The Top Campsites Near Bournemouth

You do not have to travel far from Bournemouth to swap hotels for nights under canvas. From peaceful woodland pitches on the edge of the New Forest to family-friendly sites within easy reach of Bournemouth Beach, there are plenty of great camping options nearby. We have picked some of the best campsites near Bournemouth for families, couples, touring holidays and anyone looking to combine the coast with the countryside.

South Lytchett Manor Caravan & Camping Park - Lytchett Minster

South Lytchett Manor is one of our top choices for visitors who want to spend plenty of time in Bournemouth while staying somewhere quieter at night. The award-winning park is set within more than 20 acres of countryside near Poole, with Bournemouth around a 20-minute drive away.

There is a good choice of pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes, alongside glamping accommodation. Facilities include showers, family and accessible facilities, laundry, a children's play area and Wi-Fi, while dog-friendly pitches are also available.

Best for: High-quality facilities and exploring both Bournemouth and Poole
Address: Dorchester Road, Lytchett Minster, Poole, Dorset, BH16 6JB
Telephone: 01202 622577
Email: info@southlytchettmanor.co.uk
Accommodation: Tents, caravans, motorhomes and glamping
Dog friendly: Yes, with designated dog-friendly pitches.

Back of Beyond Touring, Camping & Glamping Park - St Leonards

For an adults-only camping break close to Bournemouth, Back of Beyond offers something a little different. The award-winning site near Ringwood is exclusively for guests aged 18 and over and provides easy access to Bournemouth as well as the New Forest.

Set across around 18 acres, the park has more than 100 touring and camping pitches, a wild camping area and a glamping village. Glamping options include pods, shepherd's huts and a yurt, making this a good choice for couples who like the idea of camping but want a few additional comforts.

Best for: Couples, adults-only breaks and peaceful camping
Address: 234a Ringwood Road, East Moors Lane, St Leonards
Telephone: 01202 876968
Email: info@backofbeyondtouringpark.co.uk
Accommodation: Camping, touring and glamping
Age restriction: 18+ only.

Holmsley Campsite - New Forest

Holmsley is a brilliant option if you want to split your holiday between Bournemouth's beaches and the landscapes of the New Forest.

The campsite occupies part of a former Second World War airfield and is surrounded by ancient woodland and heathland, with New Forest ponies and other wildlife regularly seen in the surrounding area.

Its position towards the south-western side of the New Forest also makes Bournemouth and Christchurch relatively easy to reach; local tourism information specifically describes Holmsley as being close to the beaches of both destinations.

Best for: New Forest scenery, families and combining beach days with countryside
Location: Holmsley, New Forest, near Burley
Telephone: 01425 674502
Accommodation: Camping and touring
Good to know: The campsite is situated on part of the historic Holmsley Airfield.

Wilksworth Caravan Park - Wimborne

If you would prefer to stay on the Dorset side of Bournemouth, Wilksworth Caravan Park near Wimborne gives you a countryside base while keeping the coast within reach.

The park offers camping and touring pitches as well as self-catering caravans and shepherd's huts. Its centrepiece is Tudor Rose House, a Grade II-listed 16th-century property with an intriguing history.

Wilksworth is particularly appealing to families thanks to its range of facilities, while its Wimborne location also means you can combine days in Bournemouth with exploring inland Dorset.

Best for: Families and combining Bournemouth with the Dorset countryside
Location: Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 4HW
Telephone: 01202 885467
Accommodation: Tent pitches, touring pitches, caravans and shepherd's huts.
Dog friendly: Dog-friendly options are available.

Long Meadow Campsite - Brockenhurst

Long Meadow is slightly further from Bournemouth, but it is worth considering if the New Forest is going to be as important to your trip as the beach.

Set in the heart of the New Forest National Park, the campsite has direct access to walking and cycling routes and sits around five minutes by car from Brockenhurst. Guests can choose between tent, campervan and motorhome pitches, with glamping pods and bell tents available too.

It feels noticeably more rural than the campsites closer to Bournemouth, making it a good choice if you want peaceful mornings in the forest followed by occasional days on the coast.

Best for: Walking, cycling and a New Forest camping experience
Address: New Park, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, SO42 7QH
Telephone: 01590 622489
Email: info@longmeadowcampsite.com
Accommodation: Tents, campervans, motorhomes, pods and bell tents.

Meadowbank Holidays - Christchurch

Meadowbank Holidays is worth knowing about if you are travelling with a caravan or motorhome rather than a tent. The family-owned park describes itself as Bournemouth's closest touring and motor caravan park and sits in a peaceful riverside position between Bournemouth and Christchurch.

Its location makes it particularly convenient for visitors hoping to explore Bournemouth, Christchurch, Mudeford and the New Forest from the same base. Facilities include hot showers, a launderette, children's play area, games room and Wi-Fi.

Importantly, Meadowbank does not accept tents, so we would recommend this one specifically for touring visitors rather than traditional camping.

Best for: Caravans and motorhomes close to Bournemouth
Location: Christchurch, Dorset
Telephone: 01202 483597
Email: reception@meadowbankholidays.co.uk
Accommodation: Touring caravans, motorhomes and holiday caravans
Tent camping: No.
Pet friendly: No - Meadowbank is a pet-free park.