Inside the UK’s favourite adult-only holiday park in Dorset

While adult-exclusive holiday venues may conjure images of late-night partying, at Back of Beyond in St Leonards the only sound you should be able to hear is birdsong.

Stretching 30 acres with its very own lake and woodland, this hidden gem is the vision of husband-and-wife team Martin and Victoria Bowrey who bought the site just under a decade ago.

Originally from north London, the couple ran a photography business until escalating costs spurred them to take a gamble and move to Dorset with their three sons.

Victoria and Martin Bowrey (Image: Back of Beyond)

Victoria said: “We stumbled across this park which we felt was financially out of our reach – but it just ticked every box. We really wanted somewhere we would be proud of and somewhere we ourselves would want to stay and we just fell in love with it.”

Martin added: “It was a tired park, so we knew our investment could change it and we saw the potential – and we’re still investing heavily. I think that’s why we’ve jumped from being an unknown park to now getting the kudos we are.”

Whether it's newlyweds, parents escaping the kids, or retirees, Back of Beyond feels like a carousel community where people come and go but embrace the social aspects of the park.

Back of Beyond camping park in St Leonards, Dorset (Image: Barbara Leatham Photography)

Among the line-up of luxury glamping accommodation, are yurts, pods, shepherd huts and timber lodges.

Those preferring a more traditional camping experience take advantage of the 100 electric and 40 non-electric tent pitches.

Popular offerings for guests include modern toilet and shower blocks, a campsite tuck shop – which stocks local produce, a communal firepit and a picturesque bar.

Monty's Bar at Back of Beyond camping park (Image: Newsquest)

Named after the family cat, Monty’s Bar serves drinks during sunset hours before closing at around 8.30pm – with Martin and Victoria keen to maintain the serene atmosphere.

Victoria said: “There’s something special about this place and we can’t quite put our finger on it. You can’t create atmosphere, it’s just something that has happened organically here.”

While children are not allowed, well-behaved pets are - with dog owners routinely making use of the stunning 18-acre private woodland the park boasts.

Back of Beyond camping park in St Leonards, Dorset (Image: Barbara Leatham Photography)

Dorset and New Forest locals have also embraced the park. Martin said: “We get a lot of people who come two or three miles away.

“A lot of them say they grew tired of driving several hours in a hot car to go to a park which didn’t tick their boxes, but they now have one on their doorstep.”

As it enjoys the busiest period in its history, Martin and Victoria still wish to keep developing the park over the coming years.

“Watch this space,” they said.