Practical Tips for your First Camping Holiday

Planning your first trip to Durdle Door and fancy making the most of being in Dorset with an overnight stay? You’re probably after some practical tips for your first camping holiday.

Coincide your family’s first camping holiday with plenty to do in Lulworth and the surrounding area. Camping is the easy way to pack everybody up and stay overnight when you know there will be too much fun to be had for one day.

What is camping like at Durdle Door?

The Rookery camping area sits within trees inhabited by resident rooks – hence the name! The small size of the camping ground, and the position of the flat pitches within the trees, means we are best suited to smaller tents (max size 4x4m), with small party sizes (up to 6 people per pitch). The rooks themselves can be both noisy (bring ear plugs) and messy (wash off your tent as you pack it away!) but they add a certain natural character to camping at Durdle Door which you won’t forget in a hurry.

At the moment we’re operating a self-check-in system, so arriving couldn’t be easier. Choose a space in the camping ground that looks nice and level – think about whether you want to be near to or further from the shower block – and your adventure can begin!

First time family camping at Durdle Door

Putting up a tent can be a true test of a family’s ability to work as a team, but once it’s up and you’ve got the kettle on the gas stove, the cosy feeling of satisfaction having built your own shelter will carry you through your holiday!

Camping facilities at Durdle Door

We specialise in the back-to-nature experience, so you won’t find electric hook up here. Don’t worry, there are USB ports in the dishwashing area so that you can charge your phone, but it’s foot pumps and barbecues on the agenda and making the most of the starry skies and sounds of nature at night time.

Our newly revamped dishwashing area is a spacious area with two free-to-use washing machines as well as a large, state of the art fridge-freezer so you’ll be able to keep your clothes clean (bring an airer!) and your food cold, making the camping experience much more convenient.

Shower and Toilet Facilities

What to bring camping at Durdle Door

Among your clothes and food, other things to bring may include:

• Inflatable bed with foot pump
• Blankets (don’t underestimate how cold it can get at night!)
• Sleeping bags
• Pack of cards, garden games, books
• Barbecue (on legs so as to raise off the ground)
• Camping stove plus gas
• Camping chairs
• Beach gear (just the essentials as the walk back up the hill is strenuous!)
• Clothes airer
• Extra tent pegs

Essentials you can find at Durdle Door Holiday Park

Our on-site Spar convenience store offers a wide range of camping equipment, even down to a portable barbecue if you’ve forgotten one – not to mention the burgers and sausages!

You’ll find charcoal and camping mats, picnic rugs – even a camping gas stove if you forget yours.

Enamel mugs, reusable crockery, lanterns, dishwashing brushes, duct tape and tent pegs are also among the supplies you can find in the shop.

A selection of camping supplies available from our onsite shop

Things to do when camping at Durdle Door

When it comes to dinner, read our top picks for Amazing Food and Drink at Durdle Door. There are plenty of convenient options both from our onsite shop as well as local bars and restaurants where you’ll be able to find delicious menus if you can’t face the washing up.

If it’s raining, check out our recommendations for indoor family days out in Dorset to keep the kids entertained.

If camping isn’t for you, why not explore our camping pods or glamping cabins? See more types of accommodation to suit any type of holiday.