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.
3.64 /5
131 reviews
59%
would recommend
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.
Short break
Recommends site
Karen B
0
0
We stayed here for 3 nights to try out our new campervan. The toilets and showers are looking tired but fairly clean. After pushing the button in the shower five times, the hot water came through lovely. Difficult to keep clean in the winter. Staff friendly and very helpful. Lovely walks into Swanage with the dog - take your wellies as the fields are quite muddy, to be expected with the weather we had.
Nice site
Recommends site
Tim C
0
0
Thank you very much, a nice site.
Great stay
Tim B
0
0
A very enjoyable stay at Herstons. I read the previous reviews about cleanliness in the toilets but it's a campsite not a five-star hotel and they were perfectly adequate, on the whole I had hot water! The main field for the tents was picturesque with a nice open feel. The pitches were fairly closely allocated but there was still adequate room between them for privacy. Perfectly located for Swanage, a very pleasant mile walk takes you through fields & town to the seafront. Overall, the campsite had a good feel with a good bar and shop onsite. Staff very friendly.
What a shame
Recommends site
Jane M
1
0
Pitch great and easy access to town. Toilets and shower block in need of large amount of work in both ladies and men's. With a bit of work it would make a great difference
stay
John R
0
0
The pitch we had was weedy, no hedges as shown on website for superior pitch. Some of showers only had cold to tepid water. Toilets where not always clean. Maps to sites could be clearer and could have more illustration. Some cubicles had been unfortunately vandalised. Would have been nice to see some security people on the site, this may help some issues. No play area for small children
Wouldn’t book again.
Dan P
0
0
Location is excellent walking distance from Swanage. The site was okay, not the best and not the worst. We stayed on Seaview with an electric hookup. It's very big site and the Seaview site is way off from the park and is too far for children to walk independently to safely. This was disappointing. No park in actual camping area. Could do with a tree swing! There was only one men's loo, against three in the ladies. It was often messy with a wet floor. Facilities are okay but could be better kept. Our patch was so close to burger van so it was smelly and noisy. Campsite was noisy until late and very little for kids to do as the park is so far from the Seaview campsite. Probably wouldn't head there again. It's more for longer term let's. This is what the site is set up for predominantly.
Nice stay
Amy R
0
0
Overall a good stay. Staff polite and helpful. Beautiful site with lovely views and easy access to Swanage town. Only thing letting this place down is the cleanliness. Toilets and shower rooms in need of attention and cleaning more regularly.
Great location
Recommends site
Dawn W
0
1
Campsite looks quite scruffy overall but it was the end of season. Lots of permanent residents I would think that need to tidy their plots up. Lovely friendly staff and good amenities, would go back.
So disappointed
Beverly P
1
0
Sadly this site was overcrowded with too few basic facilities (i.e. toilets, showers and washing up areas). I had to queue for a toilet even at 7am. The toilet and shower areas were filthy and stinking. I had to pull fistfuls of hair out of the bottom of the shower before the water would drain away - yuck 🤢 All pretty shocking. Perhaps I should have taken photos. The toilets in the town car park and Studland Bay beach were far cleaner. I felt that the price per night for a bell tent was steep and I was expecting something nicer. I wouldn't return and would alert others to do their homework and scroll down through reviews.
Nice area
Matthew B
0
0
Really beautiful area and surroundings, a very lovely town and beach so nearby. The issue was the toilets. I thought they were really poorly cleaned and I didn't feel very comfortable using them. I felt like they were very quickly cleaned in the morning and then left which wasn't great when so many people were staying. Could have done with a good clean at least twice a day.
Staff amazing
Nicolette B
0
0
The staff were amazing but the facilities were far from clean. The toilets on the camping field were one of the worst I have seen with no hot water or soap or towels. The showers were so dirty that I had to clean them before using them. The staff were helpful but that didn't even up the condition of the facilities. The site has potential but it needs a bit of TLC.
Ideal for Swanage Railway
Recommends site
Simon R
0
0
Ideal location with short walk to Swanage. Railway station 1/4 mile away. Could do with more gents toilets and more frequent cleaning. On site catering is basically burgers and pizzas. Overall, we enjoyed our stay.
3 night escape
Recommends site
Kim W
0
0
The site location was good. Easy to get to all local attractions. Lots of space, however it could do with more toilet and shower blocks for the size of the site. For our 3 nights it was reasonably priced with electric hook up.
Very disappointing
John H
0
0
We were extremely disappointed. Our pitch was uneven, as were most of them. The whole site was scruffy and unmanicured. The shower/toilet block by reception was filthy. Black mould on walls and shower curtains, dirty shower drains and not cleaned often enough. Would not return or recommend this site.
Quiet site
Geoff B
0
0
The location was set in a quiet area but a decent walk took you into Swanage and its nice beach. To us motorhome virgins, the site was basic. We were at one end which was away from the throng, which we preferred, but had a small toilet block. Nicer toilet facilities at this end would be better. The bar was decent and the little shop was stocked well and had decent prices for this type of facility. The fresh croissants and other baked goods was a really nice thing to provide. We kept ourselves busy so weren't concerned with the lack of facilities but the kids would have loved a pool. This is not a reflection on the site, just our late organisation on this trip. The walk to the beach took about 30 mins at a decent pace. The guy who showed us the pitch was helpful. I think it was one of the owners or managers (different from the first guy) who wasn't helpful when we approached for help/ info about the electric hook up. We felt that they basically dismissed us.
One of the poorest campsites I've stayed at
Martin C
0
0
Booked a superior pitch for a single axle caravan for 3 nights, there certainly isn't anything superior about the superior pitches. On arrival we were greeted with half a bottle of vodka left by someone previous and cigarette ends all over the pitch. The gravel part of the pitch was also very uneven, running water, electric and waste as expected. Main shower/toilet block by reception was dirty but just about acceptable, further down portacabin type showers/toilets filthy and dirty. The 10pm no noise policy is non existent, cars driving up and down probably going to the toilet at midnight as they are so far away. Most pitches, including the so called 'superior pitches', are very close together and our view on one side was next doors tent about 2 feet away. We decided to leave on the 3rd morning (today) as I could not stand staying there for a 3rd night. Its a shame really as location is good for Swanage etc. Can't comment on staff as I didn't really see any, definitely a lack of cleaners. I would not stay here again. I wish I googled it and read reviews before I booked it, Google it yourself and read the reviews if you are in doubt or think I'm over exaggerating. I could go on and on with facts and negativity but I won't bother, my advice as above, before booking, read the reviews. I certainly agree with nearly all of the 1 star reviews I've since read this afternoon!
Short break
Recommends site
Philip J
0
0
Pleasant location, supportive staff with on site facilities.
Great site & perfect location
Recommends site
Frances H
0
0
We’re a family of 5 and booked with a family of 6. Pitches were adequate size and facilities on site were good. Easy walk to Swanage beach or options of driving to Bournemouth or Weymouth. Other visitor attractions close by. There were two large groups of young campers who were quite loud, quite late. Didn’t disturb us too much so didn’t make a complaint to campsite but could see how this may have affected other families.
Poor facilities
Emma W
0
0
Firstly, this is not a completely negative review as the pitch size was very good and the location is very central to Swanage, making it easy to travel around. Unfortunately, for the cost per night, the facilities are disappointing in terms of the showers. The showers were not very clean and the temperature was very hit and miss, resulting in a cold shower on our last morning. I thought initially it may have been a one off when my partner had his first shower as he came back saying it wasn't clean and the tray was blocked, so was flooding. I figured that these things happen occasionally, but between us, we had 6 showers in various cubicles and none of them were very pleasant. If the site were cheaper then I would be more prepared to ignore this but at the price, I expected a lot more. We stayed for four nights previous time that at a site near Lyme Regis which was cheaper and was a lot cleaner. I am sure they are doing their best to clean but it felt like the facilities were not adequate for the amount of people on site. A shower curtain in my opinion, is also just not hygienic in an area of such high foot fall.
Great location and a lovely stay
Recommends site
Neil B
0
0
The park is in a fantastic location on the outskirts of Swanage, it's a beautiful area and the views from our pitch ("seaview" field) were gorgeous. The facilities were pretty good, toilets and showers were cleaned regularly but as is often the case could get "overwhelmed" at times - this isn't restricted to this campsite, as any regular campers will know this is just how it goes. Our pitch was a good size, and the electric hook up worked no problems. The camping area overall was well laid out, and well organised. The bar area was nice, but could do with a freshen up as it was looking a bit tired. Overall, it was great value for money. If in the area I would definitely consider staying again. The staff were all incredibly helpful and welcoming.
A lovely few days away
Recommends site
Jo L
0
0
This was our first time away in our campervan and our first visit to Swanage. Check-in was quick and easy. The gentleman explained where we were and where the facilities were. Easy to find our pitch as well signposted. We had an electric hook up and it also had a tap which was great. Beautiful scenery and views, was great to see the train puffing by and whistling too. Toilets were clean and functional. Showers the same although most of the time they were slightly cold, but it was warm so it was a welcome relief. Lots of bins and they were emptied daily but no obvious place to recycle so we took ours home. I will definitely come back here to stay. The location is great. It's just a short 5-minute drive to Swanage and the beach. The beach is great and there is plenty to do. We also visited Knoll beach which is a 10-minute drive and also beautiful and you can take your dog. The Herston Pub Grub on site was great (they only took cash when we were there) and we also ordered a takeaway pizza from Rainbow fast food and they deliver it to the campsite. A really good experience and learning curve for us.
Sunny weekend in the Purbecks!
Recommends site
Simon J
0
0
The campsite is well positions with glorious panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and an easy walk down into Swanage town and beach. The facilities are good and well kept. Very close to Herston Halt and the Swanage railway line for train enthusiasts.
Fab week away
Recommends site
Zoe W
0
0
We had a fab stay at this farm. The only thing I would say is the showers are cold at busy times.
Average
Robert W
0
1
I found this campsite well below the expected level these days. I thought it was a poorly maintained. Staff were non-existent and those I did meet weren't the most welcoming. It felt rough. Showers were ok but at the lower end of the scale. Pitches were scruffy and the grass was unkept and full of thistles which isn't ideal for a dog. Didn't try the bar as it just didn't come across very welcoming at all and very little entertainment on site.