Howard's Wood

View prices & book 9.6 167 reviews
Aerial view of Dorset countryside
Aerial view of dorset countryside
Campsite
Campsite and shower
Woodland clearing
Pitch up wherever you want
Clearing
Forest camping
Peaceful camping in the woodland
1/146
Campsite
Campsite and shower
Woodland clearing

  • Almost wild camping in a 25-acre woodland at Netherbury in Dorset
  • Charmouth 25 minutes’ drive and Abbotsbury Swannery 35 minutes
  • Dog-friendly pop-up site 15 minutes’ walk from the local pub
There’s getting away from it all – and then there’s really getting away from it all. If you feel the need to do the latter, then do it somewhere like Howard’s Wood, an almost wild pop-up site on the outskirts of Netherbury in Dorset. Here you can escape into a 25-acre woodland – planted in 2003 by the landowners – and truly relax in the middle of a wildlife haven. Bring your dogs and exercise them while exploring the woods, and let the kids run around within earshot on the playing fields next to the pitches. The pretty basic setup here consists of composting toilets and hot showers, and is suitable for anyone and everyone looking for a simple camping experience out in nature yet near to some big-name Dorset attractions. For at Howard’s Wood, you can wake up to mornings filled with birdsong, with the chance of spotting deer and squirrels roaming around near your tent. After a day out at the mysterious National Trust - Cerne Giant (35 minutes’ drive) or scouring for fossils along the Jurassic Coast (half an hour), return to base for relaxing times cosying up around a firepit or cooking up a barbecue – pick up food in Beaminster or Bridport (both about 10 minutes’ drive). Alternatively you can wander down to the local pub (15 minutes’ walk), which has luscious country views, a beer garden for warmer evenings and good home-cooked food.

Campground type

Tent sites 14
Rent a tent 1
RV sites 14
Open now
Opens July 17
Please note

General

  • Discount cards and gift vouchers cannot be applied to bookings made via Pitchup.com.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Fri, Jul 17 to

Open from Fri, Jul 23 to

No availability here for your search criteria

Campsite types & availability

Accommodation

Tent sitesCamper sitesRV sitesLodges, cabins, pods or hutsMobile homes for rentRent a tent
Choose your dates
2 adults
0 children
0 dogs

Reviews

9.6

Overall rating from 167 Pitchup.com customers

  • 79%
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    8
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    1
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 6
ForestPeaceful

98% would recommend this campground to a friend

96% would stay here again

What customers say

Howard's Wood offers "wild camping" in secluded woods. Guests love the peaceful vibe, private spots, and helpful hosts. Composting toilets, hot showers, and a communal kitchen are available. Great for exploring the coast and countryside, with a nearby pub. Some mention rougher terrain and occasional dog walker encounters. Highly recommended for a back-to-basics nature escape.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews. Last updated 8/25/2026

Filter by topic

Reviews page 1 of 17
Arrival date (latest first)

Location was great with super walk…

Overall

7 out of 10
Location
 8
Value for money
 8
Accommodation
 8
Facilities / Activities
 7
Customer service
 9
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 8
Wifi
 No rating
Anonymous

Bell tent

Liked Location was great with super walk along the Hardy way to Beaminster. Loved having already erected star bell tent. Our plot was private and peaceful.

Disliked Composting loos a great idea but they needed sawdust to be working properly !

Recommend to friends Visit again

Scenery and peaceful surroundings…

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
 9
Value for money
 9
Facilities / Activities
 7
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 No rating
Sean K. 3 reviews

Primitive forest floor campervan or trailer tent campsite

Liked Scenery and peaceful surroundings

Disliked Could do with an extra couple of toilets as quite annoying every time I used them to have people knocking on the door asking you to hurry up , come on guys dig an extra few holes , please

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful woodland setting camping among the…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 8
Wifi
 1
 Craig C. 1 review

Primitive forest floor campervan or trailer tent campsite

Liked Beautiful woodland setting camping among the trees at a very reasonable price. Easy access to all the delights of the Dorset countryside.
The amenities are basic, rustic but functional.

We will be back.

Disliked The composting toilets can be a bit pungent and not a place to hang around longer than needed.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Wie im Feenwald! Ruhig, idyllisch und…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Ambergers 1 review

Primitive forest floor campervan or trailer tent campsite

Liked Wie im Feenwald! Ruhig, idyllisch und der Spielplatz in Sichtweite. Für uns als Familie perfekt!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Loved camping in the woods you…

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 8
Wifi
 No rating
Peter W. 1 review

Primitive forest floor campervan or trailer tent campsite

Liked Loved camping in the woods you get a great pitch and not all cramped together.
Steph is so helpful and communication was great and was there to help with anything to help with your stay.
There was hot showers, somewhere to wash your dishes and compost toilets. The bonus is early morning walks in the woods 🤗

Recommend to friends Visit again

A great stay, with good facilities and welcoming hosts

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 8
Wifi
 8
 Leanne T. 5 reviews

Primitive forest floor campervan or trailer tent campsite

Liked Excellent communication from host, pretty easy to find and a pitch was reserved before our arrival, we stayed on pitch 5, a area in the woodlands, we had a walk around and the sight was perfect for a one night stay, the stars came out at night and we had a nice opening on pitch 5 to see the stars, we visited the sheep, heard a barn owl screeching at night that was quite eerie but added to the woodland experience we had a nice stay and owners seem lovely and attentive, There was a few lads near by that were having fun but it didnt bother us at all. We had a lovely stay and will definitely book here again for a nightly getaway in the rustic woods, we parked up with friends and they said they would return and took details from us, Thankyou Steph

Recommend to friends Visit again

The price, the communication from the…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 No rating
Value for money
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 No rating
Customer service
 No rating
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 No rating
Wifi
 No rating
Henry K. 1 review

Primitive forest floor tent campsite

Liked The price, the communication from the owner and the facilities.

Recommend to friends Visit again

This place is perfect…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 1
 Nick M. 3 reviews

Primitive forest floor campervan or trailer tent campsite

Liked This place is perfect

Recommend to friends Visit again

Faultless! Great mix of being off…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Jack D. 3 reviews

Primitive forest floor tent campsite

Liked Faultless! Great mix of being off grid whilst having the required amenities! Wonderful host too!

Recommend to friends Visit again

everything was amazing as it was…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Taha P. 2 reviews

Primitive forest floor campervan or trailer tent campsite

Liked everything was amazing as it was expected. the owner was really kind and lovely. we're definitely visiting again.

Recommend to friends Visit again

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 Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Free wifi Grocery store Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundromat Local produce 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 Scouts welcome 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 Forest Hikers’ paradise Peaceful Remote location Wild camping Wildlife haven

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

Pop-up campground Small (11-25 sites)

Nearby leisure

Cycling nearby Restaurant nearby Watersports nearby

Location

Howard's Wood

Netherbury

Bridport

Dorset

England

DT6 5RT

Directions

Timezone

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

GPS

50.78721°N
2.75317°W

Nearest transport

Bus
3.7 mi Coach Station
12 mi Yeovil Bus Station
14.8 mi South Station
Rail
6.1 mi Crewkerne Rail Station
8.1 mi Maiden Newton Rail Station
9.6 mi Chetnole Rail Station
Ferry
18.2 mi Weymouth Ferry Terminal
26.7 mi Bridgwater Ferry Terminal
Airport
29.3 mi Exeter 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

Dorset packs a mighty historical punch, and there are several Iron Age sites to see locally. Hike up to the fort at Rawlsbury Camp (50 minutes) for spectacular views over Bulbarrow Hill and Blackmore Vale, or glimpse the sea from the top of the burial mounds at Eggardon Hill Fort (25 minutes). Time-travel forward to Saxon times to see the National Trust-owned Cerne Giant (35 minutes’ drive) etched into the chalk hillside above thatched Cerne Abbas village (half an hour). A day on a Jurassic Coast beach may be in the sightseeing schedule too; choices include the fossil hub of Dorset at Charmouth (25 minutes) or the soft sandy town beach at popular Lyme Regis (half an hour). Heading east, Seatown Beach (20 minutes) is a quiet shingle spot for solitary walks, while trips to the West Dorset Heritage Coast repay with scenic hikes along Chesil Beach (40 minutes) and the chance to feed the swans at Abbotsbury Swannery (35 minutes). If you’d rather stay closer to home base, tour the orchards and taste a drop or two of local scrumpy at Dorset Nectar Cider (five minutes), and if the kids have been well behaved, reward them with cuddly donkey encounters at Donkey Walking Adventures (10 minutes).

Food and drink

  • Hare and Hounds Pub 0.7 mi
  • Half Moon Pub 1.2 mi
  • New Inn Pub 1.6 mi
  • The Ollerod Hotel and Restaurant 1.6 mi
  • Knapp Inn Pub 1.6 mi
  • The Red Lion Pub 1.6 mi
  • Brassica Restaurant 1.6 mi
  • Greyhound Inn Pub 1.6 mi
  • Tangerine Cafe Restaurant 1.6 mi
  • Bombay Spice Restaurant 1.7 mi

Groceries

  • Isaac Cider Off-licence 1 mi
  • Co-op Food Supermarket 1.6 mi
  • Lidl Supermarket 3.3 mi
  • Co-op Food Supermarket 3.4 mi
  • Waitrose Supermarket 3.7 mi
  • Morrisons Supermarket 4.2 mi
  • Felicity's Farm Shop Supermarket 5 mi

Parks and play

  • Netherbury Playing Field Playground 0.2 mi
  • St. Swithun's Church Gardens park 3.7 mi
  • Purcombe Orchard and Gardens park 3.7 mi
  • Purcombe Hill park 3.7 mi
  • Mead park 3.7 mi
  • Sidling park 3.7 mi
  • Plot park 3.8 mi
  • Little Mead park 3.8 mi
  • Borough Gardens park 3.8 mi
  • Pilsdon Plot park 3.8 mi

Family days out

  • Furleigh Estate Wine Tours Visitor attraction 1 mi
  • Stokewater Meadow Donkey Walking Days Visitor attraction 1.1 mi
  • Mangerton Mill Visitor attraction 2.3 mi
  • Powerstock Castle 3.7 mi
  • Marshwood Castle 4.1 mi
  • Langdon Hill Visitor attraction 5.2 mi
  • Harbour Amusements Amusement arcade 5.2 mi
  • Bredy Farm Visitor attraction 6 mi
  • Red Post Visitor attraction 6 mi

Public transport

  • Colfox School 2.8 mi
  • King's Head 3 mi
  • Kings Head 3 mi
  • Knightstone Rise 3.1 mi
  • Bridport Hospital 3.2 mi
  • North Mills Trading Estate 3.4 mi
  • Lee Lane 3.6 mi
  • Park Road 3.7 mi
  • Town Centre 3.7 mi
  • Bridport Medical Centre 3.7 mi

Beaches

  • East Beach 5.4 mi
  • Seatown Beach 5.5 mi

What’s nearby

  • Eype Marina 5.1 mi
  • West Bay Harbour Marina 5.3 mi
  • Bridport and West Dorset Golf Club Golf course 5.5 mi

Local services

  • Beaminster Pharmacy 1.7 mi
  • Barton House Surgery Doctors 1.7 mi
  • Tunnel Road Surgery Doctors 1.8 mi
  • Boots Pharmacy 3.7 mi
  • Superdrug Pharmacy 3.7 mi
  • Well Pharmacy 3.7 mi
  • Bridport Medical Centre Doctors 3.7 mi
  • Chargernet Charging station 3.7 mi
  • Esso Fuel station 3.8 mi
  • Myenergi Charging station 3.9 mi

© OpenStreetMap contributors

Must see

Mapperton House & Gardens 2.1 mi

Abbotsbury Swannery 11.1 mi

Montacute House 11.5 mi

Hardy's Birthplace 16.4 mi

Fleet Air Arm Museum 16.5 mi

National Trust

Montacute House 11.4 mi

Barrington Court 12.9 mi

Tintinhull Garden 13.1 mi

Loughwood Meeting House 13.4 mi

Shute Barton 13.5 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

PARNHAM 1 mi

BEAMINSTER MANOR 2 mi

MAPPERTON HOUSE 2.1 mi

DOWNE HALL 3.5 mi

North Chideock - Symondsbury and More. 4.6 mi

Local events

  • Dorset County Show (Saturday, September 5, 2026 – Saturday, September 5, 2026)

    Dorchester, England 15 mi

  • Glastonbury Festival (Wednesday, June 23, 2027 – Wednesday, June 23, 2027)

    Glastonbury, England 26.7 mi

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.

Want to know more about camping in Dorset?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Howard's Wood have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Howard's Wood dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Howard's Wood? Dorset packs a mighty historical punch, and there are several Iron Age sites to see locally. Hike up to the fort at Rawlsbury Camp (50 minutes) for spectacular views over Bulbarrow Hill … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Howard's Wood?
    RV, travel trailer and tent sites
    Arrive:  11 a.m. –  Anytime
    Depart by:  2 p.m.
    On-park accommodation
    Arrive:  11 a.m. –  Anytime
    Depart by:  2 p.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Howard's Wood? From $20.30 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.