Farm campsite · Harman's Cross · Dorset

Downshay Farm

Working Purbeck farm with a 12-van caravan site, summer tent fields facing Corfe Castle, a bell tent and a keepers hut, by Harman's Cross station.

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Dogs welcome
Campfires
Glamping

Downshay is a working farm run by the Pike family, on gently sloping ground looking across the valley to Corfe Castle and the Purbeck Hills. The steam railway runs through the view, and Harman's Cross station is a few minutes' walk away, so you can take the train to Corfe or Swanage without the car.

The year splits in two. The twelve-van caravan site, on three lawned terraces with electric hook-up on every pitch, opens from spring to the start of November. The tent fields (no electric, unmarked pitches, tents kept six metres apart) open at Whitsun and again from mid-July to 1 September. Andrea's farm breaks adds a bell tent and a keepers hut for people who want a bed rather than a pitch. Fires are allowed in fire bowls, but not on the ground, and toilet additive must be Elsan Organic.

Views over the valley to Corfe Castle and the steam trains
Short walk to Harman's Cross station on the Swanage Railway
12 electric caravan pitches on terraced lawns
Bell tent and keepers hut for a bed instead of a pitch
Working farm with grazing cows

Photos

Photos from downshayfarm.co.uk, the campsite's own website. Own this campsite? Claim it to choose your photos.

Open1 April to 1 November

Arrive / leaveFrom 12:00 / by 11:00

DogsYes

CampfiresRaised off the ground only

PoolNot known

ElectricYes

Prices

Camping prices are per person; the minimum per night is £15. Caravan pitches include two adults and electric hook-up. Bell tent and keepers hut are booked by email or phone.

The full price list we hold (2026)

Seasons

May half term and summer holidays: May half term, Summer holidays

Rates

For	Season	Nights	Price
caravan-site	Any	Any	£27 pitch_night, incl. 2 adults
caravan-site	Any	Any	£28 pitch_night, incl. 2 adults
keepers-hut	Any	Any	£65 unit_night, incl. 2 people
keepers-hut	peak	Any	£95 unit_night, incl. 2 people
bell-tent	Any	Any	£85 unit_night, incl. 2 people
bell-tent	Any	Any	£95 unit_night, incl. 4 people

People

Adult 17: £12 night
Child 3–11: £2.50 night
Child 12–16: £5 night

Extras

Extra car: £2 night
Boat: £2 night
Gazebo: £3 night (Tent camping)
Awning: £2 night (Caravan site)
Linen: £20 booking (Bell tent bedding)
Other: £10 booking (Bell tent camping kitchen)
Electric: £7 item (Electric vehicle charge from the hook-up, per charge)

Minimum stays

3 nights: April, May, September and October (excluding bank holidays and school holidays)
5 nights: June, July and August
2 nights: Peak times

Deposit: Non-refundable deposit of £20 for camping (£50 for the bell tent and hut), balance on arrival

Source: downshayfarm.co.uk, checked 2026-10-20. Always confirm the price when you book.

Places to stay

Caravan and motorhome pitch with electric

Pitch · 12 of them

Grass
Electric
For caravan, motorhome, campervan, trailer-tent

Up to 8m; bring a 25m hook-up lead. Booking advised, pitches allocated on arrival. All grass. BBQs with legs only; no fire bowls.

Tent pitch (no electric)

Pitch

Grass
No electric
For tent, campervan

Open at Whitsun and from mid-July to 1 September. Pitches are unmarked; tents at least 6m apart. No commercial vans, motorbikes or large motorhomes.

Keepers Hut

Shepherd's hut · sleeps 2

Bedding included
Kitchenette kitchen

Kettle, hob, fridge, crockery and bedding provided; no towels. Chiminea, BBQ and garden chairs outside. Open April to October.

Daffodil Bell Tent

Bell tent · sleeps 4

Bedding extra
Camp kitchen
Fire pit

Electric, wooden double bed plus optional two single camp beds, fire bowl and BBQ outside. Bedding is an extra. Open 21 May to 1 June and 3 July to 1 September.

Rules

Dogs: Yes · on leads
Dogs that bark excessively are not welcome
Fires: Raised off the ground only
BBQs: Raised off the ground only
Fire bowls or BBQs only, no fires on the ground. Fire bowls are tents-only: BBQs with legs only on the caravan site. Disposable BBQs are discouraged.
Groups: By arrangement
Right of admission for teenage and single-sex groups
Quiet hours: 23:00
Arrival: From 12:00 until 20:00
No late arrivals
Vehicles: Car by your pitch · 1 per pitch · max length 8m
Music: No loud noise or music after 11pm
Visitors: Day visitors by arrangement
Cancellation: Deposit is non-refundable; caravan site has no refunds
Also: Toilet additive must be Elsan Organic
Also: Maximum stay on the caravan site is 28 days

Facilities

Washing and toilets

Toilets
Showers (Free)
Hot water
Laundry
Washing-up area

Pitches and power

Electric hook-up
Chemical toilet disposal
Motorhome service point (no)
Phone charging
WiFi (no)
Mobile signal (Good)
Ice-pack freezing

Food and drink

BBQ area (no)
Fire pits

Things to do

Farm animals

Around the site

Dark skies
Coastal Path access (no)
Recycling

Only facilities we've confirmed are shown. Crossed out means confirmed not available.

Location

Downshay Farm, Haycrafts Lane, Harman's Cross, Harman's Cross, BH19 3EB

Nearest beachSwanage Beach3.4 miles
Nearest pubSquare and Compass30 min walk
Nearest ferrySandbanks Ferry5.7 miles
Nearest stationHarman's Cross0.4 miles

Directions in Google Maps

Questions people ask

Are dogs allowed at Downshay Farm?

Yes, dogs are welcome. Dogs that bark excessively are not welcome.

Can you have a campfire at Downshay Farm?

Yes, as long as the fire is raised off the ground. BBQs: raised off the ground only.

When is Downshay Farm open?

1 April to 1 November.

How much does it cost to stay at Downshay Farm?

From £27 a night for two adults, the lowest price we can find over the next year. Camping prices are per person; the minimum per night is £15. Caravan pitches include two adults and electric hook-up. Bell tent and keepers hut are booked by email or phone.

Does Downshay Farm have electric hook-ups?

Yes.

Is there WiFi at Downshay Farm?

No.

How far is Downshay Farm from the beach?

Swanage Beach is 3.4 miles away (as the crow flies).

Which ferry is closest to Downshay Farm?

Sandbanks Ferry, 5.7 miles away.