Herston Yards Farm Reviews
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Just a five-minute drive from Swanage, Herston Yards Farm campsite is well located for exploring Dorset and the Jurassic Coast. The site offers camping and touring pitches with amenities including a bar, restaurant, shop and playground for kids. There's also a selection of bell tents and log cabins for those who prefer glamping. Head to Old Harry Rocks, Durdle Door or Corfe Castle, all within a 30 minutes drive.
3.63 /5
130 reviews
58%
would recommend
Remote rural location
Recommends site
Erika D
0
0
The facilities were clean but basic, ok as base camp to explore the surrounding area. A bit of a treck to walk to Swanage, but there is a train station nearby. Overall we had a good time as the site was not too busy, however the pitch wasn't very big and we struggled for room as we have an 8 man tent.
Our stay
Recommends site
Andrew K
0
0
Great site and very friendly.
Very disappointed in site
Kim S
0
0
Unfortunately there is no clear structure of who knows what they are doing. Not sure who was in charge as there seemed to be 4 men and 1 women, but all had different ideas. The site has static, caravans, tents, bell tents, large site, but only 1 toilet/ washroom area. Fortunately, we were a caravan and motorhome so had our own. It seems even though people are told the pitch number, some just park anywhere and then about twice a day, staff drive around checking who is on which pitch and give the information back to the reception, but the system is either not updated or its just doesn't work this way. We had someone on our pitch number, so pitched on the one by the side temporarily until I let the reception know there was someone on it, the chap said yes just pitch on the adjacent number, so we did. Then about 20 minutes after setting up, the lady from reception came and saw us, and say we couldn't stay where we were but to hang tight (the chap had given us the wrong pitch numbers), she went back to the reception again, rang me after about 10 minutes and said we could stay. She did check my booking ref and as we booked in April I think that's why she let us remain where we had been told by the chap in reception. About 1-2 hours later, a car with 2 blokes came around checking who was on which pitch, it seems that even though people are given pitch numbers, it's not enforced, causing chaos. Tents can literally park where they like! There is a rule about no music after 11.30pm, so when there was 2 groups still playing very loud music until 2.30-3am, this was no joke. It was so loud and with the strong winds blowing directly in our direction. The following morning, myself and another lady who had young children, who were camping literally the other side of the bell tents where the loud music was coming from, reported to 2 more blokes (seem like security), who again happened to be driving around with clip boards checking who was on which pitch. They said they would go and speak to them, which they did the following afternoon and apparently the people in the tent were made to leave due to attitude, which if they had obeyed the rules, this wouldn't have happened. I think if rules are there, then perhaps security could drive around at night. This is a family site so there needs to be more signs etc. Perhaps young groups of single people should be informed that there are rules about loud music late and its not a festival style site. Unfortunately we had horrendous weather high winds and then rain on the 2nd day, so the ground became very muddy indeed and being up high on a hill, this wasn't pleasant but when it was sunny it was fine. The site in places is very tired and the seasonal pitches, some of them have rubbish piled up, so its doesn't look very welcoming. Not sure if its new owners but its a shame as the location is fantastic, only 20 minutes walk into Swanage. It could be a lovely site, but needs someone to take control and tied it up, perhaps reposition some of the site so you don't just have one road in and out, so you literally drive through the tent field to get to the bell tents, which is not necessary if they use the exit as 2 ways, this would save the grass. The bell tents are also on a hill and the ground was so churned up that it was very muddy, again more amenities would be a good idea with another block, etc as if you need to wash up you have miles to walk. We didn't eat or drink in the bar, as didn't need to. Also didn't use the shop either so can't comment. We won't be staying here again, even on a hard standing as the pitches are so close together and for all the reasons above.
Poor campsite
Adrian H
0
0
No hot water in shower areas and crockery washing area. No hot water tap, let alone cold water from a hot tap in the toilet block near our pitch. Showers were filthy and very unhygienic. Lighting in showers and toilets full of dead flies. Lower end of campsite was used as a dog toileting area with many dogs off leads. Most of the site looked very scruffy with many long term residential vans that seemed to resemble a traveller site.
Great location and price
Serena P
0
0
Great location and price but poor cleanliness. Toilets - 1 x very small roll between 3 toilets. Same for the men. Showers were ice cold. No hot water or tissues to clean hands.
Needs updating
Lisa B
1
0
This park is out of date and needs updating. Some of the showers were freezing and toilets were not regularly cleaned. The bar was very old fashioned and lacked appeal. With some work, it could be a nice park as the location is good, only a 20 minute walk to Swanage. Easy to get a taxi into town and staff were friendly. In the sea view field, the pitches were very close together as seen in the photos.
Good location but no hot showers
Jeff R
0
0
This is a great location, with a nice walk to the town. Site service was friendly, and availability was good. However the toilet and shower facilities look tired and probably are insufficient at peak times. As a scuba diver, I wanted a hot shower in the afternoon/early evening and there was no hot water both times I tried, which I think is unacceptable when paying a high season price.
Lovely stay for a long weekend
Recommends site
Paula C
2
0
Our camping trip ended a night earlier than expected due to the weather - the wind and the rain was relentless. However, we enjoyed our stay - camping holidays are what you make them to be. The staff we met were lovely and helpful, booking in for us was easy as the reception was open, however we did get there for 12:30 to book in. I am not sure what you would do if you turned up later on. The site is lovely, there are lots of areas to play ball games etc. The comments about toilets and showers in some reviews I read I feel a little unfair - it is camping, not a hotel. The campsite was not full, I could see there could be queues if the site was full but there are queues for toilets anywhere you go. The toilets were clean when we used them and the showers were clean when we used them. I have been to other campsites with worse facilities. There is a cute little shop on site that sells the basics and the bar is small but fun with a karaoke night! The takeaway food was really nice and reasonably priced too. The walk to the beach was a lovely walk and about 15/20 mins straight into a lovely beach full of things to do. We would return here any time, especially when it is so close to the beach and Corfe Castle, which we didn't get to go to for this visit.
Good location but facilities poor
Gillian R
0
0
This is a large site which needs a lot of tender loving care, which I don't think it is getting. The toilet facilities are inadequate for the size of the site. The shower blocks are dirty and very tired. Everything needs to be updated. The showers run cold one minute and scalding hot the next minute.
Good location
Recommends site
Susan W
0
0
The facilities were too far from our pitch. I am awaiting a knee replacement. I requested to be near amenities. The site has just been taken over & could do with tidying up. But would stay again.
A nice weekend but site a little lacking
Nicola A
0
0
The location is ideal to walk across footpath to Swanage. The site is well laid out and good pitch sizes. Nice to have a bar and music and food available. However, I felt that the site was not very well maintained and looked after. Weeds everywhere. The showers and toilets could do with a really good clean or overhaul. It was rather grubby and tired. Hot water supply was hit and miss.
Camping
Recommends site
Nicola A
0
0
Great value for the money. Very friendly and make you feel very welcome.
Our stay
Derek W
0
0
The pitch is very small, our tent only just fitted the pitch. There was only 1 male toilet for the whole of the tent area and that was a rickety old portacabin. We didn't use the bar, but we could hear it all the way till 2am. The location is good though (proximity to Swanage).
Amazing location, tired facilities
Recommends site
Hannah B
0
1
The location is great, lovely walk through signposted field to Swanage beach. Very close to Herston Halt train station and bus stop isn't too far either. While we were there the site didn't feel very family friendly. Of course it's a risk you take when camping but lots of places have started to divide their site into quiet/not quiet or have spaces for young families. There weren't many washing up facilities or toilets, I felt they were both very tired and in need of updating and that the site generally looked very run down. The guy greeting was perfectly pleasant but no site map, no label to tie to the tent, no info. I think there are better sites but if you need cheap, functional and good location, this is fine.
Good location for walking into Swanage
Diane A
0
0
Fantastic location, nice camping field. Facilities were adequate, toilets/showers were clean. However, there would not be enough if campsite was full. Overall impression of site was that it looked a little scruffy. Facilities are old and tired and could do with some upgrading. Area around refreshment van was scruffy. Nice to have a bar and shop on site.
Great place to stay
Recommends site
Jeffrey A
1
0
Made to feel very welcome by staff. Very quiet location. Only 15 minutes to the beach and shops using pathway.
Weekend getaway
Tracy C
0
0
Last minute weekend getaway. Managed to book a superior fully service pitch. Nice and level combination of hard standing and grass. Toilets and showers seemed dated and I felt that there were not enough for the number of campers in main camping area. Mostly shower and toilet in same cubicle, so not great when full of people having showers. On the first night we tried contacting someone at 3am on the emergency numbers as a water pipe had burst and gallons of water was being pumped feet into the air over someone's pitch and we couldn't sleep due to the noise. The mobile number provided on the pitch wouldn't even ring and the emergency extension just went to a voicemail. Eventually someone turned up about 6ish to fix it. Bar on site is okay and offers some music/karaoke and there is a carvery on a Sunday. Little shop stocked most essentials. Apart from that the stay was ok and great views in the sun with the steam train whistling by in the valley from time to time. We were going to try brekkie from the on site food bar before we left Sunday morning but they had run out of eggs and seemed to be struggling to deal with orders so we left it.
Peaceful and quiet
Arleta W
0
0
Good location, peaceful place with caravan area.
Tired and needs some TLC
Robert D
0
0
Firstly the location, great for Swanage, Studland, Corfe Castle. Downsides, the site is very tired and needs some TLC. The shower and toilet facilities need a good clean and the site just needs a tidy up. It did the job, but could be so much better with a little more effort put into it.
Extremely disappointing stay
Lenneth S
0
0
Unkempt, scruffy and a little tired looking. The bar and restaurant were not open during our stay (which was not advertised). Overall a very poor site. Disappointing, as it could be real gem. Great location for walk into Swanage. Great views but site is looking and feeling a little unloved.
All you need from a campsite
Recommends site
Shirley E
0
0
Good location, although the band is the grass pitch, "Seaview", was misleading as I couldn't see the sea. Facilities were great, good condition and clean. Our pitch was fairly level and the ground wasn't hard or stoney so good for getting the tent pegs in.
Great couple of days, nice walk into town
Recommends site
Maria C
0
0
Great weekend away with friends.
Great time
Recommends site
Daniel D
0
0
Great location, clean facilities friendly & helpful staff!
Great location and had everything we needed
Recommends site
Shane O
0
0
Had a great break in a lovely site. Shame there was not a bit more entertainment and showers needed a bit more cleaning but really would come again.
Lovely site
Recommends site
Paula B
0
0
We stayed here for 2 nights over the Bank Holiday weekend. It was a last minute booking for us and the first time we'd stayed there. There was a mix up with our pitch number but they were great and let us stay where we'd set up. The facilities are quite tired but hey, it's camping isn't it. The little shop didn't have an extensive range of things to buy but you could buy the essentials. The staff were very welcoming. We will probably return at some point.