Buddens Camping and Activity Centre

View prices & book 8.8 18 reviews
Activity lake
Activity lake
Fantastic spacious camping area for all campers
Family campers
Bell tent
Camping pitches
Separate field to campers and max of 10 campervans at a time
Reception
Aerial view of the site, the climbing tower and reception
1/47
Fantastic spacious camping area for all campers
Family campers
Bell tent

  • Large, family-friendly site a 10-minute drive from Wareham, in Dorset
  • Corfe Castle ruins 15 minutes’ drive; Jurassic Coast 20 minutes
  • Water- and land-based activities for kids; barbecues allowed
If your idea of a good holiday is to scramble, climb and have a go at all sorts of land- and water-based adventures (or to watch your offspring do all that), you’ve come to the right place. Guests at Buddens Camping and Activity Centre, in Dorset, have 96 acres of countryside and woodlands in which to indulge their passion for outdoor activities. The site is on the Purbeck peninsula, a 10-minute drive from the market town of Wareham and about 20 minutes from the beaches and clifftop walks of the Jurassic Coast. The local area is well worth exploring – that’s if you can tear yourself away from the exciting adventures on site. Where to start? Those with a head for heights could head to the massive multipurpose tower, with three climbing walls, a Jacob’s Ladder, an abseil platform and two ziplines. If you’re visiting in the summer months, the tree-fringed lake is the place to be, whether you’re into canoeing, kayaking or paddleboarding. On top of all that, there’s also archery and tomahawk throwing, plus team activities like raft-building. While the kids take part in the organised activities, why not grab a few hours to yourself exploring the bridleways and paths that start directly from the site? You might end up at Careys Secret Garden (30 minutes by bike), where you can stop for a (pre-booked) workshop or guided tour, or at Morden Bog National Nature Reserve (40 minutes by bike) for a spot of birdwatching. Come dinner time, you can light a barbecue outside your tent. Throughout the day, the reception sells a variety of tea and coffees in a small tuck shop. You can also stock up on groceries in Wareham, where there are also plenty of family-friendly restaurants.

Campground type

Tent sites 40
Rent a tent 6
RV & Motorhome sites 10
Open now
Opens 4 April
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • Facilities/activities including climbing, stand-up paddleboarding, zip wire and many more are subject to extra charges payable on arrival.
  • Reception is unmanned after 7 p.m.. Please inform the campground while on your way there should you expect to arrive after this time so that the team can provide information about your unit/site.
  • Guests are advised to bring a good quality torch with them as parts of the campground/park are unlit.
  • No naked flames are allowed inside the hired accommodation units.
  • Please note, free Wi-Fi is available, but only in the vicinity of the reception building.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Fri, 4 Apr to

Site types & availability

Accommodation

Tent sitesCaravan sitesRV & Motorhome sitesLodges, cabins, pods or hutsCaravans for hireRent a tent
Choose your dates
2 adults
0 children

Reviews

8.8

Overall rating from 18 Pitchup.com customers

  • 61%
    10
  • 0%
    9
  • 27%
    8
  • 0%
    7
  • 5%
    6
  • 0%
    5
  • 0%
    4
  • 0%
    3
  • 5%
    2
  • 0%
    1
Location
 9
Value for money
 8
Accommodation
 8
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 9
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 8
Wifi
 4
PeacefulBushRemote location

83% would recommend this campground to a friend

83% would stay here again

What customers say

Spacious, tidy sites in a top spot for exploring. Clean loos & showers with hot water are usually good. Staff are friendly & run ace kids' activities. Some found it peaceful, others had minor gripes about toilets, activities, or no Wi-Fi.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 2
Arrival date (latest first)

Facilities very clean Very quiet, we were the only ones on the campsite…

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
 5
Value for money
 7
Accommodation
 7
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 9
Child friendliness
 8
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 2
Marney W.

Unpowered grass tent site

Liked Facilities very clean
Very quiet, we were the only ones on the campsite for one of the nights

Recommend to friends Visit again

Definitely stay again. Clean toilet with hot showers.…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 8
Value for money
 8
Accommodation
 8
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 8
Child friendliness
 8
Cleanliness
 8
Wifi
 2
Sean D.

Bell tent

Liked Definitely stay again. Clean toilet with hot showers.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Clean, vast space…

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
 8
Value for money
 4
Accommodation
 8
Facilities / Activities
 2
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 6
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 8
Anonymous

Unpowered grass campervan site

Liked Clean, vast space

Disliked We were the only ones on the massive site except two other cars. Activities had been wound down so not all we available and those that were available were limited to specific time slots.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent team of staff

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
 2
Anonymous

Unpowered grass tent site

Liked The site which was clean and well looked after, the activities provided we well organized and team had experienced staff looking after the children and their safety.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent site with clean facilities, friendly staff and level pitches

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
 No rating
David C.

Bell tent

Liked The bell tents were very tidy and clean. Beds were comfortable.

Facilities were modern and clean.

Staff were very helpful.

Disliked The lights in the toilet at night could do with staying on for a little bit longer. They were only staying on for 5 seconds, but that's an easy fix.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great site, facilities were ideal, staff were very helpful.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 8
Accommodation
 8
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 8
Wifi
 8
Anonymous

Bell tent

Liked Great location, it was nice to let the kids run around without having to worry. The bell tent was a great size, not too far from the toilet/shower block. Helped having a picnic bench per tent.

Disliked It would have been nice to have a different fire to sit around in the evening. The barrel was good for a bbq but not the best for a general fire to sit around for warmth.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Nice pitch definetly will come back!…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 8
Anonymous

Unpowered grass tent site

Liked Nice pitch definetly will come back!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful place.

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 8
Accommodation
 8
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 8
Child friendliness
 8
Cleanliness
 8
Wifi
 6
Anonymous

Bell tent

Liked Facilities, the quiet surroundings, the trees and natural beauty, the deer and other wonderful wildlife.

Disliked The number of spiders in our bell tent but hey ho, we were in their home after all. Also, a hornets’ nest in a tree fairly close to the toilet block.

Recommend to friends Visit again

The field was spacious. The toilet block is ok, shows are…

Overall

2 out of 10
Location
 4
Value for money
 2
Accommodation
 2
Facilities / Activities
 2
Customer service
 2
Child friendliness
 2
Cleanliness
 4
Wifi
 2
Jacalyn S.

Unpowered grass campervan site

Liked The field was spacious. The toilet block is ok, shows are hot, mostly clean. Next to monkey world

Disliked This is not my favourite camping spot if I am honest. It’s attached to an activity centre that only does two activities per day and if they are full there is nothing else to do. You can’t swim or paddle in the lake. No play area for children. The staff were not every accommodating for SEN children. Won’t be returning. Shame as they would have so much going for them if it was run better.
Has a disabled toilet area/shower but have to go off road to get to the toilet.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great site wirh plenty of space and activities.

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
 8
Value for money
 6
Accommodation
 6
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 6
Wifi
 No rating
Bex M.

Unpowered grass campervan site

Liked Amount of space, allowance to park our van and trailer tent next to each other, and facilities available for children to join in with.

Disliked Smell from toilet block (pump broke for a while, but the site was quick to get a repair man). Also frustrating when people pitch tents across pathways and block access to taps.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Features

No 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 site/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundry Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed No dogs allowed

Themes

Bush Peaceful Remote location Walkers' paradise Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Dump point Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby

Type

Large (51-200 sites)

Accessibility

Disabled facilities

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Climbing nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby Watersports nearby

Location

Buddens Camping and Activity Centre

Puddletown Road

Wareham

Dorset

England

BH20 7NU

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London +0100 (GMT+01:00)

GPS

50.70355°N
2.1828°W

Nearest transport

Coach
5.5 km Post Office
5.5 km Red Lion
11.6 km East Street
Rail
3.7 km Wool Rail Station
4.9 km Wareham Rail Station
7.5 km Holton Heath Rail Station
Ferry
13.4 km Poole Ferry Terminal
14 km Poole Quay Ferry Landing
16.1 km Brownsea Island Ferry Landing
Airport
26.1 km 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

The ruins of Corfe Castle (15 minutes’ drive) perch atop a hill overlooking the Purbeck peninsula, and on a clear day, you can see as far as the Isle of Wight. Audio posts scattered throughout the remains explain the history of this centuries-old structure. If you prefer your castles in pristine conditions, you can head to Lulworth (15 minutes), built in the 1600s as a royal hunting lodge. At any time of year, the Blue Pool (15 minutes) draws visitors with its changing colours and splendid woodland location. Walk the surrounding trails or stop for a picnic on the shaded banks; if you’re visiting in the winter months, check out the illuminations (and music) lighting up the paths. You can join the South West Coast Path at West Lulworth (20 minutes) and stroll on the cliffs of the Jurassic Coast, stopping at sheltered coves like ​​Man O’War Beach, admiring the natural arch at Durdle Door, and checking out the unusual rock formations at Fossil Forest.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Poole Harbour Rockley Sands 10.2 km Estuary N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Lulworth Cove 10.5 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Kimmeridge Bay 10.9 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Durdle Door East 11.1 km Sea N/AExcellentN/AExcellent
Poole Harbour Lake 11.1 km Estuary N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre 2.5 km

The Tank Museum 4.4 km

Lulworth Castle & Park 7.4 km

Lulworth Heritage Centre 10.6 km

Corfe Castle 11.3 km

National Trust

Clouds Hill 5.1 km

Corfe Castle 11.5 km

White Mill 14.2 km

Hardy's Cottage 14.9 km

Kingston Lacy 15.9 km

Cycle routes

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

Other

Clouds Hill - Moreton 4.7 km

GRANGE HEATH (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 30/03/2005) 7 km

STOBOROUGH HEATH (CURRENT BOUNDARY FROM 18/01/2004) 7.4 km

LULWORTH CASTLE 7.4 km

ANDERSON MANOR 8.1 km

Local events

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

    Dorchester, England 17.2 km

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 campgrounds

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable campgrounds.

Want to know more about camping in Dorset?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Buddens Camping and Activity Centre have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Buddens Camping and Activity Centre dog friendly? No View all features
  • What attractions are near Buddens Camping and Activity Centre? The ruins of Corfe Castle (15 minutes’ drive) perch atop a hill overlooking the Purbeck peninsula, and on a clear day, you can see as far as the Isle of Wight. Audio … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Buddens Camping and Activity Centre?
    Camping and caravan
    Arrive:  3 p.m. –  9 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    On-site accommodation
    Arrive:  3 p.m. –  9 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Buddens Camping and Activity Centre? From $81.94 (for 1 night, 6 people) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.