Holyrood Farm Campsite

View prices & book 9.8 118 reviews
View from campsite
Great views and relaxed camping at holyrood farm campsite.
View of the church from the site
Main view from the back of the field

  • Wild camping half a mile from Shaftesbury
  • Spectacular views over the Blackmore Vale
  • Campfires allowed
The views from this Shaftesbury site, they are stunning. As is the setting: small and secluded Holyrood Farm Campsite is in Dorset countryside overlooking the Blackmore Vale, within easy walking distance of the pubs and shops of Shaftesbury. It's close to several good footpaths for walking too – or you could take things up a notch with a stagger up Shaftesbury's Gold Hill, the famously steep cobbled street used several times as a set for the big and small screen…? Those spectacular vale views are from Holyrood's working farm, with sheep, rare-breed pigs and Dexter cattle (standard), alpacas (less so) and a badgers' watch (nocturnal trips ahoy). The vibe is wild camping, but there's a shower available all season. Campfires – of course – are allowed, and food (and beery?) bits can be sorted 10 minutes' walk away at the supermarkets and independent shops of Shaftesbury. Following a successful start to the site and taking feedback received into account, the owners have added flushing toilets, a washing-up area and improved access in and out, along with on-site checking in, firepits for rent and wood for sale. A permanent shower has also been added, with plenty of room to dry off and hang your clothes while showering.

Site type

Tent sites 54
Motorhome sites 3
Open now
Opens 18 April
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • Your dog must be tattooed or microchipped.
  • The campground/park does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Dangerous Dog Act (i.e. Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro).

Languages spoken

English

Open from Fri, 18 Apr to

Pitch types & availability

Reviews

  • 90%
    10
  • 1%
    9
  • 7%
    8
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    7
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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
9
Wifi
7

100% would recommend this site to a friend

99% would stay here again

What customers say

Awesome peaceful spot with great views and loads of room. Jason, the owner, is super friendly and helpful. Facilities are clean and basic but fine. Close walk to Shaftesbury for shops and pubs. Lots of people keen to come back for the chilled vibe and value. A few reckon more loos needed in busy times and the firewood can be a bit damp.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 12
Arrival date (latest first)

Excellent place

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
9
Value for money
9
Accommodation
No rating
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No rating
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
benjamin a.

Unpowered grass campervan site

Liked Excellent place with beautiful views ,good c lean wc separate male ,female, and two showers all clean and tidy with a outside sink for washing up .farmer made a effort to say hello

Disliked Nothing to dislike

Recommend to friends Visit again

Perfect location to discover Shaftesbury,fantastic views…

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
Kevin M.

Unpowered grass campervan site

Liked Perfect location to discover Shaftesbury,fantastic views

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent site, friendly owners

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
Sally S.

Unpowered grass tent or trailer tent site

Liked We had a lovely weekend at this wonderful site, we pitched our tent where we liked, lots of space and freedom, toilets kept clean, lovely friendly owners who came over to introduce himself to us and regularly kept an eye on things, would definitely return in the future

Disliked NA

Recommend to friends Visit again

Stunning views on a lovely rural site 10mins from town

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
Alan P.

Unpowered grass campervan site

Liked Location , location , location

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful site with superb views over the Blackmore vale. Lovely and quiet…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
10
Facilities / Activities
10
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
10
Cleanliness
9
Wifi
5
Caroline P.

Unpowered grass campervan site

Liked Beautiful site with superb views over the Blackmore vale. Lovely and quiet for a perfectly relaxing time.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely site, clean, tidy, beautiful views and a very pleasant owner, who…

Overall

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

Unpowered grass tent or trailer tent site

Liked Lovely site, clean, tidy, beautiful views and a very pleasant owner, who popped in and checked all was ok

Recommend to friends Visit again

Perfect site, great facilities, well run by friendly staff.

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
Carol M.

Unpowered grass campervan site

Liked Such a lovely field with amazing views. Very friendly hosts who look after the facilities they provide very well. The walk into town was only 15 mins max where you can find plenty of pubs & shops for anything you might need. Then wander back to the haven that Holyrood provides. We will be back soon!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful views and incredibly quiet

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
Anna S.

Unpowered grass campervan site

Liked Me and my son needed somewhere to stop for the night and stumbled across Holyrood campsite. Had a great stay, lots of space, beautiful views, toilets and showers although we didn't use these. Owner came to say hi and was really friendly. I've saved this spot and will stop by again in the future.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent

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
Amanda B.

Unpowered grass campervan site

Liked Absolutely loved this site. Came as Grandparents with a 9 & 6 year old.
The scenery is outstanding. The field is huge pick your own pitch. The toilets were spotless. We never used the showers. Shaftesbury is a 15 min walk up a public footpath. We loved Shaftesbury and visited two museum’s both free . Very pretty town lots of pubs and cafes with stunning views. Finally Jason the farmer drops in with a friendly chat and fire-pit & wood (extra to pay) and is around regular to check on site. If you have children and they l like fresh air and playing outside this is perfect for you. Will definitely return next year. Thank you

Disliked The fact we only could stay two nights!

Recommend to friends Visit again

The views and spacious site Being able to pick your own site…

Overall

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

Unpowered grass tent or trailer tent site

Liked The views and spacious site Being able to pick your own site The sunshine in the wooden shower and showers that were simple to use and comfortable temperature The price and location nice and quiet Friendly site owner
Great place for cycling to near shops for food True to description on pitchup

Recommend to friends Visit again


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 site/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundry 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 Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradise Wild camping Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Dump point Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Convenience store nearby Dog walk nearby

Type

Farm Large (51-200 sites) Pop-up campground

Nearby leisure

Cycling nearby Indoor pool nearby Outdoor pool nearby Restaurant nearby Tennis nearby

Touring and motorhomes

Seasonal sites

Location

Holyrood Farm Campsite

Gascoignes Lane

St James

Shaftesbury

Dorset

England

SP7 0NA

Directions

Timezone

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

GPS

50.99825°N
2.19545°W

Nearest transport

Coach
0.8 km The Town Hall
0.9 km The Town Hall
14.4 km Virginia Ash
Rail
6.7 km Gillingham (Dorset) Rail Station
10.7 km Tisbury Rail Station
15.6 km Templecombe Rail Station
Ferry
35.1 km Poole Quay Ferry Landing
35.2 km Poole Ferry Terminal
38.3 km Brownsea Island Ferry Landing
Airport
35.4 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're a UK sort of a certain age and can remember the famed ad for Hovis bread, nearby Gold Hill is where it was filmed – and did you know, big screen buffs, that the ad was directed by one Ridley Scott? The hill is five minutes' drive from Holyrood Farm Campsite, so totter up it for yourself when you get there; careering down afterwards on a bicycle very much recommended too. Your tired legs should also make an in-town effort to see Shaftesbury's two museums, one beside the ruins of Shaftesbury Abbey and telling its tale, and the other back at the top of Gold Hill, telling the history of Shaftesbury via many artefacts from its surrounds. (Best to have a look at this latter on your first climb, to save having to trek back up.) Day trips are within easy driving distance away from Shaftesbury: try the gardens at Stourhead House and Kingston Lacy 20 and 40 minutes away; the Fleet Air Arm Museum, telling the heady story of British aviation, half an hour away, and Dorchester about 50 minutes away. Other good day trip options are Longleat Safari and Adventure Park, 30 minutes away; the small peninsula of golden sand at Sandbanks 45 minutes away, and the town of Bournemouth, about an hour from the farm. Or stay close to the site if you're around at the end of August, and use it as a peaceful base to come back to after days at the Great Dorset Steam Fair.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Poole Harbour Rockley Sands 32.9 km Estuary N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Poole Harbour Lake 33.8 km Estuary N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Poole Branksome Chine 38.2 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Bournemouth Alum Chine 38.3 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Bournemouth Durley Chine 38.3 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Stourhead House and Garden 14.9 km

Longleat 21.7 km

Kingston Lacy House and Gardens 23.5 km

Wilton House 25.3 km

Haynes International Motor Museum 25.8 km

National Trust

Stourhead 14.8 km

Philipps House and Dinton Park 17.4 km

Little Clarendon 17.7 km

White Mill 23.5 km

Kingston Lacy 23.8 km

Cycle routes

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

Other

Shaftesbury – Kingsettle Wood – Motcombe - Shaftesbury 1.2 km

Duncliffe Wood 4.7 km

The Donheads - Wincombe - Gutch Common - Barkers Hill 6 km

Donhead St Andrew and the Wardour Castles 6 km

Win Green and Tollard Royal 6.1 km

Local events

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

    Dorchester, England 34.7 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.

Nearest sites

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Want to know more about camping in Dorset?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Holyrood Farm Campsite have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Holyrood Farm Campsite dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Holyrood Farm Campsite? If you're a UK sort of a certain age and can remember the famed ad for Hovis bread, nearby Gold Hill is where it was filmed – and did you know, big … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Holyrood Farm Campsite?
    Camping and caravan
    Arrive:  Anytime –  Anytime
    Depart by:  Anytime
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Holyrood Farm Campsite? From $45.34 (for 1 night, 4 people) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.