Lyons Gate Holiday Park

View prices & book 9.3 196 reviews
Colourful site
Colourful site
Pitches by the lake
Lake on site
Aerial view
Lakeside pitches
Lakeside pitches
Plenty of space
Grab a spot to cast a line
1/260
Pitches by the lake
Lake on site
Aerial view

  • Peaceful woodland site in Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
  • Half an hour from Jurassic Coast beaches; 20 minutes from Dorchester
  • Four well-stocked fishing lakes on site, plus woodland trails
A peaceful spot in Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, within easy reach of the famed Jurassic Coast and with lots nearby for history and heritage buffs? Sounds like a lucky catch… and that’s not all to reel you in at Lyons Gate Caravan Park and Fishery, a family-friendly site less than 10 minutes’ drive from the scenic Dorset village of Cerne Abbas. This site is heaven for anyone angling to do a spot of fishing on their hols: there are four well-stocked lakes here where casting a line could land perch, chub, roach, tench, rudd, barbel or 20-pound+ carp – plenty to keep novices and experts entertained for days. When nothing’s biting, hunger can be kept at bay with a cheeky takeaway, and there are a couple of pubs in Cerne Abbas if local eats are on the menu. Not hooked on spending getaways on the banks? Nature trails crisscross the woodland on site, or you can venture out into the AONB to wander the Jurassic Coast, lounge around on sandy beaches, and follow the Thomas Hardy trail to see Dorset as the poet and novelist did.

Campground type

Tent sites 13
Mobile homes for rent 2
RV sites 11
Camper sites 11
Open now
Opens February 2
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • The park does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Breed-specific legislation (i.e. Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro).
  • A charge of £0.50 ($0.62) applies for the use of the shower.
  • Reception is unmanned after 6 p.m.. Please inform the park while on your way there should you expect to arrive after this time so that the team can provide information about your unit/site.
  • Fishing is £6 per person per day for up to 2 rods.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Sun, Feb 2 to

This campground is a member of Lyons Holiday Parks group.

AA 4 pennants
View all Lyons Holiday Parks parks.

Campsite types & availability

Accommodation

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

Reviews

9.3

Overall rating from 196 Pitchup.com customers

  • 73%
    10
  • 2%
    9
  • 16%
    8
  • 0%
    7
  • 2%
    6
  • 0%
    5
  • 2%
    4
  • 0%
    3
  • 1%
    2
  • 0%
    1
Location
 9
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 8
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 4
Peaceful

94% would recommend this campground to a friend

91% would stay here again

What customers say

This immaculately kept campsite is praised for its peaceful atmosphere, beautiful lakeside pitches, and abundant wildlife. Visitors highlight the exceptional friendliness and helpfulness of owners Phil and Mandy, who ensure the site and its four fishing lakes are well-maintained. Facilities, including showers and toilets, are consistently described as clean and well-kept, though some note they are a little dated. The site is considered ideal for fishing enthusiasts and those seeking a relaxing getaway in a tranquil, natural setting.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 20
Arrival date (latest first)

Ok for a night

Overall

5 out of 10
Location
 5
Value for money
 4
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 2
Customer service
 5
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 5
Wifi
 1
Anonymous

Powered cement/asphalt travel trailer campsite (waterside)

Liked Fairly quiet.

Disliked Being by the lake meant that you had people fishing just 2 mtr behind your van. This was from 7am til 7pm or later. It did not feel like you had any privacy.
Mainly seasonal pitches, site felt a bit crammed.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely site, well maintained and clean facilities. Welcomed to the site by…

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
 1
Chris M.

Powered cement/asphalt travel trailer campsite (waterside)

Liked Lovely site, well maintained and clean facilities. Welcomed to the site by Phil and showed to out pitch. Don't forget your 20p/50p for the showers/washing up and £1/50p for the washing machines and dryers. Not a fisherman myself but saw some big fishes landed over our stay. Nice walks around the lakes and through the woodland. Ice cream van called in on Saturday evening.

Disliked No WiFi and patchy 4G reception.

Recommend to friends Visit again

A lovely, beautifully landscaped site but facilities need updating.

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
 8
Value for money
 8
Accommodation
 8
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 1
Cleanliness
 8
Wifi
 1
Anonymous

Powered grass tent or trailer tent campsite

Liked A beautiful site, with lovely flower beds, woodland walks and fishing lakes. A peaceful site, the managers were friendly and frequently walked the site and all the woodland paths to ensure everything was clean and tidy. The grass pitches themselves were lovely and green - not worn out.

Disliked There was a lack of recycling, only cardboard, so we had to take all our recycling home. The toilet facilities were clean but rather dated and we would have liked individual washing cubicles rather than communal basins.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great place nice people on reception. Really good for anglers.…

Overall

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

Powered cement/asphalt travel trailer campsite (waterside)

Liked Great place nice people on reception. Really good for anglers.

Disliked Pitches are to close together

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent can’t comment on WiFi didn’t use and 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
 10
Sadie S.

Powered cement/asphalt travel trailer campsite

Liked Lovely campsite stayed one night on way to Cornwall wish we stayed longer, kids loved the fishing, toilets and shower very clean, owners very welcoming, and very helpful

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for your kind review. Hope to see you again at Lyons Gate.

Friendly management, very well kept site with lovely lakes and good fishing.…

Overall

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

Powered cement/asphalt travel trailer campsite (waterside)

Liked Friendly management, very well kept site with lovely lakes and good fishing. The guys that run the place are very knowledgeable and extremely helpful. The site has a really relaxed feel but they obviously take care of the fish and the lakes. Although the showers are 20p there is plenty of time and hot water to get it done. Toilets are cleaned regularly and always in respectable shape. Will definitely return .

Disliked Stock in the shop was very limited.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thankyou for your great review. We are glad that you enjoyed your stay and hope to see you again.
We do send an email prior to your visit to say the shop only stocks limited supplies, if you had asked if you needed something we may of been able to help.

WOW-such a beautiful site. We’re returning in a couple of weeks

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
 10
Steve H.

Powered cement/asphalt travel trailer campsite (waterside)

Liked Greeted on arrival
Spotless site,Very well maintained
Lovely owners Mandy & Phil
Shop for essentials
Affordable fishing
Beautiful woods
Pretty flowers
This site is very well maintained, lovely flowers around the site. Our few days were very peaceful & relaxing.
The owners are lovely so friendly.
The fishing is great & affordable, But it is a free for all. You’ll have to get up early to get the spot near your van. Or venture off to the other lakes. They’re all a good size. There is a 20p charge for the showers. Which are very spacious & clean with a seat. (I would say 40p if you’re washing long hair)20p for the hot water. All very affordable.
We had the motorhome spot on the kingfisher lake. No 8
Definitely a nice relaxing & peaceful break for us. Dog friendly too. This site is one of the most cleanest sites I’ve been too,where everyone cleans up after their dogs. The woods are beautiful about a 20 min walk round & then you can add on the lakes to make the walk longer. There’s fruit trees on the entrance,you’re allowed to help yourself to the fruit.
Absolutely a beautiful site
Thank you Mandy & Phil for a lovely stay.

Disliked Leaving

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thankyou for your great review. We are glad that you enjoyed your stay and we will see you in a couple of weeks.

We shall be returning . Clean toilets friendly staff and great pitch .

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
Leanne E.

Powered grass tent or trailer tent campsite

Liked Very welcoming site .. Phil and Wendy made us fill part of the family nothing was ever too much trouble. The boys absolutely loved the fishing and so did husband . Fishing for beginners young lad and for the experience fishers. Nice and chilled site .

Disliked Only disadvantage was 20p for hot water when washing up dishes.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thankyou for your great review. We are glad that you enjoyed your stay and hope to see you again.

Phil and Mandy were very friendly and helpful. A clean well looked…

Overall

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

Powered cement/asphalt travel trailer campsite

Liked Phil and Mandy were very friendly and helpful. A clean well looked after site. A good centre for walking the local footpaths.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thankyou for your great review. We are glad that you enjoyed your stay and hope to see you again.

Beautiful peaceful place very well run by Mandy and Phil…

Overall

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

Powered cement/asphalt travel trailer campsite (waterside)

Liked Beautiful peaceful place very well run by Mandy and Phil

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thankyou for your great review. We are glad that you enjoyed your stay and hope to see you again.

Features

Dogs 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 Lake and/or mountain Peaceful Remote location

Utilities

Charging facilities Dump station Electric car charging point(s) Propane/gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Public transportation nearby

Type

Medium (26-50 sites)

Nearby leisure

Fishing nearby Restaurant nearby

Touring and motorhomes

Seasonal sites

Location

Lyons Gate Holiday Park

Cerne Abbas

Dorchester

Dorset

England

DT2 7AZ

Directions

Timezone

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

GPS

50.85569°N
2.48163°W

Nearest transport

Bus
6.7 mi Greenhill
6.8 mi Coldharbour
7.7 mi Queens Head
Rail
4.1 mi Chetnole Rail Station
4.9 mi Yetminster Rail Station
5.7 mi Thornford Rail Station
Ferry
17.2 mi Weymouth Ferry Terminal
23.7 mi Poole Ferry Terminal
23.9 mi Poole Quay Ferry Landing
Airport
28.9 mi 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

Cerne Abbas has been called ‘Britain’s most desirable village’ to live in and it’s easy to see why. Start stays with a ramble around the stunningly pretty village, stopping in at the pubs to sample the local beer and tottering along to Cerne Abbey where the village’s tradition of brewing began. Of course, beer isn’t what Cerne Abbas is most famous for, so a trip to the Cerne Abbas Giant (a chalk hill figure of a happily anatomically correct man) comes highly recommended. There’s a viewing spot in the village and closer looks are a stroll away along a waymarked circular trail managed by the National Trust. If naked desires (sorry) skew more towards grand estates, Minterne House and Gardens are less than five minutes from base – the house isn’t open to the public, but it’s a spectacular backdrop to wanders among Himalayan gardens, designed in the style of Capability Brown. More urban days are within easy reach at Dorchester, 20 minutes away. The town is the birthplace of Thomas Hardy, and visits to Hardy’s Cottage and his home later in life (Max Gate) are absolute musts. It’s not just literary history here either: there’s the Tutankhamun Exhibition, a Roman amphitheatre, a display of Terracotta Warrior replicas, and a handful of museums for everything from teddy bears to dinosaurs.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Hive 15.3 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Bowleaze Cove 15.4 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
West Bay (West) 16 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Weymouth Lodmoor 16 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Eypemouth 16.4 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Hardy's Birthplace 9.6 mi

Mapperton House & Gardens 10.7 mi

Montacute House 12.1 mi

Fleet Air Arm Museum 13 mi

Haynes International Motor Museum 13.2 mi

National Trust

Hardy's Cottage 9.6 mi

Max Gate 10.5 mi

Montacute House 12.1 mi

Tintinhull Garden 13 mi

Clouds Hill 13.8 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

MINTERNE 1.4 mi

Beneath The Feet Of Cerne's Giant 3.2 mi

CHANTMARLE 5.2 mi

MELBURY PARK 5.2 mi

SHERBORNE CASTLE 6.2 mi

Local events

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

    Dorchester, England 9.5 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.

Offers

Caravan for hire
Swift Elegance 2 bedroom mobile home
  • 10% off 3 nights+ –
Caravan for hire
Atlas Chorus 2 bedroom mobile home
  • 10% off 3 nights+ –

Conditions apply - see campsite type section for details

Nearest campgrounds

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable campgrounds.

Want to know more about camping in Dorset?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Lyons Gate Holiday Park have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Lyons Gate Holiday Park dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Lyons Gate Holiday Park? Cerne Abbas has been called ‘Britain’s most desirable village’ to live in and it’s easy to see why. Start stays with a ramble around the stunningly pretty village, stopping in at the … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Lyons Gate Holiday Park?
    RV, travel trailer and tent sites
    Arrive:  12:30 p.m. –  6 p.m.
    Depart by:  11:30 a.m.
    On-park accommodation
    Arrive:  2 p.m. –  6 p.m.
    Depart by:  10 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Lyons Gate Holiday Park? From $36.32 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.