Camping in Bournemouth

Bournemouth itself is a built-up seaside town with no camping within its boundaries, so anyone wanting to pitch a tent needs to look just outside the town, in the flatter farmland and heathland that surrounds Poole, Christchurch and the towns just across the Hampshire border. This part of Dorset and south Hampshire is gentle rather than dramatic, a mix of arable fields, river valleys and heath, with the New Forest a little further north offering a change of scenery for those who want woodland walks alongside their beach days.

Wild camping is not legally permitted anywhere in Dorset or Hampshire without the landowner's consent, unlike parts of Dartmoor further west, so a stay near Bournemouth means booking into one of the established touring parks and holiday parks in the surrounding countryside rather than pitching informally on the coast or heath. Several of the larger sites within reach of the town offer a good spread of facilities, from simple grass touring pitches to holiday parks with pools and on-site entertainment, which suits families wanting a base for the beach without the cost of a seafront hotel.

Being close to the coast, sites in this area can catch a stiffer breeze than inland Dorset, so a well-anchored tent or awning is worth having even in high summer, and conditions are noticeably calmer once you move a few miles inland towards Ferndown and West Moors. The most reliable months for camping near Bournemouth run from April to September, when the beaches are at their best and most local sites are fully open; several reduce facilities or close entirely over the winter, so it is worth checking opening dates before planning a visit outside the main season.