The best camping spots in the New Forest...
The New Forest is an extremely popular destination for campers looking for a relaxing break, surrounded by the beautiful forest, lots of lovely pubs, decent walks and accommodation to suit your every desire and for the mini ones, there is open space, fresh air, roaming animals, play areas within pub gardens, shallow streams to paddle in, a dairy farm and wildlife park! What more could you need?
We have put together a comprehensive list of popular campsites in the forest for you to sample and enjoy!
ASHURST CAMPSITE This popular site is set within a stunning oak glade. The site provides family friendly camping close to the leafy village of Ashurst. There are some great local amenities on hand from two great pubs, a convenience store and numerous takeaways! You are also only a 10-minute drive to Lyndhurst village which boasts a wealth of cafes and boutique shops for you to lose yourself in!
You may find you get a visit from some of the free roaming animals on the site – ponies and cattle will be sharing the field with you, so don’t be surprised if you are joined by a friendly pony during your stay!
There are wooded areas on three sides of the site which children will love exploring. Hop over the stile and you will find yourself in the garden of one of the forests most popular child friendly pubs, The New Forest Hotel. With its impressive garden with a large play park and the beautiful menu (complete with an outside BBQ!) you will be able to kick back and relax and enjoy sampling some of their lovely, local gins whilst the children are entertained.
If you fancy exploring a little further afield there is an array of footpaths and cycle trails which will lead you deep into the heart of this beautiful and very famous forest.
Nearby attractions:
Lyndhurst Village
Paultons Park (including the very popular Peppa Pig World)
Things to be aware of:
There is no electricity at this site
No dogs are permitted
There are showers and a laundrette
BLACK KNOWL CARAVAN CLUB SITE Set to reopen this month with some impressive updates, Black Knowl within walking distance to the bustling village of Brockenhurst. The site is within a beautiful setting – if you plan on staying later in the year in October you may be treated to the sound of stags roaring in the forest!
This child friendly site boasts a new toilet block which includes family showers rooms and excellent baby changing facilities.
Being walking distance to Brockenhurst puts you within easy reach of some lovely shops and cafes and some very popular pubs, one of which offers a great child’s play area. The site is within easy reach of 140 miles of lovely walking track for you to explore – this can be done on foot, bicycle or if you’re feeling adventurous, perhaps horseback!
Nearby attractions:
Brockenhurst Village
Things to be aware of:
A mobile fish and chip van visits the site – amazing.
Dogs welcome
Dishwashing area
Great shower facilities
MATLEY WOOD
This is one of the smaller campsites in the forest, but equally as picturesque as the others! This site is ideal for cyclists as the footpaths of the forest provide a fantastic way to explore! You can easily get to Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst by bike from here and also the popular pub The Drift, which is nestled up alongside Beaulieu Road train station. The site is set within a stunning glen and is great for those wishing to relax and ‘get away from it all’. The forest ponies are never far away in this stunning location.
Nearby attractions:
Lyndhurst & Brockenhurst Villages
Things to be aware of:
This is a small site with no toilets or showers
Dog friendly
HOLLANDS WOOD
This award-winning campsite is extremely popular with families, groups of campers and young people so in high-season advanced booking is essential to ensure that perfect pitch!
The vast covering of tress provides a stunning backdrop to the site with many corners and crannies to explore! The site has a large shower and toilet block and even a dog shower! Perfect for everyone after a long day exploring the forest (including a paddle in the Lymington river for our fury friends!).
There is easy access onto a large field at the side of the camp site which is great for children to run around on. You can also hire bikes locally to really make the most of your surroundings! During the summers months, there is an array of Ranger Activities which you and your children can get involved in where you will find out more about the forest and its impressive heritage. You are within close range of Brockenhurst village with is large selection of cafes, pubs and shops. .
Nearby attractions:
Brockenhurst Village
Things to be aware of:
No electricity
Large toilet and shower block including dog shower
So there you go. Plenty of options there to decide between, depending on what you want out of your camping break. In all honesty, anywhere you choose within the breath-taking New Forest will not disappoint.
You are never far away from nature, fresh air, greenery, walking and cycle trails and pubs galore! What are you waiting for? Pack up your bits and bobs and come on down to the South coast. You will not be disappointed.
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