Hardyes Countryside Camping

View prices & book 9.6 90 reviews
Maintaining campsite field
Grass pitching area
Cloudy skies
Country views

  • Rural site in Dorset overlooking open countryside by an old Roman road
  • A quarter of an hour's drive from Maiden Castle and Abbotsbury
  • Barbecues and dogs welcome; wheelchair-accessible facilities
Hardyes Countryside Camping is a pop-up site overlooking open Dorset countryside. Set in a convenient location just off the old Roman road that runs between Maiden Castle and Eggardon hillforts, this laidback spot has far-reaching views due south over the Hardy Monument and great access to several adjoining cross-country walking trails. This small site has purpose-built toilets and showers, a washing-up area, a gas barbecue and microwave for cooking, and plenty of space available for pitching up; all facilities are wheelchair-accessible too. Hardyes Countryside Camping also welcomes well-behaved dogs throughout the camping season, and permits barbecues as long as you're sensible with them. Hardyes Countryside Camping is about five miles to the west of Dorchester, where you'll come across a historic town centre, a railway station, supermarkets and a variety of interesting museums. The ancient hillfort at Maiden Castle (15 minutes' drive) is also within easy reach and is an excellent place to see sweeping views over the local countryside. Hardyes Countryside Camping is also around a quarter of an hour's drive from the Jurassic Coast. Abbotsbury, an attractive village at the end of shingly Chesil Beach, is 20 minutes away, while it'll take you roughly 25 minutes to get to the golden sands and seafront amusements of Weymouth.

Site type

RV sites 3
Tent sites 27
Travel trailer sites 3
Open now
Opens July 18
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • The park does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Breed-specific legislation (i.e. Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro).
  • Group bookings of 3 or more units (e.g. tent, caravan, RV or accommodation hire) traveling together are not permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • Group bookings of 4 or more adults are not permitted (couples and immediate family members excepted).
  • Single-sex bookings of 4 or more people (couples and immediate family members excepted) are not permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • No bachelor/bachelorette parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • Reception is unmanned after 6 p.m.. Please inform the park while on your way there should you expect to arrive after this time, so that the team can provide information about your unit/pitch.
  • At least one of the party members must be aged 21 or over.
  • Please note that the toilet/shower facilities are unisex.

Languages spoken

English

French

Open from Fri, Jul 18 to

No availability here for your search criteria

Pitch types & availability

Reviews

  • 82%
    10
  • 5%
    9
  • 10%
    8
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    6
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    5
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    1
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
9
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
7

98% would recommend this site to a friend

97% would stay here again

What customers say

This well-kept, peaceful site offers spectacular countryside views and is lauded for its friendly, incredibly helpful owner, Chris. Facilities are consistently clean and pleasant. Ideal for exploring Dorset, many guests value the owner's local insights. Despite minor mentions of temperamental water or basic Wi-Fi, overall sentiment is highly positive, with many eager to return.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 9
Arrival date (latest first)

Super place for short and longer stays

Overall

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

Powered grass tent or trailer tent campsite

Liked Hardyes Countryside Camping place run by Chris and his wife is beautiful and very well organized. The toilets and showers were always clean and well-maintained. The location is perfect, with many attractions and scenic viewpoints just 15–30 minutes away by car. The bakery items offered by the owners was delicious and always fresh—I even took some extra home!

Disliked H/A

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely quiet peaceful site, very clean…

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
Christina J.

Powered grass and gravel travel trailer campsite

Liked Lovely quiet peaceful site, very clean showers/toilets - fresh pastries daily and a wonderful man Chris greets you and couldn't be more helpful

Disliked nothing we had a fabulous weekend

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great site in a perfect location with super friendly staff

Overall

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

Powered grass tent or trailer tent campsite

Liked Great location, the camp site is in a very nice and calming country side location and very close to the best Dorset beaches and villages.
It is a basic camp site but what it makes it special is the excellent friendly staff and the little things like Chris handing chocolate marshmallows and sweets to the guests in the evening and their personal approach.
Another lovely extra is the home made bread, scones, croissants, etc that they bake every day and you can buy at a very reasonable price.
Thank you Chris for being so helpful and attentive!

Disliked Only that there are not hand dryers in the bathroom

Recommend to friends Visit again

An all round lovely, small site in the Dorset countryside.

Overall

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

Powered grass tent or trailer tent campsite

Liked The friendliness of the owners. They genuinely care. Always on hand to assist with any questions or problems. Fresh homemade pastries and bread available to purchase every morning. Free treats were brought round every evening and Chris ensured he reached every single camper. Nothing was too much trouble.

Disliked During busy periods another shower and washing up station would be helpful.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Wonderful site for a REAL get away from the busy day to day.

Overall

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

Powered grass and gravel travel trailer campsite

Liked Wonderful countryside all around you. The whole atmosphere of the site was relaxed and no one or thing felt like too much bother. The showers and toilets were very well maintained and there was always someone around to help you with anything you need. Enjoyed every bit.

Disliked Nothing.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Family friendly small piece of heaven!

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
7
maxine T.

Powered grass tent or trailer tent campsite

Liked Peaceful site, in a quiet central location. So much to see and do around this site but also retreat here of an evening and be secluded! Lovely clean facilities, roomy toilets and showers as well as a microwave. There is also the option to order fresh bread and delicious homemade breakfast options for very reasonable prices! Lots of ideas in the shed of local attractions and food went was very knowledgable and the feared some very handy hints and tips as well as being friendly and welcoming.

Disliked Nothing!!!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent site, affordable and very good facilities. Would recommend!

Overall

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

Powered grass tent or trailer tent campsite

Liked Great space, easily accessible, bathroom facilities very good, very friendly and helpful site manager.

Disliked None.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful little find. If you’re looking…

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
10
Greg M.

Powered grass and gravel travel trailer campsite

Liked Beautiful little find. If you’re looking for a relaxed break away. Fresh pastries & bread available.

Chris was a delight to talk with.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent, quiet site, perfect host.

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
8
Value for money
10
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
8
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
6
Anonymous

Powered grass tent or trailer tent campsite

Liked Everything as described. Lovely host, who will give you loads of details. Bakery in plase was an absolute game changer!
Nice and quiet place.

Recommend to friends Visit again

The campsite was in a perfect…

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
Behzet T.

Powered grass and gravel travel trailer campsite

Liked The campsite was in a perfect location for exploration, with brilliant and clean facilities. The staff and owner, Chris, were friendly, welcoming, and helpful when needed. We will be returning to this campsite.

Disliked None.

Recommend to friends Visit again


Features

Leisure on park

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Playground Recreation room/arcade TV room Takeout Tennis Watersports

Amenities on park

Bath available Car parking by site/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Free wifi Grocery store Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundromat Parent & baby washroom Payphone Pick-up from public transport Picnic table Portable toilet Pub toilets Restrooms Shower available Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Rallies welcome Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

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

Themes

Hikers’ paradise Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Wild camping Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Dump station Electric car charging point(s) Propane/gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby

Type

Farm Medium (26-50 sites) Pop-up campground

Nearby leisure

Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horseback riding nearby Indoor pool nearby Leisure/theme park nearby Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby Tennis nearby

Location

Hardyes Countryside Camping

Higher Hogleaze Farm

Town Hill

Dorchester

Dorset

England

DT2 9ET

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London +0100 (GMT+01:00)

GPS

50.72596°N
2.5547°W

Nearest transport

Coach
8.5 km South Station
14.7 km Marks and Spencer
14.7 km Coach Station
Rail
6.1 km Maiden Newton Rail Station
8.1 km Dorchester West Rail Station
8.5 km Dorchester South Rail Station
Ferry
15.1 km Weymouth Ferry Terminal
39.7 km Poole Ferry Terminal
40.2 km Poole Quay Ferry Landing

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

Local attractions and activities include: - Dorchester: 10 minutes' drive - Maiden Castle: 15 minutes - Abbotsbury: 20 minutes - Cerne Abbas Giant: 20 minutes - Weymouth: 25 minutes - Lyme Regis: 30 minutes - Lulworth Castle: 40 minutes - Seaton Tramway: 50 minutes.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Hive 12.3 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Weymouth Lodmoor 13.7 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Bowleaze Cove 13.7 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Weymouth Central 14.3 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
West Bay (West) 15 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Abbotsbury Swannery 8.1 km

Hardy's Birthplace 11.6 km

Mapperton House & Gardens 13.1 km

Weymouth Sea Life Park and Marine Sanctuary 13.5 km

Radipole Lake Nature Reserve 14 km

National Trust

Max Gate 9.4 km

Hardy's Cottage 11.5 km

Clouds Hill 21.3 km

Montacute House 27.4 km

Tintinhull Garden 29.8 km

Cycle routes

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

Other

BRIDEHEAD 3.1 km

South from Little Bredy 3.6 km

Hardy Monument Circular 4.4 km

A Chess Piece Visit 4.8 km

Eggardon Hill and Powerstock 6.8 km

Local events

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

    Dorchester, England 9.1 km

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 Hardyes Countryside Camping have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Hardyes Countryside Camping dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Hardyes Countryside Camping? Local attractions and activities include: - Dorchester: 10 minutes' drive - Maiden Castle: 15 minutes - Abbotsbury: 20 minutes - Cerne Abbas Giant: 20 minutes - Weymouth: 25 minutes - Lyme Regis: … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Hardyes Countryside Camping?
    RV, travel trailer and tent sites
    Arrive:  8:30 a.m. –  10 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Hardyes Countryside Camping? From $46.61 (for 1 night, 5 people) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.