Camping in Dorset

Dorset is a real dream destination for keen campers and one of 39 historic counties in England's south. The coastline stretches from Lyme Regis in the west to Christchurch in the east. The romantic villages and picturesque gardens attract campers from all over the world. The mystical atmosphere of the legends is palpable and ideal for adventure camping with children or camping with your dog - a real experience for the whole family!

Special features of camping in Dorset

The campsites in the county of Dorset are mainly located in the coastal region between Seaton in the west, Weymouth near the Isle of Portland and Christchurch in the east. Between the sea and the green rolling hills, they are ideal for a beach or walking holiday with the whole family, offering great beaches, magnificent scenery and a number of attractions for guests. When camping in Dorset, surfing lessons are just as popular as unforgettable cultural experiences while discovering the many historical sights.

Some campsites also hire out water sports equipment and have garden parks, some of which even have swimming pools. There is a lot on offer in Dorset, one of the most beautiful counties in the United Kingdom.

Getting there

There are two ways to get to Dorset by caravan. Either the route through the 50 km long Eurotunnel, with a journey time of around 35 minutes, or the ferry crossing across the English Channel. The Eurotunnel is open daily and offers one or two departures every hour in addition to its own shuttle service. The underground journey takes you over 35 kilometres under the sea through one of the three tunnel tubes and ends in Folkestone, England. The ferry crossing to Dorset starts from Calais or Dunkirk. The journey by boat takes around 90 to 120 minutes. If the weather is favourable, the sight of the chalk cliffs off Dover is a highlight in itself. From Germany, the motorways take the following routes: via Antwerp from the north, via Maastricht from the central region and via Luxembourg from the south. Travelling from Hamburg it is around 700 km, from Berlin 900 km and from Munich 870 km to the ferry departure point in Calais.

Destinations in Dorset

There is a lot to explore in Dorset: Interesting, historic places and sandy bays are waiting to be discovered. The landscape is varied and the coast is perfect for water sports and picnics on the beach.

Lulworth Cove & Durdle Door

The perfect beach circle lies at Lulworth Cove. The locals call this natural sea arch Durdle Door. It is a monument to nature and one of England's most photographed attractions. A paradise for globetrotters, hikers and keen photographers.

Brownsea Island

A visit to the wild and romantic island of Brownsea is an adventure for the whole family. It lies in the middle of Poole Harbour, the second largest natural harbour in the world. The boats from Poole take visitors to this unique nature reserve. There is plenty of wildlife and a variety of bird species to marvel at and photograph.

Lyme Regis & Charmouth

Near the towns of Lyme Regis and Charmouth, there are real treasures to be discovered on the beaches and in the limestone cliffs: The coast is known for its rich deposits of fossil artefacts. The perfect excursion for families and children who love dinosaur adventures. A beach picnic after the hike is a great way to integrate this exciting nature experience. Afterwards, you can enjoy a tasty snack or fish and chips wrapped in newspaper in the fishing villages.

Top 5 sights

• Jurassic Coast Cruise: an exciting boat trip along the chalk cliffs of the coast, from Poole to Swanage - great fun for all the family.
• Sea Life Weymouth: the world of sea creatures features around 1,000 creatures in nine presentations and feeding demonstrations with Splash Zone Pool.
• Hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour: a flexible sightseeing tour of the beautiful town of Bournemouth.
• The Blandford Fashion Museum: discover nostalgic and quirky fashion at Blandford Forum.
• The Bishop's Palace & Gardens: a spectacular country estate and medieval home of the Bishops of Bath & Wells with moat, medieval gatehouse and English garden park.

Top 3 insider tips

• Broadchurch (West Bay): An idyllic fishing village on the Jurassic Coast with typical British charm. Famous from the TV series of the same name and named after the screenwriter Chibnall.
• Blackmore Vale: one of the picturesque valleys with beautiful views over the surrounding countryside. The village of Shaftesbury and its medieval buildings offer magnificent views.
• Thomas Hardy's Cottage: Located in Higher Bockhampton near Dorchester, the cottage was built around 1800 by Hardy's great-grandfather. Thomas Hardy wrote novels about his home region there, which eventually made him famous. There is also a family-run café with homemade cakes and local dishes.

Activities and excursions

In Dorset there are many leisure activities and excursions for all tastes and ages - from culture and hiking to fossil hunting on the coast. Here, visitors can marvel at the finest stately homes with parkland from film and television and listen to anecdotes about their former inhabitants.

Highclere Castle

England's stately homes and castles are unique and famous for their gardens. The noble estate of Highclere Castle is considered the double of the famous TV series Downton Abbey. The screenwriter Julian Fellowes was inspired by the enchanting Victorian castle for his series. Other TV productions also appreciated the setting and the magic of this place with its picturesque park and unique atmosphere.

Blenheim Palace

The extravagant, elegant palace is a World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. It impresses with its magnificent baroque architecture, breathtaking interior and gardens designed by Capability Brown. Here, visitors are once again transported to another century. In the film Gulliver's Travels, the impressive building served as the castle and backdrop for the Lilliputians.

Events

In Dorset, there are a variety of art and cultural events throughout the year. The county's traditions and historical exhibitions in the castles are well worth a visit.

June

• Open Gardens: the day of open English gardens in Staunton - children get free entry
• Wordathon Arnolfini: 30 excellent poets and lyricists present themselves in Bristol

July

• British Beach Polo Championships: original British polo on the beach at Poole
• Jazz Festival: international music festival in Swanage with renowned stars of the jazz scene
• Leigh Food Fair & Vintage/ Classic Car Display: the big classic car show takes place in Leigh

August

• Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival Week: a major festival in Lyme with a parade and regatta
• Dorset Food and Arts Festival: the town of Poundbury showcases arts, music and treats
• Melplash Agricultural Show: a family festival and agricultural exhibition in Melplash

September

• Tea Room Exhibition: an exciting exhibition for all the family at Dorset County Museum
• Lyme Regis Folk Festival: a festival of folk music at the Marine Theatre in Lyme
• Bridport Hat Festival: the festival in Bridport showcases English hats and crazy headwear

Gastronomy

In addition to the international cuisine in the cities, the cuisine in Dorset tends to be hearty, savoury and sweet. The typical pasties and English beer are highly recommended, as is the classic fish and chips. In the fishing villages, the small restaurants by the harbours are recommended, as they serve typical Dorset regional fish dishes. Those who prefer sweet dishes will love porridge with cinnamon and warm fruit in the morning - a warm oatmeal and typical breakfast alongside red beans with egg and roast ham. At tea time in the afternoon, you can enjoy homemade apple pie with rich vanilla cream or oven-fresh cakes in a variety of flavours with black tea or one of the coffee specialities.

Best time to visit

Thanks to its location on the south-west coast of England, the weather in Dorset is usually very mild. Summers have pleasant temperatures of around 20 to 25 degrees Celsius and are ideal for day trips and walks on the beach. It can get chilly in the evenings and in winter, especially in the seaside regions.

The choice of the best time to travel depends on individual interests. From the end of May, the weather in Dorset has stabilised to a very pleasant level and water sports enthusiasts and campers enter the season.

A holiday on the beach is ideal from July to September, with water temperatures between 13 and 15 degrees Celsius. It is always advisable to bring an umbrella and rain jacket as well as sun cream and sunglasses.