When the sun is shining and the grass gently blowing in the summer’s breeze, can there be a better place to be than sitting outside a tent, soaking in the view and watching the ponies amble? The New Forest has some great campsites and we think that camping is one of the best ways to get a ‘real’ New Forest experience; just make sure you don’t leave your cereal too handy for the forest’s wandering ponies! Here are four of our favourite places to spend a night under the stars:
Hollands Wood Camp Site
Lyndhurst Road, Brockenhurst, Hants, SO43 7QH
Just ten minutes walk from the pretty village of Brockenhurst, this campsite is just perfect for a relaxing holiday where you want to get close to the wildlife. Keep your food sealed as the forest ponies wander amongst the tents! The setting here is idyllic and the facilities are clean and modern. There are baby changing facilities. Perfect for campers without a car as you can get the train to Brockenhurst then walk up.
Tel: 01590 622967 www.forestholidays.co.uk
Tom’s Field
Godshill, Fordingbridge, Hants SP6 2LN
If you’re looking for a small and cosy campsite (tents only) then we think that this is the one for you. With clean but basic facilities this is camping at its most grounded! Tom’s Field is a children’s paradise; lots of space to cycle, gaze at the wildlife and make new friends. This friendly site aims to provide a peaceful break, so they ensure that pitches are well-spaced and they do not allow large groups or under 21s. It’s a small, family run site, so make sure you check their opening dates; they have restricted seasonal opening (weekends only). There’s a shop a mile away and it’s a 15 minute walk to a pub serving food all day.
Holmsley Caravan and Camping Site
Forest Road, Thorney Hill, Bransgore, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 7EQ
This great family site is open right through from the start of April to the end of October. If you’re looking for a large site (there are 600 pitches here) with lots of facilities which is only a short drive from the beach, then this is the one for you. There’s loads of space here so plenty of room for the children to play. You can safely walk or cycle straight from the site and there’s a fab play area and a good little shop. There’s also a baby changing area with a shower which you can have a key for with a £10 deposit.
Tel: 01313 146505 www.forestholidays.co.uk
Croft Cottage Camping
Croft Cottage, Godshill, Fordingbridge, Hants, SP6 2LE
With just 15 pitches, the paddock behind Croft Cottage is proper back-to-basics camping. There are toilets, washing up and shower facilities, and electric hook-up if required. Just right for families, all the tents are pitched around the outside of the paddock with the centre being left as a great area for play! Limited seasonal opening.
Tel: 01425 657955 www.croftcottagenewforest.co.uk
