Thorncombe Farm

View prices & book 9.4 85 reviews
Visitor image of the peaceful and good-sized pitch
Visitor image of the peaceful and good-sized pitch
Bell tent
Bell tents
Dining area
Grass pitch
Grass pitches
Visitor image of the site
Our bell tent with seating area and stove just outside
1/47
Bell tent
Bell tents
Dining area

  • Small family-run farm deep in Hardy Country, two miles from Dorchester
  • Less than 10 miles from the Jurassic Coast
  • Firepits for hire, with wood supplied
If you're a Thomas Hardy fan, you'll know about Dorchester: it was where the Tess-writing dude lived and was his inspiration for the town of Casterbridge. And if you're taking the trail, settle down afterwards in a bell tent at Thorncombe Farm – it might be the perfect setting to reread Tess…? Thorncombe is a small family-run livestock farm in Dorset countryside, near the hamlet of Bockhampton where Thomas Hardy was born, and two miles from the county town of Dorchester. Weymouth, Durdle Door, Chesil Beach and the Jurassic Coast are less than 10 miles away. The five-metre bell tents here have been set up for those who want a bit less hassle on hol and who don't want to be faffed with putting up and taking down tents. Each is furnished with a separate dining area with seating and table, as well as a deluxe double and two single beds, carpeting and rugs, a storage cabinet and a mirror. There's electricity to power lighting, a small fridge and recharging points for devices. Each bell tent also has a firepit barbecue (if you'd rather eat out, try Yalbury Cottage Restaurant or Pine Lodge Farm, both in Bockhampton, the Wise Man pub in West Stafford or the Blue Vinny at Puddletown). The Thorncombe team supplies firepits, wood and charcoal – read The Mayor of Casterbridge along with marshmallows, maybe…?

Site type

Rent a tent 5
Touring caravan pitches 25
Motorhome pitches 25
Tent pitches 25
Open now
Opens 1 May
Please note

Safety

  • If making a fire, the fuel, logs and coal have to be purchased on site.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Fri 1 May to

No availability here for your search criteria

Pitch types & availability

Accommodation

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

Reviews

9.4

Overall rating from 85 Pitchup.com customers

  • 69%
    10
  • 12%
    9
  • 11%
    8
  • 2%
    7
  • 2%
    6
  • 0%
    5
  • 0%
    4
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    3
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    2
  • 1%
    1
Location
 9
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 6
Peaceful

96% would recommend this site to a friend

96% would stay here again

What customers say

This is a peaceful, well-maintained farm campsite praised for its friendly hosts, particularly Ness. Facilities including toilets, showers, and washing-up areas are consistently described as clean and adequate. Guests appreciate the spacious pitches, beautiful countryside views, and the charming presence of goats and other farm animals. The location is noted as convenient for exploring local attractions while offering a quiet rural escape. Some minor points include potential pressure on facilities during busy periods and occasional road noise, though overall feedback is highly positive, with many visitors expressing a desire to return.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews. Last updated 04/08/2026

Filter by topic

Reviews page 1 of 9
Arrival date (latest first)

Accueil. Proximité avec la ferme…

Overall

7 out of 10
Location
 7
Value for money
 7
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Anonymous

Non-electric grass pitch

Liked Accueil. Proximité avec la ferme

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the moment we arrived we…

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
 No rating
Tammy B. 1 review

Bell tent (no pets)

Liked From the moment we arrived we knew we would return. Ness was great, hospitable and friendly. The tents were brilliant, spacious and excellent quality, and all the little extras were such a treat. From lanterns, electric, to tea bags and proper mugs. The location was lovely, close enough to the areas we wanted to visit while still feeling we were in the beautiful countryside. And the goats were a hit with the whole family. Facilities were clean and everything we needed. This was an absolute find and made our little holiday a bit more special.

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Quiet and clean campsite.…

Overall

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

Non-electric grass pitch

Liked Quiet and clean campsite.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Efficient welcome. Goats! Lovely. Tranquil, small…

Overall

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

Non-electric grass pitch

Liked Efficient welcome. Goats!
Lovely. Tranquil, small site, though I was not there for one night.
Loos and showers immaculate (though there weren’t many visitors).
The fixed bell tents with covered fire pit/dining area looked worth a try.

Disliked Better directions needed given the post code is quite a large area? I went to a farm industrial site and then someone else’s house on right hand side of road who redirected me to campsite further up on left.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Very peaceful!…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Lloyd W. 2 reviews

Non-electric grass pitch

Liked Very peaceful!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Location, good facilities…

Overall

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

Non-electric grass pitch

Liked Location, good facilities

Recommend to friends Visit again

Basic but clean site, good facilities.…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 No rating
Value for money
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 No rating
Customer service
 No rating
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 No rating
Wifi
 No rating
Liann M. 2 reviews

Non-electric grass pitch

Liked Basic but clean site, good facilities. Ness was really.welcoming and friendly. Would definitely come back.

Recommend to friends Visit again

I love this place. Well located…

Overall

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

Non-electric grass pitch

Liked I love this place. Well located close to Dorchester but far enough out to feel totally secluded. Fantastic walks from the campsite around Thorncombe woods, and Hardys cottage. Basic but full suite of facilities all kept to a high clean standard.

Disliked That I had to leave

Recommend to friends Visit again

One of the better places to stay if going to tankfest.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 8
Accommodation
 8
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 7
Wifi
 No rating
Lars E. 1 review

Bell tent (no pets)

Liked We stayed in a bell tent it was nice tidy and with a nice cooking setup. The showers and toilets were nice.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Ruimte en rust. Leuke boerderij activiteiten.…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 No rating
Willem N. 5 reviews

Non-electric grass pitch

Liked Ruimte en rust. Leuke boerderij activiteiten.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Features

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 Local produce Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Tents for hire 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

Luxury Peaceful Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradise 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 Nearby farmers' market Public transport nearby Shop nearby

Type

Medium (26-50 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horse riding nearby Indoor pool nearby Leisure/theme park nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby Tennis nearby Watersports nearby

Location

Thorncombe Farm

Higher Bockhampton

Dorchester

Dorset

England

DT2 8QH

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

50.72417°N
2.39377°W

Nearest transport

Coach
2.2 mi South Station
8.3 mi Marks and Spencer
12.7 mi Post Office
Rail
2.2 mi Dorchester South Rail Station
2.3 mi Dorchester West Rail Station
3.9 mi Moreton (Dorset) Rail Station
Ferry
8.4 mi Weymouth Ferry Terminal
17.6 mi Poole Ferry Terminal
17.9 mi Poole Quay Ferry Landing
Airport
24.9 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

The open woods of Thorncombe and Puddleton are next to Thorncombe Farm with miles of trails for walking, cycling and horse riding. Zorbing is available for the more energetic at the neighbouring farm – ask the Thorncombe team for details – and fishing, sailing and golf are all available locally too. Dorchester is two miles away and well worth at least a day to browse its museums – the Dinosaur Museum is a definite must and also much recommended are the Dorset County Museum, the Tutankhamun Exhibition, and Thomas Hardy's townhouse Max Gate. Plenty of pubs, shops and cafés are in town as well. Weymouth and the Jurassic Coast are a short drive from the farm: go for the long sandy beach, marina and harbour at Weymouth, the castle at Portland and the famed Chesil Beach stretching for about 18 miles to the west towards Lyme Regis. Other nearby Dorset days out could be had at The Tank Museum, the Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, Maiden Castle and Abbotsbury Gardens and its swannery.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Bowleaze Cove 6.2 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Ringstead Bay 6.7 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Weymouth Lodmoor 7.1 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Weymouth Central 8 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Durdle Door West 8.7 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Hardy's Birthplace 0.4 mi

The Tank Museum 6.9 mi

Weymouth Sea Life Park and Marine Sanctuary 7.2 mi

Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre 7.9 mi

Radipole Lake Nature Reserve 8.1 mi

National Trust

Hardy's Cottage 0.4 mi

Max Gate 1.7 mi

Clouds Hill 6.2 mi

White Mill 15.6 mi

Corfe Castle 15.9 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

Higher Bockhampton - Puddletown Forest 0.3 mi

KINGSTON MAURWARD 0.4 mi

Beacon Hill - Hardy's Cottage - Stinsford - Beacon Hill 1.9 mi

TOWN WALKS, DORCHESTER 1.9 mi

BOROUGH GARDENS 2.2 mi

Local events

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

    Dorchester, Dorset 1.4 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.

Offers

Tent pitchTouring caravan pitchesMotorhome or campervan pitch
Non-electric grass pitch

  • 10% off

    –
    Min. stay 1 night Max. stay 3 nights

  • 15% off

    –
    Min. stay 5 nights Max. stay 7 nights

  • 20% off

    –
    Min. stay 8 nights Max. stay 28 nights
Tipi, yurt, wigwam, dome, bell tent
Bell tent (no pets)

  • 10% off

    –
    Min. stay 1 night Max. stay 3 nights

  • 15% off

    –
    Min. stay 5 nights Max. stay 7 nights

  • 20% off

    –
    Min. stay 8 nights Max. stay 28 nights

Conditions apply - see pitch type section for details

Want to know more about camping in Dorset?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Thorncombe Farm have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Thorncombe Farm dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Thorncombe Farm? The open woods of Thorncombe and Puddleton are next to Thorncombe Farm with miles of trails for walking, cycling and horse riding. Zorbing is available for the more energetic at the neighbouring … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Thorncombe Farm?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  3 p.m. –  8 p.m.
    Depart by:  10:30 a.m.
    On-site accommodation
    Arrive:  3 p.m. –  8 p.m.
    Depart by:  10:30 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Thorncombe Farm? From £17 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.