Holyrood Farm Campsite

No availability at present on Pitchup.com 9.8 136 reviews
View from campsite
View from campsite
Great views and relaxed camping at holyrood farm campsite.
View of the church from the site
Main view from the back of the field
View over the right of the field, pitches continue down the slope if you want to be more isolated
Plenty of space for pitches
What a view
View across the site
1/123
Great views and relaxed camping at holyrood farm campsite.
View of the church from the site
Main view from the back of the field

  • Wild camping half a mile from Shaftesbury
  • Spectacular views over the Blackmore Vale
  • Campfires allowed
The views from this Shaftesbury site, they are stunning. As is the setting: small and secluded Holyrood Farm Campsite is in Dorset countryside overlooking the Blackmore Vale, within easy walking distance of the pubs and shops of Shaftesbury. It's close to several good footpaths for walking too – or you could take things up a notch with a stagger up Shaftesbury's Gold Hill, the famously steep cobbled street used several times as a set for the big and small screen…? Those spectacular vale views are from Holyrood's working farm, with sheep, rare-breed pigs and Dexter cattle (standard), alpacas (less so) and a badgers' watch (nocturnal trips ahoy). The vibe is wild camping, but there's a shower available all season. Campfires – of course – are allowed, and food (and beery?) bits can be sorted 10 minutes' walk away at the supermarkets and independent shops of Shaftesbury. Following a successful start to the site and taking feedback received into account, the owners have added flushing toilets, a washing-up area and improved access in and out, along with on-site checking in, firepits for rent and wood for sale. A permanent shower has also been added, with plenty of room to dry off and hang your clothes while showering.

Site type

Tent pitches 54
Motorhome pitches 3
Opens
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • Your dog must be tattooed or microchipped.
  • The site does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act (i.e. XL Bully, Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro).

Languages spoken

English

No availability here for your search criteria

Reviews

9.8

Overall rating from 136 Pitchup.com customers

  • 89%
    10
  • 2%
    9
  • 7%
    8
  • 0%
    7
  • 0%
    6
  • 0%
    5
  • 0%
    4
  • 0%
    3
  • 0%
    2
  • 0%
    1
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 7
PeacefulSpectacular scenery

100% would recommend this site to a friend

99% would stay here again

What customers say

This peaceful campsite offers stunning countryside views and plenty of space. Guests consistently praise the friendly and helpful owner, Jason. Facilities, while basic, are reported as clean and adequate, including hot showers. The site's proximity to Shaftesbury, just a short walk away, is a significant highlight, allowing easy access to shops and pubs. Many reviewers express a desire to return, commending the relaxed atmosphere and excellent value. Some minor points include a need for more toilets during peak times and occasional damp firewood.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 14
Arrival date (latest first)

Lovely campsite, gorgeous views…

Overall

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

Non-electric grass campervan pitch

Liked Lovely campsite, gorgeous views

Recommend to friends Visit again

A great find.

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 7
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 No rating
Jane G.

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked The views and the number of quality pitches.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Chilled and laid back site with great walks to Shaftsbury.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Emma O.

Non-electric grass campervan pitch

Liked A back to basics and chilled campsite nestled in the rolling hills of Shaftsbury.
Farmer Jason was a friendly chap and was available on site should we have needed anything.
Dog friendly and a lovley, off road short walk to Shaftsbury and selection of good pubs and shops.
Enjoyed our stay and will definitely return next year.

Disliked If we were being really picky then a hot water tap for the washing up sinks would have been a bonus. However the showers and toilets were clean and worked well.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 8
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 No rating
Wifi
 No rating
Sophie M.

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked Lovely campsite, beautiful views, short walk to Shaftesbury, decent loos

Recommend to friends Visit again

Such a lovely field with an…

Overall

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

Non-electric grass campervan pitch

Liked Such a lovely field with an amazing view and clean toilets and showers. Perfect location to pub and town.

Recommend to friends Visit again

We loved our stay at Holyrood…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Clare S.

Non-electric grass campervan pitch

Liked We loved our stay at Holyrood Farm. The setting was beautiful, short walk into Shaftesbury and the facilities were clean and in working order. Jason welcomed us onto the site and we found the flexibility on arrival times perfect. We will definitely stay again.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Fantastic weekend camping .. will definitely return

Overall

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

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked Loved the freedom to pitch where you like, clean toilets with lights that worked! 15 min walk to town so no need to use the car. Fire pits to hire ..

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great location and clean facilities…

Overall

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

Non-electric grass campervan pitch

Liked Great location and clean facilities

Recommend to friends Visit again

Easy to find, and although only…

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
 1
Jason C.

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked Easy to find, and although only 10 minutes walk to Shaftesbury, you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere. Simply stunning views… Jason comes round to greet you. Facilities whilst basic all work and are kept clean and tidy. You couldn’t ask for more. Great value. We will be back.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely site, fantastic views and owner…

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
Michael F.

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked Lovely site, fantastic views and owner was very welcoming and helpful. We set up under a lovely Oak tree which provided some required shade for our two dogs and young daughter. Facilities had everything you need. Would definitely stay here again.

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 Car parking by pitch/unit 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

Budget/backpacker Peaceful Spectacular scenery 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 Shop nearby

Type

Farm Large (51-200 pitches) Pop-up campsite

Nearby leisure

Cycling nearby Indoor pool nearby Outdoor pool nearby Restaurant nearby Tennis nearby

Touring and motorhomes

Seasonal pitches

Location

Holyrood Farm Campsite

Gascoignes Lane

St James

Shaftesbury

Dorset

England

SP7 0NA

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

50.99825°N
2.19545°W

Nearest transport

Coach
0.5 mi The Town Hall
0.5 mi The Town Hall
9 mi Virginia Ash
Rail
4.2 mi Gillingham (Dorset) Rail Station
6.7 mi Tisbury Rail Station
9.7 mi Templecombe Rail Station
Ferry
21.8 mi Poole Quay Ferry Landing
21.9 mi Poole Ferry Terminal
23.8 mi Brownsea Island Ferry Landing
Airport
22 mi 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

If you're a UK sort of a certain age and can remember the famed ad for Hovis bread, nearby Gold Hill is where it was filmed – and did you know, big screen buffs, that the ad was directed by one Ridley Scott? The hill is five minutes' drive from Holyrood Farm Campsite, so totter up it for yourself when you get there; careering down afterwards on a bicycle very much recommended too. Your tired legs should also make an in-town effort to see Shaftesbury's two museums, one beside the ruins of Shaftesbury Abbey and telling its tale, and the other back at the top of Gold Hill, telling the history of Shaftesbury via many artefacts from its surrounds. (Best to have a look at this latter on your first climb, to save having to trek back up.) Day trips are within easy driving distance away from Shaftesbury: try the gardens at Stourhead House and Kingston Lacy 20 and 40 minutes away; the Fleet Air Arm Museum, telling the heady story of British aviation, half an hour away, and Dorchester about 50 minutes away. Other good day trip options are Longleat Safari and Adventure Park, 30 minutes away; the small peninsula of golden sand at Sandbanks 45 minutes away, and the town of Bournemouth, about an hour from the farm. Or stay close to the site if you're around at the end of August, and use it as a peaceful base to come back to after days at the Great Dorset Steam Fair.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Poole Harbour Rockley Sands 20.4 mi Estuary N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Poole Harbour Lake 21 mi Estuary N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Poole Branksome Chine 23.7 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Bournemouth Alum Chine 23.8 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Bournemouth Durley Chine 23.8 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Stourhead House and Garden 9.3 mi

Longleat 13.5 mi

Kingston Lacy House and Gardens 14.6 mi

Wilton House 15.7 mi

Haynes International Motor Museum 16.1 mi

National Trust

Stourhead 9.2 mi

Philipps House and Dinton Park 10.8 mi

Little Clarendon 11 mi

White Mill 14.6 mi

Kingston Lacy 14.8 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

Shaftesbury – Kingsettle Wood – Motcombe - Shaftesbury 0.8 mi

Duncliffe Wood 2.9 mi

The Donheads - Wincombe - Gutch Common - Barkers Hill 3.7 mi

Donhead St Andrew and the Wardour Castles 3.7 mi

Win Green and Tollard Royal 3.8 mi

Local events

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

    Dorchester, Dorset 21.5 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.

Want to know more about camping in Dorset?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Holyrood Farm Campsite have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Holyrood Farm Campsite dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Holyrood Farm Campsite? If you're a UK sort of a certain age and can remember the famed ad for Hovis bread, nearby Gold Hill is where it was filmed – and did you know, big … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Holyrood Farm Campsite?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  Anytime –  Anytime
    Depart by:  Anytime
    Read more