Dorset packs more into a small county than most motorhomers expect. The Jurassic Coast runs 95 miles from Exmouth to Studland, with 185 million years of geology exposed in the cliffs. Inland, you've got chalk downland, Iron Age hillforts, and Thomas Hardy's countryside largely unchanged since he wrote about it. We rate it as one of the best motorhome counties in southern England, with the caveat that the roads can test your patience. The A35 through the county is slow, often single-carriageway, and clogs badly around Dorchester and Bridport in summer.
The Purbeck area around Swanage and Wareham has several well-established campsites, many with sea views and full facilities including electric hookup and waste disposal. The problem is availability: anything within walking distance of the coast books out months in advance for July and August. Inland sites around Blandford Forum and Shaftesbury are easier to get into at short notice and tend to be quieter.
Dorset has a reasonable number of CLs and CSs, particularly in the Blackmore Vale area north of Dorchester. A few farms and pubs operate informal motorhome parking, though these change year to year. West Dorset around Bridport and Lyme Regis has fewer large sites but more character. If you're self-contained, the Dorset coast is one of the places where a Britstops guide pays for itself quickly.
Start at Lyme Regis in the west and work east to Studland Bay. The coast road isn't a single route, so you'll piece it together from the A35, B3157 (the coast road from Bridport to Weymouth), and A351 into Purbeck. The B3157 between Bridport and Abbotsbury is the highlight: a narrow, winding road with views over Chesil Beach that opens up dramatically at every bend. Be warned, it's tight in places and has some steep gradients. Motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes should avoid the section through Abbotsbury village. Budget stops at West Bay (Broadchurch filming location), Weymouth harbour, and Lulworth Cove. The latter has a car park with height restrictions, so park at the overflow and walk down.
A quieter inland loop starting from Dorchester. Head north through Cerne Abbas (yes, the chalk giant), up to Sherborne with its two castles, then east through the Blackmore Vale to Shaftesbury. Gold Hill in Shaftesbury is the Hovis advert cobbled street, genuinely worth seeing. Return via Blandford Forum and the A354. This route stays on good A and B roads throughout and suits larger motorhomes. Total distance is about 70 miles, but the driving is relaxed and there are plenty of places to pull over.
The South West Coast Path through Dorset is outstanding walking territory, and having a motorhome means you can tackle it in sections without worrying about circular routes. The stretch from Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door is only 1.5 miles and gives you postcard-worthy cliff scenery with minimal effort. For something longer, the path from Charmouth to Golden Cap (the highest point on the south coast) is about 4 miles and properly rewarding.
Fossil hunting at Charmouth and Lyme Regis is genuinely engaging, not just a rainy-day backup. The beach between the two towns sheds fossils with every storm, and the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre runs guided walks that are worth the small fee. Bring sturdy boots and a flat-head screwdriver.
Corfe Castle is hard to drive past without stopping, and the village below it has enough tea rooms and pubs to fill a lazy afternoon. The Swanage Railway runs steam trains through the Purbeck heathland if you're after something nostalgic. One honest note: Durdle Door and Lulworth are uncomfortably crowded on summer weekends. Visit midweek or early morning if you can.
Height barriers are common at Dorset car parks, especially along the coast. Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door, and several Weymouth car parks have restrictions at 2 metres or below. The council car parks at West Bay and Charmouth can usually accommodate motorhomes and charge by the hour. Waste disposal is available at most larger campsites, and several accept non-residents.
Fuel stations on the A35 can handle larger vehicles. Avoid the smaller stations in Purbeck villages as some have tight forecourts. Supermarket access is good in Dorchester, Weymouth, and Poole. The roads in Purbeck between Corfe Castle and Worth Matravers are narrow single-track with passing places. If you're in anything over 6.5 metres, stick to the A351 through the area.
Most coastal car parks prohibit overnight stays and have height barriers. Your best bet is a nearby campsite or CL. Some car parks at West Bay and Charmouth tolerate motorhomes during the day but not overnight. Check signage carefully as enforcement varies.
Yes, but you'll need to park and walk to most coastal spots. The B3157 coast road between Bridport and Weymouth is driveable in a motorhome if you're comfortable with narrow sections. Main viewpoints like Portland Bill have suitable parking. Lulworth requires using the overflow car park.
June or September. July and August are heaving, especially around Lulworth and Weymouth, and the A35 crawls. Late spring has good weather and empty paths. October works if you don't mind cooler evenings and some sites closing.
Yes, widespread along the coast. Most are set at 2 metres. Check before driving in. Car parks at Lulworth, Durdle Door, Studland, and several Weymouth locations all have them.
Several campsites offer waste disposal and water to non-residents for a small charge. There's no dedicated motorhome service point network in Dorset. The larger holiday parks around Weymouth and Poole are often the most accommodating. Ask at reception before pulling up.
Not legally. England has no right to wild camp (with limited exceptions on Dartmoor). Dorset's coastal car parks are monitored, and you'll likely get a knock or a ticket. Use legitimate stopovers instead.
From Dorset, it's a short drive west into Devon or east along the coast. Explore more England motorhome destinations with Campercation.