First time campers

[Juanbablo]

We are looking for a campsite in Dorset which will give us easy access to beaches and things to do for the weekend. Any recommendations? I don't even know what to really look for in a good campsite.

It depends what you want from a campsite? Do you want to be able to walk into town easily or would you prefer to be further out? Some campsites are dog-free, some are only for families and couples whereas others cater for large groups (so risk of being surrounded by hen/stag parties), some have lots of facilities like swimming pools, shower blocks and club houses whereas others are just a field and a compost toilet.

Ok see I'm a total novice! We need showers and proper toilets. Walking into town is not essential. A children's play area and a bar would be nice.

I would prefer dog-free and we need it to be family friendly as we have 3 DC's.

Eweleaze near Weymouth is gorgeous

Hook Farm is a mile from Lyme Regis, has a climbing frame and swings and has recently got an alcohol license and now sell chilled alcohol from their shop.

Hook Farm is lovely!

Yes, had a lovely time there too

We're off to Norden Farm next week. Been highly recommended by friends. It's near Corfe Castle, with Studland and swanage nearby. There's a play area, farm shop and other facilities look good. If the weather isn't great then monkey world and the tank museum aren't far.

We have been to Big Berries, Woodyhyde and Ewelaze in Dorset.

Big berries is part of Golden cap holiday park - but its basically a field, beautiful views over the sea. Some parts of the field are on a slope so be careful where you pitch your tent. You use the shower and toilets and washing up from the holiday park - which is clean and well maintained. You can walk to the beach from the campsite... and along the south coastal path. There is a pub on the beach that we didnt make it too, looked nice though.

Woodyhyde is also basically a field - but has electric hookup points. The steam train runs past it which is fun for kids to watch. It was pretty chilled out, we did a day trip to swanage and charmouth from there. Showers and toilets were fine.

Eweleaze is massive, and in theory just several fields, but also a lot more. They have compost loos and either gas or solar showers. On site also a pizza restaurant, icecream shop and grocery shop! They have various kids activities I seem to recall, and a play area for kids, also lots of haybales around for them to climb over. Right by the coast so you can walk to the sea. (can be a bit of a scrabble depending on the way you go!)

All places had dogs though.