Hello all, first post
So the dilemma is finding a site that fits our requirements,we Tent so obviously a site that takes tent's.
The issue is firstly, finding a site that's not overrun by obnoxious selfish people who have no idea how to respect others and their surroundings, acting like yobs and generally noisy and disrespectful, usually with unruly children in tow.
Many sites say they have curfew and noise rules but in our experience few actually enforce this.
Since lockdown people have basically turned feral!
Next cost,you find a nice site then discover they want upwards of £65 a night for a pitch without electric!
A quick search shows poor reviews and stuff not mentioned such as close to a major road or adjacent to a trading estate .
It seems actual camping is dying it's all about making money from hut's, Bell's and Vans.
We just want to find a site where we can go chill out,use it as a base for hiking trips come back have a decent shower relax have some food and maybe site outside for a couple of hours enjoying the fresh air knowing we can go to bed and sleep,not kept awake by others and the tent being used for football practice.
ANYONE know of any sites in Dorset or Dorset borders that's not overrun by middle class yobs.
Many thanks
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
Try the Site Search here. Tick for tents & anything else you want (eg dogs allowed or no dogs.) Tick Adult Only to avoid the football hitting the tent. Check sites with a UKCS score of 9 or 10. Read the most recent reviews & check the site website for site fees. I can’t speak for £65 for a non-EHU tent pitch, because I’m paying £25-30 on independent sites for a MH hardstanding pitch with EHU up in Scotland; Club sites will be more expensive though, especially if you’re not a member.
I have very rarely experienced your “middle class yobs” in 40+ years of tent & MH camping. But maybe aim for smaller sites without on-site bars.
Sadly all I can do is agree that sites are not what they used to be, and as to people, they are transient, so sometimes you'll have the yobs, and sometimes you may be lucky and not! - no way of predicting that, but certainly more yobs than past times!
I caravan rather than tent these days, and considering car-caravan combo or MHs amount to up to £100,000 investment in many cases, owners can still be utter yobs! In fact probably an inverse rule at work, the older/cheaper the outfit, the better the people seem to be!
Dorset seems to be a strange area, I love it as a county, but finding a decent camp site, according to reviews anyway, seems challenging! I looked at one last week, site was well liked, but neighbouring facilities (another camp site) blighted it with excessive uncontrolled noise. Been looking at Dorset for some time, but each time the sites put me off, bad reviews, stupid prices etc.
As a general view, I favour adult only CAMC CLs with only 5 pitches, but no good to you with a tent as they are caravan/MH only, but the CCC CS equivalent may be an option, not quite as exclusive as a CAMC CL with it's 5 pitches, CCCC CS can have up to 15 pitches I believe, only 5 for caravans/MHs, other 10 for tents. But it's a numbers game, with a limited number of pitches, chances are less yobs than a large site with hundreds of pitches. Don't think that because campers are members of one of the clubs, they are better neighbours, not necessarily at all! Bemoaning on another post recently how my last trip to a favourite club site in the Lake District was blighted by the yob element, and how the 'strict' club/site rules were not enforced!
I've found some lovely sites around the country, but Dorset hasn't ticked any boxes yet! - got to be a few surely?
Join the Camping and Caravanning Club (C&CC), then you can use their Certified Sites (CSs). They take 5 caravans and up to 20 tents. Then look for sites with the criteria you need.
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
We are in both clubs and not had any issues in many years.
Now retired we avoid school holidays at all costs! Cheaper and easier to get bookings!
We are on C& CC site at Charmouth in Dorset, have been here a couple of weeks. It's one of the best we have been to, quiet at the moment although a few kids about at the weekend but no problem!
No yods about mainly older folks like us
I have put a review on here as the last one was a while ago.
Home Sunday then maybe off elsewhere for first couple of weeks in July.
------------- DS-There's more to life than football!!!
South Lytchett Manor at Poole might be worth a look. The site itself has a lovely atmosphere and there are plenty of options for getting out into the countryside. Never been bothered by other campers there. I seem to remember there's a road you might hear every now and again but it definitely didn't disturb us.
Each to their own and everyone's needs and wants are different.
A quiet site during non-school holiday mid-week could turn very rowdy with critters and ankle biters running amok at weekends and school holidays.
Nowadays, for school holidays in late May, late July till early September, I would choose adult-only sites.
I might need to start to consider CS/CL sites that are not too remote from civilisation!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
As DK says, each to their own, what suits one perfectly would be an absolute nightmare for someone else. We like quiet sites and tend to pick those that are a bit out of the way rather than those very close to what are likely to be busy resorts. Cost is a big factor for us being state pensioners, and I don't like crowded places. Bars on site and swimming pools etc are a definite no-no, whereas others would regard them as essential. All we want is EHU and good toilets and showers.
Woolsbridge Manor Farm we liked when we visited in 2021. I left a review on here at the time. They do take tents, but I don't remember seeing any when we were actually there, it was mainly motorhomes, camper vans and caravans, many of which were probably seasonal as there wasn't anyone in them for much of the time. Only at weekends. That site is at Wimborne in Dorset.
Quote: Originally posted by Netherton on 27/6/2025Pineapple Farm, a few miles inland from Bridport. Details already on here. No Club membership required.
Some of us would hope there is no great symbolism in the 'Pineapple', which ever way up it is!
... if you know, you know, if you don't, DON'T Google it (ESPECIALLY on a work computer!!!) to find out, unless you want your targeted advertising to take a particular ERRRR! 'direction' that may not be to your liking!!!!
Maybe 'Orange is the New Black', but it seems 'Pineapple is the New Pampas Grass' too!!!!
A bit further north than you are looking but The Old Oaks in Glastonbury take tents. You pitch on hardstanding like a caravan so you would need a good groundsheet but the site is so quiet as it is adult only and the facilities are amazing.
I’ve been reminded of something by information for a site elsewhere: some sites will take tents, but only if you arrive by walking or cycling. You don’t say if you’re arriving by car or by other means. That includes some CAMC sites: too far for you, but the CAMC sites at Berwick upon Tweed and Forfar welcome tents with walkers.
Sorry, I can’t suggest good tent sites in your chosen area. (Plenty in Dumfries & Galloway for people arriving in cars.)
Quote: Originally posted by Pixie_Hez on 29/6/2025
A bit further north than you are looking but The Old Oaks in Glastonbury take tents. You pitch on hardstanding like a caravan so you would need a good groundsheet but the site is so quiet as it is adult only and the facilities are amazing.
Sorry no suggestions from me. We (well I) tend to find family run (or owner run) campsites which win 'loo of the year' or other certifications. Yes, there will be children at these sites in the holidays but less chance of yobs if it's a smaller site and those with less facilities - so no pub, no restaurant and no pool.
Some of the so-called best campsites as voted for by readers of a certain camping related magazine had eye-watering prices based on 2 people sharing with no single person discount - these are not for me personally.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Choosing the right site
via mobile 27/6/2025 at 9:51am
