Purbeck View Campsite

Beach time is a must when staying this close to the coast. Sandy Swanage beach (20 minutes’ drive) is a good bet for a family day out, with deckchairs, pedalos and loungers to hire and amusements for the kids. Wilder Studland (also 20 minutes) has a backdrop of heath and dunes along much of its four-mile stretch, and a naturist section for those seeking an all-over tan. Down on the Jurassic Coast, top spots like Lulworth Cove, the famed stone arch Durdle Door and fossil-hunting hotspot Kimmeridge are all within a 20-minute drive, and it’s half an hour to Weymouth. To explore a bit more of the area’s natural habitat, aim for Wareham Forest or the RSPB Arne nature reserve (both 10 minutes); not at all native but still providing much fun are the apes of Monkey World (10 minutes). Serve up a bit of history alongside with outings to the ruins of Corfe Castle (five minutes) and the collection of armoured vehicles at The Tank Museum (10 minutes).