When can I check in and check out of Crooked Willows Farm?

RV, travel trailer and tent sites Arrive: 2 p.m. – 8 p.m. Depart by: noon Read more

Crooked Willows Farm

9.6 42 reviews

Drive to bournemouth beach in half an hour

Rural site on a working farm 10 minutes' drive from Wimborne Minster
Bournemouth beach, Poole and the New Forest within a half-hour drive
On the edge of the Holt Heath National Nature Reserve

What might possibly be on your list of ideals for a country break? Acres of space? A nature reserve over the road for rural rambles? A local pub within easy strolling distance? Ticking all the above boxes is Crooked Willows Farm, where pitches are part of a 40-acre farm on the edge of the Holt Heath National Nature Reserve, between the Dorset villages of Holt and Three Legged Cross (both of which are a couple of miles away). Back-to-basics guest areas are moved several times a year to preserve the land and ensure good grazing for the resident cattle and horses, but whichever part of the site is in use you’ll be in a fertiliser-free field kitted out with drinking water supply and compost toilets. Campfires aren’t allowed for safety reasons, but with a word to the folk on site you can hire portable firepits and buy wood to load them up with (it’s no surprise the words ‘friendly and helpful’ crop up time and again when previous travellers talk about the owners). Walks galore can be had in the surrounds; naturally, one of the most important routes is that to the Cross Keys inn, a leisurely few minutes away. Wimborne Minster is a 10-minute drive away for more pubs, restaurants and a supermarket; the site is also within a half-hour drive of Bournemouth’s sandy beach and the fab activities of the New Forest National Park.

Campground type

Languages spoken

English

Nearby parks that are bookable on Pitchup.com

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable campgrounds.

Features

Pop-up campground

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

Budget/backpacker Hikers’ paradise Peaceful 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 Dog walk nearby

Type

Farm Pop-up campground Tiny (1-10 sites)

Accessibility

Disabled facilities

Nearby leisure

Fishing nearby Golf nearby Indoor pool nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby

Location

Crooked Willows Farm

Mannington

Wimborne

Dorset

England

BH21 7LB

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London GMT (GMT+00:00)

GPS

50.84436°N
-1.91625°W

Nearest transport

Bus

5.5 mi Meeting House Lane

7 mi Bournemouth University

8 mi St Johns Church

Rail

8.1 mi Branksome Rail Station

8.4 mi Bournemouth Rail Station

8.5 mi Parkstone (Dorset) Rail Station

Ferry

9.6 mi Poole Quay Ferry Landing

9.7 mi Tuckton Tea Gardens Ferry Landing

9.9 mi Christchurch Quay Ferry Landing

Airport

5.9 mi Bournemouth International Airport

25.4 mi Southampton 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

This is a fab area for fresh air activities: bring your rod licence for day tickets to fish in the Holt Heath National Nature Reserve, opposite the site, or pack your clubs to tee off at the 27 holes of the Ferndown Golf Club (15 minutes’ drive). Make your way to Moors Valley Country Park (10 minutes’ drive) to get around however you like: there are walking trails and bike paths, Segway tours and a miniature railway, or you can see it from above while flying along the treetop course at Go Ape. There are yet more outdoorsy antics (walks, horse rides, bike rides and wildlife trails) to be had in the New Forest National Park (20 minutes’ drive), or at the watersports centres along the beach at Bournemouth (half an hour). For a more leisurely look at the sea, plot a course for Poole (also half an hour) and a trip to Brownsea Island from its quay. If the weather’s not approving of such activities, a cinema, bowling alley and waterpark are 25 minutes away at Tower Park. When it’s a little brighter, even tinies can play at being giants with a wander around the model town in Wimborne (15 minutes).

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name	Distance	Type	2020	2019	2018	2017
Bournemouth Pier	9.1 mi	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Good	Good
Bournemouth Durley Chine	9.1 mi	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Bournemouth Boscombe Pier	9.2 mi	Sea	N/A	Good	Good	Excellent
Bournemouth Alum Chine	9.3 mi	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Bournemouth Manor Steps	9.3 mi	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	N/A

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Kingston Lacy House and Gardens 5.6 mi

Adventure Wonderland 5.7 mi

The Bournemouth Balloon 8.8 mi

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum 9 mi

Bournemouth Pier Beach 9 mi

National Trust

Kingston Lacy 5.6 mi

White Mill 6.9 mi

Brownsea Island 11 mi

Studland Beach and Nature Reserve 13.9 mi

Corfe Castle 15.6 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

Holt Heath - Horton Tower - Holt Heath 1.1 mi

CRICHEL HOUSE 4.3 mi

AVON HEATH (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 19/05/1998) 4.5 mi

ST GILES' HOUSE 4.8 mi

Pamphill - Eye Bridge - Lambs Green - Wimborne 5.1 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.

Reviews

would recommend this campground to a friend

would stay here again

78%
10
0%
9
21%
8
0%
7
0%
6
0%
5
0%
4
0%
3
0%
2
0%
1

Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

Spacious private pitch with parking available alongside

Clean facilities. If there are any problems Richard is on hand straight…

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	10
Accommodation	10
Facilities / Activities	8
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	10
Cleanliness	10
Wifi	2

Eleanor L. Jul 2023

Buttercup primitive grass campsite

Liked: Clean facilities. If there are any problems Richard is on hand straight away.
Great firepit and able to buy wood for it too.
Cheap too!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Friendly owner, basic facilities but perfect for an off grid stay

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	10
Accommodation	No rating
Facilities / Activities	2
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	No rating
Cleanliness	8
Wifi	No rating

Zena W. Jul 2023

Buttercup primitive grass campsite

Liked: Very quiet site. Back to nature.

Recommend to friends Visit again

I would definitely stay there again

Overall	10/10
Location	8
Value for money	10
Accommodation	8
Facilities / Activities	2
Customer service	8
Child friendliness	6
Cleanliness	6
Wifi	2

Martin W. Jul 2023

Buttercup primitive grass campsite

Liked: Very basic cheap camp site

Disliked: Only a toilet no showers but I knew that before I booked

Recommend to friends Visit again

Brilliant definitely an 11/10

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	10
Accommodation	10
Facilities / Activities	10
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	10
Cleanliness	10
Wifi	2

Samantha S. Jul 2023

Buttercup primitive grass campsite

Liked: Amazing. Very clean. Very friendly farmer. We love the idea of compost toilets, very clean and convenient. The fireplace is brilliant. My children loved being free to play and explore. We absolutely enjoyed walking through the countryside and exploring. Beautiful horses in a nearby field. Nature at its finest. This is our 2nd time visiting and we will definitely be returning. Love not having electric, means no devices and can really get back to basics. No street lights meant you can really appreciate and see the stars. But don't forget your torch you will need it!

Disliked: The local pub is never open.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Peace and tranquility of a basic site which was just what we…

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

Anonymous Jul 2023

Buttercup primitive grass campsite

Liked: Peace and tranquility of a basic site which was just what we wanted to give a new tent a run out and visit relatives in the area. Large grassy field with plenty of space to pitch and sufficient hedge shelter to protect against 45mph winds we experienced on one day. 2 clean and basic composting toilets and a sink with water supply nearby, we brought our own shower. Very friendly and easy going site owner, Richard, who made us very welcome. Field is full of wild flowers, clover, plantain, daisies, vetch and even birds foot trefoil. Site is away from all but country lanes and within walking distance of Holt Heath. Probably best visited by car but it is possible to walk or cycle to a couple of nearby convenience stores in Three Legged Cross, with a large Morrisons only 3 miles away in Verwood. Camping shop and great branch of Mountain Warehouse on the outskirts of Three Legged Cross. Lovely site for visiting the lesser known areas of east and north Dorset and a short car ride to the beaches around Poole and Bournemouth. Great site

Disliked: Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Nice area with good walks right from the sire over heath and…

Overall	8/10
Location	8
Value for money	8
Accommodation	6
Facilities / Activities	6
Customer service	8
Child friendliness	10
Cleanliness	8
Wifi	No rating

Adrian G. Jun 2023

Buttercup primitive grass campsite

Liked: Nice area with good walks right from the sire over heath and moorland

Disliked: It’s a tiny bit hard to find (make sure you follow the directions they text)
Also it’s not particularly level

Recommend to friends Visit again

Compost toilets very clean and didn't smell. Richard was very friendly and helpful Quiet…

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

Cheryl R. Jun 2023

Buttercup primitive grass campsite

Liked: Compost toilets very clean and didn't smell.
Richard was very friendly and helpful
Quiet and peaceful

Recommend to friends Visit again

Basic quiet site.

Overall	8/10
Location	8
Value for money	8
Accommodation	8
Facilities / Activities	8
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	8
Cleanliness	No rating
Wifi	No rating

Anthony G. Jun 2023

Buttercup primitive grass campsite

Liked: Lovely large field with plenty of space. Fire pits and some picnic tables supplied. Two composting toilets that we didn't use as we had our own facilities. Lovely walk around fishing lake with lilies, dragonflies etc a short walk from camping field. Only a short walk via NT path to Holt Heath which was beautiful with Ling in flower and Swallows circling. About 20 minute drive to Wimborne Minster that is a vibrant pretty town. Cross Keys Inn in walking distance of camping field but not able to comment as we didn't visit. Lovely spot. Would definitely return.

Disliked: Nothing.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent site, clean, friendly , welcoming

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	10
Accommodation	10
Facilities / Activities	6
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	10
Cleanliness	10
Wifi	10

Katt P. Jun 2023

Buttercup primitive grass campsite

Liked: Crooked willows farm was perfect. It was so quiet you couldn’t hear anything for miles, unless someone was driving past the field but it wasn’t a bother and didn’t happen often. Richard qas a great host and always came by to see if you and other campers were okay, if you was about. He would also make sure your stay felt welcoming. The compost toilets were always kept clean too with regular checks. If you have dog like me and my partner then the field is perfect too! Our dog Dobby loved her stay and was worn out every night. There were some nice walks too, but if you wanted to go to anywhere touristy then you would have to drive it, which is pretty normal :) overall fantastic ! Thank you Richard.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Location Quietness Friendly pub few minutes walk away Toilets were clean…

Overall	8/10
Location	10
Value for money	10
Accommodation	8
Facilities / Activities	8
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	10
Cleanliness	10
Wifi	No rating

Katy B. Jun 2023

Buttercup primitive grass campsite

Liked: Location
Quietness
Friendly pub few minutes walk away
Toilets were clean

Disliked: No tap or antibacterial soap by toilets

Recommend to friends Visit again

Frequently asked questions

Does Crooked Willows Farm have a swimming pool? No View all features
Is Crooked Willows Farm dog friendly? Yes View all features
What attractions are near Crooked Willows Farm? This is a fab area for fresh air activities: bring your rod licence for day tickets to fish in the Holt Heath National Nature Reserve, opposite the site, or pack your clubs … Read more
When can I check in and check out of Crooked Willows Farm?

RV, travel trailer and tent sites

Arrive: 2 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Depart by: noon

Read more