Shepherd's huts near Corfe Castle

Looking to go camping or glamping near Corfe Castle? You might get closer than you think – not because the National Trust who look after the 1,000-year-old fortress have opened up the gates to let people camp in its shadow, but because Corfe Castle is also the name of the nearby picturesque village. Nonetheless, it’s likely that the awe-inspiring castle is what’s drawing you to this part of Dorset. As one of the county’s major tourist attractions, with a location in the middle of the Isle of Purbeck, who could blame you? It’s had that effect on people for years and one of the results of its popularity is a wealth of campsites within easy reach of the castle walls. The Hipcamp team are a discerning lot though and we only give the thumbs up to places that measure up. You won’t find holiday park-style sites among the Hipcamp collection but you might find somewhere you can pitch up and have a campfire. You’re unlikely to find a run-down mobile home but you might find a restored vintage caravan. If that sounds like the kind of camping or glamping in Corfe Castle you’re looking for, browse the pitches, bell tents, camping pods and shepherd's huts in our hand-picked collection.

The evocative ruins of Corfe Castle stand at the heart of the Isle of Purbeck. Visible for miles around they are one of Dorset’s must-see attractions. Managed by the National Trust, the entrance fee allows you into the grounds and visitor centre where you can learn about the centuries of building, rebuilding and destruction that’s shaped what you can see today. In the nearby village, you can visit Corfe Castle Model Village to see what the castle would have been like before it was left in ruins by Oliver Cromwell’s allies in the English Civil War. The steam and diesel trains of the Swanage Railway puff their way right past the castle, which has its own stop in the village, en route from Norden  to the seaside at Swanage.

Although it’s known as an island, Purbeck is really a peninsula. Surrounded by water on three sides, when you’re on the peninsula, you’re never too far from the sea and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jurassic Coast. Apart from the seaside fun of Swanage, there’s fossil-hunting and snorkelling at Kimmeridge Bay, world-class wildlife watching at RSPB Arne on Poole Harbour and the fascinating rock formations at Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. The pretty and historic town of Wareham is also within reach and for rainy-day fun there’s Monkey World Ape Sanctuary, the Bovington Tank Museum and Thomas Hardy’s Cottage. For more ideas on things to do in Corfe Castle check out the Visit Dorset website.