Poole has a reputation for being a watersports haven and does not disappoint. The busy harbour is a vibrant place to explore with its boats, shops and old buildings, while the white sandy beaches and Brownsea Island are also not to be missed. Book a fun-filled getaway at one of these Poole campsites.
Lytchet Matravers, Poole, Dorset (4.1 miles)
Adult-only (16+), dog-friendly touring and camping park for a peaceful getaway in the Dorset countryside.
4.5 /5
Corfe Castle, Wareham, Dorset (4.5 miles)
Award-winning family friendly site with charming, back-to-nature camping. Just four miles from Studland Beach.
4.62 /5
Lytchett Minster, Poole, Dorset (4.7 miles)
20 minutes from the Jurassic Coast and sandy beaches, with pubs within walking distance.
4.86 /5
Corfe Castle, Wareham, Dorset (6.1 miles)
Family-run camping and touring site on a working farm with an onsite farm shop, just outside Corfe Castle.
4.94 /5
Swanage, Dorset (6.7 miles)
Family-friendly site with an onsite bar, restaurant, shop and entertainment, just five minutes from Swanage.
3.5 /5
Hurn, Christchurch, Dorset (6.8 miles)
A family-run riverside campsite in Christchurch with excellent onsite facilities such as golf, café and a bar.
4.44 /5
Swanage, Dorset (6.8 miles)
Camping site set in the heart of the Purbeck countryside, a short distance from Swanage and Corfe Castle.
4.49 /5
West Moors, Ferndown, Dorset (8.5 miles)
Family friendly camping, touring and glamping near the Jurassic Coast, in easy reach of the New Forest.
4.63 /5
Holt, Dorset (8.9 miles)
An adult only touring base by the New Forest and Poole's sandy beaches, the perfect dog friendly base.
4.76 /5
East Stoke, Wareham, Dorset (9 miles)
Family camping with campfires on a wildflower meadow, near Bovington Tank Museum, Monkey World and Lulworth.
4.82 /5
St Leonards, Ringwood, Dorset (9.7 miles)
Adult only site at the gateway to Dorset and the New Forest. Just 20 minutes to the coast and Bournemouth.
4.72 /5
Wareham, Dorset (10 miles)
Family friendly camping, touring and glamping next door to Monkey World. Onsite alpacas you can walk and meet!
4.82 /5
Horton, Dorset (10.6 miles)
Family friendly camping, touring and glamping. Onsite animals, fishing and crafts, 20 minutes from Bournemouth.
Wool, Dorset (10.6 miles)
Award-winning friendly family run park set in five and a half acres of Dorset countryside.
4.78 /5
Bockhampton, Christchurch, Dorset (10.6 miles)
Family friendly bell tents in rural Dorset. Just five minutes from the New Forest and 20 minutes to Bournemouth.
5 /5
Bransgore, Christchurch, Hampshire (12.3 miles)
Family friendly outdoor activity centre set in the New Forest. Enjoy paddleboarding, bike hire, archery and more!
4.41 /5
Burley, Hampshire (13.3 miles)
An idyllic family friendly campsite in the heart of the New Forest, spacious grass pitches and close to beaches.
4.5 /5
Bransgore, Christchurch, Dorset (13.6 miles)
Peaceful campsite on a former airfield in the New Forest. Onsite shop and play park, just 15 minutes to the beach!
4.78 /5
Ringwood, Hampshire (13.8 miles)
Charming shepherd's hut and gypsy wagon, ideal for couples and families. Perfect for exploring the New Forest.
4.96 /5
Dorchester, Dorset (14.7 miles)
Family run site set in a 20 acre field on an organic farm within easy reach to the Purbeck Heritage coast.
4.65 /5
Furzehill, Wimborne, Dorset (7 miles)
Brushing the Cranborne Chase AONB, this is a dog and family friendly escape with a pool, near the South Coast.
Ringwood, Hampshire (8.7 miles)
Back to nature camping at a New Forest family park with a pool, gym, restaurant, entertainment and fab activities.
Wimborne, Dorset (12.3 miles)
The seaside resorts of the south coast and the beautiful New Forest are within easy reach of this tranquil site.
Moreton, Dorchester, Dorset (14 miles)
Located in the heart of Wessex, Moreton is perfect for camping holidays spent exploring Dorset's beautiful beaches.
Lytchett Minster, Poole, Dorset (3.2 miles)
An award-winning 5-star campsite, located in stunning parkland just 3 miles from Poole and the Jurassic coast.
Corfe Mullen, Dorset (4.8 miles)
A peaceful yurt glamping experience for a woodland family getaway with relaxing onsite holistic massages.
Lytchett Matravers, Poole, Dorset (5 miles)
Family-friendly camping and glamping with fantastic views over Poole Harbour. Campfires welcome!
Ridge, Wareham, Dorset (5 miles)
A friendly, family-run camping and caravan site on a small farm close to the Purbeck Hills and lovely South Coast.
Swanage, Dorset (6.1 miles)
Family and pet friendly tent and touring holiday park nestled under the Purbeck Hills with indoor pool, restaurant.
Wareham, Dorset (6.3 miles)
From treehouses to wild camping - Blue Pool camping has something for everyone. Peaceful tranquillity at it's best.
Wareham, Dorset (6.5 miles)
The Purbeck Hills, award winning beaches and a castle make this a popular family site.
Swanage, Dorset (6.5 miles)
Small touring site in Dorset AONB, just ten minutes from Swanage Bay. Dog friendly.
West Parley, Ferndown, Dorset (6.8 miles)
Camping and touring 15 mins from the New Forest and near to Bournemouth and beaches. Open year round.
Swanage, Dorset (6.8 miles)
Small, friendly and family run farm camping site situated in Purbeck with grass pitches close to Swanage beach.
Harmans Cross, Swanage, Dorset (6.8 miles)
Back-to-basics, family friendly tent and tourer camping located next to the Swanage steam trains Railway.
Coldharbour, Wareham, Dorset (6.9 miles)
An open, rural, family-run caravan and campsite, surrounded by Wareham Forest, centrally located in Purbeck.
Swanage, Dorset (7.1 miles)
A peaceful site with picturesque views of Corfe Castle, ten minutes from Swanage Beach. Dog friendly.
Bournemouth, Dorset (7.1 miles)
Bell tent glamping, set on the beautiful Parley Estate. Just 15 minutes from Bournemouth beach.
Swanage, Dorset (7.1 miles)
Beach camping and glamping bell tents with golf on site, very close to Swanage Steam Railway and pier.
Wareham, Dorset (7.3 miles)
A 5-star park in Wareham Forest with a swimming pool. Bring the family and the dog - all welcome. Open all year.
Swanage, Dorset (8.1 miles)
Small, family friendly tent and campervan site with shepherd's hut. Located minutes from South West Coast Path.
Clayford, Wimborne, Dorset (8.1 miles)
A rural family friendly site just 30 minutes from Bournemouth and Sandbanks beaches. Ten minute walk to a pub.
Wareham, Dorset (8.4 miles)
Bell tents for families and couples on a peaceful equestrian farm, 20 minutes from the Jurassic Coast.
East Stoke, Wareham, Dorset (8.7 miles)
A quick drive from beaches, Durdle Door and Monkey World, this dog friendly site is your base in the Dorset AONB.
Kimmeridge, Wareham, Dorset (9 miles)
Privately owned and Caravan Club affiliated site, set on a stunning and unspoilt stretch of the Jurassic Coastline.
Blandford Forum, Dorset (9.9 miles)
Pub campsite with camping and touring pitches. Surrounded by stunning countryside in the beautiful Tarrant Valley.
Horton Heath, Wimborne, Dorset (10.2 miles)
A luxurious, family friendly resort just 15 mins from the New Forest with a swimming pool, hot tub and outdoor bar!
Three Legged Cross, Wimborne, Dorset (10.3 miles)
A tranquil, family friendly site with pitches close to Moors Valley Country Park and the New Forest.
Sopley, Christchurch, Dorset (10.5 miles)
Group glamping in spacious bell tents on the outskirts of the New Forest. Ideal for hen dos and birthday parties.
Three Legged Cross, Wimborne, Dorset (10.6 miles)
A spacious, dog friendly family park, near Moors Valley Country Park, the New Forest, a pub and several beaches.
Bransgore, Christchurch, Dorset (12 miles)
This small family park offers a base from which you can explore the unspoilt New Forest and surrounding areas.
East Knighton, Wareham, Dorset (12.5 miles)
Friendly and family run camping site for tents and small campervans, just four miles to Durdle Door and Lulworth,
Winfrith Newburgh, Dorchester, Dorset (12.8 miles)
Small, peaceful, family run CL site in Winfrith Newburgh, close to the beaches. Open year round.
Winfrith Newburgh, Dorset (13.2 miles)
Pre-erected bell tent glamping for families with onsite animals. Five minutes from Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door.
Fairmile, Blandford Forum, Dorset (13.3 miles)
Traditional built shepherd's hut in the heart of Dorset in a designated AONB. Ideal for couples.
Dorchester, Dorset (13.6 miles)
Woodland site with private fire pits and group pitches, 20 minutes to Dorchester and 30 minutes to Durdle Door
Wareham, Dorset (13.6 miles)
A family-owned park with unrivalled access to the famous limestone arch at Durdle Door.
Stourpaine, Blandford Forum, Dorset (14.3 miles)
A small, family run site on a farm, by the Cranborne Chase AONB and close to Blandford Forum. Dog friendly.
Burley, Hampshire (14.3 miles)
Nestled in fields with direct access to the New Forest, family and dog friendly glamping bell tents
Blandford, Dorset (14.5 miles)
Glamping and camping with an onsite farm shop and tearooms. Ideal for hen weekends, couples and families.
A boat trip over to Brownsea Island within Poole Harbour is highly recommended. The picturesque island has plenty of local wildlife on show, and has one of the last remaining red squirrel colonies in the UK. The National Trust island used to be privately owned and even has its only castle, which was built by Henry VIII.
Poole's lovely outdoor spaces are sure to please too, with highlights including the soft white sand at Sandbanks Beach (take the Sandbanks Ferry from the harbour) and Branksome Chine Beach. Beautiful Upton Country Park has 120 acres of parkland to explore (with a nature trail for kids), while the 10 acres of attractive gardens of Compton Acres are stunning.
The town also offers an array of watersports, including stand up paddleboarding, sailing, boat trips and fishing.
For a family picnic, head to Poole Park with a good book. It's next to the harbour, which is also a lovely place for a stroll. Alternatively, Hamworthy Park is right on the seafront and has a small paddling pool that the kids will enjoy.
Families with young children will also love Farmer Palmer's Farm Park. It has a range of delightful animals, as well as exciting pig racing and a lovely woodland walk. there's plenty here to keep the little ones entertained. Or for something a bit more uptempo, Splashdown Waterpark is on hand to entertain with a mix of waterslides including Black Thunder (completely in the dark) and the lazy Mississippi Drifter.
Local museums are a good choice for rainy and sunny days alike, with interesting options including the Poole Museum and Scaplen's Court Museum and Herb Garden, which offers a fascinating insight into the history of Poole. The Poole Old Lifeboat Museum is also worth a visit and includes an old lifeboat, and equipment used by the crews.
Other options for when it's wet include Poole Pottery (where you can paint your own masterpieces), The Ark soft play, Prevail Skatehouse indoor skate park, and the ten pin bowling alley and cinema at Tower Park.
There are a number of of excellent attractions nearby too, including the beautiful Studland Beach and Nature Reserve (with views of Old Harry Rocks), Corfe Castle, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door.
The towns of Bournemouth, Swanage and Christchurch are also easy day trips.