Dorset’s Back of Beyond, a camping and glamping site for over-18s, has been named as the nation’s finest camping spot for those in need of a break from the kids.

The campsite at Back of Beyond, credit: Back of Beyond

The title of best child-free campsite was bestowed on the St Leonards business through the polling of readers of Practical Caravan and Practical Motorhome magazines. The site was also named best overall campsite in another poll from the same magazines, which covered hundreds of sites up and down the country.

Back of Beyond, which is run by the husband-and-wife team of Martin and Victoria Bowery, is a 30 acre campsite on the edge of the New Forest and East Dorset.

Martin says that the idea for a campsite for over 18s was born through comments made by friends expressing the desire for a campsite of the like in the area.

The aim, according to Martin, was to create a sustainable holiday park in a part of the country that both Victoria and he frequently visited as campers.

One of many types of accommodation, credit: Back of Beyond

He said: “There are lots of couples whose idea of holiday heaven is to be in a tranquil environment where the only sound likely to wake them up in the morning is birdsong.

“A lot of our customers come from professions such as teaching and child care, and who would prefer not to be reminded of their jobs when they go away.’’

There is a variety of luxury accommodation on the site including yurts, pods, shepherd huts, and timber lodges.

The site itself was initially a big risk, as the purchase was funded through Martin and Victoria’s sale of their London photography business. This recent double accolade, two in a long list of achievements including the campsite being named as a Traveller’s Choice in 2022 by TripAdvisor, only further confirms that the gamble paid off.

Monty’s Bar, Credit: Back of Beyond

Victoria said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded the Top Site for Adults in the UK. What is extra special about this award is that it is voted for by our customers.

“We take great care and effort in our park and have invested recently in new facilities such as a new amenities block as well as a big refurbishment of our existing amenities block so it’s great to see the fruits of our labour.

“We receive a lot of repeat business, and people love to come here for the site’s tranquility and to explore the beautiful Dorset countryside.”

Martin and Victoria have also received accolades for their care of the natural world, including the park’s wild flower meadows which provide nectar for the bees in its 12 hives.

The bees’ honey is sold in the park’s shop, together with many other locally sourced products – from charcuterie to gin – minimises the number of food miles travelled.