When can I check in and check out of Railway Campsite?

On-site accommodation Arrive: 2 p.m. – Anytime Depart by: 12 p.m. Read more

Railway Campsite

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Bell tent stays in a field next to the Swanage steam railway tracks
Set in the village of Harmans Cross a 10-minute train ride to Swanage
Campfires and dogs allowed; three nature reserves within a short drive

Trainspotter? Or got a thing for vintage transportation? Then stay in a bell tent next to the Swanage railway tracks in the village of Harmans Cross on your next trip away… Railway Campsite is set up so you can see the steam engine pass by from the grounds. While waiting for the train to chug along, light up the campfire – blazes are allowed at this park – to stay warm, or bring out the blankets included in the bell tent. Your accommodation will also have mats, lamps and beds as well as a picnic table outside so eats can be had alfresco. Portaloos and a shower are on site and are shared. If you're thinking of riding the railway, Harmans Cross station is a couple of minutes’ walk away, meaning you can ditch the car and take the train to Swanage about 10 minutes away, for ambles along the 19th-century pier then strolls on the wide sandy beach. Back in Harmans Cross – where you can pick up provisions for lunch from the small village shop – Railway Campsite is sandwiched between three south Dorset nature reserves, so chances to hike are all around. The Purbeck Hills, an area extending from lovely Lulworth Cove (half an hour’s drive west of the park) to the white coastal cliffs of Old Harry Rocks 20 minutes to the east, are 15 minutes’ drive away for walks in the chalky downs.

Site type

Languages spoken

English

Nearest sites

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Features

Dogs allowed

Campfires allowed

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

Single-sex groups welcome

Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided

Barbecues allowed

Campfires allowed

Commercial vehicles allowed

Dogs allowed

Dogs allowed all year

Themes

Budget/backpacker

Peaceful

Spectacular scenery

Walkers' paradise

Wild camping

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

Type

Farm

Tiny (1-10 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Climbing nearby

Cycle hire nearby

Cycling nearby

Fishing nearby

Golf nearby

Restaurant nearby

Watersports nearby

Location

Railway Campsite

Haycraft's Lane

Harman's Cross

Swanage

Dorset

England

BH19 3EB

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London GMT (GMT+00:00)

GPS

50.6194°N
-2.0221°W

Nearest transport

Coach

1.9 mi East Street

2.8 mi Bus Station

Rail

6.5 mi Wareham Rail Station

6.8 mi Holton Heath Rail Station

7.1 mi Poole Rail Station

Ferry

5.2 mi Shell Bay Ferry Terminal

5.5 mi Sandbanks Ferry Terminal

5.6 mi Brownsea Island Ferry Landing

Airport

13.7 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

If you didn’t get your fill of historical attractions with a ride on the steam railway, Corfe Castle in Wareham is five minutes’ drive from the site and has a waterpark with inflatables and a mud trail for the kids to go gung ho at. The Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre just over 20 minutes from the park is also a winner with pint-sized travellers and The Tank Museum at Bovington (25 minutes) has been known to enthral even the most discerning of small fry as well. If your main aim while in Dorset is to spend time at the coast, Studland beach is well worth your time – it’s got views of both Old Harry Rocks and the Isle of Wight, plus you can head to the nature reserve behind it in summer to stroll past a sweep of purple heather.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name	Distance	Type	2020	2019	2018	2017
Swanage Central	2.9 mi	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Studland Knoll House	3.8 mi	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Kimmeridge Bay	4.8 mi	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Shell Bay North	5.2 mi	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Poole Sandbanks Peninsular	6.1 mi	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Corfe Castle 2.1 mi

Swanage Railway 2.8 mi

Studland Beach and Nature Reserve 3.7 mi

Brownsea Island 5.6 mi

Lulworth Castle & Park 8.3 mi

National Trust

Corfe Castle 2 mi

Studland Beach and Nature Reserve 3.5 mi

Brownsea Island 5.5 mi

Clouds Hill 12.1 mi

White Mill 12.9 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

Worth Matravers - Cliffs, Caves and Chapel 1.6 mi

Worth Matravers - Winspit - Dancing Ledge 1.6 mi

Herston - Worth Matravers - Corfe 1.9 mi

Corfe - Nine Barrows Down - Swanage 2.1 mi

The Purbecks - Castle and Coastal 2.2 mi

Local events

Camp Bestival Dorset (Thursday 25 July 2024 – Thursday 25 July 2024)
Wareham, Dorset 8.2 mi
Tankfest (Friday 28 June 2024 – Friday 28 June 2024)
Wareham, Dorset 11 mi
Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival and Rally (Friday 19 July 2024 – Friday 19 July 2024)
Dorchester, Dorset 15 mi
Dorset County Show (Saturday 7 September 2024 – Saturday 7 September 2024)
Dorchester, Dorset 19 mi
New Forest and Hampshire County Show (Tuesday 30 July 2024 – Tuesday 30 July 2024)
Brockenhurst, Hampshire 24.5 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.

Reviews

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Does Railway Campsite have a swimming pool? No View all features
Is Railway Campsite dog friendly? Yes View all features
What attractions are near Railway Campsite? If you didn’t get your fill of historical attractions with a ride on the steam railway, Corfe Castle in Wareham is five minutes’ drive from the site and has a waterpark with … Read more
When can I check in and check out of Railway Campsite?

On-site accommodation

Arrive: 2 p.m. – Anytime

Depart by: 12 p.m.

Read more