Donkey Down Camping at Culliford Tree

View prices & book 9.2 55 reviews
Music and bar at Donkey Down camping
Music and bar at donkey down camping
The eastern field
Flat and spacious eastern field
Flat pitches
Bushy trees
View from the eastern field
Views for miles
Trees in the western field
1/70
The eastern field
Flat and spacious eastern field
Flat pitches

  • Spacious site over four acres of a working farm with great views
  • A 10-minute drive from Dorchester and 15 minutes from Weymouth
  • Barbecues and firepits welcome; neolithic tumuli in the main field
With ancient burial sites and some top-notch views to its name, Donkey Down Camping at Culliford Tree is the sort of place where you’ll certainly be keen to roll out of bed and go for a wander. The spacious site is spread over four acres of relatively flat grassland, next to Came Woods, with excellent views over the north Dorset countryside on one side and glimpses over Weymouth Bay and Portland on the other. There’s a fair bit of history at this working farm, in the form of several Neolithic tumuli in the main pitching field. And there’s more in the surrounding area too, which you can spot as you take walks along local footpaths to Hardy’s Monument and Osmington White Horse or along the Dorset Ridgeway. Getting in and out should be fairly straightforward here: the farm is a 10-minute drive from Dorchester and 15 from Weymouth, both easy journeys via B roads. Closer to home are the villages of Sutton Poyntz and Preston, which have convenience stores, fish and chip shops and a clutch of good pubs. With so much space to run about in, this site is a fine pick for family holidays and those travelling with dogs. Barbecues and campfires are allowed on site too, although some restrictions are in place to ensure the safety of guests and local wildlife alike.

Site type

Tent pitches 50
Open now
Opens 22 May
Please note
  • At least one of the party members must be aged 18 or over.
  • Your dog must be tattooed or microchipped.
  • The site does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act (i.e. XL Bully, Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro) and/or any of the following: Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Rottweiler, any Mastiff or Tosa.
  • Please note that the toilet/shower facilities are unisex.
  • Single-sex bookings of 4 or more people (couples and immediate family members excepted) are not permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • No hen/stag parties permitted via Pitchup.com.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Fri 22 May to

No availability here for your search criteria

Reviews

9.2

Overall rating from 55 Pitchup.com customers

  • 76%
    10
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    9
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    8
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Location
 10
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 5
Spectacular sceneryPeaceful

91% would recommend this site to a friend

89% would stay here again

What customers say

This is a spacious, well-run hilltop campsite offering great value and beautiful countryside views. Guests praise the clean, basic facilities, friendly and helpful staff, and the enjoyable live music and bar. The site is noted as a great base for exploring Weymouth and Dorchester. Some minor issues were reported regarding tent leaks and a booking mix-up, which the manager has addressed. Toilet smell and occasional noise from other campers were also mentioned.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews. Last updated 30/06/2026

Filter by topic

Reviews page 1 of 6
Arrival date (latest first)

Amazing basic campsite Gem. Beautiful views,…

Overall

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

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked Amazing basic campsite Gem. Beautiful views, simple clean toilets and showers, super fun washing up facilities that the kids loved to join in with. Music on the Saturday night was the cherry on the cake. So easy to get to Weymouth or Dorchester. Lovely easy walks to do with the kids. Tim was very kind. Bring a kite as it's on a hill (but flat pitching)

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great value downland hilltop campsite with lots of space.

Overall

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

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked Great value hilltop campsite with lots of space and splendid tumuli. Lovely views over the countryside, including Weymouth harbour and Portland. Kind, friendly owner with a lovely border collie named Tess. The jetwash-style dishwashing facility is a brilliant idea.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Everything…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 10
 yones N. 4 reviews

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked Everything

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

The warm welcome, simple beauty of…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 1
 Claire W. 1 review

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked The warm welcome, simple beauty of the site and clean facilities. A really relaxing place that’s a 10min drive to the sea and lots of amenities. Simple camping at its’ best.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Views, friendly host, beautiful and well…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 No rating
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Samantha B. 1 review

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked Views, friendly host, beautiful and well maintained land

Recommend to friends Visit again

We stayed here as a family…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 No rating
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 No rating
Wifi
 No rating
Stuart D. 1 review

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked We stayed here as a family of four and had a brilliant time. The site was very welcoming, with lots of space and a really relaxed feel. The location was perfect for us — far enough away from the busier, crowded areas to feel peaceful, but still really easy to get anywhere by car. We especially loved hiring the fire pit in the evenings, which made it feel even more special, and the addition of the bar was a definite bonus for the parents! A great spot for a relaxed family camping break.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Friendly,helpful.Will definitely be using again. Clean.peaceful.

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 9
Value for money
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 No rating
Customer service
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Child friendliness
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Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
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Elizabeth T. 1 review

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked Lovely site. Peaceful with beautiful views. Friendly and helpful on arrival.
Clean loos and showers.

Disliked Maybe 1 or 2 more showers

Recommend to friends Visit again

Will be back

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Julia C. 1 review

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked Great location and spacious campsite. incredibly friendly and helpful staff. Facilities basic but kept very clean and are all you need. Spacious site. Good bins.

Recommend to friends Visit again

We liked the warm welcome and…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 9
Value for money
 9
Facilities / Activities
 7
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 8
Wifi
 No rating
Lee O. 1 review

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked We liked the warm welcome and the quiet spot were the campsite is + its really close to Weymouth

Disliked Nothing, can’t fault it

Recommend to friends Visit again

We absolutely loved the site, perfect…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 8
Value for money
 8
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Hebe D. 1 review

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked We absolutely loved the site, perfect if you like back to basics camping but with showers!! We will be back!

Disliked 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 Car parking by pitch/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Launderette Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area Wifi

Groups 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

Peaceful Spectacular scenery 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 Shop nearby

Type

Farm Medium (26-50 pitches) Pop-up campsite

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Climbing nearby Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby Watersports nearby

Location

Donkey Down Camping at Culliford Tree

Chalky Road

Whitcombe

Dorchester

Dorset

England

DT2 8NL

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

50.66769°N
2.4268°W

Nearest transport

Coach
2.9 mi South Station
4.1 mi Marks and Spencer
14 mi Red Lion
Rail
2.2 mi Upwey Rail Station
2.9 mi Dorchester South Rail Station
3.1 mi Dorchester West Rail Station
Ferry
4.2 mi Weymouth Ferry Terminal
19.2 mi Poole Ferry Terminal
19.6 mi Poole Quay Ferry Landing
Airport
27.2 mi Bournemouth 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

What exactly is the Osmington White Horse (25 minutes' walk)? In the shape of King George II riding his steed, this limestone figure is carved into a smugglers’ landscape. Hardy's Monument (two hours' walk/20 minutes' drive) is a stone monument and a fine reward for a slightly more challenging hike. If you’re keen to see more historical bits, The Tank Museum (20 minutes) houses an impressive collection of war tanks and the Swanage Railway (40 minutes) keeps alive a steam railway from the 19th century. Dorchester (10 minutes) is another good bet, with a dinosaur museum, teddy bear museum and the Tutankhamun Exhibition’s mummy artefacts. Of course, you’re not far from the Jurassic Coast either – big sights there include Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door (20 minutes), Chesil Beach (20 minutes), Portland Bill Lighthouse (half an hour) and Abbotsbury Swannery and Subtropical Gardens (25 minutes). As for classic seaside amusements and other family-friendly days out, count on Fantasy Island amusement park (10 minutes), Bournemouth (45 minutes), Monkey World (20 minutes) and Weymouth (15 minutes). Weymouth has a gorgeous sandy beach, the Sealife Centre and boat trips to fish for mackerel or visit Portland.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Bowleaze Cove 2.2 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Weymouth Lodmoor 3 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Weymouth Central 3.8 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Ringstead Bay 4.2 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Portland Harbour Castle Cove 5.1 mi Sea N/AExcellentN/AN/A

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Weymouth Sea Life Park and Marine Sanctuary 3 mi

Radipole Lake Nature Reserve 3.9 mi

Hardy's Birthplace 4.6 mi

Abbotsbury Swannery 7.6 mi

The Tank Museum 8.3 mi

National Trust

Max Gate 2.8 mi

Hardy's Cottage 4.6 mi

Clouds Hill 8.4 mi

Corfe Castle 16.3 mi

White Mill 18.6 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

LODMOOR (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 25/11/2004) 2.6 mi

Nottington - Lorton - Radipole 2.8 mi

Lodmoor Nature Reserve - Littlemoor - Preston 2.9 mi

Nottington - Southill - Chickerell 2.9 mi

Nottington - Upwey - Broadwey 2.9 mi

Local events

  • Dorset County Show (Saturday, 5 September 2026 – Saturday, 5 September 2026)

    Dorchester, Dorset 3.8 mi

  • Camp Bestival Dorset (Thursday, 30 July 2026 – Thursday, 30 July 2026)

    Wareham, Dorset 9.8 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.

Want to know more about camping in Dorset?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Donkey Down Camping at Culliford Tree have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Donkey Down Camping at Culliford Tree dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Donkey Down Camping at Culliford Tree? What exactly is the Osmington White Horse (25 minutes' walk)? In the shape of King George II riding his steed, this limestone figure is carved into a smugglers’ landscape. Hardy's Monument (two … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Donkey Down Camping at Culliford Tree?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  11 a.m. –  9 p.m.
    Depart by:  12 p.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Donkey Down Camping at Culliford Tree? From £24 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.