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Downshay Farm Camping And Touring
Haycrafts Lane
Swanage
Dorset (Browse area)
BH19 3EB
Tel: 01929 480316
Visit their website Check Digital TV coverage See Weather Forecast
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 31 to 40
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| Date of Visit: August 2014 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Josman |
2 reviews from this member |
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 Downshay is a slice of heaven, an idyllic place which brings back all those child memories of happy camping days. The site is quite high up, and on a slope, but the views across the valley from Corfe CAstle the way along the ridge to a swanage are breathtaking. The steam train line runs along the bottom of the valley, and every hour or so you will hear the whistle as the train runs by. It's lovely to watch the kids playing out in the fresh air, not an ipad in sight, whether it's the tyre swings or 26-a-side football which seems to go on all day, just as me and my sister did back in the 70s. The shower and loo blocks are clean and tidy, there is no on site shop but a mobile shop drives onto the site every morning, announcing its arrival with a very loud hooter, and there's a spar shop down the lane. You just turn up and pitch, Farmer Pike collects the rent every morning and always knows the best places to visit, where to eat, and what the weather will be doing, and can jump start your car with the most well used jump leads in purbeck if needed. We love this place and only ever camp elsewhere when the site is closed, please don't all start turning up though as I don't want to run the risk of not being able to pitch next weekend because it's full. 
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| Date of Visit: July 2014 |
Unit: Touring Caravan |
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| Reviewer: Daveandden |
4 reviews from this member |
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We popped in here to have a look at what was on offer - What a little gem - Large open fields for camping and about 12 hookups for caravans. Good facilities for showering and they even had bbqs that had been left behind for people to borrow.
We didn't stop here as it was too large for us - and groups were allowed which could make a problem with noise - BUT - a real gem for the younger set ! ( The entrance for caravans is a bit precarious - so mind your aerial on the overhanging trees.
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| Date of Visit: July 2014 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Nick Renn |
5 reviews from this member |
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We returned for a second visit and I am glad to report that Downshay Farm is just as we left it in July 2010. The site is in a north-facing slope and has spectacular views across the Isle of Purbeck. The showers and loos are kept immaculately clean and during the 5 nights (17th to 21st )we were there we did not have to queue for either.
Wonderful. We will be back.
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| Date of Visit: May 2014 |
Unit: Touring Caravan |
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| Reviewer: Labradorlass |
11 reviews from this member |
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To my dismay I realise that I have omitted to leave a five star review for this lovely site. I stayed here with my two dogs plus two friends who also had a caravan. The pitches were huge and the site relaxed. We had superb weather and mostly stayed on site as too hot to venture out all day with dogs.
The views are fabulous with superb sunsets, the camping field was closed but we were able to wander and picnic across the fields as the hay had been cut and no livestock in that area.
Upon leaving I had a minor problem with the jockey wheel (my fault) the owner was brilliant despite my panic at totally blocking the narrow driveway. Loved it here and will return next year but with the tent having sold the van! Easier for me.
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| Date of Visit: September 2012 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Anna V |
1 review from this member |
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We love this site and have been here several times. It always seems spacious and there's never any rubbish or bad behaviour. The farmer collects money in the morning and is very friendly. Showers are very clean and hot. Beautiful views of corfe castle and a big starry sky at night. We have three little children and they enjoy playing in the tyre swings. It feels safe and secure. There are some steep slopes on the site so be careful where you pitch as you can end up rolling on top of each other. Also the grass can get very slippy if it rains and the cars can skid a bit.
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| Date of Visit: July 2012 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Neon121 |
2 reviews from this member |
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Brilliant!
Great location. Stunning scenery. Not a regimented site like some. It's a 'find your own pitch', so a great choice on the view you want over the Purbuck Hills. No lines restricting your space. Very clean. A pleasure.
Need I say more?
Certainly visit again.
Views over to Corfe Castle from site.
Many activities to do in the area.
Walking distance to steam trains, Harmons Cross. Trains to Swanage and Corfe Castle.
Corfe is accessable via footpath.
Fantastic beaches at Studland safe and not to be missed. A great deal to do in the area.
P. S Don't forget the sun cream. Enjoy!
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| Date of Visit: June 2012 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Mums+Sons |
1 review from this member |
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This is the fourth time we have been here over the last 3 years and we love it! The views to Corfe and across the valley are breath-taking, especially the sunsets!
Although the site is quite exposed and is sloping, it is always possible to find a flattish area to pitch. There is a fabulous feeling of freedom here - nobody crowds in, the sloping terrain means everybody gets a gorgeous view, and the football goals provide hours of fun for kids (and adults!) and help to form great friendships between children.
There is also a little wooded dip in the centre of the field which provides a great den for children to play in and has a couple of tyre swings, too!
The facilities here are always beautifully clean and of a good standard. The barn has two shower units, two sinks and 2 toilets in the ladies and the same in the mens I believe. The other set of facilities has 3 toilets, 2 showers and 2 sinks for the ladies - not sure about the mens?
Washing up sinks are in good supply with a choice of outdoor or covered. There is a freezer in the lobby of the ladies shower units, and further freezing facilities in the shed in the farnhouse garden, where you can also plug in hairdryers, phone-chargers etc.
The little van that calls in each morning sells all the basics we need such as milk, papers, bread as well as donuts! We love this way of doing things - without a shop on site we don't have the boys all asking for money when we are on the site! If you do need anything else, there is a pretty well-stocked shop down in the village petrol station.
The farmer and his family are all really friendly - this is a working farm so it is not uncommon to see a tractor or two around.
All in all a fabulous site, lovely owners, stunning views and one which we will continue to come back to again and again.
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| Date of Visit: October 2011 |
Unit: Touring Caravan |
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| Reviewer: DaveG23 |
19 reviews from this member |
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This is a small site comprising terraced grass pitches next to the farmhouse of a working farm.
The owner was very helpful when we arrived but did insist that we wash out our toilet (he did it for us) and refill with environmental fluid as he had a biological system which would be harmed by normal fluids (not something we had come across before and it cost us £10 for the bottle).
The views from the site were excellent and at least on other caravanner came there regularly because of the view - across the valley to Corfe castle.
This was in walking distance (took about an hour) and Swanage was a few miles down the road - difficult/expensive to park and very crowded when we went there (Saturday on an unseasonably hot weekend).
The main down side of this site for us is the facilities - all housed in a small outhouse and comprising two showers (one not working), three toilets (two off the washing up area) and a small washing up area. Very basic but this did not seem to deter most people and, as the pitch price was well below what we had been paying elsewhere I suppose it was reasonable value for money but not one we will re-visit.
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| Date of Visit: September 2011 |
Unit: Campervan |
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| Reviewer: Singingcavy |
23 reviews from this member |
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This site is delightful: lovely quiet location, stunning views, and good, clean facilities. We don't want anything other than a clean loo, shower and washing up area - and there were enough of these for the caravan area. Washing machine also looked good but we didn't need this.
It was interesting that just down the road there was a members' only site - and they looked packed in together, whereas on this site there were terraces that gave privacy and space. The well made road made it fine to drive up the hill although the beautiful grass did suffer a bit in the rain.
Very friendly, good value and peaceful site. We will definitely return - although we gathered that they are taking bookings a year ahead as it's so popular. Not surprised.
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| Date of Visit: August 2011 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Julianbb |
3 reviews from this member |
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We stayed the second week in August, a friend of mine has stayed there on numerous occasions over the last six years and we were not disappointed. We have stayed at many alleged 5* campsites over the years and paid out lots of money for that privilege, I must say this site although basic equalled them.
We perched ourselves in the main field along the hedge facing the ‘play tree’ towards the top left corner with the football field behind us, the view of Corfe Castle was amazing along with the view of the valley below.
Corfe is only 1 ¾ miles away walking via the footpath and Swanage is approximately 3 miles away by car. If you like steam trains then the station is only a 2 minute walk away.
The site washing, showering and toilet facilities although basic are clean and tidy, I had no problem having a shower but I would imagine if you went between 7 and 9 in the morning you might experience a short wait. If you are short of provisions then a mobile shop calls each morning at around 9:15 and honks his distinctive horn.
As mentioned earlier there is a play tree in the middle of the main field and all the children seem to gravitate towards it, the ground is a little flatter there, but you will need to be brave or tolerant towards children if you decide to camp there.
The site as a whole is hilly but flattish areas can be found without too much trouble these tend to be around the perimeter, the higher up you go the better the views but the longer the walk to the toilet/washing blocks. You don’t need to find the site owner, you just pitch and he will find you the next morning, it is a very relaxed site so there is no rush to be gone by the usual 10:00 in the morning, you can go out for the day come back pack up and go if you wish. There are plenty of freezers to re-freeze your ice packs you only need to put your name on them and place them in a bag, you may borrow freezer blocks with ‘Downshay’ on them while yours are being frozen and there are various socket in which to charge your mobile if you need to, as mentioned by others there is a RNLI tin to make voluntary donations for the use of these facilities.
The site gives you a good base with plenty of opportunities to explore the surrounding area as you are between Bournemouth and Weymouth; if the traffic is good they are only about an hour away.
We loved it, my daughter said it was the best campsite she has been to (no arcades), as you need to make your own entertainment.
Would we go there again? Definitely.
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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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