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Knoll Farm Campsite

98%

· Wareham, Dorset, England

1 acre hosted by Knoll C.

Best in South West England: 1st place

Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2023.

View-tastic farm camping with campfires on the Isle of Purbeck

Oh what we’d give to be the farmer at Knoll Farm on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset. Tending the flock, with views down across marshes to the sea and, in the other direction, to the ruins of Corfe Castle standing magnificently in a pinch between two hills. Sure, farming is hard work. But the sunrise, which shimmers over Poole Harbour in the summer, and the dawn chorus from the adjacent Hartland Moor Nature Reserve, must make the early mornings worthwhile.

Today, however, you needn’t be the farmer to enjoy this well-placed parcel of land, at least not during the school summer holidays when the huge field beside Knoll Farm is opened up to campers. Every visitor sings the praises of the fine views, the ever-friendly hosts Nat and Darren, the communal weekend campfires and the general atmosphere of bonhomie that the campsite exudes.

And, while you may not need to be a farmer, this is unashamedly a farm campsite. Campers park beside a wonky fence and a couple of agricultural barns – now a handy sheltered space with rustic straw-bale benches – and set out into the field to find their pitch. And facilities, aside from water taps, toilets and some rustic-looking showers, are few and far between. But for campers who prefer wildlife over nightlife and open space instead of ‘premium serviced pitches', Knoll Farm hits the mark.

While many of the Jurassic Coast’s most popular attractions are within a half-hour drive – Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door, Kimmeridge Bay, Swanage, Studland and Old Harry Rocks, to name but a few – Knoll Farm really lends itself to walking. There’s a supremely scenic half-hour walk through Hartland Moor National Nature Reserve to the Blue Pool, a flooded former clay pit on the Furzebrook Estate with two signed routes through the surrounding woods and heath. Minuscule clay and chalk particles suspended in the water create the pool’s distinctive sparkling quality, sometimes a staggering turquoise colour. To the north, meanwhile, it’s a 50-minute walk into riverside market town of Wareham or it’s a 45-minute stroll south to Corfe Castle, where, along with the castle, the cream teas in the National Trust café make it worth the walk alone. And as for dinner? Well, it’s a 15-minute wander to a good pub at the end of the road. What more could you want?

Activities

Hiking

Natural features

Field

Farm

Not currently accepting bookings on Hipcamp

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98%

221 Ratings · 214 reviews

Jonathan C.recommends

September 5, 2023

Grass pItch

Jon

Beautiful setting, friendly and helpful owners, amazing atmosphere with a chilled vibe but enough to keep interest such as food and cofffee for sale and sunset party! Visited 3 times and brought different friends each time all of whom have or want to return. The area is perfect for kids with the beaches, Corfe castle etc.

Victoria J.

September 5, 2023

Grass pItch

Had a great time, friendly staff. Clean loos/showers. I think the washing up sinks should be labelled as such, as not nice having people brush their teeth and spitting whilst trying to clean the plates!

Andrew W.recommends

September 4, 2023

Grass pItch

A really lovely site with stunning views to Corfe Castle and out to the sea at Wareham channel. Feels isolated and remote with ponies and cattle and plenty of walks to explore, but only a short drive into Wareham with plenty of shops and pubs there for supplies. Also a close drive to Corfe with the castle and Kingston (recommend The Scott Arms in Kingston for stunning views and a fabulous Jerk Chicken Shack in the pub garden). On-site showers, toilets, water and washing-up facilities are spotless. Hosts are super friendly and fun. Fire pits are allowed and can be hired, together with wood. Weekend sundown mini rave was great fun and the food trucks were an excellent addition (proper pizza, crepes, awesome coffee van). Fires out and camp quite at 11pm also meant a good nights rest. 100% recommend and will certainly be back.

Frances H.recommends

August 29, 2023

Grass pItch

Had a fantastic time camping at Knoll farm! Such a unique vibe on the campsite and you can tell how much the owners care about making the campsite the best it can be for their guests. Everything was decorated in a lovely way and the toilets were lovely and clean everyday with great hot showers. The coffee and pizza vans were so convenient. I will wholeheartedly be coming back as soon as I can!

Esther D.recommends

August 28, 2023

Grass pItch

Great experience

Second summer here - we love the perfect combo of relaxed vibe and thoughtful, efficient running of the site. Beautiful spot with plenty of space to pitch; walks from the site; brilliant facilities with fun and quirky touches; food and coffee onsite if you want easy camping and a pub at the end of the lane; 11pm quiet-time, which the hosts enforce in a friendly and respectful way. And it's the family who run Knoll camping who make it - thank you Nat, Daz, Zen and team and really hope we see you next summer.

Agata H.recommends

August 28, 2023

Grass pItch

The Knoll camp was great. Facilities were exceptional and cleaned often. The owers very friendly. Easy access to walking paths and near by attractions. Highly recommend.

Location

Wareham, Dorset, England, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Hosted by Knoll C.

Joined in October 2019

From the host

Knoll Farm is situated just outside Corfe and has beautiflul view of the castle and the top ridge offers sea views. We are a realxed, family run site looking to create a space where you can truly unwind. The local are offers so many amazing places visit such at Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove, Swanage and Studland Beach to name a few. We have yoga classes onsite as well as weekend children’s activities and onsite weekend food. We also have a community fire pit that we light on the weekend, feel free to bring your guitar 😊. Please note we can no longer accept camper vans.

Nearby attractions

The magnificent view from the campsite to ruined Corfe Castle, two miles away, will no doubt make you want to visit. It’s a five-minute drive or 45-minute walk to the village and 11th-century castle of the same name (one of the first castles to be built in South West England by William the Conqueror). The castle and much of the village is now owned by the National Trust, which means there are well-organised family activities in summer, as well as good cream teas in the tearooms. Corfe Castle is one of a handful of stops on the Swanage Railway (01929 425800), the closest being the end-of-the-line stop in Norden just a mile from the campsite, so you can ride the old steam train from the castle to Swanage Bay or back towards camp. (A variety of one-way, three and five day, and all-day, hop-on/off tickets are available, as well as standard day-returns.) The beautiful market town of Wareham, set alongside the River Frome, is a 10-minute drive away or a long walk via Stoborough Heath National Nature Reserve. Another nature reserve – Hartland Moor – is on the other side of the campsite and the Furzebrook Estate, home to the Blue Pool and a series of marked walking trails, is just beyond, also within walking distance. But no visit to the Jurassic Coast would be complete without taking in the area’s famous beaches (and perhaps spending some time fossil hunting while you’re down on the shore). Lulworth Cove, Sandbanks, Swanage Beach, Man O’War Beach and Kimmeridge Bay are all less than half an hour away, as well as some of the coastline’s most striking features, such as the rock arch of Durdle Door or Old Harry’s Rocks, the sea stacks off of Studland Bay.

Food and drink

It's a half-mile walk (15 minutes or so) to The Halfway Inn (01929 480402), a snug, partly thatched, 16th-century, beamed pub where dogs and children are both more than welcome. Local Badger beers are on tap and the freshly cooked food includes children's, vegetarian and vegan choices. When the sun's out, there's a lovely picnic area on the paved terrace and lawn. There are plenty of good choices in nearby Wareham too, including the riverside Quay Inn (01929 552735) and The Old Granary (01929 552010), while, closer still, the Kings Arms in Stoborough (01929 552705) has wonderful views over marshes to the River Frome.

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