Glamping in Dorset

Relax in waterfront bell tents and glamp in treehouses in the heartland of Dorset.

93% (292 reviews)
93% (292 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Dorset

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Star Hosts in Dorset

12 top glamping sites in Dorset

100%
(3)

The Blue Pool

8 units · Glamping5 acres · Wareham, England
Treehouses on the edge of Dorset’s Blue Pool
from 
£185
 / night
98%
(91)

Brig's Farm

21 units · Glamping, Tents1 acre · Bridport, Dorset, South West England
Family camping with campfires near Charmouth, with sea views and a couple of quirky glamping lorries
from 
£12.50
 / night
93%
(63)

Southover Woods and Camping

15 units · Glamping, Tents60 acres · Dorset, South West England
Nearly wild camping in a vast Dorset woodland
from 
£30
 / night
97%
(76)

Charisworth Farm

28 units · Glamping, Tents8 acres · Dorset, South West England
A spacious campsite in a traditional parkland setting, with campfires allowed and farm animals to meet
from 
£30
 / night
100%
(16)

Caalm Camp

6 units · Glamping70 acres · Stour Row, England
Caalm by name, calm by nature. This blissfully chilled-out Dorset hideaway promises a relaxing stay for all
from 
£125
 / night
100%
(9)

Flowerdew Farm

10 units · Glamping, Tents2 acres · Bridport, Dorset, South West England
Flowerdew Farm is a eco friendly two acre working alpaca and goat smallholding, glamping and camping site. Located in an area of outstanding natural beauty on West Dorset’s stunning Jurassic coast, surrounded by stunning views. Perfect for those that want to experience sleeping next to our alpacas and goats; go explore the beautiful Dorset beaches; of for those that want to adventure off on a hike. We also offer animal experiences for those that want to meet our animals.
from 
£25
 / night
100%
(1)

Mangerton Lake

2 units · Glamping17 acres · England
Offering amazing views over the valley and lake it’s the perfect place to relax and unwind. Fall asleep to the sound of the spring bubbling and wake up to beautiful views in one of Dorsets areas of outstanding natural beauty. If you are an angler our lake is well stocked with Carp, Roach and Tench, fishing is included with your stay. We are 3 miles from the nearest beaches or you can walk straight onto the footpaths and explore the countryside. We are about 1.5 miles from the historic market town of Bridport which is well know for its antiques and vintage markets. We are also close to some fabulous restaurants, cafes and pubs.
from 
£80
 / night
95%
(30)

Hobby Farm

16 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Whitchurch Canonicorum, England
A peaceful, adult-only campsite 10 minutes' from the Jurassic Coast
from 
£20
 / night
100%
(72)

Coppet Hill

18 units · Glamping, Tents600 acres · Bridport, England
Wildlife-friendly camping and glamping with private loos at each pitch, 15 minutes' drive from the coast
from 
£60
 / night
100%
(1)

Ower Farm - Yurt, Pod & Wagon

3 units · Glamping2 acres · England
Rustic glamping on a farm overlooking Poole Harbour
from 
£72
 / night
100%
(10)

Misty Meadows Camp

19 units · Glamping10 acres · Dorchester, England
Misty Meadows is a lovely rural pop up campsite open for August only. There is a small lake and a shallow meandering river which you can paddle in. We have flush toilets and home made rustic showers with hot water. There are 20 unfurnished bell tents to hire and also plenty of space to pitch your
from 
£70
 / night
97%
(35)

Thorncombe Farm

57 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Dorset, England
Situated in the heart of the Dorset countryside, Thorncombe Farm offers a warm, friendly welcome. Our mostly flat campsite has beautiful views into the valley and comes with all the amenities you would expect from a small site, with the add bonus of fresh free range eggs and home produced meat, burgers and sausages available for pre order! Bell Tents For 2023, glampers and those that want to take the hassle out of pitching/buying a tent/less baggage in the vehicle or even those that want to try camping under canvas for the first time our site has 3 (5 metre) furnished bell tents each with a separate dining area complete with seating and table. The tents have been upgraded with deluxe double and 2 single beds, carpeting and rugs , storage cabinet and mirror. We have now supplied electricity to the tents so we can provide a small fridge, recharge points for devices, In addition each bell tent has a fire pit and barbeque and a double ring gas stove. Four settings of cutlery , plates and mugs are supplied with a wash bowl. The beds are supplied with a top sheet only. So please bring what you need or a sleeping bag. Each booking is for a minimum 2 night stay and is for up to 4 people. Priced from £70/night We can supply 2 additional Disco beds bunks to take the total to six guests . The additional guests would be subject to a supplemental charge.Any queries please contact us before booking if necessary. CAMPING All are grass pitches only. and we retain the same facilities. There will be 25 pitches available. Please note at Bank Holiday Weekends it is a minimum 3 night booking. Fri-Sunday.We allow fires and Barbecues. All we ask is the barbecue or fire pit is off the ground and does not burn the grass of the campsite.There are fire pits for hire on a first come first serve basis at £5 for the duration of your stay. There is firewood available for sale Showers are no longer on a card system; Free as they should be Absolutely no pets in our bell tents whatsoever on the grounds of hygiene, health and the welfare of other guests , guest will be asked to leave if pets are found or seen in our bell tents. Pets welcome as per existing rules just not in our tents.
from 
£17
 / night

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Glamping in Dorset guide

Overview

Looking for luxury? Don't own a tent? Or simply don't fancy the faff of loading up the car and going on a camping holiday? Dorset is home to one of the very first glamping locations in the UK and has long been ahead of the game when it comes to offering luxury in the great outdoors. A glamping holiday in Dorset is great for people who want the adventure of camping among the county’s gorgeous scenery but don’t want to scrimp on comfort. It’s also great for first-time campers, families with young children, and families divided in their love of camping—a sort of half-way between camping and a self-catering hotel.

A blend of countryside and coastline, Dorset provides glamping options for comfort and style. Sitting within Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Kingcombe Meadows is a gem of lush countryside and meadows full of wildflowers in spring, while North Dorset Trailway is a walking, cycling, and horseback riding route that’s popular through Blackmore Vale. Glamping sites in the AONB include bell tents and treehouses equipped with showers, toilets, and gas barbecues. Hartland Moor National Nature Reserve occupies a large stretch of heathland that’s home for expansive birdlife. Stay among the birds at glampsites or cottage rentals providing comfy linens, hot showers, and communal spaces. Travel to the southern tip of the county to explore Studland and Godlingston Heath National Reserve, including the sandy beaches and heathland of Studland Bay. Glamp beachside at waterfront bell tents outfitted with hot showers and flush toilets that are near local pubs and restaurants for a night of fun after a day in nature. In such a special landscape, almost half of which is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, glamping is one of the greenest and best ways to stay, whether you're looking for family glamping by the coast or a romantic rural retreat.

From bell tents in the summer to cosy shepherd's huts hidden among the trees during the autumn and winter months, there is something for everyone. And the range of accommodation continues to grow from treehouses to tipis, modern geodesic domes to old-fashioned gypsy caravans. Some glamping sites will have the works—hot tubs, activities, bottles of bubbly and freshly cooked meals—while other locations will simply offer comfortable off-grid accommodation that saves you the time of bringing your own tent along. There are sites where you can enjoy the sociable side of campsite life and places where your glamping accommodation is out on its own offering seclusion, peace and privacy. Whatever you look for in a glamping holiday, you’ll find it in Dorset.

Family-friendly glamping in Dorset

If you’re looking for a family-friendly holiday, we cannot recommend camping and glamping highly enough. Okay, okay – so we may be a little biased but, seriously, we know plenty of families whose kids prefer staying in a tent near Tunbridge Wells to touring Tuscany. If you’re asking yourself what it is about camping that is so exciting to kids, perhaps a spot of family-friendly glamping will remind you of its charms. Glamping is camping with bells on and the perfect way to try camping for the first time or to reacquaint yourself with its pleasures. If your kids are keen to camp, but you’re not so sure (or vice versa) then glamping is the perfect halfway house offering all the pleasures of life in the great outdoors with none of the hassle. You won’t have to pitch a tent and, if you don’t want to ‘go without’ on your holiday, you don’t have to. These days you can go glamping and sleep in proper beds with luxury linens, you can have an en-suite bathroom and a plug socket for the hair straighteners – if you want one.

It’s our experience that kids love the adventure of sleeping under canvas or in a glamping pad with necessarily pint-sized proportions. Step in to a shepherd’s hut and it’s like it’s been made for them. But most of the adventure, for kids and adults alike, is in the great outdoors of course. On site, kids can play outside all day and enjoy the relative freedom that campsite life allows – running free, making friends, building dens, bug hunting, pond dipping and more. Cooking and eating al fresco, watching the stars come out and toasting marshmallows on the campfire all add to the fun. If you’ve got time for anything else, you’ll want to know if there are family-friendly attractions near your glamping site. When it comes to Dorset, you can rest assured. The 95 miles of Jurassic Coastline offers all the activity you’ll need with fossil-strewn beaches where you can treasure-hunt all day, shallow waters for swimming in some of its bays and all the fun of the fair in the seaside resorts of Swanage, Weymouth and Lyme Regis. There’s also Corfe Castle, Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre, the Swanage Railway and a museum in virtually every town with activities laid-on for kids too.

Glamping for adults in Dorset

As well as being fantastic for a family-friendly holiday, there’s plenty of opportunity for adults-only glamping in Dorset too – whether you’re looking for a romantic holiday or a trip for friends. Look out for adults-only glamping sites if you want a break from the kids but also consider booking your glamping break for mid-week or weekends outside of the school holidays. Glamping sites with just one or two shepherd’s huts or glamping pads can be great for romantic breaks or groups of friends who expect to be staying up late. With candles, campfire and cosy accommodation, glamping is a great time to catch up and chill out away from the distractions of modern life. And if it’s romance you’re after, Dorset has history with Jane Austen setting the part of her novel Persuasion, where love is rekindled, in seaside Lyme Regis.

Dorset is full of days out and things to do that are perfect for adults too. The start of the South West Coast Path national trail is in Studland on the Dorset coast and if you’re a serious walker, you can get some miles under the belt on this well-signposted route. The trail takes you past some of Dorset’s best-known sites including Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door and close to village pubs which are perfect for pit stops. Inland there are castles and heritage sites to explore including Thomas Hardy’s Cottage. Foodies will love a trip to Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s River Cottage too where you can feast on local produce or even sign up to a cookery class.

Dorset history and heritage

When it comes to the history of Dorset, the famous Jurassic Coast is the first place you should start. The awe-inspiring, dramatic cliffs, formed some 185 million years ago, tell a tale of bygone eras when dinosaurs roamed the earth. The Dorset Tourist Board are always quick to claim they’re the home of the ‘real’ Jurassic Park and, while the likelihood of getting chased by a T-Rex is low, there’s a very decent chance of finding prehistoric fossils and gigantic footprints on the beaches. Kimmeridge Bay, Charmouth, and Lyme Regis are all good places to head out on a fossil-finding mission, and if you need a little help from the experts, there are plenty of guided walks throughout the year. For dramatic and iconic rock formations, you might like to visit Old Harry Rocks near Studland or Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove.

Back inland, history continues to come thick and fast, with the likes of Cerne Abbas—where a chalky, club-wielding giant is carved into the hillside—and the largest hill fort in all of Europe at Maiden Castle. There’s the medieval St Catherine’s Chapel at Abbotsbury, where you can soak up Dorset views and an eclectic range of castles and country houses all across the county. Plus, you can indulge in Dorset’s rich literary heritage—this is, after all, Thomas Hardy’s fictional Wessex, the fabled backdrop for novel after novel, with many of his grassy vales, pebbly beaches and sheep-dotted heaths unchanged to this day. More recently, Dorset provided inspiration for the gripping Broadchurch television series. Creator and writer, Chris Chibnall, claims he wrote the series as a “love letter” to the Jurassic Coast. It’s a love that we at Hipcamp are happy to share.

Seaside resorts in Dorset

If your idea of glamping in Dorset is all about being by the seaside, you’ll want to choose one of our glamping sites with easy access to the beach. Thankfully there are plenty of them: some are on cliff tops with sea views and a scramble down to a cove, some are within reach of Dorset’s well-loved seaside resorts and some are steps from the sand or shingle. But wherever you choose to go glamping in Dorset, you’re never too far from the sea and who can resist the lure of a seaside resort? Buckets and spades, fish and chips and Punch and Judy shows have been adding to the attractiveness of a holiday by the sea ever since the Victorians invented them.

Starting in the east of Dorset, bustling Bournemouth is a big-hitter in terms of attractions. It’s got miles of golden sands, a pier, an aquarium, fun fair rides, amusements and a zip line. Just along the coast is Poole, world famous for its harbour, and more quayside than seaside with watersports and ferries ready to whisk you across to Brownsea Island, the birthplace of the scouts, and the Purbeck peninsula where the Jurassic Coast begins. Choose glamping near Swanage for a place on Purbeck itself. It makes a convenient base as the gateway to the Jurassic Coast with all the fun of a seaside resort thanks to its Blue Flag beach, watersports, shops and eateries.

Some of the best and wildest stretches of the Dorset coast are on the Purbeck peninsula, south and west of Swanage, and the next resort town is much-larger Weymouth. Midway along the coast, it's a great place to glamp if you want to explore all that Dorset has to offer. It has a modern town centre and a beach-hut lined seashore with traditional entertainment from donkey rides to Punch and Judy shows. Lyme Regis, in the far west of the county on the border with Devon, is a smaller and more genteel seaside resort. Its historic buildings line the streets down to The Cobb, an age-old harbour wall. It has a café-lined beach that’s perfect for paddling, swimming and sandcastle-building.

Top 10 things to do in Dorset

  • Hunt for fossils beneath the mighty cliffs of the Jurassic Coast.
  • Walk the clifftop footpath and enjoy the views of Old Harry Rocks and Durdle Door.
  • Hike to St Catherine's Chapel for some of the best views in the county.
  • Eat the freshest fish and chips at Weymouth harbour.
  • Take a day-trip into Poole and catch the ferry out to Brownsea Island.
  • Explore the ruins of Corfe Castle.
  • Visit Thomas Hardy’s Cottage.
  • Pick up some fresh fish to cook on your campfire.
  • Relax on your glamping site with a copy of Jane Austen’s Persuasion.
  • Walk along The Cobb in historic Lyme Regis.

Top counties near Dorset

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