

Hammock Hill truly wild camping

Meadow Camping surrounded by woodland
Camp in the peaceful meadow with 3 well spaced pitches around the edge of the meadow. Each area is around 350 m2, and has its own fire pit with BBQ grills.
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Wild Camping in Dorset
2022 Season: Open 1st April – 31st October
Welcome to Southover Woods – discover wild camping in Dorset
Southover Woods offers a unique holiday experience in beautiful woods and meadows with nearly wild camping in Dorset in well secluded sites. There are a range of different experiences and activities aimed at enhancing your wellbeing through connecting with nature. Keeping life simple and looking after the environment are central to the ethos of the woods.
The woodlands extend to over 60 acres with 2 adjoining meadows, nestled in the South Dorset countryside. Only 20 minutes from the Jurassic coast, and connected by numerous bridleways and footpaths to both local and national walks, it is perfectly positioned for a wonderful break.

Lordship Campsite
Well spaced with fire pits, composting toilet and access to a shared wild shower. Max 8 people.
Villager Campsite
Well spaced with fire pits, composting toilet and access to a shared wild shower. Max 8 people.
Day Dreams Campsite
Well spaced with fire pits, composting toilet and access to a shared wild shower. Max 8 people.
Decanter Campsite
Well spaced with fire pits, composting toilet and access to a shared wild shower. Max 8 people.
Decanter Campsite
Well spaced with fire pits, composting toilet and access to a shared wild shower. Max 6 people.
Craftsman Campsite
A lovely open feel, and plenty of sun. Fire pit, composting toilet and wild shower. Max 20 people.
Greyhound Campsite
Relax in total privacy in the most tucked away site in wonderful light birch woodland. fire pits, composting toilet and wild shower. Max 10 people.


Unique campsite, secluded and perfect for a large gathering We were a group of 3 adults and 4 children. It's a beautiful secluded location. You have complete privacy, all you can hear is birdsong. We booked the Tender pitch which comes with a large yurt with a log burner (This really was useful considering that the nights get really cold) ample space for tents and a small sheltered kitchen area. They provided a large kettle for the outdoor shower. There is also a composting toilet. You also have a dedicated area to have a fire (fire pit provided) in the evening which is quite rare in this area. The kids had a great time exploring the woods and we saw deer which was quite special.
The trail up to the camp is a bit of a pickle, especially for a large vehicle full of camping gear and kids! It's a forest path and I suspect that we were one of the first cars to drive down it for the season so I assume this will get better. Overall we had a wonderful time and would certainly return.

We camped here while working at a local event.
The woods are absolutely beautiful. We really enjoyed staying here, brilliant shower in the woods with composting loo. Very clean. The rangers are great and really helpful. Can’t wait to stay here again and enjoy the activities they have there.

Lovely quiet and secluded campsite, perfect to relax and try some bushcraft. There is running water that was fine after boiling and some cool sustainable showers to use aswell.
Only thing from stopping this being a 5 star review was the road coming in, I can imagine it would be very uncomfortable for those who drive smaller vehicles. Looking forward to returning.

Located within the woods and providing secluded and isolated pitches with compost toilets and bucket showers, this is definitely a good place to enjoy camping without any glam.
The pitches are located atop small hills (get ready to carry stuff), each with a firepit and campfire style log sitting, making for a cozy environment just to sit and enjoy conversation and/or a good barbecue.
There is running water on a few taps but it will have to be boiled before being drinkable.
Access to the site entrance (cars are not meant to be parked at the campsites) is done via a rather long and bumpy dirt road so be wary of doing so with a small vehicle that is unable to cope with it.
Unfortunately, nothing can be done about tent mate snoring.

Really lovely secluded camping spot. Perfect for groups and those who want to be in the woods away from other campers or civilisation. Fire pit and water tank provided and you have your very own nature toilet and shower (which were very clean). Slight cons in that the road leading up to the drop off point/ car park is completely unpaved and very bumpy and wet. Not much fun in a small hatchback and we were not aware before so we were a little apprehensive. Campgrounds and water taps are also pretty impossible to find without calling the ranger but that adds to the wild camping feel.
8/11/2021Southover Woods Wild Camping - Key Info
Taking time in the woods to live life well
Our ethos is simplicity, and our aim is to provide the space to enable people to connect with nature. Each pitch is located in a secluded spot away from other campers.
Each campsite has its own fire pit and grill. We sell dried logs for your convenience available for you to buy when booking or onsite. Please do not use disposable BBQs.
Each pitch has a base price per night that includes a base compliment of people and cars. Additional people over 6 years old are charged per night.
Please use these loos for your poos, but whenever possible go for wild wees! To help with the composting process please put ash from your fires on top of your waste.
Well behaved dogs and children under the age of 6 go free. Dogs are not allowed in Meadow Camping.

Our showers are wild and can be filled with warm or cold water, and then pulled up and tilted. The showers have an enclosure with a rubber mat.
Water is available at 3 standpipes. We provide one aquaroll of water for Craftsmen, Greyhound and Tenders ONLY. For the other sites please bring your own water containers.
We ask people to only park in designated parking areas and then use wheelbarrows provided to transport your kit to your pitches.
Bring your own horse or pony and keep them in our 2 acre pony paddock. With great hacking to Moreton ford, and throughout Puddletown forest.
Please take your rubbish home, or take it to the local municipal sites (Wareham, Dorchester and Weymouth are closest).
Meadow Camping
Camp in our peaceful meadow offering a truly wild-camping experience hidden away in a secluded wooded valley close to Dorchester in Dorset. Each meadow camping area is around 350 ms2, and has its own fire pit with BBQ grills.
Yurt Camping
Tenders treat yourself to a nearly wild glamping experience in Tenders pitch. The Yurt is set in its own secluded woodland glade and is surrounded by pine trees with an outdoor cooking area and log seating around the fire pit.
Activities around Southover Woods & Dorset

Activities
On our door step is Max Events who have been running for 20 years, offering some of the best experiences and great outdoor activities.
Read more “Activities”

Horse & Pony Riding
Bring your own horse or pony and keep them in our pony paddock. We have a fenced 2 acre paddock with water supply that

Walking & Rambling
You can walk for miles from Southover Woods on an extensive network of footpaths and bridleways that run through the woods, Hardy Way and can connect with the Jubilee trail.

Fly Fishing
Next to Southover Woods, Wessex Fly Fishing has been running fly fishing in Dorset for over 30 years. Countless fishermen have enjoyed their waters, many returning every year.
