The Railway Campsite
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/-2.023901761901854,50.61958466215458,12,0,0/376x277@2x)
- Eight-acre field with Swanage Railway steam trains passing by
- A 10-minute drive to Swanage Beach; 35 minutes to Durdle Door
- Off-ground barbecues and firepits allowed; dogs welcome
Site type
- At least one of the party members must be aged 16 or over.
Languages spoken
English
Open from Fri, 4 Jul to
Reviews
98% would recommend this site to a friend
97% would stay here again
What customers say
This campsite offers a fantastic location, with many guests highlighting its proximity to the Swanage steam railway and beautiful countryside views. Visitors frequently praise the friendly and helpful owners, clean facilities including hot showers and compost toilets, and the on-site snack shack. The spacious, relaxed atmosphere and freedom to choose pitches are also popular. While some mention the basic nature of the facilities or occasionally steep terrain, the overall sentiment is highly positive, with many expressing a desire to return.
Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews




















Great value, relaxed campsite in a fab location
Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch
Liked Lovely campsite, enjoyed the hot showers! Compost loos were clean and well stocked with toilet roll and sawdust.
Great location- easy reach of lots of buses which as a solo camper with no car was very helpful! Also lots of footpaths nearby, so you can walk to the coast path or Purbeck way very easily.
Great value for money. Didn’t use the snack shack but it’s great to have the option.
Recommend to friends Visit again
Love the Railway Campsite!! Third year…
Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch
Liked Love the Railway Campsite!! Third year I've been back. Great location, simple facilities but everything you need and well maintained. The showers are great. Food shack with food available am and pm.
Disliked Nothing
Recommend to friends Visit again
The little food shack was a…
Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch
Liked The little food shack was a bonus after a long days walking, cheese burger is recommended.
Staff very approachable and helpful excellent value for the price,
Will stay again
Recommend to friends Visit again
I would highly recommend this site.
Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch
Liked This is a lovely little campsite. Everything was well maintained. The owners were, helpful, friendly, and very relaxed.
Having no time restraints made all the difference. Not having to rush on departure day meant there was no stress, and everything was.packed away properly. I even had time to clean the tent before putting it away.
Disliked The field is hilly, so if you get to the site at the wrong time you may struggle to find a flatish area to pitch up.
Recommend to friends Visit again
Quiet family field, plenty of compost…
Non-electric grass motorhome pitch
Liked Quiet family field, plenty of compost toilets and water points. Loads of room to pitch where you like.
Compost toilets clean and not at all smelly.
Would definitely use again.
Recommend to friends Visit again
Cheap, friendly, proper campsite.
Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch
Liked Totally relaxed vibe, staff friendly. Needed the cheapest option before sailing to France and turns out the cheapest was the best. No frills, no hassles.
Disliked Nothing to dislike, even had a steam train go past.
Recommend to friends Visit again
We spent four nights at this…
Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch
Liked We spent four nights at this campsite. We had a great time, it is very basic but that’s the best thing about it. Very fun to wave to the train when it goes past. Lovely owner and lovely dogs. We will be back.
Recommend to friends Visit again
Was my first time here and…
Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch
Liked Was my first time here and it’s was very good location, peaceful and spacious. The rail station to swanage or corfe castle it’s 5 min walk and you can take the steam train, this also was something good to do. 8 min walk there is a shop if you need something last min. a lady from the management was friendly and lovely. It’s good if you like just basic camping for just a relax night .
Disliked There is composting toilet that isn’t great but this my option as I don’t like this type of toilet.
Recommend to friends Visit again
Excellent, clean, safe, friendly.
Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch
Liked First time staying here & I will definitely stay again. Everyone I spoke to was really friendly, the stream train was lovely to hear & see. The shower was amazing, lovely & hot. The on site café was brilliant for the first nights dinner & even a glass of wine.
Recommend to friends Visit again
Just a great place. Simple but effective. Great place for kids
Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch
Liked Loved the atmosphere, location, freedom, forest for the kids to play safely. The shack for essentials.
Disliked Nothing.
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 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 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 Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcomeRules
Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all yearThemes
Budget/backpacker Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradiseUtilities
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
Farm Large (51-200 pitches) Pop-up campsiteAccessibility
Accessible parking at pitch Bathrooms: Large spacious shower Uneven terrain; gravel or loose mudNearby leisure
Canoeing/kayaking nearby Climbing nearby Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horse riding nearby Indoor pool nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby Tennis nearby Watersports nearbyLocation
The Railway Campsite
Sunny Glade
Haycrafts Lane
Harmans Cross
Swanage
Dorset
England
BH19 3EB
Timezone
Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)
GPS
50.61958°N
2.0239°W
Nearest transport
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
Water quality at nearby bathing waters
Name | Distance | Type | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Swanage Central | 2.9 mi | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Studland Knoll House | 3.8 mi | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Kimmeridge Bay | 4.7 mi | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Shell Bay North | 5.2 mi | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Poole Sandbanks Peninsular | 6.1 mi | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Data source: European Environment Agency
Must see
Corfe Castle 2 mi
Swanage Railway 2.9 mi
Studland Beach and Nature Reserve 3.8 mi
Brownsea Island 5.6 mi
Lulworth Castle & Park 8.2 mi
National Trust
Corfe Castle 1.9 mi
Studland Beach and Nature Reserve 3.6 mi
Brownsea Island 5.6 mi
Clouds Hill 12.1 mi
White Mill 12.9 mi
Cycle routes
Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.
Other
Worth Matravers - Cliffs, Caves and Chapel 1.6 mi
Worth Matravers - Winspit - Dancing Ledge 1.6 mi
Corfe - Nine Barrows Down - Swanage 2 mi
Herston - Worth Matravers - Corfe 2 mi
The Purbecks - Castle and Coastal 2.2 mi
Local events
- Dorset County Show (Saturday 6 September 2025 – Saturday 6 September 2025)
Dorchester, Dorset 19 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 The Railway Campsite have a swimming pool? No View all features
- Is The Railway Campsite dog friendly? Yes View all features
- What attractions are near The Railway Campsite? Famed for its ever-changing shades of blue and green, the Blue Pool (15 minutes’ drive) is surrounded by acres of heath- and woodland laced with trails. Take the easy path skirting the … Read more
- When can I check in and check out of The Railway Campsite?
Camping and touring Arrive: Anytime – Anytime Depart by: 4 p.m. - How much does it cost to stay at The Railway Campsite? From £16 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.