California Campsite

The campsite can be hired for group events (added by manager 02 May 2014)

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California campsite is a small basic site near Swanage on the Jurassic Coast, a unesco world heritage site. The fields are level with some protection with trees and a small copse. There are toilets, cold water basins and a drinking water standpipe. Please note...There is no hot water or electricity on site , even in the toilet block so a torch is essential. Nearby there is a shepherds hut available for hire in its own small garden. Dogs are allowed on site as long as they remain under control at all times and not a problem to local livestock or other visitors. The owner retains the right to ask owners to leave if problems arise. Barbecues are allowed on the field as long as they are purpose built ones. Foil/disposable barbecues are banned from use. There is a designated firepit in the copse away from tents. Small, controlled fires are allowed in the firepit. No live flame is allowed on the campfield although firebowls using charcoal are permitted if the bowls are raised up of the ground and away from tents and awnings. The owners encourage recycling and support local producers and activity providers. Groups are able to rent an entire field or site for specific events and small festivals.

Site type

Lodges, cabins, pods or huts 1
Tent pitches 25
Motorhome pitches 4

Languages spoken

English

Want to know more about camping in Dorset?

Features

Leisure on site

Bar or club house

Cycle hire

Evening entertainment

Fishing

Fitness centre

Games room

Indoor swimming pool

Kids' club

On-site restaurant/cafe

Outdoor swimming pool

Play area

TV room

Take away

Tennis

Watersports

Amenities on site

Bath available

Car parking by pitch/unit

Composting toilet

Disabled facilities

Dog park

Drying room

Food shop

Free wifi

Ice pack freezing

Internet access

Launderette

Parent & baby washroom

Pick-up from public transport

Portable toilet

Pub toilets

Public telephone

Shower available

Toilet block

Washing-up area

Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly

Motorcycle friendly

Rallies welcome

Single-sex groups welcome

Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided

Barbecues allowed

Campfires allowed

Commercial vehicles allowed

Dogs allowed

Utilities

Charging facilities

Chemical disposal

Electric car charging point(s)

Gas cylinders available

Recycling available

Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby

Dog walk nearby

Public transport nearby

Shop nearby

Nearby leisure

Fishing nearby

Golf nearby

Horse riding nearby

Indoor pool nearby

Restaurant nearby

Tennis nearby

Watersports nearby

Location

California Campsite

California Cottage

Priests Way,

Swanage

Dorset

England

BH19 2RS

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London GMT (GMT+00:00)

GPS

50.60849°N
-1.97419°W

Route directions

The campsite lies south of Swanage town and can be reached from the west and Wareham or via the ferry from poole and Bournemouth from the north and East. A map search on the post code BH19 2RS will take you to the Swanage coastal Caravan Park down the hill from the campsite. You have to drive a further quarter mile up through the caravan park and through meadows up over a hill. Follow the road to the end. The gate to the site is on the left. The owners cottage is down a stone track before reaching the campsite.

Nearest transport

Coach
0.6 mi Bus Station
4.1 mi East Street
4.1 mi East Street
Rail
7.7 mi Poole Rail Station
8 mi Parkstone (Dorset) Rail Station
8.3 mi Hamworthy Rail Station
Ferry
5.1 mi Shell Bay Ferry Terminal
5.3 mi Sandbanks Ferry Terminal
5.6 mi Brownsea Island Ferry Landing
Airport
13.2 mi Bournemouth International Airport

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

The campsite lies in meadows near swanage. The town is a popular traditional seaside resort with a wealth of festival and events. Swanage carnival held at the end of July /early Aug is one of the largest on the south coast. The town has numerous restaurants, cafes and public houses, a safe sandy beach and access to watersports such as sailing, kayaking, fishing, diving, rowing and gig racing. Award winning Durlston country park is within walking distance. The Swanage steam railway lies nearby and runs regular services up the valley to Corfe village. The dramatic ruins of Corfe Castle and other National Trust properties are within easy reach, with other popular attractions such as Monkey World, Bovington Tank museum, Lulworth cove not too far. The busy holiday town of Bournemouth and poole Harbour is across the studland /Sandbanks ferry.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020 2019 2018 2017
Swanage Central 0.8 mi Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent
Studland Knoll House 3.2 mi Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent
Shell Bay North 5 mi Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent
Poole Sandbanks Peninsular 5.8 mi Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent
Poole Shore Road Beach 6.3 mi Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Swanage Railway 0.6 mi

Studland Beach and Nature Reserve 3.6 mi

Corfe Castle 4.3 mi

Brownsea Island 5.6 mi

Dorset Cruises 8.6 mi

National Trust

Studland Beach and Nature Reserve 2.7 mi

Corfe Castle 4.2 mi

Brownsea Island 5.5 mi

White Mill 14.1 mi

Kingston Lacy 14.2 mi

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

Herston - Worth Matravers - Corfe 0.4 mi

Swanage to Corfe Circular Walk 1.2 mi

Durlston Castle Historic Landscape 1.2 mi

Studland - Old Harry - Ballard Down - Studland 2.7 mi

Worth Matravers - Winspit - Dancing Ledge 2.9 mi

Local events

  • Camp Bestival Dorset (Thursday 25 July 2024 – Thursday 25 July 2024)

    Wareham, Dorset 10.4 mi

  • Tankfest (Friday 28 June 2024 – Friday 28 June 2024)

    Wareham, Dorset 13.2 mi

  • Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival and Rally (Friday 19 July 2024 – Friday 19 July 2024)

    Dorchester, Dorset 17.1 mi

  • Dorset County Show (Saturday 7 September 2024 – Saturday 7 September 2024)

    Dorchester, Dorset 21.3 mi

  • New Forest and Hampshire County Show (Tuesday 30 July 2024 – Tuesday 30 July 2024)

    Brockenhurst, Hampshire 23.4 mi

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

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  • Does California Campsite have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is California Campsite dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near California Campsite? The campsite lies in meadows near swanage. The town is a popular traditional seaside resort with a wealth of festival and events. Swanage carnival held at the end of July /early Aug … Read more