California Meadows
California Cottage, Swanage BH19 2RS, UK
View on Google MapsSmall, family friendly tent and campervan site with shepherd's hut. Located minutes from South West Coast Path.
About California Meadows
California Meadows is a small, family-friendly site just outside Swanage that puts you minutes from the South West Coast Path. Pitches accommodate tents and campervans, and there's also a shepherd's hut if you fancy something cosier. Dogs are welcome and campfires allowed, adding to the relaxed, outdoorsy feel.
Facilities cover the basics—showers, toilets, drinking water—but there's no Wi-Fi or chemical disposal point, so come prepared if you need either. It's a straightforward, no-frills base that works well for walkers tackling the coast path or families exploring Dorset's beaches and attractions without fuss.
Photos
Photos via Google
Can I bring...?
Lodges & pods
- Shepherd's Hut
Hook-up
No electric hook-up listed — worth confirming directly if you're bringing a caravan or motorhome.
Facilities
Takeaway & food delivery
Handy if you fancy a night off cooking — here's what delivers near this site.
Just Eat — 3 takeaways deliver to this postcode (BH19 2RS)
Wimpy - Swanage
5.0 · American, Burgers
The Parade Fish Restaurant
5.0 · Fish & Chips, British
Herston Fishbar
Fish & Chips, British
Checked 26 Aug 2026 — always confirm on justeat.co.uk before ordering, as coverage can change.
Nearest supermarkets
Handy if you're self-catering or need to stock up on arrival.
- Co-op, Swanage 1 miles
- Aldi 8.1 miles
- Sainsbury's, Poole 8.2 miles
- Asda 8.3 miles
- Tesco, Poole 9.2 miles
- Lidl, Poole 9.2 miles
- Morrisons, New Milton 17.7 miles
Straight-line distances — the drive will be longer. Store data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Opening hours
- Open from 1 March to 31 October.
What visitors say
This campsite is very basic only toilets and no showers. All vehicles and tents seem to be accepted. Two fields available, one had an organised group. We like it for the relaxed friendly atmosphere. Karen who runs the site is chatty and knowledgeable. The scenery is fantastic, and not far to the cliffs and walks along the coast. Swanage is nearby but a very steep hill back up to the site. Worth the £17.50.
a month ago · via Google
Great campsite for us as we are self-contained. Views across open fields with the sea in the distance. The toilets and washrooms were in a small wooded area where the ground was covered in wild garlic, filling the air with their aroma. Heading out through the wood across styles into nearby fields, you can join the coastal path. Heading east towards the Anvil Point Lighthouse, Durston Country Park, and the Castle, you can take in the stunning views out to sea.
3 years ago · via Google
Very basic campsite which is exactly what we wanted. The view from the top field is breath taking. The owner Karen is lovely and so helpful. We planned on staying for one night but didn't leave for three days. We wouldn't stay anywhere else now if we were in the area. Thank you so much, Karen!
7 years ago · via Google
The campsite is in a great location and the field we hired for our whole group was fine, and near the loos. However, we had hired a caravan ('Daisy') for two nights and it was extremely disappointing. Not only was it tiny and quite grubby, but the bed was barely big enough for one adult, let alone two - and the owner was aware that two adults were planning to sleep in it but hadn't said anything about the size and sleeping issues. The caravan was very old and not at all what we were expecting. One of us had to sleep with the kids in their tent.
10 months ago · via Google
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