Howard's Wood

View prices & book 9.6 66 reviews
Aerial view of Dorset countryside
Aerial view of dorset countryside
Campsite
Campsite and shower
Woodland clearing
Site entrance
Trail through the woodland
Aerial view of the woods
Campsite
1/73
Campsite
Campsite and shower
Woodland clearing

  • Almost wild camping in a 25-acre woodland at Netherbury in Dorset
  • Charmouth 25 minutes’ drive and Abbotsbury Swannery 35 minutes
  • Dog-friendly pop-up site 15 minutes’ walk from the local pub
There’s getting away from it all – and then there’s really getting away from it all. If you feel the need to do the latter, then do it somewhere like Howard’s Wood, an almost wild pop-up site on the outskirts of Netherbury in Dorset. Here you can escape into a 25-acre woodland – planted in 2003 by the landowners – and truly relax in the middle of a wildlife haven. Bring your dogs and exercise them while exploring the woods, and let the kids run around within earshot on the playing fields next to the pitches. The pretty basic setup here consists of composting toilets and hot showers, and is suitable for anyone and everyone looking for a simple camping experience out in nature yet near to some big-name Dorset attractions. For at Howard’s Wood, you can wake up to mornings filled with birdsong, with the chance of spotting deer and squirrels roaming around near your tent. After a day out at the mysterious National Trust - Cerne Giant (35 minutes’ drive) or scouring for fossils along the Jurassic Coast (half an hour), return to base for relaxing times cosying up around a firepit or cooking up a barbecue – pick up food in Beaminster or Bridport (both about 10 minutes’ drive). Alternatively you can wander down to the local pub (15 minutes’ walk), which has luscious country views, a beer garden for warmer evenings and good home-cooked food.

Site type

Tent pitches 15
Motorhome pitches 11
Rent a tent 1
Open now
Opens 18 July
Please note
  • Discount cards and gift vouchers cannot be applied to bookings made via Pitchup.com.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Fri, 18 Jul to

Pitch types & availability

Accommodation

Tent pitchesTouring caravan pitchesMotorhome pitchesLodges, cabins, pods or hutsCaravans for hireRent a tent
Choose your dates
2 adults
0 children

Reviews

9.6

Overall rating from 66 Pitchup.com customers

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ForestPeaceful

98% would recommend this site to a friend

98% would stay here again

What customers say

Howard's Wood offers a unique "wild camping" experience nestled in private woodland clearings, praised for its peace and natural setting. Guests highlight the spacious, secluded pitches, friendly and accommodating hosts, and good basic facilities like hot showers and composting toilets. Fire pits and wood are available. While some pitches are uneven and signage could be improved, most visitors found it excellent value and plan to return. The site is ideal for those seeking a quiet escape close to nature.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 7
Arrival date (latest first)

Beautiful and fantastic site

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
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 10
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 10
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Chloe P.

Non-electric forest floor tent pitch

Liked Lovely site, very peaceful and pretty

Disliked I got bitten by lots of insects but that’s camping ( I forgot insect repellent so that’s on me!)

Recommend to friends Visit again

Very quiet and rustic, good fun . Good comms from Steph.…

Overall

8 out of 10
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 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
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 7
Customer service
 10
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 No rating
Cleanliness
 9
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 No rating
Jonathan F.

Non-electric forest floor tent pitch

Liked Very quiet and rustic, good fun . Good comms from Steph.

Disliked Nothing , exactly as described

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent site, lovely and cool under the trees.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 8
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
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Anonymous

Non-electric forest floor campervan pitch

Liked If you want a really peaceful stay and don't need any facilities then I can't recommend this place enough. Excellent

Recommend to friends Visit again

Definitely recommend

Overall

10 out of 10
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 10
Value for money
 10
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Anonymous

Non-electric forest floor tent pitch

Liked EVERYTHING
- location
- owners
- set up
- facilities

Recommend to friends Visit again

Everything was perfect.

Overall

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

Non-electric forest floor campervan pitch

Liked It was perfect. Wild camping without the worry of being disturbed during the night.
Sophie sent us instructions the morning of check in and they were spot on.
Everything was amazing about this site. We will return 100%.

The wilderness aspect was just stunning, a real chance to enjoy all the best things about camping.

Spotted 2 deer crashing through the woods about 10m away from us 🤣, listening to all the birds in the afternoon, owls in the evening, seeing bats in the dusk. This place is a total gem!

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great outdoor vibe, a must for proper wild campers

Overall

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

Non-electric forest floor campervan pitch

Liked Awesome back to nature vibe, proper wild camping. Firepit and wood were providing although I’d advise to be careful not to set the place on fire. Steph was on hand and helped with any questions.

Disliked The toilet was a bit smelly but that’s a slight drawback to a compost lav! Access for larger vehicles is a bit tricky.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Perfect.

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
 9
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
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Facilities / Activities
 7
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 1
GEMMA G.

Non-electric forest floor tent pitch

Liked Perfect. Very organised. Kept communicating very good and choice on pic very good would defo recommend

Recommend to friends Visit again

Absolutely beautiful, relaxing and safe stay. Lovely to have contact with host Steph.…

Overall

10 out of 10
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Anonymous

Non-electric forest floor tent pitch

Liked Absolutely beautiful, relaxing and safe stay.
Lovely to have contact with host Steph.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Amazing if you love being in such a child out relaxing space…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 1
Tim B.

Non-electric forest floor campervan pitch

Liked Amazing if you love being in such a child out relaxing space ! We had a lovely spot set up 3 hammocks fire going and kids loved it also , no frills granted but just how we like it ! So good that we are going back and most likely be regular now we found it ! Also the hosts couldn’t be more friendly and helpful thank you so much ! We wish life didn’t get in the way and just live there 😂

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great semi-wild camping as an alternative to regular sites.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
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Paul D.

Non-electric forest floor tent pitch

Liked Fantastic site if you want to do something different. There are a number of pitches of varying distances from the path that runs down the middle. We chose one of the most remote, and it was great - camping in a little glade (plenty of room for 2 x 3 man tents) with no-one else within sight. Really peaceful, saw a deer in the woods on the way to the loo.

They provide firepits, logs and firelighters for a tenner, there's a composting loo, sinks for washing up, even a warm shower. Everything you need. 2 mins walk takes you out into playing fields with a small playground for the kids.

Great communication from the owner as well, and all for a bargain price. Really loved this site and will definitely go back.

Disliked Nothing to dislike really.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Features

Pop-up campsite

Dogs allowed

Campfires 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 Watersports

Amenities on site

Bath available Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Launderette Local produce 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

Budget/backpacker Forest Peaceful Remote location Walkers' paradise Wild camping Wildlife haven

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

Pop-up campsite Small (11-25 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Cycling nearby Restaurant nearby Watersports nearby

Location

Howard's Wood

Netherbury

Bridport

Dorset

England

DT6 5RT

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

50.78721°N
2.75317°W

Nearest transport

Coach
3.7 mi Coach Station
12 mi Yeovil Bus Station
14.8 mi South Station
Rail
6.1 mi Crewkerne Rail Station
8.1 mi Maiden Newton Rail Station
9.6 mi Chetnole Rail Station
Ferry
18.2 mi Weymouth Ferry Terminal
26.7 mi Bridgwater Ferry Terminal
Airport
29.3 mi Exeter 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

Dorset packs a mighty historical punch, and there are several Iron Age sites to see locally. Hike up to the fort at Rawlsbury Camp (50 minutes) for spectacular views over Bulbarrow Hill and Blackmore Vale, or glimpse the sea from the top of the burial mounds at Eggardon Hill Fort (25 minutes). Time-travel forward to Saxon times to see the National Trust-owned Cerne Giant (35 minutes’ drive) etched into the chalk hillside above thatched Cerne Abbas village (half an hour). A day on a Jurassic Coast beach may be in the sightseeing schedule too; choices include the fossil hub of Dorset at Charmouth (25 minutes) or the soft sandy town beach at popular Lyme Regis (half an hour). Heading east, Seatown Beach (20 minutes) is a quiet shingle spot for solitary walks, while trips to the West Dorset Heritage Coast repay with scenic hikes along Chesil Beach (40 minutes) and the chance to feed the swans at Abbotsbury Swannery (35 minutes). If you’d rather stay closer to home base, tour the orchards and taste a drop or two of local scrumpy at Dorset Nectar Cider (five minutes), and if the kids have been well behaved, reward them with cuddly donkey encounters at Donkey Walking Adventures (10 minutes).

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Eypemouth 5.1 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
West Bay (West) 5.3 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Seatown 5.5 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Hive 6.4 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Charmouth West 7.6 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentGood

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Mapperton House & Gardens 2.1 mi

Abbotsbury Swannery 11.1 mi

Montacute House 11.5 mi

Hardy's Birthplace 16.4 mi

Fleet Air Arm Museum 16.5 mi

National Trust

Montacute House 11.4 mi

Barrington Court 12.9 mi

Tintinhull Garden 13.1 mi

Loughwood Meeting House 13.4 mi

Shute Barton 13.5 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

PARNHAM 1 mi

BEAMINSTER MANOR 2 mi

MAPPERTON HOUSE 2.1 mi

DOWNE HALL 3.5 mi

North Chideock - Symondsbury and More. 4.6 mi

Local events

  • Dorset County Show (Saturday 6 September 2025 – Saturday 6 September 2025)

    Dorchester, Dorset 15 mi

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.

Nearest sites

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Want to know more about camping in Dorset?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Howard's Wood have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Howard's Wood dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Howard's Wood? Dorset packs a mighty historical punch, and there are several Iron Age sites to see locally. Hike up to the fort at Rawlsbury Camp (50 minutes) for spectacular views over Bulbarrow Hill … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Howard's Wood?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  1 p.m. –  Anytime
    Depart by:  12 p.m.
    On-site accommodation
    Arrive:  1 p.m. –  Anytime
    Depart by:  12 p.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Howard's Wood? From £10 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.