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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 71 to 80
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| Date of Visit: July 2009 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Hummers |
1 review from this member |
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 Very similar experience for us to recent visitors to the site. Unable to get into two other sites in the area, we camped there last weekend and we found the site basic but clean, well kept and very friendly.
It is on quite a slope and trying to find a level pitch with a large tent is a challenge but we managed it and were rewarded with stunning views.
A grim Saturday for weather but being up close to the wood gave us shelter from the wind even if it meant a long walk to the utility block.
It is a short walk (1m) to Harman's Cross shops and station so getting to Corfe and Swanage is straight forward.
We probably wouldn't go back as we rarely visit the same site twice but I would have no problems recommending this campsite to others. 
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| Date of Visit: May 2009 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Elenitsa |
3 reviews from this member |
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Second visit, first was in July 2008 this one was Whit Bank holiday weekend. We were the 3rd tent on the site (arriving early Friday morning), but by Saturday lunchtime it was understandably busy, given the glorious weather. Yes, the facilities are basic, but always clean - I had no problem with having to queue for the showers, but we are always up at 6am! I think that come 9 o'clock a wait would have been unavoidable! Once things got busy, we boiled a kettle to wash up rather than queueing for a sink.
Although the site was very busy it didn't feel overcrowded - we were out and about anyway. Very reasonable prices, Mr Pike is a lovely chap, stunning views and inbuilt exercise to and from the facilities - what more could you ask for.
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| Date of Visit: April 2009 |
Unit: Touring Caravan |
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| Reviewer: Pootle06 |
3 reviews from this member |
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We stayed here over the Easter weekend and although it was April the weather was good.
We spent every day bbq'ing on Studland Beach and hunting Easter eggs with our toddler.
Swanage is good for local supermarket and a good chippy on the harbour (you'll find the queue but it's worth it!)
The site is basic but clean our caravan pitch was very flat and on an elevated level so we had wonderful views of Corfe Castle.
There isn't a playground on site for the little ones but you will see a park on your way in next to the train station.
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| Date of Visit: August 2008 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Crusoeonmars |
4 reviews from this member |
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We camped here with 4 teenagers and a small dog. Busy, family friendly site on a sloping field with wonderful views across the valley to Purbeck Hills and Corfe Castle, with the occasional steam train passing in the distance. But what was the loud clanking industrial noises coming from behind the trees to the back of the campsite? We guessed the Orc army in training. !?
Facilities basic, clean but not enough - only 2 showers for the women and 3 toilets. Mobile shop was handy. Footie non-stop on the centre pitch so boys occupied. My husband scored a fabulous goal on the volley (he says I have to put that)!
Location is great - lovely 4 mile walk to Corfe Castle; fabulous old 1950s railway station at Harmans Cross (10 mins walk from site) where you can catch steam train complete with 1950s carriages to Swanage or Corfe Castle.
Corfe has a couple of nice pubs and quaint shops and the castle is worth a visit. (But watch out for the wasps in the cafe gardens.)
Would certainly come again; enjoyed our visit.
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| Date of Visit: August 2008 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Its higgsy |
4 reviews from this member |
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This is the second time that we have visited this site, we like the fact that you don’t have to book in advance & you can pay daily if the weather looks bad, there are 2 large fields so plenty of room to pitch.
At £15 a night the price is very reasonable for a family of 4.
The men’s showers have seen better days but they are clean, hot & free what more could you ask.
The ladies showers are much better I am reliably informed.
There is no shop on site but a small van comes round in the morning selling the basics & the kids love the chocolate doughnuts.
There are 2 freezers for ice blocks & they have now added electrical sockets & mirrors in the farm house shed for anyone who just cant do without their hair straighteners.
The views are amazing with the steam railway & Corfe castle in the background.
The sky on a clear night has so many stars its just lovely to lie on the grass & gaze at them.
The kids all meet up at a tree in the middle of the field & my two made loads of new friends (MSN contacts) & couldnet wait to get back to the site in the evenings & the parents always knew where they were.
There is plenty to do with Swanage, Studland & Weymouth all near by.
My kids loved Monkey world that was just down the road.
We would definitely visit this site again
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| Date of Visit: August 2008 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Eightpot |
1 review from this member |
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My partner and I chose this campsite for a short notice camping trip this summer, mainly due to not having to book in advance. Just turn up, pitch and the farmer will be along in the morning to collect the fees.
The site is spread across two fields on the slope of hill. The toilets are located at the foot of the lower field, so if you camp in the shelter of Downshay wood at the top of the upper field then be prepared for a walk to the loos. However, the toilet induced exercise is somewhat mitigated by the simply stunning views from the top field: A panoramic vista of the Purbeck Hills punctuated by the ruin of Corfe Castle. Add in to the mix a steam train chuffing lazily along toward Swanage, the smell of bacon sizzling in the pan for breakfast and you'll feel like you've just stepped out from the pages of a Famous Five novel.
As mentioned previously the toilets and showers are located at the foot of the hill, although clean and well kept with soft toilet roll and hand soap, are not quite enough to cope with the peak times: 3 toilets for the women and 5 for the men with 2 showers for each. Washing up facilities amounted to 4 sinks outside the ladies and gents loos. Washing up liquid is provided. Having said, outside of the peak rush we were able to get showered and washed up without any queuing so as long as you don't mind leaving the dirty pots until a bit later there should be no problem.
A mobile shop arrives on site every morning around 9 and announces his arrival with a honk of a handheld horn. It carries all the essentials one would need in the morning and was very popular when we camped. The closest village is Harmans Cross at the bottom of the lane and the only shop within walking distance is the Spar in the petrol station - useful for the odd item you've forgotten but you'd be better off getting your groceries from either of the small supermarkets in Swanage. But be warned to shop early in the day as they'll both be picked dry of bread and meat by the afternoon.
The site seemed to be well liked by family groups, a small wooded area with a sandy floor seemed to be magnet for the kids as did the pair of football goals - when we left a match had been ongoing and we suspect the final whistle wont be until the campsite closes for the winter.
All in all a good, no frills campsite with gives you the opportunity to camp the 'old fashioned' way - no EHU, no onsite bar, games room or swimming pool - just a simple campsite on a working farm in the middle of the Isle of Purbeck, but with a caveat for those adverse to hilly terrain. We will be returning.
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| Date of Visit: June 2008 |
Unit: Touring Caravan |
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| Reviewer: Neon121 |
2 reviews from this member |
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Thoroughly recommended.
Great location.
Clean facilities.
Friendly proprietor.
Great views of Corfe Castle and Purbeck hills.
Well maintained and good size pitches.
Camping is on two large fields where you can find your own spot to suit your requirements instead of being allocated a position.
A great centre of interest for the children is the 'island' a small bank of trees located in the middle of the fields.
Fantastic beach at Studland. Sand, sand and more sand.
For you train spotters, the real steam train goes to Swanage from Harmans Cross. It is a walk away probably 10 minutes so no need to take the car!
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| Date of Visit: August 2008 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Beetrootgeorge |
6 reviews from this member |
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Rang the morning before we left to check there was spaces. Having listened to the weather forecast we really shouldn't have worried.
Set in idyllic countryside looking across open fields a steam railway with views to Corfe Castle and glimpses of the sea.
The site is sloping and is exposed to the wind in places (ours for example) but for the setting you should forgive these little things.
Farmer Pike is a lovely chap and is always happy to stop and chat on his rounds after milking.
A 5 minute walk from the site is the train station although all of these trains are vintage. It is possible to go for an evening meal etc and return as late as (I think) 23:20
All in all a lovely site, very good value for money and recommended as a base for the isle of purbeck.
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| Date of Visit: July 2008 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Ej01 |
2 reviews from this member |
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This was the first time I had been camping with my two sons. We had read a lot of reviews before we went and this one sounded the best. We were nervous about just turning up without booking, so we went a day earlier than planned. There was no need to worry, it was quiet. We arrived on the Tuesday, but by the Thursday it was getting a lot busier. I think this was to do with Swanage having their carnival weekend.
There were amazing views of the surrounding hills and the steam train and Corfe Castle.
The campsite is on 2 steep fields. There were hardly any very flat places to pitch your tent. Our tents were at the top of the second field. Lovely view, but our tents were slopping. We needed a blanket on our table so things didn't slide off. It was also a long walk down to the toilets and showers. There weren't many, but they were extremely clean. We never queued once. But the trek back to the top of the field was knackering to say the least.
The children had a lovely time. They didn't mind running up and down the hill. There was a football pitch at the bottom of the 2nd field which is where they spent most of their time.
Basically a lovely, friendly and very clean site. Just be prepared for the steep hill.
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| Date of Visit: July 2008 |
Unit: Tent |
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| Reviewer: Sheila9206 |
6 reviews from this member |
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Can I firstly say that the campsite is set in a beautiful location, with the most amazing views and is great for getting the steam train into swanage (station is just 10 mins walk away, down country lane!). It's near to the beaches and there is absolutley loads to do in the surrounding area
The campsite is basic, which is fine if you are happy queuing for the toilets, showers and washing up sinks, unless you get up at 6.30am! The whole campsite is set on a hill, so its a bit of a work out walking back from shower block!
Sadly the weekend we went (this weekend) the camp site was full to bursting and there isn't any control over how many people come onto the field - people just arrive and pitch, even at 11.30 at night. We were surrounded by other tents - so close that their guy ropes over lapped ours - this is not great in my view and something we have never experienced before.
Even when the campsite sign said it was full, loads more people turned up.
On the plus side the farmer and his wife are very friendly, showers, toilets etc cleaned regularly through out the day and showers are free! Also you can freeze your ice blocks for free, the campsite itself is very cheap, the cheapest I've been to!
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108 Reviews in total, now showing 71 to 80
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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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