Being fairly new to the world of camping I'm a little blown away by the choice of camp sites. We (being myself, Dh and young sons) are hoping to set off to Dorset this summer but there are so many sites and reviews I'm blinded by them all lol!
Does anyone have any experience of these areas? I'm not particularly asking for an actual site (although that would be helpful) but just a little insight as to where is best to go as a young family.
Many thanks
Laura
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
Currently sat in the camping field at East Fleet Farm near Weymouth - terrific site. Weymouth is a traditional seaside town, Poole a bit more yacht-y. Both good places, and there's lots to see in the area. The two towns are about 45 minute drive apart.
------------- * You never know where you're going 'til you get there...
we are going to South Lytchett Manor Caravan & Camping Park in a couple of weeks, but stayed at east fleet (for one night two years ago, bad winds broke the tent pole and we came home everything wet) it was nice there too.
ttfn
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Vonnie
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KARSTEN CAMPERS DO IT WITH INFLATABLES (OO ER!)
With a young family Weymouth will always have more to do and going on.
Swanage is also nice - a decent sized resort but much smaller than weymouth. We are off to Norden farm campsite in a couple of weeks. We have been before. It would be a nice site for kids that are in to animals and not so expensive. It is close to Swanage and studland - best beach in England.
Poole is more boating and adult in my opinion but adjacent to Bournemouth which is a large resort & great for kids I am sure.
Everywhere else is small coves & villages. My favourite piece of coast but possibly not best for kids.
Bournemouth and Poole have lovely beaches, little in the way of caravan parks close to the resorts and parking is nigh on impossible especially in Bournemouth. The A31 has several sites, and there's Rockley Park at Poole if you can get on it during the school holidays. Weymouth again has lovely beaches, parkings a nightmare, and no sites actually near the resort, although I'm not sure if the Haven sites do touring. Wareham and Swanage have some pretty decent sites. If you move further along the coast to Charmouth/West Bay and Lyme there's more choice. there are 3 excellent sites in Charmouth - Wood Farm, Newlands and Manor Farm.
Last year we stayed at a caravan site in Wareham forest. Unfortunately it doesn't take tents, but the area is lovely with alot of things to do for families. We have 2 boys then aged 7 and 5 and they had a great time.
Wareham is about 20 minutes from Weymouth and 15 mins from Poole. Just outside Poole is a leisure complex with a big indoor water park called Splashdown, family friendly restaraunts, eg Frankie and Bennys etc, and a Cinema. Great if the weather's not. It's also close to the Isle of Purbeck with Corfe Castle, Lulworth Castle and Cove, and Durdle Door. The coastline is really beautiful and the main reason we visited the area. There's also the Tank museum (which the boys loved!) and Monkey World very close by and some lovely pubs which were nearly all family friendly (but not the one on the main road through Wareham Forest!) and nearly all did food.
The other sites around this area that we passed seemed to be reasonably quiet, not generally the all singing and dancing type.
HTH
Sally.
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
We've just returned home today after a two week stay at South Lytchett Manor. Smashing site and we had great weather. Bus stop outside the main gate is handy. We certainly saw and did lots down at Dorset. Ah well, back to work on monday !
Quote: Originally posted by Dorset Belle on 17/7/2010
Weymouth again has lovely beaches, parkings a nightmare, and no sites actually near the resort, although I'm not sure if the Haven sites do touring.
Jenny
Amazing. I thought I was actually camping right now on a site close to Weymouth, but obviously not....
As for parking, there are several enormous car parks in town. They cost a few quid to park for the day, but they are there. There's also a park and ride. I wouldn't send a dog to a Haven site.
------------- * You never know where you're going 'til you get there...
All these sites are great, I have tried most of them from when I lived in the area.
My favourite one was alwys the CCC at Moreton though.
It is a short drive into Weymouth, or even better the railway station is just across the road, for days out to Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch, or in the opposite direction, Dorchester and Weymouth.
East fleet gets my vote too. We went last August, the showers were to die for, club house was warm an welcoming with great food. Not far from Weymouth. 11 out of 10 !
East Fleet gets my vote been there a few times and going again this friday for 8 days. Its a lovely site and the toilets and showers in the stable field are brilliant.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Weymouth/Poole Help Please
after a two week stay at South Lytchett Manor. Smashing site and we had great weather. Bus stop outside the main gate is handy. We certainly saw and did lots down at Dorset. Ah well, back to work on monday !
