Swanage Coastal Park

View prices & book 8.9 74 reviews
Pitches with views
Pitches with views
The view from the park
Views of the purbeck countryside from the camping field
The view of swanage bay
The camping field with sea views
The view of swanage bay from the park
Sea views from the informal camping field
The camping field
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The view from the park
Views of the purbeck countryside from the camping field
The view of swanage bay

  • Peaceful site a mile from Swanage: spectacular views over the bay
  • Close to the Jurassic Coast, Corfe Castle and Wareham
  • Leisure club next door with pool, gym, sauna, bar and restaurant
Swanage, you say? For a summer sojourn on a peaceful park close to the dino and fossil hunting, beaches and watersports of the mega fab Jurassic Coast? Pass the bucket, the spade, the flippers… and all the beach, seaside and holiday bits you can cram into the car… And if you’re at Swanage Coastal Park? Bolt on loads of exploring room, proximity to Dorset coast and countryside attractions, and spectacular views of the coastline and deep blue waters: this spacious green park covers 15 acres of countryside, with fab views over Swanage Bay and the Purbeck Hills below. Time for outings? Swanage town is a mile away along an easily accessible path, Corfe Castle is five miles away, and it’s about half an hour’s drive from Swanage to Monkey World or Brownsea Island ferries. Poole, Bournemouth and Dorset are all easily reached by the chain ferry: best be staying here for as long as you possibly manage. As it aims to be a quiet place, Swanage Coastal Park doesn’t have a pool, bar or noisy entertainment, so is just the serene ticket for those seeking summer sanctuary or fleeing from nightly discos. Amenities are plentiful, including showers and toilets, a launderette, a washing-up area and ice pack freezing; pitches are non-electric, on grass overlooking the bay. If between your Dorset exploring days you do fancy being a tad active, the leisure site next door offers day memberships to its health and fitness area, where there’s a pool, gym, sauna and solarium plus a bar and restaurant.

Campground type

Mobile homes for rent 32
Lodges, cabins, pods or huts 6
Tent sites 80
Open now
Opens July 18

Tourist board rating

Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • The campground/park does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Breed-specific legislation (i.e. Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro) and/or any of the following: Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Rottweiler, any Mastiff or Tosa.
  • No bachelor/bachelorette parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • Commercial vehicles (vehicles used for work-related purposes, carrying goods or fare-paying passengers) and sign-written vehicles are not permitted on site.
  • The park caters for families (immediate members) and couples only - bookings from all other forms of groups are not accepted.
  • Continental touring caravans (caravans built with the passenger door on the right-hand side) are not permitted.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Fri, Jul 18 to

This campground is a member of Shorefield Holidays group.

View all Shorefield Holidays parks.

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Reviews

8.9

Overall rating from 74 Pitchup.com customers

  • 55%
    10
  • 12%
    9
  • 18%
    8
  • 2%
    7
  • 8%
    6
  • 0%
    5
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    1
Location
 10
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 8
Facilities / Activities
 7
Customer service
 9
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 5
Spectacular sceneryPeaceful

85% would recommend this campground to a friend

84% would stay here again

What customers say

Spectacular Swanage Bay views & a peaceful, prime location near town & coast paths. Friendly staff & clean, warm showers praised. Some note hilly terrain & no freezer block facilities. Peak times may need more frequent toilet cleaning.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 8
Arrival date (latest first)

Love this site will be back, staff really helpful & good facilities

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
 No rating
Anonymous

Primitive grass tent campsite (overflow, sloping)

Liked This is our second visit to the site, over two years. The site is excellent, clean and tidy with good showers. And so nice to be in a more relaxed camping environment where you can choose your spot and be more amongst the stunning views and coastal paths.

The kids loved their trip with loads of room to run around a play.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Very friendly and helpful staff and…

Overall

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

Primitive grass tent campsite (overflow, sloping)

Liked Very friendly and helpful staff and a great view of the sea.

Disliked Charging points by the camping area showers would be great

Recommend to friends Visit again

Amazing views from some parts of…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 9
Value for money
 5
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 6
Customer service
 No rating
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 No rating
Wifi
 No rating
sophia c.

Primitive grass tent campsite (overflow, sloping)

Liked Amazing views from some parts of site. Within walking distance of town.

Disliked Exceedingly stony ground, could not get tent pegs in at all - just as well i have an air tent that pretty much stands up itself! Can't comment on showers. One portakabin for ladies, one for men - each with 3 showers and 3 toilets, would imagine that's a bit busy at peak times!

Recommend to friends Visit again

We stayed for two nights and…

Overall

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

Primitive grass tent campsite (overflow, sloping)

Liked We stayed for two nights and had a great time, the camping site is very close to town but at the same time far enough to be quite and peaceful.

Disliked Nothing.

Recommend to friends Visit again

What a beautiful quiet location

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
 7
Value for money
 8
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 1
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 8
Wifi
 1
Diane P.

Primitive grass tent campsite (overflow, sloping)

Liked The views
The peace and quiet
The company
Watching the sunrise and sunset on the same hill

Disliked The walk to the toilet block
The taps in the toilet block were difficult to turn off and pressure was high so there was flooding on the floor.
There was no temperature control on the showers. OK for me but a lady had a baby and it was too hot
Could do with a shop on site for bits and bobs
Need bigger refuse bins. They were overflowing and seagulls helping themselves

Recommend to friends Visit again

The fantastic view and quiet atmosphere. Very…

Overall

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

Primitive grass tent campsite (overflow, sloping)

Liked The fantastic view and quiet atmosphere.
Very friendly lady on reception

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great views, ideal location close to…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 8
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 7
Wifi
 5
Graham d.

Primitive grass tent campsite (overflow, sloping)

Liked Great views, ideal location close to Swanage

Disliked Cleaning the toilet block took 5mins in the morning, so could be kept cleaner.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful views…

Overall

7 out of 10
Location
 9
Value for money
 6
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 5
Customer service
 5
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 6
Wifi
 No rating
Laurent J.

Primitive grass tent campsite (overflow, sloping)

Liked Beautiful views

Disliked Toilet and shower facilities were very basic and not too clean.
Service less than other campsites but price was the same

Recommend to friends Visit again

Views of Swanage and Coast Pitchup anywhere…

Overall

6 out of 10
Location
 9
Value for money
 7
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 2
Customer service
 5
Child friendliness
 2
Cleanliness
 4
Wifi
 1
Matt J.

Primitive grass tent campsite (overflow, sloping)

Liked Views of Swanage and Coast
Pitchup anywhere in the field
5min drive into Swanage

Disliked Strong winds every night
Toilet facilities are small compared to other campsites.
Few flat areas to pitchup, most of the site is on a gradient.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Enjoyable weekend

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
 9
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 7
Customer service
 9
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 7
Wifi
 6
Karina D.

Primitive grass tent campsite (overflow, sloping)

Liked View from camp site
Hot showers
Friendly staff

Disliked Sleeping on a slope

Recommend to friends Visit again

Features

Dogs allowed

Leisure on park

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Playground Recreation room/arcade TV room Takeout Tennis Watersports

Amenities on park

Bath available Car parking by site/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Free wifi Grocery store Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundromat Parent & baby washroom Payphone Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Restrooms Shower available Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

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

Rules

Barbecue grills allowed Barbecue provided Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Themes

Hikers’ paradise Peaceful Spectacular scenery

Utilities

Charging facilities Dump station Electric car charging point(s) Propane/gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Convenience store nearby Dog walk nearby Public transportation nearby

Type

Medium (26-50 sites)

Nearby leisure

Fishing nearby Golf nearby Indoor pool nearby Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby Tennis nearby Watersports nearby

Location

Swanage Coastal Park

Priestway

Swanage

Dorset

England

BH19 2RS

Directions

Timezone

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

GPS

50.60644°N
1.97473°W

Nearest transport

Bus
0.7 mi Bus Station
4.1 mi East Street
4.2 mi East Street
Rail
7.8 mi Poole Rail Station
8.1 mi Parkstone (Dorset) Rail Station
8.4 mi Hamworthy Rail Station
Ferry
5.2 mi Shell Bay Ferry Terminal
5.4 mi Sandbanks Ferry Terminal
5.7 mi Brownsea Island Ferry Landing
Airport
13.4 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

The park is high up above the waters of Swanage Bay, just under a mile from the shops, bars and restaurants in town. There are miles of safe and clean beaches in Swanage too, as well as an award-winning pier, amusement arcades, boat hire and access to the Jurassic Coast (Swanage is at its eastern end). To explore the coast from here, get aboard a heritage train trip on the Swanage Railway, steaming along to the riverside town of Wareham (home of Monkey World) via stops including Corfe Castle and the Isle of Purbeck’s Harman's Cross. If you’re up for hiking, explore by foot instead along a stage of the South West Coast Path, or take one of the shorter routes around the coast and the cliffs. The most strenuous hiking stretch around here is the run of 12 miles or so to Corfe Castle (fret not, you can get the train back); for a shorter or more kid-friendly amble, try the Durlston Country Park clifftop trail, around the comely coastal nature reserve. Also within easy day trip distance are Brownsea Island, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, Poole, Shell Bay, Sandbanks, Dorchester…

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Swanage Central 0.9 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Studland Knoll House 3.3 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Shell Bay North 5.1 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Poole Sandbanks Peninsular 5.9 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Poole Shore Road Beach 6.4 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Swanage Railway 0.7 mi

Studland Beach and Nature Reserve 3.7 mi

Corfe Castle 4.3 mi

Brownsea Island 5.7 mi

Dorset Cruises 8.7 mi

National Trust

Studland Beach and Nature Reserve 2.8 mi

Corfe Castle 4.2 mi

Brownsea Island 5.7 mi

White Mill 14.2 mi

Kingston Lacy 14.3 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

Herston - Worth Matravers - Corfe 0.5 mi

Swanage to Corfe Circular Walk 1.1 mi

Durlston Castle Historic Landscape 1.2 mi

Worth Matravers - Winspit - Dancing Ledge 2.8 mi

Worth Matravers - Cliffs, Caves and Chapel 2.8 mi

Local events

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

    Dorchester, England 21.3 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 Swanage Coastal Park have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Swanage Coastal Park dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Swanage Coastal Park? The park is high up above the waters of Swanage Bay, just under a mile from the shops, bars and restaurants in town. There are miles of safe and clean beaches in … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Swanage Coastal Park?
    RV, travel trailer and tent sites
    Arrive:  noon –  8 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Swanage Coastal Park? From $39.88 (for 1 night, 6 people) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.