Write your own Review to win £150 of Amazon Vouchers!
If you've ever visited this campsite please submit a review for your chance to win! Each month one lucky person will have their review picked at random and will win £150 of Amazon vouchers. Leave as many reviews as you can for more chances - it only takes a few minutes
Stayed twice, May and June two of us for a weekend. Nice site did consider taking the four kids in August but owing to the price, which we thought £7 per child was very steep decided against it and stayed in Devon at our usual site which is £2.50 a child a night, which on site has an indoor pool with flume and free fishing lakes. Though this site does not want a swimming pool, which would be fine for us, it's prices does not reflect the bare facilities. We would stay again as a couple but not with the children. The owners are very nice people and the site is immaculate. Just to pricey where kids are concerned.
A beautiful and friendly campsite in Dorset, if your looking for something different where the kids can be kids or you want to get back to a more festival orientated chill out zone, Riverside Lakes is for you. In the beautiful setting of the new forest and close to Bournemouth and Poole you are so not far from anything you need, weather it be a walk in an ancient woodland for a spot of nature watching or down to the town and beeches this place has it all, plus the land owners and brains behind the meadows are wonderful people, they haven't spoiled the acres and acres of land they have, they have brought it to the public in an Eco friendly, unimposing and genuinely brilliant way.
With daily check ups and wood droppings off, and their lovely black Labrador coming up to say hello in the mornings it makes you feel so at home and peaceful, also the people that seem to be attracted are of a good sort we had the loveliest time with friendly faces to wake up to, even the composting loo was fantastic and way better than most normal loos by far, the showers were the perfect temperature thought to some the facilities may be a bit basic some might feel uncomfortable with that, but for more wood crafty back to nature types it is a great place to still be in near reach of civilisation.
All are welcome, if you have no tent or want a luxury camping experience rent one of the soul pads. They are fantastic and an experience I am definitely going to try for myself, you couldn't wish for a more romantic setting for the yurt style tents they have dotted about in the woodlands, or on the islands on the lakes.
WOW: - well where do we start - what a super chilled, relaxed, well run, friendly site with a couple of top people (Tony & Lisa) heading it up.
It was so nice to shift gear and slow down from the busy lane! Great plots throughout the site, we went as a group and had an area to ourselves, you could almost be the only ones on site, the other plots where far enough away not to hear anyone.
With 2 little ones (4 & 2) we were intially apprehensive, no need, totally safe (no cars allowed, except in emergency / or by prior arrangement etc) so they played happily and had a superb time.
Having a real fire was a total PLUS, nothing beats sitting around a fire after a BBQ, drinking your chosen beverage and chewing the fat, it was really nice that Tony could just sit down and join in during the evening and be part of the conversation.
Ecoloo was superb (no smells there), there were lots of cool touches - solar power, eco energy, hot showers, loo roll, recycling, eggs. To name but a few.
We stayed on site for the whole 4 days, it was great to kick back, play with the kids and enjoy the surrounding views / walks and weather (yes it was very kind to us!)
This site is now definitely in our top list, and we are looking forward to our next visit. The cost was a little more than other sites, but when balanced against the whole it was totally worth every penny.
A BIG thanks to Tony and Lisa for being so welcoming, helpful and friendly, I really like the set up you have, you should be proud of it.
Well, we have just got back from a weekend away at Riverside Lakes and have been very impressed by the attractiveness of the site. It is in a quiet location (very little road noise) and the only thing to be heard are fellow campers and the geese.
The pitches are somewhat small, and if you were on your own in a large tent on a busy night you could find yourself just a couple of metres from another unit. However, it was quiet when we visited so this wasn't a problem and most of the clearings seem to be booked out in their entirety by large groups all pitching in next to one another so the close proximity wouldn't be such an issue. Having said that, there is PLENTY of space between each camping area/zone. Perhaps it would be an idea to create more 'lone' camping plots just like the one near the clearing we camped in (centrepoint).
I have to say the children were a little disappointed when just a few hours in to our stay the zip wire was removed and the boats were taken out of the lake (the owner was concerned about health and safety). Having read about these facilities in previous reviews the children were looking forward to making use of them, and we didn't pack a lot of other play equipment as we thought they would be entertained by these facilities on site. On the other hand they enjoyed having a go with a fishing rod on the lakes, so at least they could enjoy some independent fun that way.
The owner was very helpful and brought us a brazier to use and delivered some logs on the back of his quad bike. Later in the evening when they was a bit of trouble with an unpleasant character he dealt with it very well and came round to let us know what was going on.
The two toilet/shower blocks are very basic, but also very functional and there wasn't a queue to be seen at either. We didn't use the washing up station, but it too looked very functional.
Cost wise, I have to say, I thought it was very dear compared to 'back-to-basics' campsites we have used in the past. We paid £34 a night for a family of four and £4 for a basket of logs- no complimentary ones (as have been mentioned in previous posts). This is the most expensive camping we have come across, by far, but it would also be fair to say that it is almost the most delightful campsite we have been to.
Not quite a 10 out of ten due to the loss of the expected children's facilities and the rather high price.
Excellent site. Broken up into different sections. Website does not do it justice. It is ideal for groups/families as we were, without feeling cramped or feeling that we were disturbing other campers. Open fires brilliant with loads of logs supplied (have to pay for these. It is nice that vehicles are not allowed on the actual site, and if you have lots of camping equipment Tom will take this up on his quad bike trailer.
Loos and showers are basic but more than adequate, showers set to just the right temperature and no need to constantly push in buttons to get wet!
Found Tom & Lisa very helpful and friendly. And go out of their way to ensure you have a pleasant holiday.
Local shops - took a while to find what we needed (should have asked Tom!), there are a couple of Tesco Express within driving distance and found out later that there was a large Sainsburys also.
Riverside lakes is set in lovely landscape and as described previously has basic but perfectly adequate facilities. It is quite a trek to the nearest pub/shop but if you buy your food on the way there's no worries! We stayed n one of the new and very nice Soul Pad's.
Having stayed here August bank holiday 2008 we were very excited about coming back. Sadly the return trip didn't live up to our expectations.
Previously the campsite had been very much about getting back to nature with a tranquil and peaceful feel. Now it seems to have turned into a kids camp. We were next to one large group of several families with around 10 children. The noise started at 7:30am and continued ntil past 10pm. Screaming, crying and even threats of murder could be heard until late into the evening and at one point (quite late in the evening they started chanting en masse. We were in fact hemmed in, in 3 directions by groups of families ranging from the perfectly acceptable noise of children playing to the awful out of control screaming. The rip wire going off all day and into the night didn't help matters.
Please, please Riverside Lakes return to the lovely peaceful place you used to be.
Ps. We camped next to a family with 3 children last time we came. We like children and have no problem camping next to them, it's just that things seem to have got out of control now.
My wife, Westie and I had a wonderfully chill week away at Riverside Lakes. The campsite was set in a meadow with the large pitches clearly marked out in mown down areas. With pathways around the site. Very pretty and idyllic.
The owners gave us a very friendly welcome and helped us move all our stuff via a trailer and quadbike to the pitch (My wife likes to take everything!) At our pitch we had a basket of logs that were complimentary and a brazier if you choose to use that as opposed to the large fire pits that are at the centre of each pitching area and a picnic table in each camping area.
Facilities were basic but this is how camping should be, we were close to an eco loo which was clean and did not smell a single bit - certainly tons better than a lot of public loos that I have been in.
Showering facilities compose of a portacabin which was cleaned regularly and while basic, there was always plenty of hot water and soft toilet tissue.
Washing up facilities were good with intercom access to the owners if you ever need them, chemical disposal point and recycle bins.
The fishing lakes on site were small with some wonderful looking traditional bell tents set up in secluded areas around it which looked as if they would be lovely to stay in. Lots of wildlife, owls, bats, deer roamed through on occasion, dragonflies, geese, ducks, and lots of birds.
The owners made us feel so welcome, always a smile and drove around on the quadbike in the evening to check if you wanted some more logs (£4 for a large basket)and as a previous person has said they left us some lovely freshly laid eggs.
Local area: The Drusillas Inn is well worth a visit with some lovely food and friendly staff though not the cheapest. There is a Morrisons within an 10 minute drive, but plenty of smaller convenience stores closer at 3 legged cross. There is also a large camping shop for your emergency tent repairs and supplies in a garden centre at 3 legged cross which you can't miss.
Plenty of places to go and visit and go mountain biking and walking, The beach at Bournemouth is only 1/2 hr away, Ringwood is only 5 miles away.
I loved this campsite, it did exactly what it said on the tin, the pitches were great, the fires were great the general feeling was indeed very relaxed.
The toilet/shower facilities although not abundant were more than adequate with plenty of hot water, a trickle for warm washing up water just meant you had to scrub a little harder!
I have only one criticism and that is whilst the zip wire was indeed fab for the kids, its constant whine all day long disturbed what would have been a perfect site.
The owners stayed in the yurts on the weekend we were there and came out as they found the zip wire annoying later on in the evening, it was annoying all day long especially when covering the bird song in a morning, other than that a fab site.
There is only one word to describe Riverside Lakes and that's 'faultless'.
My partner and I went for a long weekend to get away from it all, for peace and relaxation. Riverside Lakes provides peace and relaxation in abundance due to the tranquil setting, the owners being so kind and helpful and the excellent well maintained facilities.
Its clear the owners genuinely want you to have a good time from the minute you arrive. They were kind to us, provided us with a camp fire for the time we were there, popped round to ensure we were okay. The only thing they ask for in return is that you respect the other campers.
The 'fixed' toilets are clean and the connecting sinks / showers are equally clean. The shower water was hot and the pressure was excellent.
There is also a 'eco toilet'. My perception of an eco toilet is a hole in the ground that smells. Nothing could be further from the truth. The eco toilet at Riverside Lakes is clean, very well maintained (ie always toilet rolls, hand cleaning products kept well stocked), it doesn't smell and is SO much cleaner than any public toilet I've ever seen.
The pitch we stayed on overlooked the fields and was a 60 second walk down to the lakes, where you can watch people fishing and watch the ducks / swans etc.
I will definitely we recommending Riverside Lakes to my friends and look forward to going back in the near future.
Previous
60 Reviews in total, now showing 41 to 50Next
Write a Review of this Site to Win £150 Amazon Vouchers
Write a review of this campsite and you could win £150 of Amazon vouchers. Each month one lucky person will have their review picked at random and will win! Leave as many as you can for more chances - submit your review here
Common Questions
Is Riverside Lakes Camping And Glamping child friendly? YES, it accepts children View all facilities
Where is the nearest shop to Riverside Lakes Camping And Glamping? There is a shop within 5 miles View all facilities
Is Riverside Lakes Camping And Glamping dog friendly? YES View all facilities
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
All reviews and comments are the personal opinion of the review author only , and as such do not represent the view of the UK Camp Site.co.uk.
The facilities shown on this website are a guide only, and you should check with the campsite direct before making any booking. The UKCampsite.co.uk will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions
Tent Pitches 
Caravan Pitches 
Motorhome Pitches 
Small Campervans 
Glamping Units 
No Statics for Hire 
No Statics for Sale 
Seasonal Pitches 
Electric Hookups 
Hardstanding Pitches 
No Fully Serviced Pitches 
Families Welcome 
Not Members Only 
Rallies Welcome 
Not Naturist Site 
Dogs Welcome 
No Dogs Allowed 
Groups Welcome 
Motorbikers Welcome 
Toilet Facilities 
Hot Showers 
Washing Up 
Bathroom 
Baby Changing Facilities 
No Laundry 
Drinking Water 
Disabled Friendly 
Chemical Disposal 
No Battery Charging 
No Gas Exchange 
Recycling Facilities 
Kitchen Facilities 
Freezer / Fridge 
No Motorhome Point 
Wifi Access 
Shop <5 miles 
Bar <5 miles 
Restaurant or Cafe or Takeaway <5 miles 
No Playground 
No TV Room 
No Games Room 
No Evening Ents 
Fishing On Site 
Wild Swimming <5 miles 
No Indoor Pool 
No Outdoor Pool 
Horse Riding <1 mile 
No Cycle Hire 
Golf <5 miles 
No Tennis 
Beach <10 miles 
Watersports <10 miles 
No Boat Launch 
No Sea Views 
Working Farm 
Campfires Allowed 
Lakeside Pitches 
Public Transport <5 miles
Offroad Dog Walk On Site or Direct Access 
Stayed twice, May and June two of us for a weekend. Nice site did consider taking the four kids in August but owing to the price, which we thought £7 per child was very steep decided against it and stayed in Devon at our usual site which is £2.50 a child a night, which on site has an indoor pool with flume and free fishing lakes. Though this site does not want a swimming pool, which would be fine for us, it's prices does not reflect the bare facilities. We would stay again as a couple but not with the children. The owners are very nice people and the site is immaculate. Just to pricey where kids are concerned. 
