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Campground⛺ Tent Camping🚐 Caravans🐾 Dogs Welcome

The Railway Campsite

Harman's Cross, Swanage BH19 3EB, UK

View on Google Maps

Back-to-basics, family friendly tent and tourer camping located next to the Swanage steam trains Railway.

About The Railway Campsite

Tucked beside the heritage Swanage Railway near Harmans Cross, this unpretentious campsite wins fans with its back-to-basics charm and warm welcome. Hot showers and spotless compost loos keep things comfortable without any fuss, while the on-site food shack serves up genuinely tasty bites that campers rave about. Campfires are encouraged, dogs roam freely, and the relaxed vibe suits families looking to keep things simple.

The steam trains rumbling past add a touch of nostalgia, and you're well placed for exploring Corfe Castle, the Purbeck coast, and Dorset's walking trails. It's excellent value for money, though don't expect bells and whistles—this is proper canvas-and-fresh-air camping done well.

What's nearby

  • Harman's Cross Village Hall 200m away
  • Swanage Railway - Harmans Cross Station 250m away

Distances as the crow flies, via Google

Good to know

Accessibility

  • Accessible toilet

Payment

  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards

Details via Google — worth confirming with the site before you travel, especially for access needs.

Photos

Photos via Google

Visitors say this campsite offers basic yet well-maintained facilities, including hot showers and clean compost toilets, and highlight the delicious food available from the on-site shack. They also appreciate the friendly staff and relaxed atmosphere. Guests mention the great value and convenient location for exploring, with steam trains passing by.

Summary via Google

Can I bring...?

Tent pitches
🚐 Caravans welcome
🚌 Motorhomes welcome
Glamping available
🛖 Lodges & pods

Pitch types

  • Non-electric grass motorhome pitch
  • Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

Pitch details as listed by the booking provider — availability and exact pricing shown at checkout.

Hook-up

Electric hook-up
🔌 EV charging

No electric hook-up listed — worth confirming directly if you're bringing a caravan or motorhome.

Facilities

🚿 Hot showers
📶 Free WiFi
🏊 Swimming pool
🛒 Onsite shop
🎠 Children's play area
🍖 BBQs allowed
🔥 Campfires allowed
🧺 Laundry
🎣 Fishing
🛁 Hot tub
Accessible facilities
🅿️ Hardstanding pitches
🍽️ Bar/restaurant on site
🧒 Good for children
🚻 Toilets on site
Allow pets on site Family friendly Showers Toilets W.C. disposal Drinking water Fires allowed No WiFi

Takeaway & food delivery

Handy if you fancy a night off cooking — here's what delivers near this site.

Just Eat — 2 takeaways deliver to this postcode (BH19 3EB)

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.

Deliveroo — 4 restaurants nearby

Londis

Boots

The Perfume Shop

Robert Dyas

Checked 26 Aug 2026 — always confirm on deliveroo.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 2.8 miles
  • Sainsbury's 6 miles
  • Lidl, Wareham 6.8 miles
  • Aldi 6.9 miles
  • Asda 7 miles
  • Tesco, Poole 8.5 miles
  • Morrisons, Blandford Forum 17.5 miles

Straight-line distances — the drive will be longer. Store data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Location

Harman's Cross, Swanage BH19 3EB, UK Get directions

Opening hours

Open from 4 July to 1 September.

What visitors say

B “G5” T

Best location ever! Very tidy, don’t like the toilets but that’s personal preference! Owner was so friendly & we had a great time! Now we’ve been once I’d defo pitch up elsewhere with a better view/ location next time we go!

2 weeks ago · via Google

Lucas Jones

What an awesome campsite! Very chilled atmosphere. Cheap with great facilities. Hot showers were hot and compost toilets were clean and smelled like sawdust rather than anything nasty! Even better than that was the food available on site from breakfast to evening meals! Steam train goes right past the site too which is cool! We will definitely be returning :) thanks again! Lovely dogs too!

a year ago · via Google

Iain L

Absolutely lovely site, great views of the Swanage Railway and associated heritage rolling stock passing by. Opposite the gate to the site is Harman Cross station where you can jump on the trains. Site is proper camping, compost toilets, but a bonus of super hot free showers. Highly recommended if you’re into CAMPING ! We will be back, such value too!! Caribbean night on a Thursday at the food shack also highly recommended, delicious fresh and value.

a year ago · via Google

Oliver Fryer

Lovely campsite with a no frills, low fuss approach. Yes the toilets are basic but the fact is not hidden. Put your tent wherever you like and then relax and unwind. Regular steam trains passing by. Great connection to Corfe and Swanage.

11 months ago · via Google

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