Lyons Gate Holiday Park

View prices & book 9.3 198 reviews
Colourful site
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.

Site type

Tent pitches 13
Caravans for hire 2
Motorhome pitches 11
Touring caravan pitches 11
Open now
Opens 2 February
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • The site does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act (i.e. XL Bully, Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro).
  • A charge of £0.50 (R11.54) applies for the use of the shower.
  • Reception is unmanned after 6 p.m.. Please inform the site while on your way there should you expect to arrive after this time, so that the team can provide information about your unit/pitch.
  • Fishing is £6 per person per day for up to 2 rods.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Sun, 02 Feb to

This site is a member of Lyons Holiday Parks group.

AA 4 pennants
View all Lyons Holiday Parks parks.

Pitch types & availability

Other options

Reviews

  • 73%
    10
  • 2%
    9
  • 17%
    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

94% would recommend this site to a friend

91% would stay here again

What customers say

Great campsite, loved the peace, lakeside spots and wildlife. Owners Phil & Mandy super friendly & helpful, keep fishing lakes pristine. Facilities spotless but a tad dated. Perfect for fishing fans & chill breaks in nature.

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

Electric hardstanding touring pitch (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

From the manager: Sorry you did not enjoy stay.

Very nice site owners were so helpful fishing is good and our…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
9
Facilities / Activities
9
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
7
Cleanliness
9
Wifi
1
andy w.

Electric hardstanding touring pitch (waterside)

Liked Very nice site owners were so helpful fishing is good and our caravan backed onto one of the lakes

Nice walks in the wood as the weather was warm so kept the dogs warm

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for your kind comments, hope to see you again.

Would go back.

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
6
Value for money
8
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
8
Wifi
1
Anonymous

Electric hardstanding touring pitch (waterside)

Liked Good location for visiting some nice places. Good fishing if you're into that.

Disliked Only issue which is a small thing is the fresh water tap is tucked behind someone else's pitch 🤔

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.

Electric hardstanding touring pitch (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

From the manager: Thank you for your kind comments, hope to see you 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

Electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

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.

Electric hardstanding touring pitch (waterside)

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

Disliked Pitches are to close together

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for your kind comments, glad you enjoyed your stay. Hope we see you 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.

Electric hardstanding touring pitch

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.

Electric hardstanding touring pitch (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.

Electric hardstanding touring pitch (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.

Electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

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.


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 pitch/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Launderette Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area Wifi

Groups 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

Lake and/or mountain Peaceful Remote location Walkers' paradise

Utilities

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

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Public transport nearby

Type

Medium (26-50 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Fishing nearby Restaurant nearby

Touring and motorhomes

Seasonal pitches

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

Coach
10.8 km Greenhill
11 km Coldharbour
12.4 km Queens Head
Rail
6.5 km Chetnole Rail Station
7.9 km Yetminster Rail Station
9.2 km Thornford Rail Station
Ferry
27.6 km Weymouth Ferry Terminal
38.1 km Poole Ferry Terminal
38.5 km Poole Quay Ferry Landing
Airport
46.6 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

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 24.5 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Bowleaze Cove 24.8 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
West Bay (West) 25.7 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Weymouth Lodmoor 25.7 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Eypemouth 26.4 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Hardy's Birthplace 15.4 km

Mapperton House & Gardens 17.2 km

Montacute House 19.5 km

Fleet Air Arm Museum 20.9 km

Haynes International Motor Museum 21.3 km

National Trust

Hardy's Cottage 15.4 km

Max Gate 16.8 km

Montacute House 19.5 km

Tintinhull Garden 20.9 km

Clouds Hill 22.3 km

Cycle routes

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

Other

MINTERNE 2.2 km

Beneath The Feet Of Cerne's Giant 5.2 km

CHANTMARLE 8.4 km

MELBURY PARK 8.4 km

SHERBORNE CASTLE 10 km

Local events

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

    Dorchester, England 15.3 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.

Offers

Caravan for hire
Swift Elegance 2 bedroom static caravan
  • 10% off 3 nights+
Caravan for hire
Atlas Chorus 2 bedroom static caravan
  • 10% off 3 nights+

Conditions apply - see pitch type section for details

Nearest sites

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

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?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  12:30 p.m. –  6 p.m.
    Depart by:  11:30 a.m.
    On-site 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 R643,50 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.