Howard's Wood

View prices & book 9.7 43 reviews
Aerial view of Dorset countryside
Aerial view of dorset countryside
Campsite
Campsite and shower
Woodland clearing
Site entrance
Trail through the woodland
Aerial view of the woods
Campsite
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Campsite
Campsite and shower
Woodland clearing

  • Almost wild camping in a 25-acre woodland at Netherbury in Dorset
  • Charmouth 25 minutes’ drive and Abbotsbury Swannery 35 minutes
  • Dog-friendly pop-up site 15 minutes’ walk from the local pub
There’s getting away from it all – and then there’s really getting away from it all. If you feel the need to do the latter, then do it somewhere like Howard’s Wood, an almost wild pop-up site on the outskirts of Netherbury in Dorset. Here you can escape into a 25-acre woodland – planted in 2003 by the landowners – and truly relax in the middle of a wildlife haven. Bring your dogs and exercise them while exploring the woods, and let the kids run around within earshot on the playing fields next to the pitches. The pretty basic setup here consists of composting toilets and hot showers, and is suitable for anyone and everyone looking for a simple camping experience out in nature yet near to some big-name Dorset attractions. For at Howard’s Wood, you can wake up to mornings filled with birdsong, with the chance of spotting deer and squirrels roaming around near your tent. After a day out at the mysterious National Trust - Cerne Giant (35 minutes’ drive) or scouring for fossils along the Jurassic Coast (half an hour), return to base for relaxing times cosying up around a firepit or cooking up a barbecue – pick up food in Beaminster or Bridport (both about 10 minutes’ drive). Alternatively you can wander down to the local pub (15 minutes’ walk), which has luscious country views, a beer garden for warmer evenings and good home-cooked food.

Site type

Tent pitches 15
Motorhome pitches 8
Rent a tent 1
Open now
Opens 18 July
Please note
  • Discount cards and gift vouchers cannot be applied to bookings made via Pitchup.com.
  • Guests are advised to bring a good quality torch with them as parts of the site are unlit.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Fri, 18 Jul to

Pitch types & availability

Accommodation

Tent pitchesTouring caravan pitchesMotorhome pitchesLodges, cabins, pods or hutsCaravans for hireRent a tent
Choose your dates
2 adults
0 children
Other options

Reviews

9.7

Overall rating from 43 Pitchup.com customers

  • 88%
    10
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    9
  • 6%
    8
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    7
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    1
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 6
ForestPeacefulWild camping

98% would recommend this site to a friend

98% would stay here again

What customers say

This woodland campsite offers a peaceful, "wild camping" feel with well-maintained, rustic facilities including hot showers and communal wash-up areas. Pitches are spacious and secluded, with fire pits and logs available. Hosts are frequently praised for friendliness and helpfulness. It's considered excellent value and a great base for exploring the local area, ideal for those seeking a back-to-basics escape immersed in nature.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 5
Arrival date (latest first)

Great wild campsite with a very back to nature feel

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 9
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 8
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Anonymous

Non-electric forest floor tent pitch

Liked Very quiet and natural setting, surrounded by trees and lots of wildlife
Stephanie was a fab host and was very good getting us some eggs which we were really looking forward to (and enjoyed!)

Recommend to friends Visit again

All good, I like the privacy on the woodland. Quite and relaxed place. …

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 10
Igor N.

Bell tent

Liked All good, I like the privacy on the woodland.
Quite and relaxed place.
Thank you

Recommend to friends Visit again

Steph was lovely and helpful. Facilities lovely and clean.,

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 No rating
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Linz R.

Non-electric forest floor campervan pitch

Liked Such a wonderful woodland. Simple and beautiful. Plots tucked away in the woods. A place to be at peace and just take in nature. Steph and her partner are truly at one with the woodland.
We have booked our next weekend of peace already xx

Disliked Nothing at all

Recommend to friends Visit again

First time I ve pitched anywhere like this and really enjoyed it

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
 9
Value for money
 8
Accommodation
 6
Facilities / Activities
 7
Customer service
 9
Child friendliness
 7
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 1
Jane F.

Non-electric forest floor campervan pitch

Liked Loved the whole concept
Great for get togethers with friends and all very private

Recommend to friends Visit again

Loved the simple toilet..

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
 8
Value for money
 8
Accommodation
 7
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Anonymous

Non-electric forest floor campervan pitch

Liked Very peaceful gentle site.

Disliked Pitch was a bit rough and uneven got camper van stuck on tree root system. Site 6.. luckily no damage and neighbour helped with navigation..
Tap could do with a stand for the water container..

Recommend to friends Visit again

Loved it

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 9
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
HAYLEY B.

Non-electric forest floor tent pitch

Liked Loved it! Had my own pitch in a wood, it was so quiet and peaceful. I felt safe
Firepits and cheap wood available on site.
The little kitchen area had hot water, washing up liquid etc

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely location, the pitches are big and private. Great and accommodating host.…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 No rating
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 No rating
Wifi
 No rating
Denise A.

Non-electric forest floor tent pitch

Liked Lovely location, the pitches are big and private. Great and accommodating host. Everyone was respectful of quiet hours, just a wonderful place to rest and recharge.

Recommend to friends Visit again

We will be returning

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 10
Lorraine H.

Non-electric forest floor tent pitch

Liked Stayed as a lone female with a dog. Lovely 'nearly wild' site. Set in a forest. Pitches are made by clearing areas in the forest. I loved it. Basic facilities compost toilets, heated shower, washing area with washing liquid, soap, shower gel tea towels. Food preparation area. Firepit and wood available for £10 ( bring cash). Fabulously pitch black at night. We enjoyed walking around the forest and my dog loved the lake and running round the adjacent playing field (play park at the other end and football nets). Pub 10 minutes down the road, a few short walks close by. We jumped in the car to Seatown and for a stunning walk around Eggardon Hill (highly recommend this walk). First night there was a group of very loud campers playing and music and shouting. I messaged the owner in the morning and no issues thr following night or any other night. I'm planning on returning ASAP.

Disliked Not a dislike for me but it was a bit of a walk to the 2 toilets. The ground is very rough with brambles and tree stumps so bring a thick ground sheet to protect your tent

Recommend to friends Visit again

Secluded quiet Toilets are clean just an overall beautiful place well definitely…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 10
Anonymous

Non-electric forest floor tent pitch

Liked Secluded quiet
Toilets are clean just an overall beautiful place well definitely going again

Recommend to friends Visit again

Peaceful forest location. Perfect balance of wild camoinv but with the luxury…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Anonymous

Non-electric forest floor campervan pitch

Liked Peaceful forest location. Perfect balance of wild camoinv but with the luxury of a hot shower and toilets.
Definitely recommend and will stay again

Disliked Absolutely nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Features

Pop-up campsite

Dogs allowed

Campfires allowed

Leisure on site

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Games room Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Play area TV room Take away Tennis Watersports

Amenities on site

Bath available Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Launderette Local produce Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

D. of E. welcome Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Themes

Budget/backpacker Forest Peaceful Remote location Walkers' paradise Wild camping Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Chemical disposal Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Public transport nearby Shop nearby

Type

Pop-up campsite Small (11-25 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Cycling nearby Restaurant nearby Watersports nearby

Location

Howard's Wood

Netherbury

Bridport

Dorset

England

DT6 5RT

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

50.78721°N
2.75317°W

Nearest transport

Coach
3.7 mi Coach Station
12 mi Yeovil Bus Station
14.8 mi South Station
Rail
6.1 mi Crewkerne Rail Station
8.1 mi Maiden Newton Rail Station
9.6 mi Chetnole Rail Station
Ferry
18.2 mi Weymouth Ferry Terminal
26.7 mi Bridgwater Ferry Terminal
Airport
29.3 mi Exeter International Airport

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

Dorset packs a mighty historical punch, and there are several Iron Age sites to see locally. Hike up to the fort at Rawlsbury Camp (50 minutes) for spectacular views over Bulbarrow Hill and Blackmore Vale, or glimpse the sea from the top of the burial mounds at Eggardon Hill Fort (25 minutes). Time-travel forward to Saxon times to see the National Trust-owned Cerne Giant (35 minutes’ drive) etched into the chalk hillside above thatched Cerne Abbas village (half an hour). A day on a Jurassic Coast beach may be in the sightseeing schedule too; choices include the fossil hub of Dorset at Charmouth (25 minutes) or the soft sandy town beach at popular Lyme Regis (half an hour). Heading east, Seatown Beach (20 minutes) is a quiet shingle spot for solitary walks, while trips to the West Dorset Heritage Coast repay with scenic hikes along Chesil Beach (40 minutes) and the chance to feed the swans at Abbotsbury Swannery (35 minutes). If you’d rather stay closer to home base, tour the orchards and taste a drop or two of local scrumpy at Dorset Nectar Cider (five minutes), and if the kids have been well behaved, reward them with cuddly donkey encounters at Donkey Walking Adventures (10 minutes).

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Eypemouth 5.1 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
West Bay (West) 5.3 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Seatown 5.5 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Hive 6.4 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Charmouth West 7.6 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentGood

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Mapperton House & Gardens 2.1 mi

Abbotsbury Swannery 11.1 mi

Montacute House 11.5 mi

Hardy's Birthplace 16.4 mi

Fleet Air Arm Museum 16.5 mi

National Trust

Montacute House 11.4 mi

Barrington Court 12.9 mi

Tintinhull Garden 13.1 mi

Loughwood Meeting House 13.4 mi

Shute Barton 13.5 mi

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

PARNHAM 1 mi

BEAMINSTER MANOR 2 mi

MAPPERTON HOUSE 2.1 mi

DOWNE HALL 3.5 mi

North Chideock - Symondsbury and More. 4.6 mi

Local events

  • Dorset County Show (Saturday 6 September 2025 – Saturday 6 September 2025)

    Dorchester, Dorset 15 mi

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Nearest sites

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Want to know more about camping in Dorset?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Howard's Wood have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Howard's Wood dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Howard's Wood? Dorset packs a mighty historical punch, and there are several Iron Age sites to see locally. Hike up to the fort at Rawlsbury Camp (50 minutes) for spectacular views over Bulbarrow Hill … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Howard's Wood?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  1 p.m. –  Anytime
    Depart by:  12 p.m.
    On-site accommodation
    Arrive:  1 p.m. –  Anytime
    Depart by:  12 p.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Howard's Wood? From £10 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.