immaculately clean. Christina was super helpful recommending bike rides and lending us an an OS map. The real clincher though was the easy access to the neighbouring woodland/forest for dog walking.

a

andrew

August 2025

Tent

With kids

3 nights at Snelling Farm Campsite

A very spacious campsite with well-maintained composting facilities. The scenic drive down to the site is beautiful, and the clear night skies make it perfect for stargazing. Martins and owls were active both day and night, adding to the atmosphere. On some alternate nights, music played nearby from around 10 pm to 4 am. While noticeable, it was at a consistent and tolerable volume, and importantly, it wasn’t accompanied by disruptive behaviour.

K

Kelly

August 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Primrose Fields Campsite

I love camping on Christina's land. Some may think it's very basic with portaloo's ( always smell nice and are always clean) and porta- showers ( which are lovely and hot and clean) but for us it's perfect especially for the kids and dog- not a phone in sight. We have camped there three times and will definitely be returning. Christina can not do enough for you, and always greeted with a smile.

T

Tom

August 2025

5 m Class B

With kids

Weekend Trip to Hincknowle Cider Apple Farm Camping

Great campsite, pitches have a wonderful view, lovely clean showers and toilets. Great barn to shelter from the elements.

S

Sean

August 2025

Tent

With kids

1 night at Brig's Farm

Quiet, lovely place. Very off grid. Nice toilets and showers. Good recycling and bins. Great location.

J

Joana

August 2025

With kids

3 nights at Walnut Farm Glamping

Amazing stay with beautiful views. The tent is equipped with everything you need and beds are comfortable. The environment is very calm and pizza night really is a success, not only the pizza's are very nice but you get to know the other people staying - amazing if you have kids as they start playing together. We had an amazing time and would definitely return and recommend the stay.

Carree

August 2025

5 m Class B

With kids

Weekend Trip to Snelling Farm Campsite

Fantastic campsite, heavenly amount of space, great atmosphere and brilliant facilities 😊👍

B

Billy

August 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Primrose Fields Campsite

A very warm and friendly welcome. A lot of space to find a pitch, easy access to water, clean toilets and very clean showering facilities. Zero complaints and we will 100% return again.

D

Dan

August 2025

Tent

1 night at Primrose Fields Campsite

The campsite is spacious and in a good location. Showers are great, toilets are a bit basic (portaloos) but cleaned regularly so wasn't really an issue. A nice peaceful weekend thanks!

C

Chey

August 2025

5 m Class B

With pets

1 night at Primrose Fields Campsite

I camped in my camper van, so to be honest, I didn't require the use of the many facilities available. However, top marks for site tidiness, and the arrival too, a friendly and warm greeting. It was great to see night time fires like some medieval encampment, the off the ground fire pits (available for hire) along with kindling and wood were very much in use. But along with the fires , health and safety was also provided for, buckets of water and ash bins specifically for safety. I mention this as the summer has turned all grass land into savannahs. The publicly accessible forestry commission land was wonderful for walking my dog at all times of the day. I will be returning. Its a wonderful site, run by people who choose to infuse the very ground with that of laughter and fun times. What a great legacy to leave on our earth.

A

Alan

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Primrose Fields Campsite

Friendly welcome, lots of space. Great campfire kits.

E

Eder

August 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Primrose Fields Campsite

We loved every moment everything was organized and clean. Cristiane is a fantastic host, and so is her team.

T

Tomas

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Primrose Fields Campsite

We had a fantastic stay at this campsite! The grounds were clean, well-kept, and perfectly set up for a relaxing getaway. From the moment we arrived, we felt welcome. The helpful lady at reception went out of her way to make sure we had everything we needed, from directions to local walks to tips on the best spot for sunset—she really made things easy for us. And then there was the funny guy on the team—he kept us laughing with his stories and jokes, and really added to the friendly atmosphere. It felt less like staying at a campsite and more like being part of a little community. All in all, a brilliant place to stay—friendly staff, great facilities, and good vibes all round. We’ll definitely be back!

K

Kelly

August 2025

7 m Class A

1 night at Primrose Fields Campsite

Beautiful site. Excellent facilities and friendly approachable staff. Will definitely stay again A***********

B

Byron

August 2025

Tent

With kids

4 nights at Primrose Fields Campsite

A big open field, simple and affordable. The bathroom where clean and the person who checked us in was so nice. The woods behind the camp space was really lovely for walks. On the bank holiday weekend, loads of kids. WE had a such a great time with fires at night and adventure in the day. Dorsett is a great spot for loads of family activities, like monkey world and the beaches.

S

Steven

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Bridgewood Camping - Woodland camps

Beautiful site and wonderful hosts. Such a relaxing place to stay with pitches nicely far apart. Very private and peaceful. Thank you!

S

Sarah

August 2025

Tent

With kids

2 nights at Primrose Fields Campsite

Fabulous campsite and really friendly, helpful owner. We spent a lovely weekend here and it had everything we needed. It was the August Bank Holiday weekend and even though there were lots of campers, it was quiet and we slept well.

H

Helen

August 2025

Tent

With pets

3 nights at Bridgewood Camping - Woodland camps

Lovely peaceful woodland camping among nature. Personal touches dotted around the campsite were great, and fab local instructions to the pub and nearby walks where we spotted a trio of deer hopping through the fields!

S

Sophie

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Primrose Fields Campsite

Lovely site, facilities clean and not too busy. Option to add a fire pit and logs such a good idea! Christina was so welcoming and helpful, we will definitely be back :)

A

Andrew

August 2025

Tent

5 nights at Brig's Farm

My partner and I had an amazing long weekend staying at Mew's Farm. The views to the sea and surrounding hills are stunning. The campsite is surrounded by trees on one side (acting as a windbreak) and has all your camping needs close. The showers and pizza night were highlights! There is so much to see, do and explore, all within a short drive. A stunning part of the south West and well worth a visit