Turnpike Showground
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Add your business details- Spacious pick-your-own pitches in the north Dorset countryside
- A 10-minute drive to Shaftesbury; half an hour to Longleat safari park
- Dog-friendly site with easy access to the A303 and A350
Seriously in need of some space to take a break? Then get thee along to Turnpike Showground, a large site in the north Dorset countryside, a mile from the village of Motcombe and handily located between Gillingham and Shaftesbury (both of which are less than 10 minutes’ drive away and packed with places to eat, drink and shop).
To call this place large is no exaggeration: the whole site stretches over more than 60 acres, with a field of over 30 acres given over to the pitches. The number of people on site is never massive though: bookings are always kept to a sensible limit to make sure that all comers can reap the benefits of that open space.
Life on site is pretty laidback: it’s a non-contact check-in here and there are no marked-out pitches so you can pick the spot that appeals the most. Drinking water taps are spread around the site and guests have access to a toilet block that has separate ladies’, gents’ and accessible facilities, plus a baby changing area.
This is a place that welcomes dogs and kids, who are welcome to join you on rambles around the outer stretches of the site to take in the rural views (and if you want a bit more of all that, it’s worth noting that the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a few minutes’ drive away).
And that’s not it on the ‘excellent location’ scoreboard either – the A303 and A350 are both close by too, for easy jaunts in whatever direction you choose around Dorset or the neighbouring Wiltshire and Somerset.
Site type
70Languages spoken
English
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Features
Pop-up campground
Dogs allowed
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 WatersportsAmenities 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 WifiGroups welcome
D. of E. welcome Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Rallies welcome Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcomeRules
Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all yearThemes
PeacefulUtilities
Charging facilities Chemical disposal Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energyNearby amenities
Bar nearby Dog walk nearbyType
Large (51-200 pitches) Pop-up campgroundAccessibility
Disabled facilitiesNearby leisure
Outdoor pool nearby Restaurant nearbyLocation
Turnpike Showground
Show Office
Motcombe
Dorset
England
SP7 9PL
Directions Timezone
Europe/London GMT (GMT+00:00)
GPS
51.01877°N
-2.23005°W
Nearest transport
Coach2.7 km The Town Hall
2.7 km The Town Hall
12.6 km Virginia Ash
Rail3.4 km Gillingham (Dorset) Rail Station
11.6 km Tisbury Rail Station
13.3 km Templecombe Rail Station
Ferry38.2 km Poole Quay Ferry Landing
38.3 km Poole Ferry Terminal
41.5 km Brownsea Island Ferry Landing
Airport38.8 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
Shaftesbury (10 minutes’ drive) should certainly be on the schedule for anyone that remembers the old Hovis advert, which was filmed on the town’s Gold Hill (or indeed anyone that likes good views, which are plentiful around the abbey and Castle Hill too).
In fact there are good views galore around here: get set to snap a whole load of pics on wanders around the gorgeous grounds at Stourhead, pretty Larmer Tree Gardens and the ruins of Old Wardour Castle (all about 20 minutes’ drive). And best make sure there’s enough battery left for an outing to Stonehenge (35 minutes) too…
If rural breaks aren’t complete without meeting some animals, set forth for the safari park at Longleat (half an hour) or make a date with the gentle giants at the Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park (40 minutes). Hauser & Wirth’s vineyard and art gallery are about 25 minutes away, and it’s a similar drive to the Haynes International Motor Museum for the petrolheads in your life.
Water quality at nearby bathing waters
| Name | Distance | Type | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poole Harbour Rockley Sands | 35.9 km | Estuary | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Poole Harbour Lake | 36.8 km | Estuary | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Poole Branksome Chine | 41.4 km | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Bournemouth Alum Chine | 41.5 km | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Poole Canford Cliffs Chine | 41.5 km | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Data source: European Environment Agency
Must see
Stourhead House and Garden 11.6 km
Longleat 18.9 km
Haynes International Motor Museum 23.1 km
Kingston Lacy House and Gardens 26.7 km
Wilton House 26.9 km
National Trust
Stourhead 11.5 km
Philipps House and Dinton Park 18.4 km
Little Clarendon 18.8 km
White Mill 26.6 km
Kingston Lacy 27 km
Cycle routes
Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.
Other
Shaftesbury – Kingsettle Wood – Motcombe - Shaftesbury 2.7 km
Duncliffe Wood 3.1 km
Todber - Fifehead - Stour Provost - Todber 6.1 km
The Green and Around West Knoyle 7.6 km
HATCH HOUSE 7.7 km
Local events
- Glastonbury Festival (Wednesday, 25 June 2025 – Wednesday, 25 June 2025)
Glastonbury, England 29.4 km
- Dorset County Show (Saturday, 6 September 2025 – Saturday, 6 September 2025)
Dorchester, England 35.7 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.
Payment terms
Offers
Conditions apply - see pitch type section for details
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Frequently asked questions
- Does Turnpike Showground have a swimming pool? No View all features
- Is Turnpike Showground dog friendly? Yes View all features
- What attractions are near Turnpike Showground? Shaftesbury (10 minutes’ drive) should certainly be on the schedule for anyone that remembers the old Hovis advert, which was filmed on the town’s Gold Hill (or indeed anyone that likes good … Read more
- When can I check in and check out of Turnpike Showground?
Read moreCamping and touring Arrive: Anytime – Anytime Depart by: Anytime