Portland Bill Camping

9.2 27 reviews
Clifftop pitches

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  • Basic coastal site with spectacular sea views
  • In a scenic clifftop location between Southwell and Portland Bill
  • Direct coast path access and a few minutes' walk from rockpool beaches
As a peninsula with a perimeter of just 13 miles, hardy hikers working their way around the South West Coast Path can tick off the Isle of Portland in about a day. Given its all-round prettiness, though, it would be a shame to be in such a rush when visiting Dorset's most unusual offshoot. A much better plan would be to stay for a while to sleep, swim and scout out wildlife – and that's where Portland Bill Camping comes in… Located between Southwell and Portland Bill at the very tail end of the peninsula, this simple site has several big advantages, including direct access to the coast path, spectacular sea views from its clifftop position and splendidly quiet vibes (something ensured by the site's ban on loud music and noisy groups). Away from base, bathing spots, rockpools and a climbing wall are also accessible within a 20-minute stroll. In terms of practicalities, it's worth noting that these family-friendly plots have access to portable toilets only. Dogs are allowed here throughout the season (as long as they're kept on leads). For dinner, there's both a pub and seafood restaurant within a mile's walk of base.

Site type

Tent pitches 60
Opens

Languages spoken

English

Nearby sites that are bookable on Pitchup.com

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

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Features

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 Rallies welcome 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 Wild camping 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 Public transport nearby Shop nearby

Type

Farm Pop-up campsite Small (11-25 pitches)

Accessibility

Disabled facilities

Nearby leisure

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

Location

Portland Bill Camping

Portland Bill Road

Glacis

Portland

Dorset

England

DT5 1FR

Directions

Timezone

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

GPS

50.55909°N
-2.43244°W

Nearest transport

Coach
5.9 km Marks and Spencer
16.7 km South Station
26.8 km Red Lion
Rail
6.4 km Weymouth Rail Station
10.2 km Upwey Rail Station
16.7 km Dorchester South Rail Station
Ferry
5.6 km Weymouth Ferry Terminal
35.2 km Poole Ferry Terminal
35.9 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

In the immediate surrounding area, you can stroll into Southwell (20 minutes' walk) to take on its climbing wall, amble down to Portland Bill (20 minutes) to visit the lighthouse and its visitor centre or fly down to Portland Bird Observatory (15 minutes) to learn about local Dorset ornithology. Pedestrians are also within striking distance of the ruins of Rufus Castle (30 minutes), although you might prefer to drive or cycle if you're heading further up the coast towards Portland Castle (10 minutes' drive) and Castletown D-Day Centre (10 minutes). You can also stick around in this northern part of the peninsula for chartered fishing trips and harbour tours (10 minutes), strolls around Victoria Gardens (10 minutes) or family-friendly treks with Portland Alpacas (10 minutes). Over on the mainland, Weymouth (20 minutes) has galleries, gardens, beaches and shops to pootle around, plus out of town attractions like RSPB Lodmoor (30 minutes) and the Sea Life Centre aquarium (30 minutes). Portland Bill Camping is also an excellent base for jaunts to Abbotsbury (35 minutes), Maiden Castle (35 minutes) or Lyme Regis (an hour and five minutes).

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Church Ope Cove 2.4 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Portland Harbour Sandsfoot Castle 4.5 km Sea N/AGoodExcellentGood
Portland Harbour Castle Cove 4.6 km Sea N/AExcellentN/AN/A
Weymouth Central 6.3 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Weymouth Lodmoor 7.5 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Radipole Lake Nature Reserve 6.5 km

Weymouth Sea Life Park and Marine Sanctuary 7.5 km

Lulworth Heritage Centre 14.4 km

Abbotsbury Swannery 16.3 km

Lulworth Castle & Park 18.1 km

National Trust

Max Gate 16.7 km

Hardy's Cottage 19.2 km

Clouds Hill 21.7 km

Corfe Castle 27.8 km

Studland Beach and Nature Reserve 35.2 km

Cycle routes

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

Other

Around the Island of Portland 5.4 km

RADIPOLE LAKE (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 15/10/1990) 7.3 km

Lodmoor Nature Reserve - Littlemoor - Preston 7.6 km

LODMOOR (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 25/11/2004) 8.2 km

Osmington Mills - Ringstead - Upton 9.4 km

Local events

  • Camp Bestival Dorset (Thursday 25 July 2024 – Thursday 25 July 2024)

    Wareham, England 18.1 km

  • Dorset County Show (Saturday 7 September 2024 – Saturday 7 September 2024)

    Dorchester, England 18.2 km

  • Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival and Rally (Friday 19 July 2024 – Friday 19 July 2024)

    Dorchester, England 23.3 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

89%

would recommend this site to a friend

93%

would stay here again

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Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

Everything from view to facilities were 10/10. Highly recommended!

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Holly S. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked: The view was amazing! Owners were extremely welcoming. Toilets kept clean, even smelt lovely. Loved so much returned the following weekend.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Close to the lighthouse.…

Overall 4/10
Location 10
Value for money 6
Accommodation 2
Facilities / Activities 2
Customer service 2
Child friendliness 2
Cleanliness 2
Wifi 2
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked: Close to the lighthouse.

Disliked: No BBQ or fire allowed (I understand the dry weather, but somehow bbq allowed on nearby campsites.
Dirty toilets.
Loud music in tents after 10pm. Noone controls it. Shame….

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: You moaned as soon as you arrived onsite that we had no showers even though they’re not listed. As for fires and barbecues, I’d like to know where locally is allowing them as there is a Public Space Protection Order in force in our area (you would have driven past numerous council signs on your way here informing you of this). A fine from the council would have really made your stay! Our toilets are Spotless! You’ve only got to read other reviews to see this. I patrol the camp field personally every night and all visitors are asked to let me know if there is a problem with noise, I didn’t have any reports from you (or anyone else) and as I’m onsite all night I would have heard anything too loud.

Excellent site with clean facilities lovely friendly staff.

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Claire T. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked: We loved everything about this site was it simple yes but was it perfect for us absolutely. The view alone is worth the drive the lovely staff who were so polite and helpful you can see they take their responsibility seriously especially with the cleaning the toilets were always clean they always smelt clean I hate using those portable toilets but never minded once on this trio. We were able to go on the most breath taking walks along the hills towards the light house our six year old loved climbing along the rocks and the sea breeze was amazing. Apart from to take photos I didn't use my phone once it was lovely to sit there first thing in the morning with a nice cuppa and just watch the boats sail by. We will definitely be back next year my little girl was heartbroken when it was time to leave. If your looking for luxury then don't go here because that's not what this site is about this site is about taking a step back and just enjoying the beauty of the area if you love walking like we do then this is most definitely for you I can't wait to go back next year only we will be staying longer next time. If you get the chance to go make sure you walk down the side path towards tje back of the campsite and walk along the path there it really is the most spectacular walk ever.

Disliked: That I didn't book for a longer stay

Recommend to friends Visit again

Clean portaloos and water facilities

Overall 8/10
Location 6
Value for money 10
Accommodation 6
Facilities / Activities 6
Customer service 4
Child friendliness 4
Cleanliness 6
Wifi No rating
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked: Very spacious field and such a beautiful view

Disliked: The ground was quite hard and it took some hammering to get the pegs in and also bent quite a few pegs

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Have to giggle at the comment about the ground….. Portland is made of Portland Stone, the majority of high class buildings in London were once buried here (Westminster Cathedral, Buckingham Palace etc). We’ve also had no rain for the last 3 months so the ground is baked hard! Maybe buy better pegs?

Stunning views, basic but clean

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 4
Customer service 4
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Lucy J. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked: Great site, amazing location

Disliked: Would have liked a shower, my fault for not reading up properly. A bit more information on where the coastal path was would be good.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Wonderful views, lovely place to visit at a walking distance. Check-in straight…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Bertha C. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked: Wonderful views, lovely place to visit at a walking distance. Check-in straight forward. Services were good. It did what it says in the tin.

Disliked: Some users were not very considerate of neighbours.

Recommend to friends Visit again

View to enjoy

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 8
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Angela M. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked: Lovely site. Beautiful views. Lovely walks.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great 2-night break with awesome views

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness No rating
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Katarzyna K. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked: Great location, views over the sea, great for hiking and admiring sunrises.

Very clean facilities.

Disliked: No shower, but there is a drinking water tap and it is possible to use facilities at a sister site (which we didn't do, as we managed with just the tap on site).

Recommend to friends Visit again

Will go again very well organised

Overall 8/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 8
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 8
Cleanliness 8
Wifi 2
James M. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked: Great situation, clean toilets wonderful ly simple

Disliked: Some noisy campers playing their beat music but not late

Recommend to friends Visit again

Very limited facilities.

Overall 4/10
Location 8
Value for money 4
Accommodation 4
Facilities / Activities 2
Customer service 4
Child friendliness 4
Cleanliness 4
Wifi No rating
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked: Situation, view, friendly staff.

Disliked: Limited facilities. A single tap in the corner of the field. No showers or washing facilities, no dish washing facilities. Porta-loo's clean but no water or soap in them.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: We are a pop up site with the most beautiful views on the south coast. Nowhere in our listing does it say that we have showers or wash or dishwashing facilities. We don’t have any power to the site so we cannot provide this. Portaloos have sanitiser in the soap dispensers.


Frequently asked questions

  • Does Portland Bill Camping have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Portland Bill Camping dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Portland Bill Camping? In the immediate surrounding area, you can stroll into Southwell (20 minutes' walk) to take on its climbing wall, amble down to Portland Bill (20 minutes) to visit the lighthouse and its … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Portland Bill Camping?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  12:30 p.m. –  9 p.m.
    Depart by:  11:30 a.m.
    Read more