Herston Yards Farm Reviews
Find out more about Herston Yards Farm
View the full listing for more details, to check availability and book
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.
3.67 /5
127 reviews
59%
would recommend
Funny little campsite
Recommends site
Kelly C
0
0
I thought it was a funny little campsite, I gave it 3 stars just because it could do with a little revamp. The showers and toilets were clean and tidy, everyone who worked or lived there were so friendly and the location was great, not too far from the seafront. Dog friendly. Nice little bar and the onsite shop could do with more essentials. I'd deffo come back if it gets a little revamp, which a little bird told me they are!
Right, at the right time of year
Recommends site
Alan D
0
0
Late in the season, so looking a bit tired and frayed at the edges. Pleased to say there was plenty of hot water but can see how problems could arise when site is busy. Very handy for a reasonably short walk into Swanage across the fields - rather muddy at this time of year.
Nice for a couple of nights
Recommends site
Graeme T
0
0
Lovely site, short direct walk to Swanage town. Water supply and electric hook up no problem, toilets clean, but… showers freezing!!!! Both days. Thank you very much for a lovely stay. Other than that would come back.
Great site
Recommends site
Sue B
0
0
This campsite was a perfect location for walking into Swanage. It's the biggest campsite we've ever stayed on. Bar, places to eat. Dogs allowed. The only downside for us was cold showers but it wouldn't stop us going again.
Disappointed
Julie S
1
1
Site was perfect for access to Swanage. However, I felt that the site was poorly maintained, the pitches seemed small, many with raised grass areas next to the hard standing making it difficult to put up an awning. The shower/toilets were unclean, with no hand soap/dryers and for the size of the camp, we were limited to 8 (some of which were locked) cubicles opening directly to outside. The sensor lights around the facilities didn't work. There was a bar at the entrance which was quite a walk from the camping field, but there was a refreshment van in the camping field which opened for breakfast and dinner, which appeared popular, although we didn't try it ourselves. However, we used it as a base for exploring the Jurassic Coast, so despite this, we had a nice long weekend away.
Excellent location
Fred T
0
0
An excellent location for walking in to Swanage. The pitches were far too close together, and I felt that there was barely enough room for any privacy. To get water for your motorhome you would have to encroach on to others pitches if site is busy. Facilities were very clean, but not enough showers, toilets etc for the size of the site. A very tired site in need of a lot of TLC.
Very disappointed
Raymond C
0
0
On arrival, very disappointed with the first impression. Very untidy and not cared for. The location was ideal for what we needed. The things that let the place down were the toilet blocks, there was not enough for the size of camp and very dirty. Electrics in bottom block seemed very unsafe, as I heard a bit of a crackling noise. My wife is disabled and was unable to navigate the steps to toilets. No visible site wardens. I feel if a bit more time and effort was put into practice, and a another toilet block, would improve it very much. Such a shame.
Quiet, spacious site
Recommends site
Clair M
0
0
Enjoyed our short break. Lots of space.
Good locations/ showers need updating
Bella C
0
0
Showers need updating. Bell tents are clean and comfortable. Location great walk into Swanage. Near steam train.
Nice
Recommends site
Christopher N
1
0
The reviews all say the place needs updating, which is true, but that should in no way detract from what is a fantastically located, friendly, good value site. We had a great stay and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.
Lovely holiday
Recommends site
Tina G
0
0
Friendly staff. They re arranged the pitches to suit our needs. Easy walk to the beach. The shower block and toilets need tidying up but didn’t spill our lovely holiday. We would stay again and would recommend this campsite.
Great location close to Swanage
Recommends site
Andrew H
0
0
Only a short walk across fields to road into the town. Site was busy as was height of the season. Could do with a bit spent on the toilets and showers. Really good location, close to Swanage which is lovely. Site on the whole was good. Improvements could be made by providing more toilets and showers. The overall impression of the site is not great on arrival unfortunately. Old static caravans and vehicles to match. All facilities were pretty tired looking. Shower water pressure completely failed on me and another guy. Member of staff was advised and got onto it straight away however. Great if you like a busy child and pet friendly site. A bit of noise at night by other campers but not excessive. We gave our short break 8/10 so on the whole pretty decent.
Untidy, poor showers
John S
0
0
Pitches have many weeds. Grass part isn’t mown and maintained. Old poor showers which are dirty.
Small amount of dirty toilets
Nigel s
0
0
To start with the positives, the fully serviced pitch was great and it was only just over one mile to the beach. But the toilets and showers let this site down badly. There are just 12 combined showers, sinks and toilets on the touring field which get very busy in the morning with people showering and thus, there is no toilet available. The toilet floor was always wet and muddy because it was cleaned with a wet mop and not dried. We will not be returning here.
Our stay
Diana C
0
0
Lovely place to stay. Was very disappointed in the shower block. It was dirty. Went to the bar on a couple of evenings and stayed where we could see our granddaughter playing in the park. Where we sat was full of teenagers swearing. Apart from that it was lovely. Staff very friendly.
Great site, really relaxed with good facilities
Recommends site
Paul D
0
0
The location of the site is perfect. You can easily walk into Swanage town. Within easy reach of all of the local sites . We really enjoyed the week.
Had the best holiday!
Recommends site
Emma D
0
0
We loved every day here for the last 8 days. Kids really enjoyed it & there was so much to do locally and on the site. Entertainment was great!
Ok for short stay
Jason A
0
1
Last minute booking for a 2 night stay. Check in was easy and pleasant. Pitch itself was quite close so we were lucky to only have a campervan. Wasn't overly noisy, except for some selfish people who decided the entire site would like to listen to their musical tastes. Thankfully, that didn't last all night. The facilities were adequate, although things got pretty grubby pretty quickly. No mops or way of cleaning after yourself, except for some dirty looking squeegee mops caked in dirty water. Nice path direct from field to Swanage, which was about a mile away. It was ok for 2 days but I wouldn't want to stay any longer.
Camping
Recommends site
Phyllis M
0
0
The staff could not have been more helpful. Very friendly and helpful whenever we asked about anything. The bar was a bit on the small side for the size of the site but there was bingo on for both children (which they loved) and adults. To be honest the only downside was we thought the pitches are too close together but we only stayed 2 nights so we coped with it. We will say, do try it. The town of Swanage, which isn't too far away, is lovely and so is the beach.
Good
Kev S
0
0
People are so friendly. Service is great. It is very tired and run down, but had everything we needed. Could do with a tidy up. Roast carvery was lovely. Chris Payne, a great singer on the Friday night.
Our stay
Recommends site
Emma C
0
0
We really enjoyed our stay at Herston, we found the place very friendly, the staff were amazing, entertainment at night was great for us and not too busy like some sites. Always able to get a table, shop was well stocked for all needs, great takeaway for pizza and kebab onsite and even a refreshments van for breakfast and evening meals/snacks. We would defo go again.
Camping
Cheryl F
0
0
We arrived at our pitch which was great size wise but quite unkempt and the grass desperately needed cutting. Toilet and shower blocks were filthy for our entire stay but thankfully, we were in a motorhome so used our own bathroom. Food truck was also dirty on the outside and the entire site needs a tidy up. Cleanliness costs nothing but time and a jet wash. The area itself, Swanage, Sandbanks and the coastal path are absolutely beautiful and can't wait to visit again using a different site. We booked a superior pitch but was not anything superior about it.
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.