Caravan and Motorhome Club Sites in Dorset and the New Forest: What Tourers Need to Know

For many touring enthusiasts, Caravan and Motorhome Club sites are part of what makes motorhome ownership so rewarding. They offer a dependable base for exploring new places, with a choice between larger Club campsites with established facilities and smaller Certificated Location sites that bring you closer to the quieter side of the countryside.

Dorset, Purbeck and the New Forest are particularly well suited to this style of touring. Within a relatively short distance, you can move between Jurassic Coast viewpoints, historic villages, open heathland, harbour towns and woodland routes without needing to travel far each day.

For motorhome owners on the South Coast, this corner of England is not simply convenient. It is one of the most varied and enjoyable regions in which to use a Club membership well.

What Does Caravan and Motorhome Club Membership Give You?

The Caravan and Motorhome Club gives members access to a nationwide network of Club campsites and Certificated Locations, commonly known as CLs.

For many people, the appeal is choice.

A larger Club campsite can offer a well-equipped, straightforward stay with facilities, hardstanding pitches and a familiar standard of site management. That can be particularly reassuring for newer motorhome owners, families or anyone planning a longer stay.

CL sites offer a different experience. These are small, independently run sites, generally limited to five units at a time and available to Club members. They are often found on farms, smallholdings or private land, and can provide a more peaceful, personal base for touring. Facilities vary from site to site, so it is worth checking the details before booking. Some offer electric hook-up and modern amenities, while others are intentionally simpler. (greenpasturescl.co.uk)

Membership can also be useful beyond the pitch itself, with access to touring advice, route planning resources and a wide choice of locations across the UK.

Why Dorset Works So Well for Club Tourers

Dorset is a county best explored at an unhurried pace.

Rather than trying to cover the entire Jurassic Coast in one day, motorhome owners can use a well-positioned site as a base, then explore local walks, beaches, villages and attractions without moving the vehicle every morning.

This approach is particularly valuable in summer. Parking in popular coastal locations can be limited, while narrow roads around Purbeck and the western Jurassic Coast are often more enjoyable when approached without a packed itinerary.

The Dorset collection of Caravan and Motorhome Club sites gives tourers access to locations close to Weymouth, Bournemouth, Wareham and the wider coastline, making it easier to build a trip around the kind of holiday you actually want. As a dealership based in Poole, the team at Solent Motorhomes sees first-hand how often this part of the South Coast becomes a regular fixture in our customers’ touring calendars.

Purbeck: The Best Base for Jurassic Coast Touring

Purbeck is one of the most rewarding areas for motorhome owners who enjoy combining coastal scenery with historic places and countryside walks.

A stay near Wareham or Corfe Castle puts you within reach of Swanage, Studland, Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door and Kimmeridge Bay. It also allows you to explore at a more relaxed pace, returning to the same pitch after a day out rather than constantly setting up and packing down.

Hunter’s Moon Club Campsite is often a practical choice for touring eastern Dorset and Purbeck, while the nearby Club network gives owners a useful starting point when planning stays around the Jurassic Coast.

For those who prefer a smaller site, a Dorset CL can offer a quieter alternative. These are often particularly appealing to couples who value space, countryside surroundings and a more independent style of touring.

The key is to choose your base according to your plans. If you want to spend several days visiting the coast, a location near Wareham can make more sense than travelling further west and back each day.

Dorset Club Sites for Coastal Days and Market Towns

Dorset’s coastline attracts much of the attention, but the county’s towns and inland routes deserve time too.

Weymouth remains a popular choice for traditional seaside days, while Dorchester provides a useful base for exploring Thomas Hardy country, local food markets and the wider west Dorset landscape. Bournemouth and Christchurch are ideal for owners who want beaches, restaurants and easy access to the New Forest.

Larger Club sites are particularly useful here because they give you a reliable base after a full day out. You can return to a prepared pitch, use the facilities you need and enjoy the evening without having to search for an overnight stop.

During school holidays and peak summer weekends, booking early is sensible. Dorset is a popular touring destination for good reason, and the most convenient locations can fill quickly.

The New Forest: A Different Kind of Motorhome Break

The New Forest provides a complete contrast to the Jurassic Coast while remaining close enough to combine with a Dorset trip.

Here, the experience is less about dramatic cliff paths and more about open heathland, ancient woodland, villages and slow-paced days outdoors. It is ideal for walking, cycling and simply enjoying a quieter rhythm of travel.

New Forest Centenary Club Campsite is well placed for exploring the New Forest, Christchurch, Bournemouth and Poole, with nearby cycle routes and access to beaches and resorts as well as the National Park. (Caravan and Motorhome Club)

For a more intimate stay, CL sites around Lymington and the southern edge of the New Forest can work especially well. Green Pastures CL, for example, is a five-van, adults-only CL close to the open forest, Lymington and the Isle of Wight ferry.

That makes the New Forest a strong choice for tourers who want to leave the motorhome on site for a few days and explore locally by bike, on foot or by public transport. If you’re planning a combined Dorset and New Forest trip, our soon to be released guide to motorhome routes in Dorset and the New Forest will cover the key routes and stopping points in detail.

Club Site or CL: Which Is Better for Your Trip?

Neither is automatically better. They suit different touring styles.

Choose a larger Club campsite when you want a more predictable stay, more facilities or a convenient base for a family trip. It can be especially helpful if you are new to motorhome touring and want a straightforward first experience.

Choose a CL when peace, character and a smaller setting matter more. A CL can be ideal for couples, dog owners and anyone who prefers a rural base away from busier holiday parks.

Before booking, check:

• Whether the site accepts motorhomes of your size
• Electric hook-up availability
• Arrival and departure arrangements
• Access roads, especially around rural Dorset
• Whether the location suits your planned days out

A little planning makes a noticeable difference, particularly in Purbeck where some of the most scenic routes are also the narrowest.

Choosing the Right Motorhome for Touring Dorset and the New Forest

Dorset and the New Forest show why the right motorhome can make such a difference to how you travel.

Compact, well-planned vehicles are often easier to manage on rural roads and around busy coastal destinations. Larger models can be ideal for longer stays, giving you more comfort when you return to site after a day of walking, cycling or sightseeing.

Based in Poole, Solent Motorhomes is well placed to advise on the models that work best for this part of the South Coast. For buyers inspired by their next Club tour, the Adria motorhome range offers premium layouts designed for comfortable touring, the Roller Team range provides practical options for couples and families, and the Buccaneer range is worth considering for those who want a premium, fully specified motorhome for longer Club tours.

Caravan and Motorhome Club Sites Make Dorset Easy to Explore

The best Caravan and Motorhome Club sites do more than provide somewhere to park overnight. They give you a base from which to experience Dorset, Purbeck and the New Forest properly: slowly, comfortably and with enough flexibility to follow the weather, stay longer somewhere unexpected or change the plan altogether.

Whether you choose a fully equipped Club campsite near the coast or a quiet CL tucked into the countryside, this part of the South Coast offers a touring experience that rewards repeat visits.

If a trip around Dorset has you thinking about your next motorhome, browse our current motorhomes for sale at Solent Motorhomes, or contact our team in Poole to discuss which layout would suit your touring plans best. The right motorhome can turn a favourite weekend route into the first of many more adventures.