Set within 26 acres of beautiful Dorset countryside, Riverside Lakes offers a relaxing stay just 20 minutes from Bournemouth. Spacious, mown grass pitches welcome both tents and tourers, with electric options too. For a touch of luxury, stay in one of the furnished bell tents, each overlooking one of the scenic lakes, with fishing available. Meet the friendly animals and get creative with one of the site's arts and crafts activities!

Why choose Riverside Lakes

Family and dog friendly camping, touring and glamping in 26 acres of peaceful Dorset countryside

Top facilities with fishing/wildlife lakes, a shop, fires welcome, animals, activities and more!

Located just 15 minutes from the New Forest, 20 minutes to Bournemouth and the coast

About the site

Within a 20 minute drive of the New Forest National Park and the Jurassic Coast, this family friendly site is ideally placed for days out exploring. Set across 26 acres of countryside, there's plenty to enjoy, including walks, arts and crafts or fishing in the lakes. The pitches are neatly mown into the camping fields, with space for up to ten guests, where you can admire the unspoilt views across the surrounding scenery. There are 16 pitches with a 16 amp hook up, welcoming both tents and tourers. Pitches one to 11 are certified with The Camping and Caravanning Club, so guests staying on these pitches must be members. Each pitch is grouped into clusters across the meadow and woodland and is accessible by car. Long wild grass between the clusters adds a little extra privacy. For those wanting a little more luxury, the five furnished bell tents can accommodate up to six guests each. Set beside the scenic lakes, they include a double bed, single beds for extra guests, bedding, linen, lighting, blankets and a log burner for cosy evenings. Outside, you'll find a picnic table and a fire pit with a BBQ grill. There's plenty to keep you busy without leaving the site. Get creative with pottery painting and tie-dying, or meet the friendly animals, including alpacas, Kune Kune pigs, chickens, ducks, rabbits and more! Dogs are welcome to join your stay, so you there's no need to leave a member of the family behind! There is a large fire pit and smaller ones dotted around the site for toasting marshmallows too. BBQs are also allowed, with bricks to keep them raised from the grass.

Camping and touring is available from 1st April until 1st October. Bell tents are available from 1st May until 14th September

"Owners are great and very accommodating"

Stefan R

"The location is beautiful and super safe"

Jessica C

"The kids loved the animals"

Nadine S

"Such an amazing find!"

Karen F

"One of the best sites I've stayed at"

Adrian K

"A place you can escape all the city noise and be still within easy reach of big town entertainment"

Jelena B

Campsite map

What facilities are at Riverside Lakes?

Accessible facilities

Allow commercial vans

Allow pets on site

Café / restaurant / takeaway

Drinking water

Family friendly

Shop

Showers

Toilets

W.C. disposal

WiFi

(Included)

Caravan storage

Electric hookups

Fires allowed

Fishing

Freezer

Fridge

Glamping

Peaceful

Wash up area

Water hookups

Guests have access to four toilets and four showers in the men's and women's facilities, a dressing area with electrical outlets and a family bathroom. There's also an indoor and outdoor sheltered washing up area, communal fridges and freezers.

There are two fishing lakes (Willow and Kingfisher) for a day of fishing at an additional charge. Arts and crafts are also available, including pottery painting and tie-dyeing, as well as a small beauty salon with manicures, pedicures, waxing treatments and more for an extra cost.

A small shop stocks all the essentials, and free WiFi is available near the reception. On selected nights, wood-fired pizzas are available.

For a larger supermarket, Lidl and Morrisons are a ten minute drive away. The Cross Keys Inn and Drusilla's Inn are both a five minute drive away.

Great for everyone

From arts and crafts and fishing to friendly animals and pampering treatments, there's plenty to keep everyone entertained without leaving the site.

Great for fishing

Cast a line from your camping base, with two fishing lakes onsite offering smaller fish for beginners and carp fishing for more experienced anglers!

There are 44 accommodation options on-site

Bookable pitches and accommodation options

Non electric grass tent pitches in the centre of the site (Centre Point)

Non electric grass tent pitch - Centre Point

6 x Non Electric Grass Tent Pitches (Centre Point)

Max 10 people

Grass pitches without electric in the centre of the site, suitable for tents only.

Non electric grass tent pitches with direct woodland walk access (Chill Out)

Non electric grass tent pitch - Chill Out

6 x Non Electric Grass Tent Pitches (Chill Out)

Max 10 people

Grass pitches without electric tucked away in a far corner of the site, suitable for tents only. They are a short walk from the shower block, with a compost toilet nearby and direct access to the woodland walk.

Non electric grass tent pitches at the top of the site (Ridgeway)

Non electric grass tent pitch - Ridgeway

5 x Non Electric Grass Tent Pitches (Ridgeway)

Max 10 people

Spacious grass pitches without electric at the top of the site, suitable for tents only, offering shelter and views across the whole site. These pitches are very close to the car park, toilets, showers and farm.

2 x Non Electric Grass Tent Pitches (Viewpoint)

Max 10 people

Spacious grass pitches without electric at the centre of the site, suitable for tents only, offering shelter and views across the lakes.

5 x Electric Grass Tent Pitches (Viewpoint)

Max 10 people

Spacious grass pitches with 16 amp electric hook ups at the centre of the site, suitable for tents only, offering shelter and views across the lakes.

Electric grass tent pitches overlooking Willow lake (Lake View)

3 x Electric Grass Tent Pitches (Lake View)

Max 10 people

Grass pitches with a 16 amp electric hook up and views across Willow Lake, suitable for tents only. These pitches have no shelter, so they are great sun traps.

Electric grass tent pitches with 16 amp hook up (Overview)

Electric grass tent pitches between Kingfisher and Willow lake (Overview)

3 x Electric Grass Tent Pitches (Overview)

Max 6 people

Grass pitches with a 16 amp electric hook up between Kingfisher and Willow Lakes, offering the perfect fishing spot. Suitable for tents only. These pitches have a little shelter and are close to the toilet facilities and freezer shed.

Electric grass touring pitches with 16 amp hook up near the facilities

Aerial of the electric grass touring pitches and lake

8 x Electric Grass Touring Pitches

Max 10 people

Grass pitches with 16 amp electric hook up and lake views. Suitable for tourers only. These pitches are a short walk from all facilities and amenities, with their own washing up and CDP areas nearby.

Large Electric Grass Camping Pitch (Cloverleaf)

Max 15 people

A camping meadow with 16 amp electric hook ups at the centre of the site, perfect for larger groups. Suitable for tents only.

Riverside Lakes reviews

4.81 /5

38 reviews

95%

would recommend

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Showing the most recent reviews from guests

Very nice place

Recommends site

Connor L

Medium Tent - Non Electric Grass Tent Pitches (Chill Out)Aug 2026

Overall really good place. Spacious between pitchings, toilets and showers well kept, overall a very nice place!

Great stay

Recommends site

Kenny H

Large Tent - Electric Grass Tent Pitches (Overview)Aug 2026

Very friendly staff. Fresh fired pizza on Wednesday night was a great evening. Would definitely recommend and be staying again.

Peaceful stay

Recommends site

Jennie G

Motorhome - Electric Grass Touring PitchesJul 2026

This was our first stay at this site and we enjoyed it. It says on that there was a shop, café and restaurant, however this is not true. There were coffee machines in the shop and the shop was limited to cold drinks, ice creams and toys. The pizza on Wednesday evening (delivered to our pitch) was lovely.

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Need to know

Frequently asked questions about Riverside Lakes

Quick filters

Site rules

What time is check-in and check out at Riverside Lakes?

Check-in at Riverside Lakes is available from 1pm to 9pm for camping and touring, and from 2pm to 9pm for glamping. Please advise the site if you are delayed. Check out is due before 10am on your last day.

Is Riverside Lakes dog-friendly?

Yes, Riverside Lakes is dog friendly allowing three per pitch or bell tent. Please keep them on a lead and supervised at all times. Breeds and crossbreeds listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act are not permitted.

Does Riverside Lakes allow BBQs and campfires?

Yes, Riverside Lakes allows BBQs as long as they are raised off the ground, and campfires are allowed in the designated fire pits. Please buy logs and kiln-dried wood from the site's shop.

Does Riverside Lakes allow groups or pitches being booked together?

Riverside Lakes welcomes group bookings by prior arrangement. Please note that it is not a party venue, so hen and stag parties are not permitted.

Does Riverside Lakes have a quiet time or noise policy?

Yes, Riverside Lakes operates a quiet policy between 11pm and 7am.

Pitches

What amp is the electric hook up at Riverside Lakes?

The electric hook ups at Riverside Lakes are 16 amp.

Are bedding and towels included at Riverside Lakes?

Bedding and bed linen are included during your stay in the bell tents at Riverside Lakes. Please bring your own towels.

Where can I find Riverside Lakes's map?

You can find a copy of Riverside Lakes' map here.

How many tents are allowed per pitch at Riverside Lakes?

At Riverside Lakes, it is just one tent or touring unit per pitch.

Facilities

Is there WiFi at Riverside Lakes?

Yes, Riverside Lakes offers free WiFi in the reception.

Does Riverside Lakes have a shop onsite?

Yes, Riverside Lakes has a shop for essentials, treats, toys and more. For a larger supermarket, Lidl and Morrisons are a ten minute drive away.

Is there a restaurant or cafe at Riverside Lakes?

No, Riverside Lakes does not have a restaurant or cafe. Drusilla's Inn is a five minute drive or 30 minute stroll away, or the town of Verwood is a ten minute drive for more options, including The Monmouth Ash and Aroma Verwood Restaurant.

Can I fish in the lake at Riverside Lakes?

Yes, Riverside Lakes has two fishing lakes, Willow and Kingfisher. Willow is the smaller lake and is aimed at beginners, with small carp and silver fish, while Kingfisher Lake is stocked with some "low doubles" carp for more experienced anglers. Adult day tickets start at £8, and children's tickets (under 14) start at £5, with weekly adult permits available from £35.

Does Riverside Lakes have electric vehicle charging?

No, Riverside Lakes does not offer EV charging. The closest electric vehicle charging point is the Be.EV Charging Station in Verwood, a ten minute drive away.

Does Riverside Lakes have a communal fridge and freezer?

Yes, Riverside Lakes has a large communal fridge and freezer. Please label any food items with your name and pitch number.

What is phone signal like at Riverside Lakes?

Most phone service providers should be able to access phone and 4G signal at Riverside Lakes. Free WiFi is also available in the reception.

Getting there

What are the nearest public transport links to Riverside Lakes?

The nearest train station to Riverside Lakes is Bournemouth, a 20 minute drive away. The closest bus stop is Woodcutter Close, a 40 minute walk or five minute drive away, with hourly services to Ringwood on the X6. Please check bus timetables to plan your route accordingly.

Are there any local taxi service companies to Riverside Lakes?

Local taxi companies to Riverside Lakes include Ringwood Taxis (01425 480480) and Ferndown Taxis (01202 896666).

What is the nearest bus stop to Riverside Lakes?

The closest bus stop to Riverside Lakes is Woodcutter Close, a 40 minute walk or five minute drive away, with hourly services to Ringwood on the X6. Please check bus timetables to plan your route accordingly.

What's nearby

What are the nearest pubs to Riverside Lakes?

The nearest pubs to Riverside Lakes are The Cross Keys Inn and Drusilla's Inn, both a five minute drive away. The Three Legged Cross, Tap and Railway and The Monmouth Ash are all a ten minute drive away. Wimborne is a 30 minute drive away for more options, including The King's Head.

What are the nearest beaches to Riverside Lakes?

The nearest beaches to Riverside Lakes are within a 30-35 minute drive, including Bournemouth Beach, Canford Cliffs Beach, Southbourne Beach and more!

What is within walking distance of Riverside Lakes?

Within a 30 minute walk from Riverside Lakes is Drusilla's Inn pub, serving lunch, dinner and a variety of drinks.

What walking routes are close to Riverside Lakes?

There are plenty of nearby parks and walking trails to explore from Riverside Lakes. Moors Valley Country Park and Forest is a ten minute drive away, with a treetop obstacle course, cycling routes, woodland trails and plenty of space for outdoor adventures. The New Forest National Park is a 15 minute drive away, where you can roam through ancient woodlands, spot free-roaming ponies and deer, and enjoy miles of walking and cycling trails!

A note from the site themselves...

Welcome to Riverside Lakes. Tucked away in the peaceful village of Horton, our campsite feels a world away from the hustle and bustle, despite being within easy reach of the M27. From the moment you arrive, we hope you'll enjoy the calm surroundings, spacious pitches, and slower pace of life that make this such a special place to stay.

Riverside Lakes is part of our smallholding, where we care for pigs, chickens, and other friendly animals. Many of our younger guests enjoy meeting them during their stay, and there's often the opportunity to help with feeding time. As our smallholding continues to grow, we're always looking for new ways to help families enjoy getting closer to the animals and the countryside.

We hope you'll take the time to unwind, explore the peaceful surroundings, and make the most of everything Riverside Lakes has to offer. Whether you're here for a quiet escape or a memorable camping adventure, we look forward to welcoming you.

Riverside Lakes is ideal for...

Couples

Older children (13+)

Peace and quiet

Rallies

Young children

Things to do on site and in the Horton area

When the weather warms up, head to New Forest Water Park, just 20 minutes away, for a day of splash-filled fun. Take on the real-life Total Wipeout course and see if you can make it to the other side without an unexpected dip!

Bournemouth is also a 20 minute drive away, with plenty of shops, eateries and attractions to keep everyone entertained. Head down to Bournemouth Pier for some classic seaside fun or visit the Oceanaerium to meet the sea life.

For a slower paced day out, Kingston Lacy (20 minutes) has manicured grounds and a house to wander, or let little ones run wild in the two play areas.

Other nearby attractions include: