When can I check in and check out of Railway Campsite?

On-park accommodation Arrive: 2 p.m. – Anytime Depart by: noon Read more

Railway Campsite

Bell tent stays in a field next to the Swanage steam railway tracks
Set in the village of Harmans Cross a 10-minute train ride to Swanage
Campfires and dogs allowed; three nature reserves within a short drive

Trainspotter? Or got a thing for vintage transportation? Then stay in a bell tent next to the Swanage railway tracks in the village of Harmans Cross on your next trip away… Railway Campsite is set up so you can see the steam engine pass by from the grounds. While waiting for the train to chug along, light up the campfire – blazes are allowed at this park – to stay warm, or bring out the blankets included in the bell tent. Your accommodation will also have mats, lamps and beds as well as a picnic table outside so eats can be had alfresco. Portaloos and a shower are on site and are shared. If you're thinking of riding the railway, Harmans Cross station is a couple of minutes’ walk away, meaning you can ditch the car and take the train to Swanage about 10 minutes away, for ambles along the 19th-century pier then strolls on the wide sandy beach. Back in Harmans Cross – where you can pick up provisions for lunch from the small village shop – Railway Campsite is sandwiched between three south Dorset nature reserves, so chances to hike are all around. The Purbeck Hills, an area extending from lovely Lulworth Cove (half an hour’s drive west of the park) to the white coastal cliffs of Old Harry Rocks 20 minutes to the east, are 15 minutes’ drive away for walks in the chalky downs.

Site type

Languages spoken

English

Nearby sites that are bookable on Pitchup.com

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Features

Dogs allowed

Campfires allowed

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 Portable toilet Pub toilets Restrooms Shower available Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly 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

Budget/backpacker Hikers’ paradise Peaceful Spectacular scenery Wild camping

Utilities

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

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Convenience store nearby Dog walk nearby Public transportation nearby

Type

Farm Tiny (1-10 sites)

Accessibility

Disabled facilities

Nearby leisure

Climbing nearby Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Restaurant nearby Watersports nearby

Location

Railway Campsite

Haycraft's Lane

Harman's Cross

Swanage

Dorset

England

BH19 3EB

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London GMT (GMT+00:00)

GPS

50.6194°N
-2.0221°W

Nearest transport

Coach

3.1 km East Street

4.5 km Bus Station

Rail

10.5 km Wareham Rail Station

11 km Holton Heath Rail Station

11.5 km Poole Rail Station

Ferry

8.4 km Shell Bay Ferry Terminal

8.8 km Sandbanks Ferry Terminal

9 km Brownsea Island Ferry Landing

Airport

22.1 km 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

If you didn’t get your fill of historical attractions with a ride on the steam railway, Corfe Castle in Wareham is five minutes’ drive from the site and has a waterpark with inflatables and a mud trail for the kids to go gung ho at. The Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre just over 20 minutes from the park is also a winner with pint-sized travellers and The Tank Museum at Bovington (25 minutes) has been known to enthral even the most discerning of small fry as well. If your main aim while in Dorset is to spend time at the coast, Studland beach is well worth your time – it’s got views of both Old Harry Rocks and the Isle of Wight, plus you can head to the nature reserve behind it in summer to stroll past a sweep of purple heather.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name	Distance	Type	2020	2019	2018	2017
Swanage Central	4.6 km	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Studland Knoll House	6.1 km	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Kimmeridge Bay	7.8 km	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Shell Bay North	8.4 km	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Poole Sandbanks Peninsular	9.7 km	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Corfe Castle 3.4 km

Swanage Railway 4.5 km

Studland Beach and Nature Reserve 6 km

Brownsea Island 9 km

Lulworth Castle & Park 13.4 km

National Trust

Corfe Castle 3.2 km

Studland Beach and Nature Reserve 5.7 km

Brownsea Island 8.9 km

Clouds Hill 19.5 km

White Mill 20.8 km

Cycle routes

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

Other

Worth Matravers - Cliffs, Caves and Chapel 2.6 km

Worth Matravers - Winspit - Dancing Ledge 2.7 km

Herston - Worth Matravers - Corfe 3.1 km

Corfe - Nine Barrows Down - Swanage 3.3 km

The Purbecks - Castle and Coastal 3.6 km

Local events

Dorset County Show (Saturday, September 6, 2025 – Saturday, September 6, 2025)
Dorchester, England 30.6 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.

Payment terms

Offers

Conditions apply - see pitch type section for details

Reviews

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Frequently asked questions

Does Railway Campsite have a swimming pool? No View all features
Is Railway Campsite dog friendly? Yes View all features
What attractions are near Railway Campsite? If you didn’t get your fill of historical attractions with a ride on the steam railway, Corfe Castle in Wareham is five minutes’ drive from the site and has a waterpark with … Read more
When can I check in and check out of Railway Campsite?

On-park accommodation

Arrive: 2 p.m. – Anytime

Depart by: noon

Read more