The Red Lion

View prices & book 8.4 343 reviews
The site
The pub in the early morning sunlight
The red lion lit up at night
Winter sunrise over the campsite

  • Family-friendly campsite adjoining a Winfrith Newburgh pub in Dorset
  • A 10-minute drive to the Jurassic Coast, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door
  • Showers and loos on site; delicious food and drink in The Red Lion pub
Set in the middle of lovely Dorset countryside and on the outskirts of the peaceful village of Winfrith Newburgh, The Red Lion is a family-run pub with a namesake campsite on the extensive field to its rear. There’s easy access by car to dump your gear at the spacious pitches – most are sheltered by mature trees – and modern facilities on-site include showers, mains water, toilets and a washing-up area. The adjoining pub is open throughout the year: winter brings warming log fires while summer invites alfresco dining in the beer garden – and whenever you visit, you’re assured of a constant supply of delicious food as well as award-winning West Country ales and ciders. As on-site guests, you get 10% off your food bill using the voucher given to you at check-in. Luckily the site is dog-friendly as it’s a great base for soaking up Dorset’s rural vibe on quiet walks across the downs. If you’d like to spark up your barbecue while you’re there, there’s a small store in the village; otherwise, do a bigger stock up in Dorchester (15 minutes).

Site type

Touring caravan pitches 6
Tent pitches 20
Motorhome pitches 6
Open all year
Opens
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • Your dog must be tattooed or microchipped.
  • At least one of the party members must be aged 18 or over.
  • Please note that the toilet/shower facilities are unisex.

Languages spoken

English

No availability here for your search criteria

Pitch types & availability

Reviews

  • 48%
    10
  • 11%
    9
  • 18%
    8
  • 4%
    7
  • 7%
    6
  • 2%
    5
  • 2%
    4
  • 0%
    3
  • 2%
    2
  • 2%
    1
Location
9
Value for money
9
Accommodation
9
Facilities / Activities
8
Customer service
9
Child friendliness
9
Cleanliness
9
Wifi
7

85% would recommend this site to a friend

84% would stay here again

What customers say

Great spot near attractions, with a decent pub attached. Staff get lots of praise for being friendly. Pitches are usually level and roomy. Facilities are clean but basic, could do with a spruce-up, especially lights/heating when it's cold. Road noise sometimes an issue.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 35
Arrival date (latest first)

Nice site, quite. Nice pub friendly…

Overall

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

Non-electric hardstanding touring pitch

Liked Nice site, quite. Nice pub friendly staff

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for your kind review! We’re glad you enjoyed the peaceful site and found the pub and team welcoming. Hope to see you again soon!

Great pitches and friendly staff, the…

Overall

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

Electric gravel and sand touring pitch

Liked Great pitches and friendly staff, the new renovation completed on the pub looks great.

Disliked Was a little disappointed that twin excels can only go on the gravel pitch with electric, we like off grid camping

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for your lovely feedback! We’re really pleased you enjoyed the pitches, friendly team, and the pub refurbishment.

We also appreciate your comments regarding pitch allocation and understand your preference for off-grid camping. Your feedback is very helpful and will be taken on board as we continue to develop the site.

We hope to welcome you back again soon!

Excellent site with basic amenities. Ideal for Jurassic Coast walks

Overall

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

Electric gravel and sand touring pitch

Liked Lovely welcome and well laid out site. Ideally situated for walks out to explore local area and down to Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove. Discount given on food at drink in pub.

Disliked Pitch was at side of pub car park so a lot of activity with car doors slamming and people having chats, but doesn't go on too long or too late do not a major issue and to be expected.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for your lovely review! We’re really pleased you enjoyed the site layout, location and the pub discount.

We hope to welcome you back again soon!

Lovely location, but not as good as previous visits

Overall

4 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
3
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
3
Customer service
6
Child friendliness
7
Cleanliness
6
Wifi
No rating
Anonymous

Electric gravel and sand touring pitch

Liked Lovely location

Disliked Only 1 toilet and shower working on the whole site while the pub wasn't open very disappointing. Had dinner in the pub ...but food took 1.5 hours to arrive

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for your feedback. We’re pleased you enjoyed the location.

We’re sorry to hear your concerns regarding the facilities. As indicated on the map provided at check-in, we do have two shower blocks on site. Over the weekend, three showers were in operation and one was temporarily out of use due to a blown filament, which was awaiting replacement.

We also apologise that your meal took longer than expected to arrive. This is not the standard we aim to deliver, and your comments have been shared with the kitchen teams.

We do hope we can welcome you back again for a smoother experience in the future.

Great location, staff, pitch & pub.

Overall

7 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
3
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
10
Wifi
No rating
Zoe H.

Non-electric grass tent or motorhome pitch

Liked Staff, bar, location, size of pitch

Disliked Toilets and showers broken in camp field leaving just 1 toilet with no loo paper and shower for whole site on Easter Friday.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for your feedback. We’re pleased you enjoyed the staff, bar, location, and pitch size.

We’re sorry to hear your concerns regarding the facilities. As indicated on the map provided at check-in, we do have two shower and toilet blocks on site.

We do hope we can welcome you back again for a smoother experience in the future.

Great for 1 night

Overall

6 out of 10
Location
7
Value for money
10
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
4
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
4
Wifi
10
Anonymous

Non-electric hardstanding touring pitch

Liked The friendly staff & nice looking campsite

Disliked One camping toilet, no toilet paper & wash up sink not connected to water

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for your feedback. We’re really pleased you enjoyed the friendly staff and the look of the campsite.

We’re sorry to hear your concerns regarding the facilities. As indicated on the map provided at check-in, there are two toilet and shower blocks on site, as well as additional toilets available in the pub, which is open all day for campers. We’re sorry if this wasn’t clear or if any facilities were not at their best during your stay.

We do hope we can welcome you back again in the future.

The pub dude was good and…

Overall

5 out of 10
Location
10
Value for money
10
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
6
Customer service
6
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
8
Wifi
7
Anonymous

Electric gravel and sand touring pitch

Liked The pub dude was good and the landlord was friendly and helpful

Disliked Some of the facilities were broken and not available those that were in a area for which I did not have a passcode

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for your feedback. We’re really pleased you found the team friendly and helpful.

We’re sorry to hear about the issues you experienced gaining access to some of the facilities. Your comments have been shared with the team.

We can welcome you back again for a better experience in the future.

A stopover next to a pub but expensive for what it is.

Overall

5 out of 10
Location
6
Value for money
3
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
3
Customer service
6
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
7
Wifi
No rating
Anonymous

Non-electric hardstanding touring pitch

Liked Friendly staff. Convenient location near Lulworth but by a busy road.

Disliked Bring your headtorch to use toilet or shower - no internal lights after 7am in the middle of winter!
Very basic and cramped facilities for the price and only one toilet and shower open. A little more thought and design could have gone into the facilities - a bigger sink, working lights, a few more hooks to hang towel and clothes etc. Small things that would make a big difference.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for your review. We’re pleased to hear you found our staff friendly and appreciated the convenient location near Lulworth, though we understand the road can be busy.

We’re sorry that the facilities did not meet your expectations. Your suggestions about lighting and layout are noted, as these details do make a real difference to comfort.

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience.

Lovely campsite with such friendly and…

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
9
Value for money
No rating
Accommodation
No rating
Facilities / Activities
4
Customer service
10
Child friendliness
No rating
Cleanliness
6
Wifi
No rating
Molly C.

Non-electric grass tent or motorhome pitch

Liked Lovely campsite with such friendly and helpful staff who made us feel very welcome. The location is great. Would defo stay again.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you so much for your lovely review. We’re really pleased to hear you enjoyed your stay and felt so welcome — the team will be delighted to read your kind words. We’re glad you loved the location and cant wait to welcome you back again

Location, really warm and friendly team,…

Overall

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

Electric gravel and sand touring pitch

Liked Location, really warm and friendly team, make you feel very welcome

Disliked Nothing really, perhaps more menu availability

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for your lovely review. We’re delighted you enjoyed the location and found the team warm and welcoming.

We hope to welcome you back again soon.


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 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

D. of E. 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

Peaceful Spectacular scenery

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 Shop nearby

Type

Medium (26-50 pitches) Pub campsite

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Climbing nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Restaurant nearby Watersports nearby

Location

The Red Lion

Winfrith Newburgh

Dorset

England

DT2 8LE

Directions

Timezone

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

GPS

50,66708°N
2,2767°W

Nearest transport

Coach
12 km Red Lion
12 km Post Office
12,3 km South Station
Rail
4,2 km Wool Rail Station
4,6 km Moreton (Dorset) Rail Station
11,8 km Wareham Rail Station
Ferry
13,8 km Weymouth Ferry Terminal
20,6 km Poole Ferry Terminal
21,2 km Poole Quay Ferry Landing
Airport
33,7 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

You won’t have to wander very far afield to sample the best of Dorset attractions; The Red Lion is only 10 minutes’ drive from Man O’War Beach on the Jurassic Coast, the spectacular Durdle Door sea arch and romantic, almost circular Lulworth Cove. The kids will relish the chance to encounter the primates at Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre (yes, also 10 minutes away), or see the nesting mute swans at Abbotsbury Swannery (40 minutes). Weymouth (25 minutes), its sandy beaches and Sea Life Adventure Park is also a good bet for keeping youngsters happy. Plus, the ever-popular Tank Museum in Bovington (10 minutes) is within striking distance. Take the Dorset air as you scramble up to Osmington White Horse (15 minutes), cut into the limestone landscape in 1808, for views over the downs to the English Channel. There are more wonderful vistas to be had from hilltop Corfe Castle (also 15 minutes), and if any cobwebs still need blowing away, head to Chesil Beach (half an hour) for a blustery walk along the shingle.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Durdle Door East 5 km Sea N/AExcellentN/AExcellent
Durdle Door West 5 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Lulworth Cove 5,7 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Ringstead Bay 6,6 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Bowleaze Cove 10,8 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

The Tank Museum 3,9 km

Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre 5,4 km

Lulworth Heritage Centre 5,7 km

Lulworth Castle & Park 5,7 km

Hardy's Birthplace 10,6 km

National Trust

Clouds Hill 5,9 km

Hardy's Cottage 10,6 km

Max Gate 11,3 km

Corfe Castle 15,8 km

White Mill 21,6 km

Cycle routes

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

Other

West Lulworth Circular 4,8 km

Lulworth and White Nothe Coastal Tour 5,4 km

South Down Car Park - White Horse Hill - Osmington - Osmington Mill - Ringstead - South Down CP 5,5 km

LULWORTH CASTLE 5,5 km

Clouds Hill - Moreton 5,6 km

Local events

  • Tankfest (Friday, 26 June 2026 – Friday, 26 June 2026)

    Wareham, England 3,8 km

  • Camp Bestival Dorset (Thursday, 30 July 2026 – Thursday, 30 July 2026)

    Wareham, England 5,9 km

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

    Dorchester, England 12,2 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.

Want to know more about camping in Dorset?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does The Red Lion have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is The Red Lion dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near The Red Lion? You won’t have to wander very far afield to sample the best of Dorset attractions; The Red Lion is only 10 minutes’ drive from Man O’War Beach on the Jurassic Coast, the … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of The Red Lion?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  4 p.m. –  9 p.m.
    Depart by:  10 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at The Red Lion? From R579,22 (for 1 night, 6 people) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.