Why visit Dorset?
The Jurassic Coast
All of Dorset is dreamy, but the county’s heritage-listed Jurassic Coast is the main attraction that draws visitors old and new. The stunning scenery starts in Devon and stretches on for 95 miles towards Dorset’s Studland Bay – where you’ll find the iconic chalk-white cliffs of Old Harry Rocks. Other top sights enroute include the eye-catching curve of Lulworth Cove and the natural stone arch at Durdle Door.
Brilliant beaches
As you’ve likely already gathered, the 200-million-year-old coastline is a major reason to go camping in Dorset. Scout out the remains of ammonites on Charmouth beach or go on a guided fossil walk by the shores of lovely Lyme Regis. If sunbathing is more your thing, sprawl out on the soft sands edging the town of Bournemouth.
Island life
Boat over to Brownsea Island in the middle of Poole Harbour to wander through woodland in search of red squirrels, sika deer and peacocks. Or walk along the thin strip of mainland connecting Chesil Beach with Portland Island’s high cliffs, rare plants and secret coves.
Art and architecture
Poole’s Sandbanks area is home to some of the UK’s priciest mansions – head here to see how the other half live before checking out the quirky Victorian artefacts in the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum. Just outside Dorchester, admire the outdoor artworks at the 26-acre Sculpture by the Lakes space.
Essential things to do in Dorset
Not sure where to begin? Add these Dorset attractions to your travel itinerary.
- Wander beside Weymouth’s genteel Georgian townhouses
- Check out Corfe Castle’s atmospheric ruins, then take a steam train to Swanage
- Climb up to Dorset’s highest point, Golden Cap, for awe-inspiring coastal views
- Bound around Bournemouth’s art galleries, amusement arcades and play parks
- Peer at the pastel-coloured beach huts lining Hengistbury Head
- Pop to see the rescued and rehabilitated primates at Monkey World
- Watch the spectacular, annual, 4 day Air Show that takes place over the beautiful beaches of Bournemouth.
- For more great ideas of things to do, visit Exploring Dorset a local information site.
Unexplored Dorset
Rural roams
More than half of Dorset is marked as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so you’ll see spectacular scenery in every direction you travel. The region is home to 300 miles’ worth of marked trails, including a section of the superb South West Coast Path. The 15.5-mile Purbeck Way is a key contender for the county’s most picture-worthy trail, beginning at Wareham Quay and passing Corfe Castle.
Pedal power
National Cycle Network Route 2 crisscrosses Dorset. Brave the entire 365-mile stretch or pick a part of it (we recommend the 88-mile Christchurch to Lyme Regis leg for stunning sea views). For more inspiration on places to pedal round, browse campsites in Dorset near cycling trails.
Heaps of history
Dorset has the largest number of conservation spaces in England. Visit Thomas Hardy’s birthplace of Dorchester on the River Frome or marvel at the minster in Wimborne on the edge of the 360-square-mile Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. An older – and slightly stranger – attraction is the mysteriously nude chalk figure of the Cerne Abbas Giant, standing tall on the side of a hill.
Here's how
Our selection of holiday parks and campsites in Dorset has something for caravanners, tourers, glampers and wild campers – in short, just about anyone hoping for a holiday in the south of England.
Stay warm while stargazing at parks that allow campfires or let the kids splash about at a place with an indoor pool. We’ve also got dog-friendly Dorset campsites for four-legged friends and couples’ options with hot tubs.
Play around with the filters on this page or peruse these links:
* Dorset campsites with electric pitches
* Campsites in Dorset with bars or clubhouses
* Adults-only camping in Dorset
* Best campsites in Dorset as voted by the Pitchup team
Looking for beaches elsewhere in the UK? Head down to Devon or go west to Pembrokeshire in Wales.
But before you set off, read up on our top travel tips in this camping guide. From helping you choose the best holiday park to giving advice on the camping gear you actually need, we cover all the key info on taking a trip in the great outdoors.
