Dorset is one of the UK’s most popular tourist destinations, and it’s no surprise because it’s truly home to some wonders. For one, the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Jurassic Coast is a spectacular, rugged coastline littered with fossils from the Jurassic Age, and the only stretch of coast offering a complete record of 185 million years of Earth's history. There’s a great bus service that goes up and down the Jurassic Coast, making hopping on and off for hiking the best spots super easy, just remember to keep your eyes peeled for fossils!
Dorset is also home to the world’s largest natural harbour, stunning rock formations like Durdle Door, Gad Cliffs and Old Harry Rocks, and precious, protected wildlife reserves of high environmental importance.
This landscape lends itself to adventure, which is why it’s such a hit with families. Kids and adults can have a go at anything from Orienteering, coasteering, climbing, walking and hiking, mountain biking, surfing, and bushcraft with Lulworth Outdoors. Campsites near Weymouth offer access to water-based activities that have been a tradition long before the sailing Olympic events were hosted there in 2012, with lots of coves and beaches suitable for SUPing, kayaking, surfing, boating and swimming. For those with land legs, don’t worry, there are boundless stretches of coastal paths to walk, and many land-based attractions to be discovered, too.
For a more laid-back Dorset experience, dive into the unique character of this area, and get a taste of its culture at the local produce markets (found every day of the week!), on tours of its vineyards and breweries, at its many good eateries and bars, and the various events hosted all throughout the summer.
Holiday Parks and Larger Campsites
1. Eype House Caravan Park
Eype House Caravan Park is next on our list of top Dorset motorhome sites on account of its incredible clifftop aspect and extensive sea and countryside views, as well as proximity to the idyllic town of Eype with numerous walks in the surrounding area. There is lots happening around Eype and Bridport this summer, with food and music festivals, carnivals and boat races, which can be enjoyed by all and listings are found here.
The camping field is sloping, but carefully terraced pitches ensure that all are level. The facilities include toilets, showers and washing up sinks with hot water, hair dryers, and a coin-operated laundrette with ironing board and iron. Raised barbecues are allowed on the site.
Mount Lane, Eype, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 6AL
2. Rosewall Camping
Rosewall Camping is a family-run camping park, set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the World Heritage Coast. It’s located in the hamlet of Osmington Mills, just 5 miles east of Weymouth, and the south-facing camping field offers one of the best views of Weymouth Bay amongst campsites in this area. Activities onsite include horse-riding lessons or 1-hour hacks for experienced riders, and there is fishing on their coarse lakes. Nearby are Weymouth and Chesil beaches, Nothe fort and gardens, and for nature lovers, RSPB sites at Radispole and Lodmoor.
The two modern toilet blocks both have showers, hairdryer points, shaver points and a washing-up area. The lower block has disabled facilities and a laundry room, and there’s a separate laundry room next to the upper toilet block. A camp shop operates seasonally, stocking basic provisions, as well as essentials like gas and freezer pack hire. It’s one of the largest campsites in Dorset, with 225 pitches, but welcomes families and couples as well as single-path walkers. So, although it gets busy, there aren’t unruly groups around.
East Farm Dairy, Osmington Mills, Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 6HA.
3. Wood Farm Caravan Park
Dorset’s pristine, rolling countryside is calling and Wood Farm Caravan Park is the perfect place to pitch up and soak in the lovely scenery. Set in a stand of mature, native trees, it’s less than a mile away from Charmouth’s beach and there are plenty of ancient hill forts, tranquil villages and historic stately houses to be explored. You’re also within easy reach of the Jurassic coasts’ stunning paths, the lovely seaside town of Lyme Regis and its ancient harbour, and the upmarket fish restaurant and food stalls of West Bay are just a bit further along the coast.
The dedicated team ensures that the grounds are well-kept, facilities clean and well-maintained, and there’s a friendly welcome for all. This is one of the best Dorset motorhome sites for a family holiday, with lots of onsite recreation available; an indoor swimming pool, family fishing ponds, tennis court and adventure playground. There’s a family bar, and a small cafe serving all-day breakfasts, lunches and afternoon tea. On several evenings a week, local takeaway food vans visit the park.
There’s also a family fishing lake, laundrette, mini shop, and WiFi. They have all bases covered, even down to the pitches which are all-weather for touring caravans and motorhomes, come with electric hook up, and some with their own water and drainage.
Axminster Road, Charminster, Dorset, DT6 6BT
4. Manor Farm Holiday Centre
Manor Farm makes it onto the list of our favourite Dorset campsites because it’s a gloriously simple 10-minute, level walk to the beach, which is part of the Jurassic coast and sheltered by the cliffy outcrops, so it’s great for boating and swimming. This site is also a great option for families, as they have well-maintained toilets, showers, a laundrette, a swimming pool, a licensed bar, and a children’s play area, as well as activities and entertainment during the high season. They have a range of electric, hard standing and all-weather pitches available for motorhomes and campers.
The Street, Charmouth, Bridport, Dorset DT6 6QL
5. Higher Moor Farm
Higher Moor Farm is one of the highest award-winning campsites near Weymouth, with 5 stars and a Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence 5 years in a row. It’s a family-run site on a farm that has been running for 40 years. It’s in Nottington Village, which is a short drive away from Weymouth Bay and the Isle of Portland (where the 2012 Olympic sailing events were hosted). Whether you’re an experienced sailor or want to try it out, the National Sailing Academy offers lessons for all. The Jurassic Coast and the historic town of Dorchester are also near Nottington. They welcome all sizes of caravans and campers, their roadways are all dry gravel and there is plenty of room for awnings. Hard-standing pitches with electrical and water hookups are available, and there’s an on-site farm shop stocking drinks, snacks, essentials and local produce. The loos are award-winning, and the showers are always clean and hot. If you’re on a family trip, there's plenty for kids to do and even an indoor games barn if the weather prevents a beach day.
Open fires aren’t permitted, but barbecues are allowed if they are off the ground and bricks are available at fire points. Every weekend and bank holiday Monday throughout the summer holidays, there is a vintage Marquee bar on the site. Even better, this site stands out amongst Weymouth’s campsites because, once a week during high season, Dorset Wood Fired Pizza comes to visit.
Higher Moor Farm Campsite, Nottington, Weymouth, Dorset DT3 3BW
Quieter & Smaller Sites
6. Brewery Farm
The Brewery Farm is one of our favourites for campers who want to beat the crowds. It has 10 hardstanding campervan pitches and is perfect for a quieter getaway. The surrounding area is known for its beautiful walks and the owners happily lend out guidebooks. Popular walks include the ramble up to the Dorset Gap, a hike along the Jurassic Coast, or just a stroll around the footpaths in and around the village. There’s a well-stocked farm shop a couple of minutes' walk which has plenty of delicious local brews if you need to stock up for sundowners on a nearby beach. Across the road is the 250-year-old Fox Inn pub, with its famous Sunday Carvery, bar and restaurant.
Pitch prices include the use of WiFi and the pitches themselves are spacious. There’s a chemical disposal point, a very modern shower and toilet block with an indoor washing-up area, multiple sinks and plenty of hot water. There are fire pits to hire and logs for purchase to enjoy under the dark, starry rural sky, and excellent views in the daytime.
Antsy, Dorset, DT2 7PN
7. Tom’s Field
If you’re after a low-key, chilled-out rural vibe when camping on the Dorset Coast, and don’t want to compromise on location, look no further than Tom’s Field. Set up by Tom himself 60 years ago, and still going by his name in his memory, this ‘field’ is perfectly placed for exploring the Isle of Purbeck. This peninsula is home to some of the country’s most iconic coastal towns and landmarks, like Lulworth Cove, Swanage, Corfe Castle and Durdle Door. All are worth visiting, and you can hop on a boat tour along the Jurassic coast from Swanage with Marsh’s Boats.
From Tom’s, a 20-minute walk through fields will take you to the Square and Compass pub, Dancing Ledge (which is a popular wild swimming spot), and the ridgeway. The Scott Arms in Kingston is recommended by regulars for its garden and views of Corfe Castle.
It has a clean toilet and wash block, electric hookups, recycling facilities and a small shop where you can buy local, organic and fair-trade produce, including bread and eggs. Although it can get busy in the height of summer, it doesn’t accept large group bookings, so the ambience stays mellow throughout. The pitches are well spaced out too, so you’ll never be tripping over other campers.
Tom’s Field Road, Langton Matravers, Swanage, Dorset BG19 3HN 
8. Hobby Farm
If you’re taking a smaller vehicle camping on the Dorset coast, check out Hobby Farm. It’s a very calm, adults-only site and the surroundings definitely play a big part in the relaxing ambience. The tree and hedge-lined camping meadow centres around a large pond, beside which alders and willows grow. With just nine pitches in total, ensuring there’s never a crowd (note: no electrical hook-ups).
The friendly hosts, Tom and Gaby, will happily recommend local pubs or walking routes to you. If you’ve got the time, try walking all the way to the beach – the nearest being at Seatown, stopping at the Anchor Inn for refreshment. It’s a 15-minute drive to Bridport, which has a regular market on Wednesdays and Saturdays, a leisure centre, a cinema and its own brewery, Palmers (which does tours). It’s also a 15-minute drive to Charmouth, home to The Cobb, a 13th-century harbour arm and Dorset must-see. You’re also near West Bay, which has a highly recommendable cafe/bar called the Rise with harbourside views, and the bustling, historic Lyme Regis.
As this is one of the more peaceful Dorset motorhome sites, your time would be equally well-spent just chilling around the campfire, fishing in the pond, or paddling around in the small white rowboat that waits on the water for anyone who wants to use it.
The toilet and showering facilities are shared, and there is a covered washing-up area, a fridge and freezer for communal use, and several phone charging points. Raised barbecues and campfires are allowed, as is fishing in the pond, and boating.
Whitchurch Canonicorum, Bridport DT6 6RJ
Know before you go
One of the best things about driving your motorhome to these campsites in Dorset is how accessible they are; Dorset is just a 2-hour drive from Bristol, just 2.5 hours from central London and a little over 3 hours from Birmingham. But there are a few things to bear in mind before you motor off.
As mentioned earlier, Dorset is home to some precious natural habitats, from Limestone plateaus to fragile sand dune ecosystems. Given the popularity of Dorset’s campsites as holiday destinations, some of these habitats are under extra stress from human visitors. For example, the stretch of coastal path from the Lulworth Cove car park to Durdle Door is the busiest in the whole of the UK! So, it’s very important to be respectful when you’re exploring them. Read the signs, stay on the footpaths, watch where you’re walking and take all your waste with you.
Whilst a swathe of staycations are sure to have their sights set on Dorset this summer, don’t let that deter you - in the list below of our favourite Dorset campsites, you’ll find something for everyone, including smaller, quieter rural sites that are sure to facilitate your well-deserved escape to the countryside. Just make sure you get your bookings in quick!
