Camping in Wareham Forest

Walk, cycle, and camp in these ancient Dorset woodlands.

95% (1841 reviews)

United Kingdom
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England
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Wareham Forest

95% (1841 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Wareham Forest

Community favorites in and near Wareham Forest

Stories from the community

Kayaking on the River Brue from the campsite

Lewis

1 week ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to Riverside Restful Relaxing Campsite

Great campsite with super friendly staff. Right next to a beautiful river which is perfect for kayaking / paddle boarding, even saw some kingfishers.

7 nights at Farrs Meadow

We loved it. The meadow is beautiful and during our week in May we awoke to the sound of cookoos every morning - joy. We were in the smaller Yurt which was really warm and comfortable. David was really available and bought us wood for the fire when we needed. Classic camping and a wonderful escape from the city! Thanks David.

Weekend Trip to Riverside Restful Relaxing Campsite

This is a beautiful natural location, peaceful, with access to the river for swimming. Andy and his partner are so lovely and welcoming, and great thought has been given to providing little touches to make your stay more comfortable - including a great little kitchen area and communal areas to have fires or barbecues. Perfect!

5 nights at Goren Farm

The amount of land and privacy for camping is really great. Showers were really good too, very generous to have two showers with hot water and good pressure for the amount of pitches.

1 night at Wookey Farm

Open area with small little nooks perfect for camping that feels close to others but perfectly private at the same time. Lots of amenities, and Sarah and Ian were more than happy to help us out and open up the shop

Weekend Trip to Riverside Restful Relaxing Campsite

We had an amazing stay here at Andy’s campsite! Such a chilled out and beautiful area with great fire facilities and camping equipment if needed. There’s so much to do in the area and is in a great location to visit places such as cheddar gorge. Great value and would happily come and stay again.

Weekend Trip to Goren Farm

This was our second time camping at Goren Farm and we loved it. The Oak pitch was fantastic; a wonderful big oak to camp and shelter under, amazing evening sun, peaceful and remote, but still in easy walking distance of the excellent compost toilets. We didn’t try the showers, but have heard they’re good. The adventure trail is fantastic for adventurous people that aren’t afraid of a bit of mud; so much fun for our family. Julian and the others are really friendly and helpful. Just a beautiful, peaceful place to get away. Already booked our next stay!

Weekend Trip to Primrose Fields Campsite

Great campsite, Great Hosts, We have been before and will definitely return again soon

1 night at Cider Farm Orchard Campsite

Great spot. Beautiful spot amongst the orchard. So much space each. Shop selling ciders from the farm on tap was a touch!

Weekend Trip to Riverside Restful Relaxing Campsite

We spent a night at this lovely campsite with our two children, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The location is beautifully set by a picturesque river, which added a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere to our stay. The facilities were clean and well-maintained — the toilet and shower block were conveniently close by, and the small shared kitchenette was particularly handy. It’s well-suited for washing up, boiling a kettle, and enjoying a cup of tea or coffee. There’s also a communal fridge, which was very useful for storing a few essentials. The pitch itself was level and spacious, and we felt very comfortable and safe throughout. A great spot for a short family break, and we’d certainly consider returning for a longer stay next time. Thank you Andy and Alicia 💚

Weekend Trip to Bredy Farm

Just my style of camping! Choose where to park up, basic amenities with the bonus of the cider farm just a short stroll away, perfect base to explore the Jurassic coast, will definitely be back

Weekend Trip to Goren Farm

Really amazing location and views. Great if you like to have your own space and chill out. Good facilities available and Julian and everyone was very friendly and helpful, would definitely recommend.

Weekend Trip to Holyrood Farm Campsite

Absolutely stunning views!! Favourite campsite we’ve been to so far, the site itself is very well maintained and plenty of space for privacy. Couldn’t get over the view the whole time we were there, if you’re lucky like us and get a clear sky you’ll see the sunset! Flushing toilet facilities were super clean and clearly regularly maintained, was always soap and loo roll on hand. Shaftesbury village was a short 10 minute walk through a country lane and takes you right to the bottom of Gold Hill. Definitely worth a visit!

Weekend Trip to Stowford Manor Farm Campsite

Stowford manor excelled my expectations, clean tidy well managed site, quirky showers in the barn, 50p for 8mins which was more then enough time, water lovely and hot, wild swimming was very invigorating, I would definitely recommend stowford manor if your looking for a nice peaceful stay, also they do amazing cream teas

Weekend Trip to Primrose Fields Campsite

Lovely and quiet, restful and well provisioned. Would go again.

1 night at Riverside Restful Relaxing Campsite

Lovely place, very serene spot near the river and easy to get to Avalon Marshes and Brent Knoll. Great for a little swim in the river and sitting around in the evening enjoying the birdsong. Only one other van when we were there (a Sunday night) so it was very quiet. The little kitchen was nice for washing up and would be great for cooking if it was a rainy day! There is a road nearby but it's not very busy and there was no noise at all at night. Currently only one toilet and shower but both were clean and worked well, and they were installing more. Andy was lovely and welcoming, and the general vibe was very chilled. Thanks a lot, we will be back!

Weekend Trip to Stowford Manor Farm Campsite

Absolutely wonderful visit. Only booked for one night but will definitely be booking again and for longer Outstandingly beautiful views with the river and greenery- not only were the employees so lovely and welcoming but everyone else staying was as well and I know it's because all felt relaxed, and connected. 100% recommend 100% will be back 100% will be getting the bbq again and next time will try the pizza Amazing!!

Weekend Trip to Goren Farm

Dream campsite. Perfect pitch, surrounded by wildflowers. Just right hot showers, compost loos and wash up. Great welcome, lovely cafe, and cider. 5*

Weekend Trip to Brig's Farm

Very relaxing campsite with beautiful views. Showers are very good.

Weekend Trip to Sweet Hill Farm

This was such a lovely campsite! Perfectly located so wherever you camp you can see the sea. Gorgeous and easy terrain walks to the lighthouse and into the town. As the campsite offers events on holidays and weekends it brings a lot of atmosphere and a vast array of people. The weekend I went was a single female camping weekend which looked like great fun! If you are a fan of horses and ponies then there are loads in paddocks around the camp. With the chance to have a group hack. I will be staying here again in the future!

Star Hosts in Wareham Forest

97%

(38)

Thorncombe Farm

57 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Dorchester, England

Situated in the heart of the Dorset countryside, Thorncombe Farm offers a warm, friendly welcome. Our mostly flat campsite has beautiful views into the valley and comes with all the amenities you would expect from a small site, with the add bonus of fresh free range eggs and home produced meat, burgers and sausages available for pre order! Bell Tents For 2023, glampers and those that want to take the hassle out of pitching/buying a tent/less baggage in the vehicle or even those that want to try camping under canvas for the first time our site has 3 (5 metre) furnished bell tents each with a separate dining area complete with seating and table. The tents have been upgraded with deluxe double and 2 single beds, carpeting and rugs , storage cabinet and mirror. We have now supplied electricity to the tents so we can provide a small fridge, recharge points for devices, In addition each bell tent has a fire pit and barbeque and a double ring gas stove. Four settings of cutlery , plates and mugs are supplied with a wash bowl. The beds are supplied with a top sheet only. So please bring what you need or a sleeping bag. Each booking is for a minimum 2 night stay and is for up to 4 people. Priced from £70/night We can supply 2 additional Disco beds bunks to take the total to six guests . The additional guests would be subject to a supplemental charge.Any queries please contact us before booking if necessary. CAMPING All are grass pitches only. and we retain the same facilities. There will be 25 pitches available. Please note at Bank Holiday Weekends it is a minimum 3 night booking. Fri-Sunday.We allow fires and Barbecues. All we ask is the barbecue or fire pit is off the ground and does not burn the grass of the campsite.There are fire pits for hire on a first come first serve basis at £5 for the duration of your stay. There is firewood available for sale Showers are no longer on a card system; Free as they should be Absolutely no pets in our bell tents whatsoever on the grounds of hygiene, health and the welfare of other guests , guest will be asked to leave if pets are found or seen in our bell tents. Pets welcome as per existing rules just not in our tents.

99%

(138)

16 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Whitchurch Canonicorum, England

1 unit · Motorhome, Tent70 acres · England

Set in the heart of rural Blackmore Vale, Henstridge Golf Resort is the perfect retreat providing the best of leisure and relaxation. Over 70 stunning acres. Acquired by Lee Park Estates for being in one of the most peaceful and picturesque parts of England. Close to the Sherborne and Shaftesbury and right on the border of Dorset and Somerset. We have a well stocked coarse fishing lake full of natural wild fighting fish and extending to approximately 2 acres. Within our stunning resort lies our caravanning and camping area with spectacular views of our golf course. We are open for 12 months, 365 days a year, and we have seasonal pitches available for touring caravans and motorhomes. Please note that our electrical hook-ups are limited, and come with an additional charge, please contact us prior to booking to see availability.

12 top campsites in Wareham Forest

96%

(119)

Primrose Fields Campsite

30 units · Motorhomes, Tents11 acres · Wareham, England

Back-to-basics camping in a Dorset hay meadow

100%

(13)

Riverside Restful Relaxing Campsite

16 units · Motorhomes, Tents4 acres · England

A very warm welcome to our guests at Little Eden, a restful and relaxing, riverside campsite for tents and campervans with grass pitches. We’re in a great spot if you love fishing, kayaking, gorge walking, cycling, seasides, fossil hunting, wild swimming, fell running, bird watching, archaeology or even Viking history! We are 9 miles from the mystical Glastonbury Abbey and Tor and directly on a Sustrans 33 cycle path route. The River Brue runs alongside the campsite with damsel flies fluttering by and kingfishers darting back and forth. We are on the Somerset levels so the sunsets are amazing as well as night time stargazing. We have a private, wooden jetty where you can launch your own paddle board. It’s a perfect get away for campers and nature lovers. Bring your own raised BBQs and logs or buy firewood on site. A family run campsite around 30 miles south of Bristol on the banks of the River Brue, it has a relaxed vibe and we try to keep things simple and straight forward. It’s ideal for doing some day trips nearby, then lighting the BBQ and playing Frisbee (games box you are most welcome to use). Shower and toilet, drinking water, washing-up sink in garden kitchenette. Our big sister site is just 4 miles away, and the café bar at 'Wall Eden Farm' serves fantastic coffee, cake, and family-made Somerset cider. If looking for classic countryside pub meal The Duck at Burtle and The Bird at Westhay are local favourites, be sure to book! Burnham on Sea close by has great fish and chips, a sandy beach, a pier and promenade if you like salty fingers and sandy toes. *DIRECTIONS* Little Eden Adventures is on Goole Maps Postcode takes you within 200 meters of campsite, look for white house with flagpole on stone bridge over river. What3words master.musical.titles. Our grandmother and her 5 sisters grew up milking cattle on the land. It’s steeped in history and archaeology. Bring your fishing rod as there are bream and roach in the River Brue. The site is a dream for cyclists. Electric vehicle charging at Wall Eden Farm with a Farmshop stocked with essential supplies, Moonshine and sweet treats. Sorry no pets as livestock in neighbouring fields. Big Adventures and Little Moments Warmest Wishes, Team Little Eden

93%

(270)

Sweet Hill Farm

10 units · Motorhomes, Tents6 acres · Dorset, South West England

Simple, almost-wild, seaside camping on the Isle of Portland

Summers Camp

51 units · Tents9 acres · England

Whether you’re exploring down the local footpaths that crisscross the countryside or tracking down ponies and canoeing ventures in the New Forest National Park, a stay at Summers Camping by Pitching It will help you tune into your adventurous side. This spacious site is spread over 10 acres of Dorset countryside, with many corners left over to nature. That means you can expect to see wildflowers and birds around the place and find lots of opportunities to get out and explore more. This pop-up site is in the small village of Burton, a 10-minute drive from England’s south coast and the New Forest National Park. Summers Camping by Pitching It is an off-grid site so you should get dark skies at night, but LED fairy lights create laidback festival-style vibes (as well as making a great backdrop for your holiday selfies). Acoustic entertainment is also occasionally on the agenda. It’s safe to say that this friendly site also has good amenities including hot showers, toilets, a coffee cart and an occasional pop-up bar. Food vans often visit the site, which is good news for those seeking easy meals at the end of a busy day. If you'd rather cook for yourself, hire a firepit and get grilling (logs and firewood are also sold on site). As for the location, well, things are indeed convenient. The site is under a mile from two pubs, a post office and a convenience store, and there’s a pick-your-own farm shop and bakery five minutes’ drive away. Nearby seaside spots like Avon beach and Highcliffe Castle can be reached in about 10 minutes, while the stunning South West Coast Path starts about 10 miles west in Poole (30 minutes’ drive).

100%

(56)

Goren Farm

7 units · Motorhomes, Tents70 acres · Seaton, Devon, South West England

Nearly wild camping in Devonshire wildflower meadows

91%

(71)

Stockbridge View Campsite

62 units · Motorhomes, Tents4 acres · Stockbridge, England

A simple campsite in the Test Valley, just a 15-minute walk from Stockbridge

Bredy Farm

31 units · Motorhomes, Tents30 acres · Bridport, England

Back-to-basics camping on a Dorset farm with a party vibe at weekends

97%

(132)

Brig's Farm

21 units · Glamping, Tents1 acre · Bridport, Dorset, South West England

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

98%

(164)

Wookey Farm

45 units · Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Somerset, South West England

Eco-friendly, campfire-friendly, family-friendly camping on the farm – plus Somerset's famous Wookey Hole caves on the doorstep

95%

(90)

Southover Woods and Camping

16 units · Glamping, Tents60 acres · Dorset, South West England

Nearly wild camping in a vast Dorset woodland

98%

(111)

Cider Farm Orchard Campsite

14 units · Tents20 acres · Dorset, South West England

Adult-only camping amid the apple blossom of an award-winning cider orchard

96%

(127)

Farrs Meadow

31 units · Glamping, Tents7 acres · Dorset, South West England

A charming Dorset campsite overlooking the Stour Valley and a short walk from both the river and the market town of Wimborne Minster

Under £50

93%

(155)

Frome Meadow Campsite

114 units · Tents5 acres · Dorset, South West England

A magical riverside retreat near Dorset’s Jurassic Coast

Hincknowle Cider Apple Farm Camping

10 units · Motorhomes, Tents190 acres · 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.

100%

(3)

Haywards Bridge Farm

99 units · Motorhomes, Tents8 acres · Shillingstone,, England

We are an Eight and a half acre small holding growing sustainable vegetables and wild flowers, hosting camping and events, nestled beneath Hambledon Hillfort on the bank of the Stour. We have access to the North Dorset trailway at our entrance, our neighbours are the North Dorset Railway, a museum, cafe and soon to be working line, all under preservation and within 50 yards walk, the mighty Hambledon hill is a great trek with breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, for those looking to relax Bournemouth and Weymouth beaches are less than 30 miles, for shoppers Salisbury to the East or Bath just over an hour to the North, there really is something for everyone!

100%

(6)

Camping5Acres

24 units · Motorhomes, Tents5 acres · Taunton, Somerset, South West England

As you'd expect from a site with such a name, there's a whole lot of space in which to relax and explore at 5 Acres, a large grassy site in the Somerset Levels. Kids and dogs are both welcome on site here, and there's plenty of scope for them to run about and play games safely away from barbecues and campfires (which are also permitted to keep you warm and fed in the evenings). Facilities on site include firepits, a toilet and shower block and outdoor sinks with mains water. Dogs must be kept on leads at all time. We class ourselves as a quite site so no amplified music. Mains hook ups are 6Amp max rated. Pitches are approximately 16m x 20m. The flag, firepit and pitch number line up in the centre of your pitch. The surrounding Somerset Levels aren’t just out in the sticks – they also produce them. Willow cane has been cultivated the traditional way in this part of the county for hundreds of years and can be seen growing within a mile of 5 Acres. The Levels are also a wildlife haven, making them an all-round top choice for country walks along the many trails nearby. And while this may be a rural retreat, it's also one that's easy to get to as it's just off the A378 (no winding country lanes to negotiate for this one…) Taunton town centre, with its wide range of shops and supermarkets, is a 15-minute drive away. The closest pub and coffee shop are five minutes away by road.

94%

(54)

Camp Hartland

40 units · Tents6 acres · Wareham, Dorset, South West England

5 units · Glamping1 acre · Stockland, Devon, South West England

Wild About Campers is a peaceful retreat amid spectacular hiking country in the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and 25 minutes’ drive from cliff-top treks along the South West Coast Path. The Jurassic Coast at Lyme Regis is within 25 minutes’ drive, and if you feel a major shopping expedition coming on, the historic cathedral city of Exeter (35 minutes) will see you right. Both Exmoor and Dartmoor national parks are less than an hour’s drive away, while the pretty neighbouring town of Honiton (10 minutes) offers pubs and tearooms as well as antique shops to browse. But if it’s a rural retreat you’re after, well, this is the place. The camping paddock is surrounded by peaceful farmland and borders the River Otter (look out for the resident beavers, otters and kingfishers, which occasionally appear), so you can fall asleep lulled by the burble of the river along with the distant hoot of barn owls – and wake up fresh in the morning to the sound of birdsong. A popular family-run pub is five minutes’ stroll from the campsite, and you can pick up emergency supplies from a well-stocked village shop run by volunteers (five minutes’ drive).

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping in Wareham Forest guide

Overview

With more than 1,500 hectares of woodlands and heathlands to explore, Wareham Forest provides plenty of opportunities to escape the crowds. Hike the 13-mile Wareham Forest Way through the heart of the forest, or choose from several short walks and circuits such as the Woodlark Trail, a favourite for families. Cyclists won’t want to miss the tree-lined Sika Trail, after which you can picnic among the trees or enjoy lunch at a country pub. The forest is well known for its wildlife, so keep a lookout for Sika deer, rare birds, and sand lizards.

Notable campgrounds

Best for a 5-star camping experience: Wareham Forest Tourist Park has grass pitching for tents and powered hard-standing sites for caravans and motorhomes. There’s also a heated swimming pool and children’s playground on-site and a country pub within walking distance.
Best for caravans and motorhomes: Birchwood Touring Park has a choice of grass, hard-standing, and gravel pitches, all with direct access to the forest trails. Electric hook-ups and TV aerials are available too.
Best for peace and quiet: Wooders Campsite has spacious grass pitches, bell tents for hire, and fire-pits, set on a rural working farm.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Holiday parks and caravan sites can book up quickly, especially in July and August, and during school holidays. Book at least three months in advance if you plan to visit at this time.
You will need to pay a deposit to secure your campsite reservation; some sites ask for the full payment prior to arrival.
Be sure to check seasonal opening and closing dates, which vary by campsite. Some campsites open from Easter through October, while others stay open year-round.

When to go

Summer is peak season in Wareham Forest, and parking can fill up quickly—make an early start to snag a spot. Outdoor activities are possible year-round, but the woodlands are particularly photogenic in the autumn months, with their ever-changing canopy of fall foliage. Wildlife watching is often most rewarding in the early morning and early evening.

Know before you go

Wareham Forest is located in central Dorset, about a 20-minute drive west of Poole. Trains run from Poole to Wareham (a 10-minute journey), from where it’s a half-mile walk to the forest.
There is free parking at Sika Trail, Woolsbarrow, Stroud Bridge, and Sugar Hill, all with direct access to Wareham Forest.
Many trails at Wareham Forest are accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.