Family camping in Wareham Forest

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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.

96% (810) 146 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Wareham Forest

Primrose Fields Campsite

1. Primrose Fields Campsite

97%
(204)
15 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Wareham, England
Back-to-basics camping in a Dorset hay meadow
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£12
 / night
Frome Meadow Campsite

2. Frome Meadow Campsite

93%
(167)
114 units · Tents · Dorset, South West England
A magical riverside retreat near Dorset’s Jurassic Coast
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£14
 / night
Brig's Farm

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
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£13
 / night
Stowford Manor Farm Campsite

4. Stowford Manor Farm Campsite

87%
(39)
51 units · Glamping · Trowbridge, England
We are a family run farm situated in the beautiful Frome valley. The farm has a range of interests from the traditional Jersey milking cows to a community of workshops used by local craftsmen. The cafe serves cream teas from Easter to the end of September and pizzas are sold in evenings during the summer months. Ours is a small family run camp site with the River Frome on one side, next to the medieval buildings of Stowford Farm. The river is suitable for fishing, boating, swimming and paddling. Historic Bradford-on-Avon is only a 5 minute drive and the City of Bath 15 minutes. For those who enjoy more rural pleasures, 200 metres from the campsite Farleigh Hungerford boasts the only river swimming club in the country, and you can become an instant member for a very small fee.
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£110
 / night
Camping in Nature at Vallis Veg

5. Camping in Nature at Vallis Veg

99%
(148)
15 units · Tents · Frome, Somerset, South West England
Back-to-basics, natural camping with campfires encouraged and easy walks to the local attractions in Frome
Campfires
Potable water
from 
£20
 / night
Wookey Farm

6. Wookey Farm

98%
(181)
45 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Somerset, South West England
Eco-friendly, campfire-friendly, family-friendly camping on the farm – plus Somerset's famous Wookey Hole caves on the doorstep
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from 
£16
 / night
Teddy's Farm

7. Teddy's Farm

99%
(154)
95 units · Tents, Glamping · Hampshire, South East England
Family-friendly pop-up camping in the heart of the New Forest.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£12
 / night
Homemade Holidays

8. Homemade Holidays

100%
(19)
2 units · Glamping · Devon, South West England
A hidden paradise of organic vege, swimming pond, wild areas and views, next to a large ancient woodland, footpaths and the Jurassic coastline near Lyme Regis. Two unique and comfortable off grid yurts (each sleep 5), with extra sleeping spaces available on request. Dog friendly. Kid heaven! No smoking please in the yurts. Beware fire risk in other spaces. Buzzard Yurt on the hillside at the top of the paddock, with its large terrace and stunning views across the Axe valley. Kingfisher Yurt, nestled down by the wild swimming and kayaking pond, amongst the oak trees. Each has exclusive use of their own homemade, separate, fully equipped kitchen, a cosy chill-out area with books and games, and private indoor shower. Each yurt pitch has its own compost loo and campfire area. Extra wood at low cost, freezer space and additional tent space all available. Buzzard also has a rustic indoor loo (close to daytime spaces.) Shared games/pool/music room with a piano and guitars. Homegrown vege and eggs often available from the organic smallholding. Welcome to join in with growing, harvesting, juicing, preserving, cooking, egg collection etc. Detox and unwind from the digital world - though you'll find wi-fi /ethernet cable in daytime spaces😉 Wild swimming in our natural swimming pond, which has a selection of kayaks and boards. Great for building open water confidence and paddle practice. Woodfired hot tub £50 one day, £75 for two. Msg me to book. Fresh spring water (no chemicals). Relax and enjoy the views. Dog friendly, but please let me know. Please pay for any damage to bedding or fittings, thanks 🐾 Next to Holyford Woods Nature Reserve, famous locally for its magical bluebell display. Please msg for details of great local walks, eating out etc. Seaton Wetlands, Tramway and new Jurassic Centre...Fossil hunting..Lyme Regis museum and aquarium...Beer Quarry Caves, Pecorama model train gardens...crazy golf...Sidmouth Folk Festival...Beavers on the River Otter...wolves, bears, lynx and more at Escot Park. By booking either yurt you take full responsibility for your group's safety.
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£115
 / night
Small Trees Campsite

9. Small Trees Campsite

97%
(38)
33 units · Tents, Motorhomes · West Wellow, England
A small, campfire-friendly and dog-friendly campsite with approachable hosts
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£12
 / night
Charisworth Farm

10. Charisworth Farm

97%
(99)
37 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Dorset, South West England
A spacious campsite in a traditional parkland setting, with campfires allowed and farm animals to meet
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£24
 / night
Croft Cottage Camping

11. Croft Cottage Camping

98%
(80)
12 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Fordingbridge, Hampshire, South East England
Small-time camping with a family-friendly buzz, a walk away from the beautiful New Forest
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from 
£32
 / night
The Old Airfield

12. The Old Airfield

85%
(143)
114 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Hampshire, South East England
A New Forest airfield that's been overtaken by nature, less than 10 minutes' drive from the coast
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£30
 / night
Coppet Hill

13. Coppet Hill

100%
(88)
18 units · Tents, Glamping · Bridport, England
Wildlife-friendly camping and glamping with private loos at each pitch, 15 minutes' drive from the coast
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
from 
£65
 / night
Snelling Farm Campsite

14. Snelling Farm Campsite

99%
(140)
70 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Wareham, England
An amazingly green, natural feel and care-free atmosphere near the Dorset coast
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£20
 / night
Goren Farm

15. Goren Farm

100%
(85)
7 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Seaton, Devon, South West England
Nearly wild camping in Devonshire wildflower meadows
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
from 
£21
 / night
Caalm Camp

16. Caalm Camp

100%
(27)
6 units · Glamping · Stour Row, England
Caalm by name, calm by nature. This blissfully chilled-out Dorset hideaway promises a relaxing stay for all
Showers
Campfires
Wifi
from 
£156
 / night

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.

96% (810) 146 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Wareham Forest

Primrose Fields Campsite

1. Primrose Fields Campsite

97%
(204)
15 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Wareham, England
Back-to-basics camping in a Dorset hay meadow
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£12
 / night
Frome Meadow Campsite

2. Frome Meadow Campsite

93%
(167)
114 units · Tents · Dorset, South West England
A magical riverside retreat near Dorset’s Jurassic Coast
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£14
 / night
Brig's Farm

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
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£13
 / night
Stowford Manor Farm Campsite

4. Stowford Manor Farm Campsite

87%
(39)
51 units · Glamping · Trowbridge, England
We are a family run farm situated in the beautiful Frome valley. The farm has a range of interests from the traditional Jersey milking cows to a community of workshops used by local craftsmen. The cafe serves cream teas from Easter to the end of September and pizzas are sold in evenings during the summer months. Ours is a small family run camp site with the River Frome on one side, next to the medieval buildings of Stowford Farm. The river is suitable for fishing, boating, swimming and paddling. Historic Bradford-on-Avon is only a 5 minute drive and the City of Bath 15 minutes. For those who enjoy more rural pleasures, 200 metres from the campsite Farleigh Hungerford boasts the only river swimming club in the country, and you can become an instant member for a very small fee.
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£110
 / night
Camping in Nature at Vallis Veg

5. Camping in Nature at Vallis Veg

99%
(148)
15 units · Tents · Frome, Somerset, South West England
Back-to-basics, natural camping with campfires encouraged and easy walks to the local attractions in Frome
Campfires
Potable water
from 
£20
 / night
Wookey Farm

6. Wookey Farm

98%
(181)
45 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Somerset, South West England
Eco-friendly, campfire-friendly, family-friendly camping on the farm – plus Somerset's famous Wookey Hole caves on the doorstep
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from 
£16
 / night
Teddy's Farm

7. Teddy's Farm

99%
(154)
95 units · Tents, Glamping · Hampshire, South East England
Family-friendly pop-up camping in the heart of the New Forest.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£12
 / night
Homemade Holidays

8. Homemade Holidays

100%
(19)
2 units · Glamping · Devon, South West England
A hidden paradise of organic vege, swimming pond, wild areas and views, next to a large ancient woodland, footpaths and the Jurassic coastline near Lyme Regis. Two unique and comfortable off grid yurts (each sleep 5), with extra sleeping spaces available on request. Dog friendly. Kid heaven! No smoking please in the yurts. Beware fire risk in other spaces. Buzzard Yurt on the hillside at the top of the paddock, with its large terrace and stunning views across the Axe valley. Kingfisher Yurt, nestled down by the wild swimming and kayaking pond, amongst the oak trees. Each has exclusive use of their own homemade, separate, fully equipped kitchen, a cosy chill-out area with books and games, and private indoor shower. Each yurt pitch has its own compost loo and campfire area. Extra wood at low cost, freezer space and additional tent space all available. Buzzard also has a rustic indoor loo (close to daytime spaces.) Shared games/pool/music room with a piano and guitars. Homegrown vege and eggs often available from the organic smallholding. Welcome to join in with growing, harvesting, juicing, preserving, cooking, egg collection etc. Detox and unwind from the digital world - though you'll find wi-fi /ethernet cable in daytime spaces😉 Wild swimming in our natural swimming pond, which has a selection of kayaks and boards. Great for building open water confidence and paddle practice. Woodfired hot tub £50 one day, £75 for two. Msg me to book. Fresh spring water (no chemicals). Relax and enjoy the views. Dog friendly, but please let me know. Please pay for any damage to bedding or fittings, thanks 🐾 Next to Holyford Woods Nature Reserve, famous locally for its magical bluebell display. Please msg for details of great local walks, eating out etc. Seaton Wetlands, Tramway and new Jurassic Centre...Fossil hunting..Lyme Regis museum and aquarium...Beer Quarry Caves, Pecorama model train gardens...crazy golf...Sidmouth Folk Festival...Beavers on the River Otter...wolves, bears, lynx and more at Escot Park. By booking either yurt you take full responsibility for your group's safety.
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£115
 / night
Small Trees Campsite

9. Small Trees Campsite

97%
(38)
33 units · Tents, Motorhomes · West Wellow, England
A small, campfire-friendly and dog-friendly campsite with approachable hosts
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£12
 / night
Charisworth Farm

10. Charisworth Farm

97%
(99)
37 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Dorset, South West England
A spacious campsite in a traditional parkland setting, with campfires allowed and farm animals to meet
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£24
 / night
Croft Cottage Camping

11. Croft Cottage Camping

98%
(80)
12 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Fordingbridge, Hampshire, South East England
Small-time camping with a family-friendly buzz, a walk away from the beautiful New Forest
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from 
£32
 / night
The Old Airfield

12. The Old Airfield

85%
(143)
114 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Hampshire, South East England
A New Forest airfield that's been overtaken by nature, less than 10 minutes' drive from the coast
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£30
 / night
Coppet Hill

13. Coppet Hill

100%
(88)
18 units · Tents, Glamping · Bridport, England
Wildlife-friendly camping and glamping with private loos at each pitch, 15 minutes' drive from the coast
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
from 
£65
 / night
Snelling Farm Campsite

14. Snelling Farm Campsite

99%
(140)
70 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Wareham, England
An amazingly green, natural feel and care-free atmosphere near the Dorset coast
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£20
 / night
Goren Farm

15. Goren Farm

100%
(85)
7 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Seaton, Devon, South West England
Nearly wild camping in Devonshire wildflower meadows
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
from 
£21
 / night
Caalm Camp

16. Caalm Camp

100%
(27)
6 units · Glamping · Stour Row, England
Caalm by name, calm by nature. This blissfully chilled-out Dorset hideaway promises a relaxing stay for all
Showers
Campfires
Wifi
from 
£156
 / night

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Family camping in Wareham Forest guide

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

  1. 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. 
  2. You will need to pay a deposit to secure your campsite reservation; some sites ask for the full payment prior to arrival. 
  3. 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.