The Railway Campsite

No availability at present on Pitchup.com 9.4 250 reviews
Train going past the site
Train going past the site
The steam train running past
Train passing at site
Sunrise one morning
View of the site on a cloudy morning
View of the site
View of the field
Caravans set up on site
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The steam train running past
Train passing at site
Sunrise one morning

  • Eight-acre field with Swanage Railway steam trains passing by
  • A 10-minute drive to Swanage Beach; 35 minutes to Durdle Door
  • Off-ground barbecues and firepits allowed; dogs welcome
If you’ve got little train enthusiasts in your family (or large ones, for that matter…), this is a site that’s likely to please them very much indeed. As the name suggests, The Railway Campsite is located next to the railway – and none other than the famed Swanage Railway. Waving at the steam trains as they puff past is a popular pastime around this dog-friendly site – although there are also some great Dorset countryside views for when there’s no railway action, plus lots of space around the eight-acre open field for whatever you choose to focus your attention on. And presumably you’ll want to take a ride on one of those trains too? That’s easily done, since Harmans Cross station is just next door to the site. All you have to do is choose whether to journey up to Corfe Castle or over to Swanage for a day at the beach (both about 15 minutes by train). When you’re not riding the rails, you can get out to some great coastal corners, including Studland Beach, Kimmeridge Bay or Dancing Ledge – all are within a 20-minute drive. This is a back-to-basics site, but it does have wooden composting toilets, a shower hut and chemical disposal facilities. The on-site snack shack opens its doors on weekends for breakfast, drinks and light evening meals. It's also open on Thursday evenings for Jamaican food. Off-ground barbecues and firepits are allowed (the site has firepits for hire and wood for sale if you need it), so you’re welcome to have a go at making your own dinner. You can source provisions at the small supermarket in the village of Harman’s Cross (five minutes’ walk).

Site type

Tent pitches 50
Motorhome pitches 3
Opens
Please note
  • At least one of the party members must be aged 16 or over.

Languages spoken

English

No availability here for your search criteria

Reviews

9.4

Overall rating from 250 Pitchup.com customers

  • 69%
    10
  • 9%
    9
  • 18%
    8
  • 1%
    7
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    5
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    1
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 5
Peaceful

98% would recommend this site to a friend

98% would stay here again

What customers say

This campsite offers a fantastic location, with many guests highlighting its proximity to the Swanage steam railway and beautiful countryside views. Visitors frequently praise the friendly and helpful owners, clean facilities including hot showers and compost toilets, and the on-site snack shack. The spacious, relaxed atmosphere and freedom to choose pitches are also popular. While some mention the basic nature of the facilities or occasionally steep terrain, the overall sentiment is highly positive, with many expressing a desire to return.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 25
Arrival date (latest first)

Had a great couple of days here, nice and peaceful. Thanks!

Overall

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

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked Remote and peaceful, easy to find, friendly staff, clean toilets which were always stocked with toilet roll. Will absolutely visit again

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

My son and I had …

Overall

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

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked My son and I had a lovely stay in our tent, with a warm welcome and plenty of walks to keep us busy.
The only thing that I'd complain about was the weather, otherwise I'd fully recommend and can't wait to return.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Really lovely site and people. …

Overall

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

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked Really lovely site and people. Great location.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Fantastic stay. Great stay with our children and dog.

Overall

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

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked There was so much space. I loved the freedoms to choose your own pitch and the option of field or woodland camping. Rope swings for children was a huge bonus.
The option to have food on site was fantastic and we loved the Caribbean option.
Although compost toilets, they still felt very well kept and clean.

Disliked Nothing.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Peaceful back to basics site well maintained with friendly owner

Overall

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

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked The simplicity - just the basics ,
Toilets , water, and showers , all very simple
No frills
No electricity
Back to basic proper camping
A good base to explore from. The train gives you access to both Swanage and corfe so need to use the car mine didn’t move for the entire stay.
I fear the pressures of modern camping may force changes - I hope this is not the case
Definitely not for the Glamper/bring every gadget going type campers

Disliked My only dislike was packing up and leaving

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful setting, lovely for kids to…

Overall

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

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked Beautiful setting, lovely for kids to play, with the added convenience of the snack shack and a nearby shop and playground

Recommend to friends Visit again

Campsite very clean all amenities also…

Overall

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

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked Campsite very clean all amenities also very clean Staff friendly and approachable, food was good and well stocked . Could not fault the place . Would happily go back . The campsite was basic and cheap but this really does not describe the site in any way other than name , basic in really all you need views we're amazing , Hot showers . A site shop/ bar / take away in one . Well done camping as it should be . Not to mention the railway is a 2 minute walk ( entrance opposite campsite ) Many Thanks .

Recommend to friends Visit again

Location, access to both beach and…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 9
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 9
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 1
Wifi
 No rating
Kirsty H.

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked Location, access to both beach and castle.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Clean quiet and trains were a bonus

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 1
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 1
Katherine R.

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked Absolutely fantastic, just the kind of site I look for! Will definitely be back.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful views,great location,Steam trains and diesel rains passing .

Overall

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

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked Friendly staff,lovely onsite food/snack shack for burgers,breakfast,coffee drinks etc clean showers, clean compostable toilets well stocked with toilet rolls and good lights located at both sides of the site.Couple of minutes walk to the bus stop,train station is even closer Fantastic price for single traveller to.

Disliked Not the campsite owners fault so much but there was alot of dogs running round off the lead running up to dogs on the lead .Not great but everything else was just wonderful

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

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 Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradise

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

Farm Large (51-200 pitches) Pop-up campsite

Accessibility

Accessible parking at pitch Bathrooms: Large spacious shower Uneven terrain; gravel or loose mud

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Climbing nearby Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horse riding nearby Indoor pool nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby Tennis nearby Watersports nearby

Location

The Railway Campsite

Sunny Glade

Haycrafts Lane

Harmans Cross

Swanage

Dorset

England

BH19 3EB

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

50.61958°N
2.0239°W

Nearest transport

Coach
1.8 mi East Street
1.9 mi East Street
2.9 mi Bus Station
Rail
6.5 mi Wareham Rail Station
6.8 mi Holton Heath Rail Station
7.1 mi Poole Rail Station
Ferry
5.3 mi Shell Bay Ferry Terminal
5.5 mi Sandbanks Ferry Terminal
5.6 mi Brownsea Island Ferry Landing
Airport
13.8 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

Famed for its ever-changing shades of blue and green, the Blue Pool (15 minutes’ drive) is surrounded by acres of heath- and woodland laced with trails. Take the easy path skirting the lake (where kids can also hunt for magic fairy doors), or steel yourself for a more challenging uphill route leading to views of the Purbeck Hills. Overlooked by the Georgian Clavell Tower, Kimmeridge Bay (20 minutes) is part of the Jurassic Coast. Rockpooling here may well yield some fossils; if not, you can head to the Etches Collection Museum, which displays fossilised marine creatures dating back millennia. The bay has clear waters for swimming and a summer snorkelling trail. Stay on the Jurassic Coast and move westwards to Durdle Door (35 minutes from the site), an iconic limestone arch stretching out into the sea. You can admire this imposing natural landmark from the dog-friendly beach or from the lookout point up on the cliff (easily reached via the South West Coast Path).

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Swanage Central 2.9 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Studland Knoll House 3.8 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Kimmeridge Bay 4.7 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Shell Bay North 5.2 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Poole Sandbanks Peninsular 6.1 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Corfe Castle 2 mi

Swanage Railway 2.9 mi

Studland Beach and Nature Reserve 3.8 mi

Brownsea Island 5.6 mi

Lulworth Castle & Park 8.2 mi

National Trust

Corfe Castle 1.9 mi

Studland Beach and Nature Reserve 3.6 mi

Brownsea Island 5.6 mi

Clouds Hill 12.1 mi

White Mill 12.9 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

Worth Matravers - Cliffs, Caves and Chapel 1.6 mi

Worth Matravers - Winspit - Dancing Ledge 1.6 mi

Corfe - Nine Barrows Down - Swanage 2 mi

Herston - Worth Matravers - Corfe 2 mi

The Purbecks - Castle and Coastal 2.2 mi

Local events

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

    Dorchester, Dorset 19 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 The Railway Campsite have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is The Railway Campsite dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near The Railway Campsite? Famed for its ever-changing shades of blue and green, the Blue Pool (15 minutes’ drive) is surrounded by acres of heath- and woodland laced with trails. Take the easy path skirting the … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of The Railway Campsite?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  Anytime –  Anytime
    Depart by:  4 p.m.
    Read more