Wildlife-watching campsites in Wareham Forest

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

94% (796 reviews)

United Kingdom
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England
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Wareham Forest

94% (796 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Wareham Forest

Community favorites in and near Wareham Forest

Stories from the community

Sam

6 days ago

Tent

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 Bridgewood Camping - Woodland camps

The wood is beautiful and peaceful. Paul gave us a warm welcome and showed us to our pitch. Each pitch has its own small enclosure so you feel like you have your own space. They have two adorable pigs. Bring cash! - they have a lovely little hut that sells firewood, kindling and small pots of their own honey. They also have wagons to borrow so you can wheel your stuff to your pitch.

1 night at The Barn KT9

We had a great time at The Barn. The site was very peaceful and the pitches were well maintained. We had a nice walk to the pub for dinner and had a great coffee in the morning on the onsite cafe.

1 night at Sweet Hill Farm

Magical place for nearly wild camping with sauna, amazing views and lovely people. Will be returning very soon!

1 night at Bredy Farm

Absolutely loved my trip here! Campsite was peaceful really well maintained. Bar and restaurant area was amazing and all the staff were really friendly and attentive. Managed to get myself a fresh pizza from the restaurant and eat it back at camp. Would absolutely stay here again!

Weekend Trip to Ditchling Boutique Camping

We loved our stay, the pitch was easy to find and ideal for us and our dog. Conrad was a great host. It's only a few minutes walk to great pubs and cafes (all very dog friendly!). We got lucky and had clear sky's with stunning views of the stars. I'd definitely stay again

Weekend Trip to Hardyes Countryside Camping

It was so peaceful here, toilets and showers were lovely and clean Christopher is a lovely friendly bloke who gave us plenty of information of the surrounding areas

Weekend Trip to Lagnersh camping

Decent campsite. Been there a couple of times. Looks like right hand will be allocated to caravans only and left hand will be with electric. Last year had some birds and few animals around... Looks like have been removed, probably taking a lot of time to look after. I'll definitely come back again this year... Lovely staff... decent facilities.

1 night at Ditchling Boutique Camping

Great spot! We only had time to meet friends there for one night but had a really good time. Kids loved it and had plenty of spaces to explore. Not far from the South Downs and only a short drive from Brighton. Near to a road but you really don't notice. Found time to sit around the fire at night chatting and looking at the stars.

Weekend Trip to Bridgewood Camping - Woodland camps

We went here for a few days over the bank holiday. We loved it. We had our own space out in the woods with composting a toilet close by. There was water available and a beautiful woodland to sit and build our camp fire and chill listening to the wildlife. The tawny owl hooting away added to the authenticity of being out with nature. I loved it and we will return. A great stay and a great location for those who want to appreciate nature and tranquility :) Thanks both

Weekend Trip to Aldridge Mill

It was perfect for what we were looking for. Peace and tranquility with beautiful surroundings 💜

Weekend Trip to Bridgewood Camping - Woodland camps

Beuatiful location and wonderful hosts! When we checked in, we were shown around and got to choose our pitch. The tracks are nicely led and the trollies provided made unloading everything so much easier! The toilets are better than most composting toilets and have loo roll provided. The honey is a great extra to purchase, so make sure you bring some cash! Would highly recommend!

4 nights at Bredy Farm

Great place to camp! We had such a good time and the bar is brilliant on the weekends! Very dog friendly. We had the river right behind out pitch and the dogs loved it! Not somewhere to go if you’re looking for somewhere quiet on the weekend though😂

Weekend Trip to Hardyes Countryside Camping

Nice little campsite with all the amenities we required, everything worked well and had a nice shower. The ground has quite a lot of stones so make sure you bring your hammer. Great location, beautiful setting in the rolling hills and Chris was attentive and helpful.

Weekend Trip to Woodlands Camping

Jason was a welcoming host throughout. Littlewood camp was magical, and plenty of space in the Meadow. It’s basic but beautiful. Thank you.

Weekend Trip to Wytch Wood Camping

Elise has set up a real gem in Wytch Wood Camping. Under the most gorgeous tall trees in the woodland, we had the best nights sleep in ages, awakened only by the uplifting calls of over 20 different species of birds! We were lucky with the weather - but honestly even if not I’m sure it would have still been as lovely. There is a compost loo per site, wonderfully clean hot showers, a washing up area, drinking water, honesty shop, wood-fire pizzas over the weekend, horses, sheep and even a car hill battle on the hills surrounding the site. We made the trip into Frome for the monthly market, and managed to sneak in a trip to Durdle Door. This was a lovely base and special trip for us, thank you Elise! We will be back!

Weekend Trip to Hardyes Countryside Camping

Great place to stay, the views are great. The shower, toilets and kitchen areas are lovely and clean. Would stay again. Christopher is super friendly.

Weekend Trip to Bredy Farm

A lovely setting, with a nice laid back feel, pull up and pick a nice spot, which is the kind of camping I like. Enjoyed the fact there’s a bar on site and The Parlour is a fantastic place to eat. Would definitely stay again

2 nights at Bridgewood Camping - Woodland camps

Beautiful campsite, very private and quiet, will be back for sure. Thank you:)))

1 night at Woodlands Camping

Perfect place for a quiet time. Beautiful surroundings in unspoilt English countryside.

Star Hosts in Wareham Forest

97%

(38)

Beryl's Campsite

5 units · Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Devon, South West England

A secret, secluded campsite with wonderful views down to Start Bay

100%

(7)

Mattiscombe Farm Camping

29 units · Motorhomes, Tents3 acres · Kingsbridge, England

Low-key, dog-friendly camping with sea and countryside views in South Devon

100%

(83)

The T Barn

17 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents10 acres · Cirencester, Gloucestershire, South West England

Bell tents and shepherd’s huts with hot tubs on a picturesque Cotswolds farm near Cirencester

100%

(8)

Sindles Farm Glamping and Camping

9 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents2 acres · Emsworth, West Sussex

We are a small, friendly site on a working farm in the beautiful South Downs National Park. We have shepherds huts, bell tents and a land pod in an old sheep paddock, all with private fire pits. We’re surrounded by footpaths and bridleways that can be explored all day, and 10 minutes drive from the sea. We also have a small grass-pitch campsite that opens in the summer for tents and camper vans.

100%

(39)

Wild Camping in the Cotswolds

2 units · Motorhomes, Tents110 acres · Aldsworth, England

Nearly wild camping with acres of space hired on an exclusive basis

Available this weekend

97%

(34)

Berrends Farm

5 units · Motorhomes, Tents55 acres · Ledbury, Herefordshire, West Midlands

We are in the 3 counties area, a short distance from the Malvern Hills. We have pitches for tents and caravans, and also a Shepherds Hut and an Annex. We are a small working farm. We welcome our guests to enjoy our home. There are lots of local pubs and towns to visit and local attractions located nearby.

100%

(6)

Wobble's Camping

18 units · Tents6 acres · Weymouth, England

Laid-back, quiet, nearly-wild camping in prime position near Weymouth, Dorset.

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!

89%

(18)

Paddington Farm

20 units · Motorhomes, Tents43 acres · Glastonbury, Somerset, South West England

A simple campsite at the foot of Glastonbury Tor

100%

(14)

Milkmaid Meadow Campsite

30 units · Motorhomes, Tents3 acres · Barnstaple, Devon, South West England

An open, green, back-to-basics space with homely local produce for sale

12 top campsites in Wareham Forest with wildlife watching

97%

(191)

The Barn KT9

22 units · Glamping, Tents3 acres · Greater London, South East England

A unique rural campsite in Surrey, a stone's throw from London's Zone 6

Bredy Farm

31 units · Motorhomes, Tents30 acres · Bridport, England

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

93%

(267)

Sweet Hill Farm

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

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

95%

(182)

Abbey Home Farm

21 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents1600 acres · Cirencester, Gloucestershire, South West England

Eco-camping for real. Cooking on an open fire. Unspoilt natural beauty.

100%

(49)

Goren Farm

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

Nearly wild camping in Devonshire wildflower meadows

100%

(16)

Ditchling Boutique Camping

101 units · Tents6 acres · Ditchling, East Sussex, South East England

Hunker down in a historic village, surrounded by vineyards, hilly countryside and some rather spectacular views. With Ditchling Camping as your base, you’ll be on track for rural bike rides or visiting Brighton and its busy coast 25 minutes’ drive away. That’s because this dog-friendly site is in Ditchling – a village in the splendid South Downs National Park and a rather excellent location for all sorts of days out. Good news if the whole family is tagging along: there’s plenty to play with around the site, including an adventure trail through the woodlands, a swing tree and places for kids to fashion their own little dens. The site is only a five-minute drive (or a 30-minute walk) from the traditional Jack and Jill windmills and the neighbouring family-run pub, which serves both grub and good ales. A vineyard is 15 minutes’ walk away from the site if you'd like to include a wine-tasting tour on your break. Otherwise, simply pedal along country lanes on the surrounding cycling routes (it’s easy enough to hire a bike locally). On your route, you might want to stop by in characterful Ditchling, home to local craftspeople and winemakers. There’s a nice selection of independent shops here, plus cosy cafés and pubs that will serve you a good spread of Sussex food, all within a 5-minute walk. Back on site, end the day with a cosy evening beside the fire-pits. The site facilities are nicely straightforward otherwise and include warm showers and a separate dishwashing area and of course our newly installed Composting Toilets.

96%

(98)

Cattlestone Farm Adult Only

36 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents60 acres · West Sussex, South East England

Friendly camping and glamping on a Sussex farm, with animals to meet, a pond to swim in, and the South Downs nearby.

85%

(123)

The Old Airfield

114 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents30 acres · Hampshire, South East England

A New Forest airfield that's been overtaken by nature, less than 10 minutes' drive from the coast

77%

(82)

Lagnersh camping

75 units · Motorhomes, Tents6 acres · Bognor Regis, England

Dog-friendly camping near Chichester and the West Sussex coast

100%

(29)

Hardyes Countryside Camping

35 units · Motorhomes, Tents4 acres · Weymouth, Dorset, South West England

Camping in a Dorset field between Dorchester and the Jurassic coast.

96%

(25)

Bridgewood Camping - Woodland camps

5 units · Glamping, Tents6 acres · Sherborne, England

Nearly wild woodland camping in Dorset

99%

(76)

Wytch Wood Camping

21 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents3 acres · Somerset, South West England

A small, quiet, eco-friendly campsite on a working sheep farm

Under £50

92%

(59)

Harry's Field New Forest

63 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents5 acres · Fordingbridge, Hampshire, South East England

Family-friendly, traditional New Forest camping with a pub next door and footpaths leading directly from the gateway

96%

(126)

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

98%

(21)

Red Sky at Night Campsite

11 units · Motorhomes, Tents10 acres · Monmouth, Wales

If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see at least one of the amazing sunsets at Red Sky at Night Campsite near Monmouth – but if you don’t, there’s mighty compensation in the shape of the spectacular views from just about everywhere on the site. And of course, on clear nights, the night skies are diamond-bright with stars - we are under one of Wales' Dark Sky Reserves! This family-run camping field on a livestock farm is managed on very laidback lines. Pitch up wherever you like and feel free to park by your tent (weather permitting). Raised campfires are allowed and you can hire firepits and grills (the owners sell local eggs & sausages) and buy bags of wood & kindling. You can bring your dogs too (take them for walks in the adjoining woods) but just be sure to keep them on a lead. Kids are certainly carefully looked after here. Get a fact sheet on arrival and join mini-campers in wildlife hunts through the trees, looking out all the while for buzzards and red kites. Round and about the site, your offspring can entertain themselves on rope swings, making dens and following a mini-tractor course across the camping field. There’s also a football pitch. Wild camping this may be (there’s no electricity on site, please note) but there are two nicely designed compost loos and a covered sink areas with fresh water tap. So bring your guitar, light that fire, break out the barbecue and enjoy the chilled vibe.

100%

(39)

Tom's Field (New Forest)

40 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents2 acres · Fordingbridge, Hampshire, South East England

Small, family-run camping in the New Forest National Park, brought about by popular demand

93%

(155)

Frome Meadow Campsite

114 units · Tents5 acres · Dorset, South West England

A magical riverside retreat near Dorset’s Jurassic Coast

Dog-friendly getaways

100%

(13)

Gurt Yurts

9 units · Glamping, Tents4 acres · Churchill, England

Off the beaten track on top of the Mendips in an area of outstanding natural beauty. A mixture of four acres of wild woodland, orchard and field set on a hillside. Our Yurt is set up in the trees giving you peaceful seclusion and a clear view across the sea to Wales and the mountains of the Brecon Beacons. A huge range of activities are possible or you can lie in the hammock with a good book. We have very friendly dogs and rescue chickens who may come and visit. Wild deer wander past in the early morning mist and the odd buzzard picks an argument with a bunch of crows but nothing much else should disturb you. We moved here after an 18 month search 8 years ago. It was close to everything we wanted and we've spent some time getting a bit closer.

97%

(16)

Bowhayes Farm - Glamping & Camping

12 units · Glamping, Tents30 acres · Sidmouth, Devon, South West England

Nearly-wild camping in a Devon cider orchard, 5 miles from the Jurassic Coast

97%

(16)

The High Nature Centre

14 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents5 acres · Salcombe, Devon, South West England

A stay at The High Nature Centre is sure to reinvigorate the soul as only a sojourn by the sea can

90%

(5)

Southwood Park Estate

12 units · Glamping4 acres · Chichester , England

Southwood park estate is a beautifully manicured and peaceful destination for those who want to get back to nature and still have all of the home comforts that they are used to. We are at the foot of the South Downs, and only 8 minutes drive from Chichester and the Good Wood Estate We are family and pet friendly site. All bookings come with cooked breakfasts for each guest per day as well as a large log / lighters pack for each day!

100%

(10)

Cuddfan - The Hiding Place

2 units · Glamping2 acres · Crickhowell, Wales

A secluded, riverside bell tent in the heart of The Black Mountains

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Wildlife-watching campsites 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.