Friar Waddon House

9 4 reviews
The site
The site
Grassy pitches
Views
The site
Views
Abbotsbury and chesil beach
The site
The site
1/20

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  • Peaceful, basic pitches in a tree-lined paddock with rural views
  • 15 minutes' drive from the beach and attractions of Weymouth
  • Country pubs and farm shop within a five-minute drive
A secluded spot, with scenic surrounds and a short hop from the gorgeous Dorset coast – what a fab little rural retreat is Friar Waddon House, in the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 15 minutes’ drive from the seaside resort of Weymouth. Gorgeous green views all around give the place a decidedly peaceful vibe, but you’re only five minutes’ drive away from pubs and a farm shop, and 10 minutes from a train station and supermarket. This is a laidback kind of place that welcomes dogs and has plenty of space for running about and playing games, setting up barbecues for dinners or trying your hand at campfire construction. A shared toilet block with showers is a short stroll away; there's lighting on site but sensible types might wish to bring a torch along anyway. As you'll note from the map pointer, this is a most handy spot for Dorset adventuring: there are miles of footpaths and quiet roads to wander or cycle along around here – the Dorset Ridgeway being a particular favourite. It's also a 15-minute drive to Weymouth, Dorchester and the fossil-packed Jurassic Coast, so there should be plenty to keep you entertained whether you favour countryside or coast (or, ideally, a bit of both…)

Site type

Tent sites 50
Opens

Languages spoken

English

Nearby sites that are bookable on Pitchup.com

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Want to know more about camping in Dorset?

Features

Pop-up campground

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

Hikers’ paradise Peaceful Remote location 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

Type

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

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Climbing nearby Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horseback riding nearby Indoor pool nearby Leisure/theme park nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby Tennis nearby Watersports nearby

Location

Friar Waddon House

Friar Waddon Road

Upwey

Weymouth

Dorset

England

DT3 4EP

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London GMT (GMT+00:00)

GPS

50.67057°N
2.51168°W

Route directions

The best way to get to the site is by turning of the the B3159 onto the Friar Waddon Road. The site is 1.5 miles along, on the right as you head west. Look out for a large concrete track, tall trees and camping signs.

Nearest transport

Coach
6.8 km South Station
7.8 km Marks and Spencer
19.1 km Coach Station
Rail
4.1 km Upwey Rail Station
6.6 km Dorchester West Rail Station
6.8 km Dorchester South Rail Station
Ferry
8.2 km Weymouth Ferry Terminal
36.9 km Poole Ferry Terminal
37.5 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

Country days and coast days are equally easy from here – and equally fab. Walking and cycle trails are pretty much right outside the site, and there are plenty more routes around the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. If you like to see big stuff, take a wander to see the Cerne Abbas Giant, 25 minutes’ drive away (a lengthy lad indeed at 55 metres from top to toe) or make for Maiden Castle, 20 minutes away (one of Europe’s largest Iron Age hillforts, the size of 50 football pitches). For something more genteel, head east for 25 minutes or so to get to Sculpture By The Lakes and 15th-century Athelhampton House or follow the Thomas Hardy trail around Dorchester (15 minutes) and out to Higher Bockhampton. A trip down to the coast is a cinch too – take your pick from the sandy beach, aquarium and traditional seaside fun in Weymouth (15 minutes), the sweeping 18-mile Chesil Beach (20 minutes) and the fossil-hunter’s fave Osmington (20 minutes). The sea-view subtropical gardens, swannery and kids’ farm at Abbotsbury (10 minutes) are certainly worth a stop too.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Weymouth Lodmoor 7 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Bowleaze Cove 7.4 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Weymouth Central 7.5 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Portland Harbour Castle Cove 9 km Sea N/AExcellentN/AN/A
Portland Harbour Sandsfoot Castle 9.1 km Sea N/AGoodExcellentGood

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Abbotsbury Swannery 6.4 km

Weymouth Sea Life Park and Marine Sanctuary 6.8 km

Radipole Lake Nature Reserve 7.1 km

Hardy's Birthplace 10.8 km

The Tank Museum 19.1 km

National Trust

Max Gate 7.5 km

Hardy's Cottage 10.7 km

Clouds Hill 19 km

Corfe Castle 32.2 km

Montacute House 34.3 km

Cycle routes

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

Other

Hardy Monument Circular 3.2 km

A Chess Piece Visit 3.3 km

Nottington - Chickerell 3.8 km

Nottington - Upwey - Broadwey 3.9 km

Nottington - Southill - Chickerell 3.9 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.

Reviews

9

Overall rating from 4 Pitchup.com customers

  • 75%
    10
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    9
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    8
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    7
  • 25%
    6
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    1
Location
 9
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 8
Child friendliness
 7
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 2

75% would recommend this site to a friend

75% would stay here again
Reviews page 1 of 1
Arrival date (latest first)

very bad…

Overall

6 out of 10
Location
 6
Value for money
 4
Accommodation
 4
Facilities / Activities
 4
Customer service
 2
Child friendliness
 2
Cleanliness
 6
Wifi
 2
Yuliyan G.

Primitive grass tent or trailer tent campsite

Liked very bad

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Is this because you got asked to be less noisy after the quiet hour at eleven pm?
and thanks for not recycling your rubbish

A lovely little campsite, quiet and…

Overall

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

Primitive grass tent or trailer tent campsite

Liked A lovely little campsite, quiet and peaceful. Rustic, rural and restful! We'll be back for sure

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely setting, quiet and peaceful.

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
Anonymous

Primitive grass tent or trailer tent campsite

Liked Peaceful
Beautiful setting
Very clean
Friendly host
Chickens 🐔

Disliked Nothing.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent no frills site set in a beautiful location

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
 2
Jane B.

Primitive grass tent or trailer tent campsite

Liked Friendly welcome, beautiful location, very quiet, great amenities, very simple set up that has exactly what I need, great location for visiting places, lovely farm for picking up some delicious free range eggs

Disliked That it's not open all year round

Recommend to friends Visit again

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Friar Waddon House have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Friar Waddon House dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Friar Waddon House? Country days and coast days are equally easy from here – and equally fab. Walking and cycle trails are pretty much right outside the site, and there are plenty more routes around … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Friar Waddon House?
    RV, travel trailer and tent sites
    Arrive:  1 p.m. –  8 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    On-park accommodation
    Arrive:  4 p.m. –  8 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    Read more