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Reviews of Downshay Farm Camping And Touring
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Downshay Farm Camping And Touring
Haycrafts Lane
Swanage
Dorset (Browse area)
BH19 3EB
Tel: 01929 480316
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This site has an availability calendar. You can check for availability here
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Pitches:
Open: 30/03/2024 to 31/10/2024
30/03/2025 to 31/10/2025
Rating: 
   
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Photos (21)
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 Tent Pitches |
 Caravan Pitches |
 Motorhome Pitches |
 Small Campervans |
 Glamping Units |
 No Statics for Hire |
 No Statics for Sale |
 No Seasonal Pitches |
 Electric Hookups |
 No Hardstandings |
 No Fully Serviced Pitches |
 Show Full Facilities |
| Who's it for |
 Families Welcome |
 Not Members Only |
 No Rallies |
 Not Naturist Site |
 Dogs Welcome |
 No Dogs Allowed |
 Groups Welcome |
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| Facilities |
 Toilet Facilities |
 Hot Showers |
 Washing Up |
 No Bathroom |
 No Baby Changing |
 No Laundry |
 Drinking Water |
 Disabled Friendly |
 Chemical Disposal |
 Battery Charging |
 No Gas Exchange |
 Recycling Facilities |
 No Kitchen Facilities |
 Freezer / Fridge |
 No Motorhome Point |
 No Wifi Access |
 Shop <1 mile |
 Bar <5 miles |
 Restaurant or Cafe or Takeaway <5 miles |
| Activities |
 No Playground |
 No TV Room |
 No Games Room |
 No Evening Ents |
 Fishing <5 miles |
 No Wild Swimming |
 Indoor Pool <5 miles |
 No Outdoor Pool |
 Horse Riding <5 miles |
 No Cycle Hire |
 Golf <5 miles |
 Tennis <5 miles |
 Beach <5 miles |
 Watersports <5 miles |
 No Boat Launch |
| Other Features |
 No Sea Views |
 Working Farm |
 Campfires Allowed |
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 No Waterside Pitches |
 Public Transport <5 miles |
 No Dog Walk |
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Reviews:
108 in total, now showing 91 to 100
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| Date of Visit: July 2007 |
Unit: Campervan |
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| Reviewer: Dartgirl81 |
24 reviews from this member |
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 What can we say - an excellent site - we were a bit worried initially about the no booking rule, but this site is so big it really wasnt a problem. It is set on a hillside - so think carefully before pitching. A nice walk down to the showers etc but a killing walk back up if you park / pitch at the top! Lots and lots of space, you just drive onto the site pick your own pitch and set up.the very friendly owner turns up in the morning to take your money.
Lots of room for kids to run about, there were goal posts in the middle of the field for a game of footy. Showers and toilets were very clean, but I think these could be busy during the kids school holidays although we never had to wait. Although as mentioned before they were clean but maybe they could do with a bit of updating, the showers are basic cubicles like the ones you would have at home, which I found very small, and the actual showers are basic domestic ones. We all had a problem with the riser rail the shower head went on which didnt go high enough, so we sort of had to crouch under it.
Just to mention this site is not near a pub, that would be a car drive away.
The views are absolutely stunning with views of Corfe castle and the surrounding countryside and the local steam train which stops at a station about 15 minutes walk away. Good for a day out in Swanage without the car. Although there was no dog walk indicated, the farmer told us to go through the gate at the top of the field.
Washing up facilities are outside and not under cover.
The big fields only take tents and motorcaravans/campers -they do not take caravans. Caravans have their own section near the farmhouse, approximately 15 pitches which were all occupied, in fact when we rang the farm when we got near for directions - there was a message on the answerphone to advise the caravan pitches were fully booked until September.
A lovely quiet site, no bars, no pool, no amusements, just peace.
Would we go back, definitely, yes, yes, yes. 
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| Date of Visit: May 2007 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Waterlily |
1 review from this member |
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Great views of Corfe Castle and other scenery. V friendly and helpful farmer who made sure the facilities were constantly cleaned. Soap and toilet roll provided. Very peaceful apart from the rooks which woke us in the morning. This was a great site if you like steam trains as Harmans Cross station is a 5 minute walk. The grass was short and the site well maintained. My youngest liked looking at the bullocks and my middle son loved rolling down the hills (constantly). Even the oldest (13) enjoyed it! Barbecues allowed.
It was nice to be able to choose our own pitch and we felt very relaxed and away from it all there. Swanage was a 10 minute train ride on the steam train, or 10 minutes in the car if you prefer. Nice beach for young children/ all ages. Sandy and pedaloes for hire, also punch and judy.
We also walked to Corfe. The signs said one and a half miles but we thought it was double, because when we had walked to Woodyhyde the signs still said it was one and a half miles to Corfe!
We went to Corfe Castle which was interesting and the village is nice too. Friendly people there.
There werent many tents on the site when we were there as the weather had been changeable leading up to our break. We shared the site with six other tents which was great as loads of space and peace. The weather was lovely too.
The only problem could be that in peak season there could be queues for the bogs as only 3 ladies and 3 mens. There were 2 handbasins in each and 2 showers for each sex.
If you want to get away from it all and no frills, this could be the campsite for you! It cost us £15.00 per night for large tent , 2 adults and 3 children. We didnt want to come home!
However if you like nightlife/ amusements etc this is not he site for you!
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| Date of Visit: April 2007 |
Unit: Motorhome |
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| Reviewer: Suef25 |
5 reviews from this member |
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What a lovely site, it is in a very convenient spot especially for motor-homes. The steam train to Swanage is five minutes walk away - the bus stop to Swanage or Wareham again five/ten minutes walk away, Footpaths abound the area, and we enjoyed several walks along the coast, and to Corfe Castle along by the railway.
The site itself is on terraces, with tarmac access road. The views from the top and middle terraces are lovely, but the bottom terrace is more sheltered. It is lovely and quiet with only the rooks to wake you up.
The facilities are very clean. And the owners exceptionally friendly.
The only suggestions we could make for improvement, are perhaps some hard standings (which would have made us happier) and for the entrance to be widened perhaps (long caravans struggled.)
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| Date of Visit: August 2006 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Susie goold |
1 review from this member |
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Just got back from camping (23rd - 29th August) and are fairly novice with this being only the 3rd time we have been but as I had spent hours on this great website reading all the info and reviews I felt I would like to contribute with my thoughts. We had a lovely time and would definitely recommend this camp site. I went with my friend and 7 kids aged between 3 and 15 who all had a whale of a time.
To start with it was great that we didn't have to book and although this worried us initially it was fine - just turn up, drive in and find a place to pitch. We arrived on the Wednesday before the bank holiday and it was fairly quiet. The hills in the 2 large fields are fairly steep but there were still quite a choice of flatter spaces to pitch. There are 2 showers for women with space to change in, that had hooks and a bench so your clothes kept dry and they were basic but fine and always warm. I managed to get all my 4 children and me in at the same time for conveyor belt showering! The men's showers were not quite as nice but men are less fussy! The showers and toilets (3 in all - with 2 sinks) did get a little bit busy in the mornings between 7am- 8am so we just chose to go a bit later on and had no problems. They were kept clean enough by the farmers and the toilets always had plenty of 'nice' toilet roll and soap. Two sinks outside for washing up was OK. The hot water did run out and you did have to queue a bit but it wasn't a big deal. We sent our kids to do the washing up by the taps at the top of the first field and they had fun doing this while getting wet.
The best part about this site are the views. If you went to the top of the higher field you could see Corfe Castle to the left, the sea to the right with the Purbeck Hills in front. We often stayed on the site until midday because our kids just wanted to run around with their friends and play in the trees where a couple of tyre swings and a few climbing type trees kept them amused for hours. It was lovely to be able to let a 3 year old just wander off and feel he was safe even after dark as everyone was so friendly and ended up knowing which child belonged to which tent.
The site busied up quite a bit over the bank holiday weekend but it was still fun and friendly and by the Monday it had quietened down again.
The farmer came around every morning to collect the money which was £19 per night for us (1 large tent, 2 adults, 3 kids over 11, 3 aged 5-10 and an under 4 plus 2 cars) and he even left out bin bags for your rubbish and there was a freezer for your ice packs.
The location was very good with plenty to do in the surrounding area. We managed to go to Swanage twice (really quaint - great fish and chips), Studland once (beautiful National Trust beach - but £7 to park), Poole (great for shops, eating out and boat rides), Corfe Castle (absolutely lovely) and a must which was recommended to us by our camping neighbours which was the deserted village of Tyneham. Also went to a village fete by Harmans Cross station which was really enjoyable and old fashioned. We didn't go to Monkey World or on the train ride but only because we had been before, but both are well worth doing.
We were lucky to have good weather although it maybe wouldn't have been quite so nice if it rained alot. All in all a fab holiday and a lovely area to visit.
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| Date of Visit: July 2006 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Weeze |
1 review from this member |
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Fantastic location - views over Corfe castle.
Hilly site - choose your pitch with care.
Good facilities - showers may have queues at peak times.
Good value - c. £3.50 per adult, £2 per car, per night.
Farmer friendly - will not tolerate noisy campers.
Children flock to a big hollow on the site with tree swing, plus the football pitch.
Freezer available for cold blocks - remember to put your name on yours.
In all - a good family site.
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| Date of Visit: August 2006 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Wshw |
2 reviews from this member |
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We visited this Camp site with friends over a weekend in mid August. Being first time campers we were wary of what facilities to expect. We were pleasantly surprised to find a clean, safe and child friendly campsite. In the middle of the site a group of bushes and small trees had been constructed in to a den with a rope swing. The children loved this.
There was always hot water for washing & showering if maybe a bit too hot for younger children. I only once saw someone queue for a shower. I have to echo the comments of others reviewers by saying the facilities are cleaned regularly and soap, toilet roll is provided. The ladies facilities are of a higher standard than the men's. There are 2 deep sinks with draining boards and washing up liquid provided by the farmer. If the water runs cold then take it from the ladies shower room (I can guarantee it will be hot from there). There can be queues in the mornings and evenings for the toilets but no-one seemed to mind and other campers seemed to be very considered to those waiting with younger children but if you don't like waiting then the trick is to pitch your tent were you can see down to the toilets, shower block and washing up area then it is all down to timing when you want go.
The Campsite was busy but very quiet and peaceful when we were there. We never tired of looking at the lovely views all around.
We found plenty to do in a weekend with a visit to Corfe Castle and Studland with its wonderful beaches, stunning views of the Isle of Wight, Poole and Bournemouth. We found a lovely village pub in Studland were we had a meal before returning to the campsite.
Harmans Cross Station is only a ten min walk from the campsite and easily manageable for those with little legs. The steam train will take you in to Swanage where a full day can be spent. We caught a pleasure boat which operates from the pier on a Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday and sails to Poole where 4 hours can be spent on shore before returning to Swanage. Saves taking the car on what are very busy roads in the Summer here.
A Texaco garage on the road turning up to the Campsite will provide you with basic essentials and newspapers. Campers that had been here a week told us that the farmer will deal with nuisance campers. This proved to be true when a group of high spirited campers in the top field became too loud while having a BBQ. Other campers near them informed the farmer who swiftly stepped in, dealt with the noisy revellers and peace and quiet was resumed.
We will definitely be coming to this campsite again and would be recommending it to other novice campers who are visiting Dorset this year. Take a long rope if you have a dog so they can run around but are still under restraint as dogs must be kept on leads at all times.
The farmer is very helpful. He pays a friendly visit around the campsite every morning greeting campers and collecting fees. Just turn up, pitch up, sit back and revel in the superb views and relaxing atmosphere that is evident at Downshay Farm.
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| Date of Visit: August 2006 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Ian2460 |
2 reviews from this member |
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We have just returned from a fantastic family holiday at this site. The site is beautiful with amazing views. The owners are very friendly The shower and toilet facilities are good, always lots of hot water and cleaned regularly. Very good washing up facilities again with lots of hot water.
The camp site was ideally placed to explore the local area. We found lots of wonderful walks to go on.(And managed them with a three wheeler buggy!) There are nice beaches at Swanage and Studland only a short drive away. These are clean beaches and ideal for young families.
All in all a great site, lots to do, would definitely return.
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| Date of Visit: July 2006 |
Unit: Campervan |
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| Reviewer: Pete Deadman |
1 review from this member |
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Just been ! - - Great site, farmer was really friendly. Really clean facilities.
Liked the idea of the set-aside football pitch / goals - kept the balls away from the tents.
2 min walk from railway and footpaths to Corfe.
Would choose this again over Toms Field (they do pack -em in at Toms sometimes).
The only improvement could be to double the sinks, hot water provision and showers - for fields as big as they have it didn't take long for queues to form.
Will be there again next weekend.
An 8/10 site.
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| Date of Visit: July 2006 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: LittleScallywag |
3 reviews from this member |
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A basic campsite within a short distance of both Swanage and Corfe Castle. There are two large sloping fields for camping with absolutely stunning views of the Purbeck hills and Corfe Castle can be seen in the distance. You can see the old steam train chug past every so often at the bottom of the hill and it's just a short walk down to Harmans Cross Station if you want to catch it.
No booking required. The farmer will come round in the morning to collect payment.
Amenities are very basic but very clean. There are just four showers altogether, but they work well and provide plenty of hot water and a small changing area in each. Always loo roll in the toilets and sinks with soap etc. There are two outdoor sinks for washing up dishes and sponges and bin liners are even provided for campers use. A freezer is also provided for campers use.
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| Date of Visit: May 2006 |
Unit: Campervan |
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| Reviewer: Scubagirl_ali |
1 review from this member |
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Well kept campsite. Basic toilets but very clean. Use of free showers toilet facilities and other additonal washing machine service £1:00 per load. Easy to find and in a great location up the hill from the Steam Train Station (2 min walk). Ideal if you want to great the train to Corfe and over over the hills into Swanage and then the train back from Swanage to site (or visa versa). Also great if you want to go for a meal in Swanage or corfe by the train and not have to move the camper or worry about driving. Great a great view of Corfe Castle in the distance over breakfast to start your day. 10 - 15mins from Swanage centre by car and great for getting to the beach. Planning on using this our camping site while diving in Swanage over the summer.
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108 Reviews in total, now showing 91 to 100
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Common Questions
Is Downshay Farm Camping And Touring child friendly? YES, it accepts children View all facilities
Where is the nearest shop to Downshay Farm Camping And Touring? There is a shop within 1 mile View all facilities
Is Downshay Farm Camping And Touring dog friendly? YES View all facilities
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