Donkey Down Campsite

Only in its third year of running, you’d be mistaken for thinking that lovely Donkey Down campsite had been nestled into the Dorset Coastline for years. Set on a gently sloping site on the Jurassic Inland Coast path, just above the charming village of Sutton Poyntz, Donkey Down is part of a working organic livestock farm. It’s tents only here, and has the festival feel of a pop-up campsite but the calm vibe of back to nature wild camping. If you don’t want to bring your own tent, they have some Bell Tents for hire.

Choose your own pitch anywhere on the grassy field (don’t panic - there are enough awesome views to go around), and set up your tent looking over Weymouth Bay or the rolling Dorset countryside; they limit the number of pitches, so there is plenty of open space for everyone. No electricity means that dark starry nights are on the cards for those evenings around the campfire. There are eco toilets and a block of six shower cubicles, drinking water is available and there are also sinks for washing up and a small onsite shop selling essentials.

The South Dorset Ridgeway passes through Donkey Down, a 17-mile ancient track running along the south coast. This ridge of high land has been used for thousands of years by people and several Stone Age burial mounds can be seen along here, one in Donkey Down itself. The Ridgeway is considered as important as Stonehenge for the scale of monuments and what they tell us about Neolithic life, but remains one of Dorsets best kept secrets!

The location of Donkey Down is part of its brilliance. Walkers are in for an absolute treat, with hiking routes all along the coast to the famous White Horse at Osmington and beyond. Family-friendly Weymouth beach is a 10-minute drive away, boasting lovely shallow waters, golden sands, donkey rides, and a small amusement park. Weymouth harbour is a great place to watch the boats come in, scoff some delicious fresh fish and chips, and even do a spot of crabbing off the side.

Water Sports enthusiasts will love Bowleaze Cove and Chesil Beach (the bit between Weymouth and Portland) for awesome surfing, kitesurfing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Sandworld, the most underrated attraction on the south coast (in my humble opinion), lies on the other side of Weymouth at Lodmoor Nature reserve. Run by the same family of sculptors for years, this place has giant sand sculptures of everyone from Arnold Schwarzenegger to Scooby Doo and it is gobsmacking. Also at Lodmoor is a Sealife centre and a miniature train, so you can take a picnic and make a day of it. Further afield, Abbotsbury Gardens, Bridport, West Bay, Dorchester and Portland Bill lighthouse are all a good trip out if you have time.

It is worth booking a few nights at Donkey Down to fully appreciate the amazing Jurassic coast; you will not run out of things to do. And after a busy day, Donkey Down campsite is the perfect place to retreat to - the campers who have stayed at this new campsite have only amazing things to say about it. This gem is only open for 28 days (from 27th May until 19th June in 2022) so don’t miss out!