Glamping pods in Wareham Forest

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.

99% (66)

Top-rated campgrounds

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.

99% (66)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Glamping Retreat & Campsite

95%

(10)

17 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Ryde, England

Retro Staycations near Ryde on the Isle of Wight

2. 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

3. Hobby Farm

96%

(45)

16 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Whitchurch Canonicorum, England

A peaceful, adult-only campsite 10 minutes' from the Jurassic Coast

4. Liba Vineyard

3 units · Glamping · England

Liba Vineyard is a biodynamic vineyard and luxury woodland glamping site on the edge of Salisbury, just 15 minutes from Stonehenge. Our vineyard, hand planted in Spring 2024, has nearly 4,000 vines of four different varieties. We manage our vines in line with organic and biodynamic principles, working hand-in-hand with nature and avoiding the use of any herbicides, pesticides, and synthetic fertilisers. We hope to take our first (small) harvest in 2026, by which time we will be fully certified (organic and biodynamic) and will be able to make our wine on-site. Our glamping pods, brand new for Autumn 2025 seek to give guests an eco-luxurious stay in an area of native woodland bordering the vineyard. These pods are perfect as a base for exploring Salisbury, nearby historic sites such as Stonehenge and Old Sarum, or the beautiful countryside of the New Forest National Park, Cranbourne Chase National Landscape, North Wessex Downs or the Cotswolds area of outstanding natural beauty slightly further afield.

5. Barley Hill Pod

100%

(2)

1 unit · Glamping · Ilminster, Somerset, South West England

Barley Hill Pod offers luxurious glamping accommodation in Chard. Nestled in an idyllic countryside setting in Somerset, we are the ultimate romantic getaway. Relax under the stars in the hot tub on a warm summer evening listening to the trickle of the near by stream and the sound of the owls. Our magnificent glamping pod is set in its own private field and surrounded by stunning oak trees and glorious barley fields. The site is a haven for a range of wild birds, from Woodpeckers to Kingfishers, making us the ideal holiday destination for nature lovers. The well-equipped pod comes with a range of excellent facilities to suit all your needs. A kitchen area comes with a range of appliances including an oven, hobs, microwave, toaster and kettle. You can relax on the comfy corner sofa and there is a solid oak bar with stools. A comfortable double bed is the perfect place to rest your head at night. The en suite bathroom has a hot shower, basin, flushing toilet and a warm towel rail. Inside the pod there is electrical lights and a flat-screen TV. Outside you can relax in the hot tub (available April - October) with a glass of wine whilst admiring the breathtaking views. A lovely terrace area also comes with seating. A BBQ is provided and a wooden fence encircles the pod to create a private and peaceful space. Opposite is an enclosed duck pond which is home to a range of ducks, as well as the occasional water-dwelling bird. Lots of superb attractions are in the local area: Perry's Cider Brewery and Museum. Forde Abbey & Gardens. South West Deer Rescue. Barrington Court. Montacute House.

Stories from the community

H

Hannah

June 2025

Weekend Trip to Barley Hill Pod

We have just come back from a wonderful 2 nights at the Barley Hill Pod a peaceful private space in the Somerset countryside. The Pod had everything you need to make it comfortable, including a double bed, proper toilet and shower, fridge with freezer box and under floor heating! The real bonus is the completely private electric hot tub overlooking the stream and fields where we saw Deer and birds and squirrels. Even has a little duck pond opposite to have a wonder round with 4 friendly ducks. You do need to walk across a grass field to get to the Pod but it’s only about 200m from where you park the car and it’s totally worth it for the privacy you get! We just used a trolley to pull our stuff over. I would 100% recommend and we will definitely go back!

D

Denise

March 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Hobby Farm

Had a beautiful stay. The hut was clean and well equipped. The shower was a bit lacking but better than nowt. I particularly loved that the hut was enclosed in its own paddock so my dog was contained and I could relax. The bed was comfortable and I slept like a log. Had a visit from a peacock as the sun went down each evening, how cool!

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Glamping pods 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

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.