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Riverside Lakes

92%

would recommend

Horton, Dorset

HIGHLY RATED

See all 47 photos

Set within 26 acres of glorious Dorset countryside, Riverside Lakes offers a relaxing stay just 20 minutes from Bournemouth. Spacious, mown grass pitches welcome both tents and tourers, with the option of electric too. For a touch of luxury, stay in one of the fully furnished bell tents, each set by one of the scenic lakes with onsite fishing available. Meet the friendly animals and even take part in one of the onsite arts and crafts activities!

Why you'll love it at Riverside Lakes


Featured in our 2024 Outstanding Sites list of reliably excellent camping, glamping, and touring sites

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 perfectly located for days of exploring. Covering 26 acres of countryside, you can also enjoy gentle strolls onsite, fishing in the lakes or simply unwinding at your pitch. Each of the pitches are neatly mown into the camping field, welcoming up to ten guests each. Enjoying unspoilt views over the surrounding landscapes, there are 16 pitches with an electric hook up, available for both tents and tourers. Pitches one to 11 are certified with The Camping and Caravanning Club, therefore those staying on these pitches must be a member. All of the pitches are grouped into areas amongst the meadow and woodland. Each of the clusters is accessible by car, with long wild grass in between to help with privacy. For those wanting a little more luxury, the site offers five fully furnished bell tents, each sleeping up to six. Set next to the scenic lakes, the tents come equipped with a double bed, single beds for extra guests, bedding, linen, lighting, blankets and a log burner to keep you nice and toasty. For unwinding outdoors, there is a picnic table and fire pit with a grill. If you want to keep busy onsite, there are a whole range of activities available too. Take part in pottery painting and tie dying and create something to remember your stay, or even meet some of the friendly animals including alpacas, Kune Kune pigs, chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits and more! Dogs are also welcome to join you for your stay, so there is 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.

"Great for families, groups or couples we were struck by how peaceful the whole place was"

Rosalind B

"I loved that each pitch comes with it's own picnic bench and firepit"

Stevie H

"The staff are perfect and the facilities are as clean as could be"

Dean M

"If you are looking for somewhere quiet to stay, you will love this beautiful hidden away place"

Lorna H

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

Jelena B

"Could not recommend this site more highly. Attention to detail and helpfulness was above and beyond"

Robert S

"I challenge you to find a better campsite anywhere"

Michael B

"The site itself is beautiful, with lakes and the cutest pigs ever (and goats and alpacas)"

Sophie D

Camping and touring is available from 29th March until 1st October. Bell tents are available from 1st May until 1st October.


Facilities and amenities

Accessible facilities

Allow commercial vans

Allow pets on site

Café / restaurant / takeaway

Drinking water

Family friendly

Shop

Showers

Toilets

W.C. disposal

Electric hookups

Fires allowed

Fishing

Glamping

Peaceful

Water hookups

WiFi

Facilities include four showers and four toilets with both men's and women's, plus dressing areas with electric points and a family bathroom. There is also a washing up room with communal fridges/freezers, a microwave and workspace. A small shop stocks all of the essentials, too, with free WiFi near the main office.

Onsite fishing, arts and crafts, pottery painting, manicures, pedicures, ear piercing and small waxing treatments are also available at an extra cost.

Within a five minute drive, you will also find The Cross Keys Inn and The Three Legged Cross for a drink or something to eat.


Map and address

Park address

Riverside Lakes,

Riverside Farm, Slough Lane, Horton, Dorset, BH21 7JL

Coordinates

50.8630, -1.9248 | SU 5 7

View on Google Maps

Riverside Lakes is ideal for...

Couples

Older children (13+)

Peace and quiet

Rallies

Young children


There are 36 accommodation options on-site

Bookable pitches and accommodation options

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.

6 x Non Electric Grass Tent Pitches (Chill Out)

Max 10 people

Grass pitches without electric in a far corner of the site, suitable for tents only. These pitches are a little walk from the shower block but there is a compost loo nearby. Direct access to the woodland walk.

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 and offering shelter and views across the whole site. These pitches are very close to the car park, toilets, showers and farm.

3 x Electric Grass Tent Pitches (Lake View)

Max 10 people

Grass pitches with a 16 amp electric hook up looking out across Willow lake. Suitable for tents only. These pitches have no shelter so are great sun traps.

3 x Electric Grass Tent Pitches (Overview)

Max 10 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.

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 close walk to all facilities and amenities and have their own washing up and CDP areas nearby.


Riverside Lakes reviews

92%

would recommend

Overall
4.8
Location
4.83
Value for money
4.92
Service
4.75
Facilities
4.71
Cleanliness
4.79

Excellent

Alan P

1

0

Bell Tent - The Island Bell TentJun 2025

Perfect stay in the island bell tent for two nights. So peaceful and cosy. The indoor stove kept us toasty on a cold rainy morning and we couldn't fault the experience. At night we laid on the grass by our fire pit and watched bats flying above us which was special The campsite was beautiful with meadows and wild animals, friendly farm animals that always came to say hello and stay for a stoke. The two week old piglets were adorable and the goats were our favourite. The owners were very friendly and accommodating and the communal fridges and freezers were an added bonus we didn't expect to keep our supplies fresh. Showers were nice and clean Will definitely be back again and would 10/10 recommend the site

Recommended!

Posy C

1

0

Bell Tent - Birdie Bell TentMay 2025

We had a great time here. Friendly team who even upgraded us to a larger tent as they had space. Well maintained, great facilities and lots to do nearby. Highly recommended.

Peaceful

Nico D

0

0

Motorhome - Electric Grass Touring PitchesSep 2024

An amazing experience. Matt and his partner. Will definitely be back, I came little unorganised so I had to cut the trip short.

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FAQ

Check-in is due between 1pm and 9pm for camping and touring. Glamping check-in is available between 2pm and 9pm. Check out for everyone is due by 10am.

Yes, the site is dog friendly with up to three permitted per pitch and in each of the bell tents. Please note, breeds and crossbreeds listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act are not permitted.

Campfires and BBQs are allowed with areas and fire pits provided onsite. Only logs bought from the site may be used.

Yes, fishing is available onsite and you can add permits to your booking when you check out.

Yes, there is a small onsite shop stocking the essentials.

Login or sign up to ask us other questions about Riverside Lakes. We're happy to help!



Things to do on site and in the Horton area

When the weather is warm, a trip to the New Forest Water Park (20 minutes) is the perfect way to have some fun. Take on the real life 'Total Wipeout' and try and get through the course without getting wet!

The bustling town of Bournemouth is also within a 20 minute drive. Full of shops, eateries and attractions, there is plenty to keep you busy. Head to Bournemouth Pier for some traditional seaside fun or visit Oceanarium to see some sea life.

Kingston Lacy (20 minutes) is a pretty National Trust property, perfect for a gentle morning or afternoon out. Wander the manicured grounds, explore the lavish home and let kids run wild in the two play areas.

Other nearby attractions include:

  • Go Ape Moors Valley (10 minutes)
  • Liberty's Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre (15 minutes)
  • Boscombe Pier (15 minutes)
  • Snowtrax Alpine Activity Centre and Snowsports Shop (15 minutes)
  • Sandbanks Beach (35 minutes)
The listing for Riverside Lakes was last updated on June 9th, 2025 at 2:24 AM

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