Clayford Field Campsite - Hipcamp in Dorset, England

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Clayford Field Campsite

92%

11 reviews

· Wimborne, England

6 acres

30 units

30 Motorhome/tent

A low-key pop-up campsite next to the woods and National Trust-owned Holt Heath

A few hundred metres from a National Trust nature reserve and on the edge of a vast woodland, Clayford Field is both a hidden gem and a rambler’s dream. Footpaths lead north on to Holt Heath, home to rare plant species and reptiles, or south in to Uddens Plantation and through the trees to the Forest Inn pub. Friendly, laid back and with few frills, it's the ideal campsite for exploring Dorset away from the more crowded coastal campsites. Despite its low-key location, Clayford Field is secured behind electric gates and campers are given an access code for contactless entry, so you can simply arrive, thumb your way in and find a spot in the six-acre field that's right for you. Choose between sunny pitches on the right-hand side of the meadow or shady spots under the oak trees to set up your tents or park your campervan. Though the site isn’t huge, even when it’s fully booked on the hottest bank holiday of the summer, there's still plenty of room between pitches and there’s always space for games. As the dark skies set in, you’ll see the benefits of being surrounded by so many trees, with minimal light pollution, there's superb stargazing (and bat watching) to be had before bed. Clayford is a pop-up, summer-only campsite so the facilities are all temporary. Washblocks are in cabins on the edge of the meadow (one for the ladies, one for the gents) and there's an additional drinking water tap in the field but, for the most part, it's a simple campsite that's about space and freedom. Campfires are allowed. Bring your bikes, meanwhile, and it's less than half a mile down the track until you reach the Castleman Trailway cycle route (number 256 on the Sustrans National Cycle Network), that takes you west through the Stour Valley to Wimborne Minster or east towards the New Forest National Park. The initial part is a 17-mile stretch of disused railway line that makes for flat, easy riding that's great for families. By car, meanwhile, it's a half-hour drive to Bournemouth beach and 45 minutes to the Isle of Purbeck and the best of the Jurassic Coast.

Activities

Biking

Boating

Fishing

Hiking

Natural features

Forest

Field

Farm

Available pitches

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Location

Wimborne, England, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Hosted by Sam T.Joined in March 2021

92%

12 Ratings · 11 reviews

Fergus B.recommends

August 16, 2022

Clayford field grass pitch

Secure camping field

Lovely flat field, and only 10 mins walk to The Forest Inn, pub and Chef Da China restaurant, which both did excellent food. Good showers and toilets as well. Code to get into the gate, so very secure site

Neil M.recommends

August 15, 2022

Clayford field grass pitch

A really amazing place to stay. We camped for only a day but I have not come across a site that has so much space and peace....but still with great facilities. Really great hosts (sam) who made sure we felt welcome. Fantastic toilets and showers. Really great place to stay. One of the best places i have stayed on hipcamp.

Kathryn H.recommends

September 1, 2021

Clayford field grass pitch

A lovely and peaceful campsite. The toilets and showers were very clean and the campsite felt very safe. We had a great time :)

Anna S.recommends

August 25, 2021

Clayford field grass pitch

Great campsite if you’re after a quiet get away. Lovely location close to the forest trails. Easy walk to local pub at the golf course which is a good spot for food and drink. Facilities kept clean. No fuss checking in and out, we would definitely stay again.

Nicola C.recommends

August 21, 2021

Clayford field grass pitch

This large field was very flat, surrounded by trees and the grass had been left longer in the middle, which meant that people were happy to pitch near it, resulting in a lovely spacious feel and everyone was spaced out well. The site was quiet at night apart from the owls and foxes, which was really cool, and fairly quiet during the day, with some farm noise from the fields near the site. The shower was nice and hot and clean. Check in was remote, with the gate code texted to you on the day you are due to arrive, although we didn't receive ours until 11:15 that morning! I am looking forward to the next time we can go back.

Ashton M.recommends

August 21, 2021

Clayford field grass pitch

What a great find. A very peaceful site. Great facilities and location. Loads of cycling and walking from the site without having to go on roads. Easy access to the beach and loads to do around the area. The site is very level, and easy ground. The pegs all went in beautifully. Very secure site and great owners. We will definitely be going back.

From the host

A rural back to nature campsite, only 10 miles from Bournemouth, Sandbanks or Christchurch beaches and surrounded by forest and heathland. A ten minute stroll will take you the 800 metres to the pub, serving great food and which has live bands on many weekends. There is also a great Chinese restaurant next door for take away or eat in dining. Bring your dogs and your bicycles to enjoy direct access straight into the forest and onto the Castleman Trailway cycle route, a 17-mile stretch of disused railway line that leads all the way to Poole or the New Forest depending on which way you angle your sights. Clayford Field Campsite is a cracking spot for those who like a bit of rural roaming on foot, as the site is surrounded by places to get out and stretch your legs. It is reached via two miles of gravel bridleway and encircled by the woods and fields of the Holt Heath National Nature Reserve, Uddens Park and Ferndown Forest. Ferndown and Wimborne Minster are both about 10 minutes’ drive away for urban bits like supermarkets, restaurants and banks. For nature enthusiasts, there is Holt Heath, which is one of the largest National Trust areas of its type in Dorset. Acquired by Sir John Bankes in the 1630s as part of Kingston Lacy's estate. Local plants include common heather, bell heather, cross-leaved heath, bog asphodel, sundews and marsh gentian. Birds include large populations of Dartford warbler, stonechat, curlew and nightjar. All six of Britain's reptile species are found here.

Nearby attractions

The campsite is just on the edge of Holt Heath, one of the largest National Trust heathlands in Dorset and easily accessed on foot from the campsite. The heath is one of the few places where all six native British reptile species are found and it's a boon for plant and wildlife. Go for a gentle walk spotting plants that range from bell heather to sundews, while listening out for birds like the Dartford warbler, stonechat or nightjar. Around 15 minutes away is Wimborne, home to a grand Minster and pleasant market square but also a good place to enjoy the River Stour (try swimming or paddleboarding from Eye Bridge). Just beyond the town (15–20 minutes by car) is the National Trust's Kingston Lacy Estate (01202 840630). Most people who come here will spend at least one day at the beach. It's a half-hour drive to Bournemouth (home to a lively pier and a beach voted 'best in the UK' in 2020) and a little more to Hengistbury Head. It's 40+ minutes to Corfe Castle, Lulworth Cove and the beaches around the Isle of Portland.

Food and drink

The Forest Inn (01202 894990) is a leisurely 10–15-minute stroll away, the cosy restaurant overlooks the 18th hole of their golf course and they have regular live music, tribute acts and quiz nights, always guaranteeing a fun night out. The Cross Keys Inn (01202 822555) is also a great option, less than 10 minutes away in the car, the 16th-century building is home to the friendly pub that serves lunch and evening meals alongside real ales and a real fire. A little further afield is The English Oak Vineyard (01258858205), located 20 minutes from Clayford Field, the vineyard is open for tasting tours for you to enjoy Dorset’s finest sparkling wines. You can soak up the surroundings, from the vineyard itself (some 23,000 vines) to the 18th-century farmhouse, finishing with a vineyard picnic.

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