Herston Caravan and Camping
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- Holiday park one mile from the beach in Swanage
- Half an hour's drive from Monkey World and Durdle Door
- Playground, shop and takeaway on site; dogs welcome
Site type
164
164
46
57
Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.- 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).
- The charging of electric vehicles is not permitted on site.
Languages spoken
English
Pitch types & availability
Electric grass pitch
6 people maximum Ground type: Grass
Pitch size: Min 7m width × 7m depth
Calculated area: 49m²
Arrival daysFrom £50
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Fully-serviced hardstanding and grass touring pitch
6 people maximum Ground type: Hardstanding and grass
Pitch size: Min 8m width × 10m depth
Calculated area: 80m²
Arrival daysFrom £56
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Fully-serviced hardstanding touring pitch (large)
6 people maximum Ground type: Hardstanding
Pitch size: Min 12m width × 12m depth
Calculated area: 144m²
Arrival daysFrom £62
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Bell tent
4 people maximum Dimensions: 16.4ft width × 16.4ft length
Arrival daysFrom £140
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Reviews
52% would recommend this site to a friend
50% would stay here again
What customers say
This campsite boasts a superb location, within easy walking distance of Swanage town and beach, and offers stunning views. Visitors frequently praise the friendly and helpful staff, as well as the spacious pitches. While many highlight the convenience of on-site amenities like the food van and shop, there are consistent reports of the facilities (showers and toilets) being outdated, in need of cleaning, and inadequate for the site's size, especially during busy periods. The site's overall appearance is also frequently described as run-down or scruffy, with some permanent residences impacting the aesthetic.
Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews
Great location but far too crowded.
Electric grass pitch
Liked The location and the shower toilet pods.
Disliked Small pitches. More epensive than ones we usually stay on. Overcrowded at the weekend. Tents were pitched with no space between them. It was much better on Monday when quieter.
Recommend to friends Visit again
Super friendly staff
Fully-serviced hardstanding and grass touring pitch
Liked Food was so good 😊
Disliked There is nothing
Recommend to friends Visit again
Close to the beach the pitch sizes were decent…
Electric grass pitch
Liked Close to the beach the pitch sizes were decent
Disliked Not enough toilets.
Recommend to friends Visit again
Great location
Fully-serviced hardstanding and grass touring pitch
Liked Location- it is just a 20 minute walk across fields into the edge of Swanage and just 10 minutes further to the beach
Well organised booking and reception
Fast food van at weekends - serves breakfast rolls and burgers in evenings
Disliked Shower blocks and toilets are disgustingly dirty
Recommend to friends Visit again
Having said this, we would be happy to stay on the site again.
Fully-serviced hardstanding and grass touring pitch
Liked A lovely pitch location overlooking Swanage, and with easy access to the Town.
Disliked The site seemed rather run down in places, and the grass could be kept slightly tidier, and the chemical toilet disposable points could have been better.
We also had a fully serviced pitch, but there didn’t seem to be a defined drain for the green wast water pipe !
Recommend to friends Visit again
It's a dump.
Fully-serviced hardstanding and grass touring pitch
Liked Location as it was within walking distance of swanage.
Disliked The whole campsite. Looks like a gypsy site, upon arrival you drive thro what can only be described as a disused scrapyard for occupied static vans, the fully serviced pitches are unkept, the concept of mobile toilet and shower facilities is OK if you provide hot water, there was none. The existing shower and toilet facilities are a disgrace, dirty. I've seen better facilities on a building site. My advice along with several others who have left reviews past and present is don't waste your money. It's a shithole. The worst site I have stayed at in 20yrs of using a motorhome.
Recommend to friends Visit again
Excellent site well done 👏
Electric grass pitch
Liked Liked the site very pleased the shower,s were excellent safe site will be coming back,10,10,
Recommend to friends Visit again
Great location. Only a 20 minute walk into Swanage. Nice…
Fully-serviced hardstanding and grass touring pitch
Liked Great location. Only a 20 minute walk into Swanage. Nice little shop on site .
Disliked The camp is very run down and needs some TLC . It could be fabulous
Recommend to friends Visit again
Unkempt & very messy site. Disgusting toilet & shower facilities.
Electric grass pitch
Liked Close to Swanage beach for swimming if weather suitable
Disliked Disgusting toilets, showers & dishwashing facilities. The water temperature in showers very hot & not adjustable & the shower heads not spraying consistently but leaking down the pipe. In the family shower which was a hand held one, I was burnt by the extremely hot water( you could have stewed a teabag with the boiling water)& had to redress & find another shower room. Still very hot & the floors are so filthy. Looked like someone had tried to dry floor with toilet paper, which was left in piles on floor absolutely dirty brown. Toilet brush was also covered in poo so not conducive to help clean the toilet. The whole site is tired, untidy & a complete shambles in places. We stayed here last year as needed a place close to Poole & it was in slightly better condition then but has definitely gone more downhill since. The pub bar has gone & a new building in progress but this doesn’t help the condition of this very shabby place which is such a shame as it is situated in a lovely, picturesque area & so handy for the ferries but unfortunately we will not be returning & would not recommend to friends.
Recommend to friends Visit again
Will definitely be booking a few more times this yr.
Electric grass pitch
Liked Such a relaxed atmosphere, very welcoming and happy to except doggos, very clean and the way pitches are set out, very spacious!! Also exceptional views and very well sign posted! Cannot fault and will continue to be a loyal customer.
Disliked Cannot fault and have recommended to several friends
Recommend to friends Visit again
Features
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 WatersportsAmenities 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 Local produce Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area WifiGroups welcome
D. of E. welcome Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Rallies welcome Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcomeRules
Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all yearThemes
Budget/backpacker Forest Leave the car at home Luxury Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradise Wildlife havenUtilities
Charging facilities Chemical disposal Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energyNearby amenities
Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Public transport nearby Shop nearbyType
Large (51-200 pitches)Nearby leisure
Canoeing/kayaking nearby Climbing nearby Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horse riding nearby Indoor pool nearby Leisure/theme park nearby Mountain biking nearby Outdoor pool nearby Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby Surf school nearby Tennis nearby Watersports nearbyTouring and motorhomes
Drainage hook-up points for tourers Seasonal pitches Water hook-up points for tourersLocation
Herston Caravan and Camping
Washpond Lane
Swanage
Dorset
England
BH19 3DJ
Directions Timezone
Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)
GPS
50.61816°N
1.97913°W
Nearest transport
Coach
Rail
Ferry
AirportPlease 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
Water quality at nearby bathing waters
| Name | Distance | Type | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swanage Central | 1 mi | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Studland Knoll House | 2.6 mi | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Shell Bay North | 4.4 mi | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Poole Sandbanks Peninsular | 5.2 mi | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Poole Shore Road Beach | 5.7 mi | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Data source: European Environment Agency
Must see
Swanage Railway 1 mi
Studland Beach and Nature Reserve 3 mi
Corfe Castle 3.8 mi
Brownsea Island 5 mi
Dorset Cruises 8.1 mi
National Trust
Studland Beach and Nature Reserve 2.2 mi
Corfe Castle 3.7 mi
Brownsea Island 4.9 mi
White Mill 13.4 mi
Kingston Lacy 13.5 mi
Cycle routes
Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.
Other
Herston - Worth Matravers - Corfe 0.3 mi
Swanage to Corfe Circular Walk 1.8 mi
Durlston Castle Historic Landscape 1.9 mi
Studland - Old Harry - Ballard Down - Studland 2.2 mi
Worth Matravers - Cliffs, Caves and Chapel 2.9 mi
Local events
- Dorset County Show (Saturday 6 September 2025 – Saturday 6 September 2025)
Dorchester, Dorset 20.8 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 Herston Caravan and Camping have a swimming pool? No View all features
- Is Herston Caravan and Camping dog friendly? Yes View all features
- What attractions are near Herston Caravan and Camping? A five-minute drive gets you into Swanage for sandy walks, sandcastle building, splashing about and more serious watersports. To kayak round the cliffs and coves of the Jurassic Coast, make for Knoll … Read more
- When can I check in and check out of Herston Caravan and Camping?
Read moreCamping and touring Arrive: 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. Depart by: 11 a.m. On-site accommodation Arrive: 3 p.m. – Anytime Depart by: 10 a.m. - How much does it cost to stay at Herston Caravan and Camping? From £50 (for 2 nights, 6 people) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.