Aldridge Hill Camping & Caravanning site
Forestry Commssion site
Brockenhurst
New Forest
Hampshire
SO42 7QD

Web site: www.forestholidays.co.uk Aldridge Hill site

Site visited: May 2001

Note--this site does not have toilets or electric hook ups!!!

This is a Forestry Commission site and is very near to Brockenhurst. For information the approach road actually leads to the Black Knowl Caravan Club site, you just turn off before the bend.

The site, which holds around 200 pitches, has an open aspect one side looking over heathland and backs onto woodland the other. Running through the woodland is the pretty Ober Water stream. This will keep all the kids amused and wet!!!

It is also on a cycle route so take your bikes. Brockenhurst is about 2.5 miles away and Lyndhurst is 4 miles.

If you like basic sites, and have your own toilet facilities, this is for you, all for £6.70 to £7.20 a night.
Editor note: This base price has stayed low, only rising 20p per night since 1997!

Mick Forster. CLIC. May 2001

Black Hill Cottage
Blackhill Road
West Wellow
Romsey
Hampshire
SO51 6AQ

Tel: 01794 32244
Mrs S.A. Loades

Site visited: April 1999

Spring at Black Hill --- A view of the site

Page 351 CC Site Directory & Handbook 1999/2000

Facilities: Electric hook up, water tap and emptying point

Open all year £4 per night + hook up.

The site is a 1 acre field next to the house surrounded by trees and hedges.

I have only stayed on this site once, although it has very pleasant outlook it was very noisy due to the traffic from the A36 to Salisbury. The road was only 200m on the other side of the trees.

Not too far for a visits to Romsey and other parts of the New Forest.

I went in April and the trees were in blossom which made the site very attractive.

A shame, but the traffic noise was too much for me.

John Stanford. CLIC. April 1999.

Black Knowl CC Site--- Second report below
Aldridge Hill
Brockenhurst
Hampshire
SO42 7QD

Tel: 01590 623 600

Caravan Club Members Only

Site visited: September 2001

10 minutes drive along a single track road north of Brockenhurst. Read access instructions in handbook as two caravans could have major difficulty passing each other.

Large site on two distinct levels. Small shop with essentials. Facilities good.
Takeaways in Brockenhurst.

Site is surrounded by open scrubland and few trees.

Beware of wild ponies which can be enthusiastic if they think you have munchies. Note that these creatures have effective right of way on all local roads.

Ian Willis. CLIC. September 2001.

Black Knowl Caravan Club Site
Aldridge Hill
Brockenhurst
Hampshire
SO42 7QD

Tel: 01590 623 600

To Find site:
It would be advised not to use satellite navigation for the final stages of the journey to this site.
On the approach to Brockenhurst from Lyndhurst on the A337 watch out for the Balmer Lawn Hotel on the left, a little further on, opposite the Carey’s Manor Hotel turn right into Grigg Lane signed B3055 Sway/New Milton. Continue to the staggered cross roads and cross into Sway Road, just past the Esso Garage turn right into The Rise, signedRhinefield/Burley and right again at the T junction into Rhinefield Road. Continue along Rhinefield Road past the Forest Park Hotel and about half a mile further on turn right passing car park on left. Continue along this road (regular speed humps) to site. The final approach to the site is mainly single track. For this reason the site instructions state no arrivals before 12 noon and departures are to be by 11.30am.

This site has a superb location right in the New Forest a couple of miles outside the small town of Brockenhurst. Like a lot of other Caravan Club sites it is well camouflaged from the surrounding countryside. In total there are 127 pitches, of which 62 are hardstandings. They in an open aspect set out around a circular access road. Outside the main season only the hardstanding pitches are used.
The site has an interesting toilet block which is round in shape and consists of 12 individual cubicles containing a toilet and shower accessed from the outside of the building. Additionally there are also normal male and female toilets and showers but limited in size. There is also a dish wash area. The laundry facilities are accessed from inside the female toilet area. Whilst the block is kept clean it does seem to be in need of, at the least, a makeover as it is showing signs of age.
Reception sells a few essentials and papers may be ordered. There is also an information room with details of local restaurants and places to visit. Date of visit mid November 2008.

There is so much to do in this area. Both Southampton and Bournemouth are within easy reach. Nearer to hand is Lyndhurst which has quite a selection of shops. Brockenhurst has a Tesco Extra for most basics but if you want larger food shops a journey to Lymington would be the nearest option. Closer to the site there are many opportunities for walks, cycle rides and drives.

David Klyne. CLIC. November 2008
For images of this site, and other reports, go to Caravantravels

Fishery Creek Park--- Fishing site
100, Fishery Lane
Hayling Island
Hampshire
PO11 9NR

Tel: 02392 462 164
Fax: 02392 460 741

E-mail: camping@fisherycreek.co.uk
Web site: www.fisherycreekpark.co.uk/

D. & A. Emersic

Site visited: August 2001

The entrance & site office * I hope this is the storage area :o) * View of the site

Nice site on about 4 acres of flat ground along side a tidal creek, when the tide is in, creek fills up with about 5’ of relatively still water, can fish on the banks (just), splash around and play in a dingy pretty safely (watch for a small current). There is about 4-5” top soil then you hit hard ground, you will need extra strong pegs (I used storm pegs) to pitch properly. Ground has good drainage.

There is one shower block and one toilet block situated in the centre of the site, 7 showers plus 1 disabled in one block, showers are free, hot and with good water pressure, The ladies in the other block has 8 toilets and about the same amount of hand basins. I would think the gents are identical. By the look of the grouting probably newly decorated this year. 5 stars for these facilities.

2 undercover washing up areas, again with lots of (very) hot water. There is no launderette :- There is a small shop, games room with pool table and arcade games and an under 5 playground all at the entrance to the park.

By the toilets is the over 5’s playground, lots of room to run around and burn off energy. For a change, the kids were able to make as much noise as they wanted to without being told to hush, by 10pm all the kids had been rounded up and were ’at home’.

There are quite a few permanent caravans and a storage area, the electric pitches were all pretty much the same size and level with wooden log fencing dividing them up. The camping area was around the outside (away from the toilets but not too far away), and the pitches

were of various sizes, some were really only big enough for a motorhome. Others were huge with enough room for 2 cars, a tent and 2 pup tents with lots of room for the bbq, tables chairs and general gypsy site stuff we usually drag around with us!

Ours was a pretty small triangular pitch on a corner and once the tent was pitched there was no room for the car or trailer. I felt exposed to cars driving past 3 foot from my kids heads.

Pitch prices for 2001 are £10 per pitch + 2 adults, kids are a pound each and so are dogs, additional adults are £1.50 extra cars or boats are £2, electric is £2.30, Awnings and pup tents are £1.50.

5 minutes walk from the site is a Londis shop which is open till 10pm and stocks lots of stuff. Further along (about a mile) is a Somerfield and further on a Co-op. There are probably more supermarkets but we didn’t see them. There was a fishing shop close by, but not being an addict I don’t know exactly where:-) ).

You can walk down a path to the beach, we didn’t walk it, so can’t say how long it took, but my daughter walked down the road and it took about 10 minutes to get to the prom.

The beach is pebbles and shingle and half way along is a small fun fair, tokens are 50p each, 40 for £12 or 70 for £20 (there is a smaller bag than 40 but I can’t remember how much it was), there is a fish and chip shop and a burger bar within the confines of the fair and the prices were very reasonable. There are quite a few big pub/restaurants on the island but there isn’t much else on the island.

Lindsey Webb. CLIC. August 2001.

Forest Edge Touring Park
St Leonards
Ringwood
Hampshire
BH24 2SD

Site operated by SHOREFIELD
Tel: 01590 648 356
Fax: 01590 645 610

E-mail: holidays@shorefield.co.uk
Website: www.shorefield.co.uk/forestedge..

We have just spent 3 days at this campsite.
This is a very small site and we had a good walk round to compare pitches etc.... On our walk, which only took about 15 minutes at a strolling pace, we were of the opinion that the touring pitches were restrictive in size and although us caravanners are all sharing the same interest, we wouldn’t want to ’live’ this closely together by choice.
We were fortunate as our pitch seemed to be just about the largest one on site (although we won’t disclose the pitch number or you’ll all be fighting over it! ) and it was nicely tucked away in a quiet spot. We agreed that we definately had the best place on site. Unfortunately it rained rather heavily, but we can only hold Mother nature responsible for that, so it didn’t dampen our spirit at all.

There is a very small outdoor pool and I must emphasize the VERY SMALL, with an even smaller, toddlers pool beside it, which, for some unknown reason wasn’t being used and was closed off to the patrons? It didn’t appear to have been cleaned out recently, but you must bear in mind that we were totally surrounded by pine trees and their ’dropped needles’ made an obvious contribution to the bits & pieces in the pool. Having said this, it would have been nice to use the toddler pool and it should be cleaned and functional during the season.

There is a small bar where you can buy meals, but they were very expensive, so we ventured away from the park toeat.
There is a pub between these two parks (Forest Edge & Oakdene Forest) called The Hungry Poacher (The pub with the amazing food) which offered quantity and quality, with a vast menu. The food was quite phenomenal at excellent prices!

A childrens play area and a shop were available, but thats all. You were allowed to use the facilities of Shorefields adjacent park, but that was a short car ride, or a mile of forestry walk to reach. We felt that Forest Edge was basically just an ’annex’ or ’overspill’ to the nearby site which offered far more.

The showers and toilets were kept very clean, which is always a nice thing. There are a lot of fairly local attractions and this site was hardly anything more than a place to go back and sleep!
The staff here, were all very friendly and helpful, so thats a bonus.

In conclusion, we would not use Forest Edge again and as a family campsite, with such minimal basic facilities on offer, we would only give it 3 out of 10.

Note:
Another Shorefields site closeby..
Oakdene Forest Park, St Leonards, Ringwood, Hampshire.

Yvonne Davidson. Internet. July 2005

Holmsley Caravan & Camping Site
Forest Road
Thorney Hill
Bransgore
Christchurch
Dorset
BH23 7EQ

Tel. 08451 308 224 (bookings)
Tel: 01425 674 502 (site)

Web site: www.forestholidays.co.uk Holmsley site

Site visited: August 1999. Update March 2001

A view of the site

5 miles Southwest Of Southampton on the A35

Open late March to late September (not confirmed)

Anyone who knows Holmsley will know that it is ideal for Kids, very large but informally laid out on an old WW2 Airfield right in the New Forest. There are loads of areas for the kids to play., and loads of places to walk nearby.
The toilets could do with upgrading but there are three large blocks and are certainly adequate ( again I think we have been spoiled with CC sites).

The hook-ups were fully booked, all 140 of them, but as we don’t use them this wasn’t a problem. We parked up well into the site and set up camp.

We stayed for a week but being our third year we didn’t do a great deal except relax and a bit of walking.

We would have gone to Devon to see the eclipse but thought that it would be too busy! As it turned out, I’d wished I’d gone!

Edward & Emma Berresford. CLIC. August 1999

Added March 2001.

Open: Late March to early November.
Facilities: 700 pitches; 100 hardstandings; 120 15a hook-ups; 30 hot showers.

Homeland Farm
Ringwood Road
Three Legged Cross
Wimbourne
Hampshire
BH21 6QZ

Tel: 01202 822 422

B. L. Gent

Site visited: March 2000

The Cl is on p350 of the CC handbook

The actual CL is next to the "Orchard" (about 4 apple trees) but for 5 ’vans there is loads of space. There’s a separate block by the house with a shower and two loos and a game’s room. Basically it’s a big shed with loos and the shower was almost free (20p). Electric hook-up is also available. I think you might describe it as "serviceable".

However, it is beautifully placed for places like Moors Valley Country Park, Poole, Bournemouth I had no trouble getting my 18’ twin axle in or out of the site and because there is so much space, parking up was easy too. The scenery was very pretty also, it’s DEEP in the countryside. There was a phenomenal amount of wildlife around even as early as we went (late February). There are horses in the fields all around it and it was blissfully quiet.

Steve Suter. CLIC. March 2000

Morn Hill Caravan Club Site--- Second report below
Morn Hill
Winchester
Hampshire
SO21 1HL

Tel: 01962 869 887

Site visited: 2000

This club site lies about two miles east of Winchester. It is split into two areas and of the two I prefer the top one where the site reception is also situated.
As well as being convenient for ferries this site is well worth a visit in its own right as tourist attractions in the area are plentiful. Every time I have been the weather has been gorgeous.
There are shops about three miles away and a pub serving food less than a 100 yards from the site gate.
Toilet facilities are standard excellent Club specification and there is a block in each area.
Access to the site is via security gate. There is a decent late night arrival area here in case you come off a late ferry.

Directions: The site is just off the A31 Winchester to Alton road. From the A33 or A34 cross over the M3 J10 and follow signs to A31 Alton. In 1.5 miles at roundabout follow sign to Easton and immediately turn right in front of the Percy Hobbs PH. Site entrance is 100 yards. The site office is the second entrance.

David Cuff. CLIC. 2000

Morn Hill Caravan Club Site--- Third report below
Morn Hill
Winchester
Hampshire
SO21 1HL

Tel 01962 869 877

Site visited: August 2002

To find site: - Leave M3 at either junction 9 or 10 depending on direction travelled. In about a mile turn onto A31 at roundabout towards Alton. At the next roundabout take care as you have to cross the path of traffic on the B3404, which has right of way, then turn right in front of the Percy Hobbs public house and proceed to site reception at end of lane.

Morn Hill accepts non-members and tent campers.

This is a typical Caravan Club site set out in two separate areas. The higher section is more open whilst the lower section has more trees. There is a toilet block on both sections and whilst both are kept very clean the upper one is showing signs of age. When the site is full, as it was on this visit, personally I felt the pitches were too close together lacking privacy and giving the feeling of being cramped. This would not be a problem out of school holidays. Having said that the site is very well maintained and there were some lovely flowers at reception and by the assistant warden’s caravan. Other than just being here as a weekend visitor or as part of your holiday this site is ideal for a stop over on the way to the West Country or perhaps an overnight stop to and from the ferries at Portsmouth.

This site is close to the City of Winchester, reception will give you details of ’Park and Ride’ or parking. Southampton is not too far away, particularly if you want a shopping experience! Tesco is very close to junction 9 on the road into Winchester.

Date of visit, several times over the years but this visit late July 2002

David Klyne. CLIC. August 2002
For images of this site, and other reports, go to Caravantravels

Morn Hill Caravan Club Site
Morn Hill
Winchester
Hampshire
SO21 1HL

Tel 01962 869 877

Site visited: Several times over the years but most recently April 2006

Morn Hill entrance---- Site view---- The playground

To find site:
Leave M3 at either junction 9 or 10 depending on direction travelled. In about a mile turn onto A31 at roundabout towards Alton. At the next roundabout take care as you have to cross the path of traffic on the B3404, which has right of way, then turn right in front of the Percy Hobbs public house and proceed to site reception at end of lane. Route instructions and a map can be downloaded from the Caravan Club website.

Morn Hill accepts non-members and tent campers.

We have used this site on several occasions, either to visit relations in Southampton or many years ago as a stop over on the way to or from the ferries at Portsmouth. The site is set out in two separate pitching areas. Interestingly the top section is apparently owned by Winchester Council and the Caravan Club owns the lower section.
The higher section is more open whilst the lower section has more trees and is on two levels.
All pitches are on grass which can get a bit sticky in wet weather.

There is a toilet block on both sections and whilst both are kept very clean the one in the upper section is of an older design and is showing signs of age. (There is talk of it being refurbished).

This is a popular campsite and so is often full. Personally I felt the pitches are, in some places, a bit too close together lacking privacy and giving the feeling of being cramped. Perhaps not a problem during the week out of school holidays. Having said that the site is very well maintained and there were some lovely flowers at reception and by the assistant warden’s caravan.
We found television reception good on the top section with the Status. Likewise mobile reception (T-Mobile) was also good.

Other than just being here as a weekend visitor or as part of your holiday this site is ideal for a stop over on the way to the West Country or perhaps an overnight stop to and from the ferries at Portsmouth. Just outside the entrance to the site is a pub called the ’Percy Hobbs’ which is handy for a drink and it is also part of one of those restaurant chains where you can get a reasonable meal.

This site is close to the City of Winchester, reception will give you details of ’Park and Ride’ or parking. Southampton is not too far away, particularly if you want a shopping experience in the West Quay Centre! Tesco is very close to junction 9 on the road into Winchester.

David Kyne. CLIC. April 2006
For images of this site, and other reports, go to Caravantravels

New Forest CC Centenary Site
Forest Road
Bransgore
Hampshire
BH23 8EB

Tel: 01425 673 638

Members only. Open 6th March - 31st October 2010

Some images of this site:----- Image 1----- Image 2----- Image 2

Bransgore is a Caravan Club members only site with 191 pitches and the capacity to run over 260 at peak times. This is also evident from the three sets of wardens on the site.

The entrance is wide with a late night arrivals area on the left. After a quick and efficient check in I was shown the workings of the one way system and asked to choose a pitch and report back for a barrier key.
There are four distinct pitching areas, each named after a famous aeroplane of the last war - a throwback to the fact that the site was originally part of a Second World War airfield. Parts of the runway still exist and there is a memorial to the New Forest Airfields just north of the site.
Seventy five of the pitches are on hard standing and twenty five of these are service pitches. The remainder are on grass. You still need steel awning pegs as the grass appears to be laid largely over the old runways and you strike solid after a couple of taps with the mallet.

Due to the size there are two full facility blocks on site each mirroring the facilities of the other. Although immaculate I found this site somewhat lacking in character and the open aspect affords little privacy. I think it would be much better with hedging or shrubs between the pitches to break it up a bit. But that is a personal view.

Reception stocks the usual basics and newspapers to order. Mobile phone reception is non existent in the new forest.
The site advertises Wi-Fi but the wardens do not sell the cards! The main reason I booked this site as opposed to another New Forest one was that I needed the access to process a payroll whilst away. When I got to reception to buy the card I was told that due to a lot of complaints about service the wardens were not selling it any more. They had been making a lot of refunds and had asked head office to advertise this in the magazine. I was somewhat displeased to say the least! the Caravan Club need to get this service sorted. Their provider is in my limited experience not very good and very expensive. In fact the sites detail leaflet on line advertises Wi-Fi!

There is a large information room with details of the whole area. Television reception is mediocre unless you plug into the booster on the electric bollard. Long leads on sale in reception.
There is a playground and separate field for ball games.
If you enjoy walking or cycling within the forest or as a base for the tourist attractions in the area it is extremely well situated. Even though it is a large site it was always very quiet and peaceful, but just seemed to lack something. I go on some sites and immediately chill and feel at home, but didn’t get it here.

Bransgore is ideally situated for all the Hampshire and New Forest attractions, such as Bucklers Hard, Beaulieu, Bournemouth and many others.

David Cuff. CLIC. November 2010

Rookesbury Park--- Second report below
Caravan Club Site
Hundred Acres Road
Wickham
Fareham
Hampshire
PO17 6JR

Tel: 01329 834 085

Site visited: July 2000

Rookesbury Park is a Members only Caravan Club site set in a converted sand pit in the middle of the Forest of Bere, close to Portsmouth and Southampton. The nearest ‘village’ is Wickham (about 2 miles by road or 1/2 mile by crow) with the nearest town, Fareham, about 4-5 miles. Fareham has the nearest supermarket, Sainsbury’s, although there is a Tesco at Jnct 9 on the M27 within the new Whiteley Business Park.

The site is surrounded on all sides by mature woodland and mid-week (when the kids are back at school) the site is very peaceful. Access is via a single track road and the actual entrance to the site proper is at the bottom of quite a steep, curving hill, from the top of which you can see over the whole site. Unfortunately for those who like to cycle there are hills on all of the approach roads so, if you take bikes, be prepared for some hard riding.

The site has 183 pitches, all with 16amp hook-up. There are two toilet blocks, with standards up to the usual for C.C. sites. Pitches are mostly on gently slopping ground and levelling blocks will be required on most pitches. There is plenty of maturing trees and bushes between the main pitching areas and these are welcome as the site, despite its position, can be quite windy if the weather deteriorates. Awning tie-downs are a must in blustery conditions. However, the ‘hedges’ do provide welcome shade on those odd days when summer visits these islands.

There are plenty of service points dotted around the site; there is a children’s play area near the entrance and disabled facilities are provided in the smaller/newer toilet block. A number of pitches close to this toilet block are specifically marked for Disabled campers so if this is a requirement, ask the Wardens if the pitches are available.

The site is within easy driving distance of the Continental Ferry terminal in Portsmouth and would make a good overnight stop either going to or coming from a continental holiday. However, if you have an early morning start, the Late Arrivals site by the entrance might be of use to save those staying on from being woken at 6.30am by noisy leavers!!!

For those who don’t like cooking, there are a number of good pubs and restaurants in the area (details in the information room by Reception) and there is a very good Fish & Chip van calling on Friday evenings. For papers and fresh food a van calls every morning from 9 - 10am in the car park.

Visited June 2000.

Mike & Chris Gleeson. CLIC. July 2000

Rookesbury Park Caravan Club Site
Hundred Acres Road
Wickham
Fareham
Hampshire
PO17 6JR

Tel: 01329 834 085

To Find Site:
From Portsmouth direction on M27 leave motorway at junction 10 and follow A32 in the direction of Alton. At the roundabout past the Wickham village sign continue on A32 and after about a quarter of a mile turn right at sign for Hundred Acres, Newton. Turn left in about three quarters of a miles at the CC site signs into long drive to site. The drive is narrow in places with passing places so care required. From Southampton direction leave M27 at junction 11, cross motorway and rejoin M27 towards Southampton and exit at junction 10 and then as above. ( Sat Navs are inclined to take you from the motorway at junction 11 via North Boar Hunt, this road is quite narrow in place so you may wish to over ride!)

This members only site is set in 15 acres of undulating countryside surrounded by mature trees and shrubs. There are 154 pitches plus 15 set aside in a separate area for short stay use. (Rookesbury Park is only a few miles from Portsmouth and the Western Channel ferries.) The majority of pitches are on grass but there are 56 hardstandings.
There are two toilet blocks and several service points. Reception sells newspapers and other essentials.
Children are well catered for as there is a massive play are, albeit on a slope. Likewise for dogs there is a large walking area.
Mobile reception was difficult but not impossible. Television reception (with a Status) varied a lot. One day you could have a perfect picture and the next the same channel would be poor. Date of visit May 2007.

Rookesbury Park is about midway between Southampton and Portsmouth and is convenient to the M27. Both cities offer many attractions but perhaps Southampton would be considered the better shopping destination. Not too far from the site at Hedge End is a large Sainsburys and M&S.

David Klyne. CLIC. November 2007
For images of this site, and other reports, go to Caravantravels

Roundhill Caravan & Camping Site--- Second report below
Beaulieu Road
Brockenhurst
Hampshire
SO42 7QL

Tel: 08451 308 224 (bookings)
Tel: 01590 624 344 (Site number)

Web site: http://www.forestholidays.co.uk/ Roundhill site

Map ref. 196/335021

Site visited: April 1999

They would have been inside, had we not been there !

As the New Forest is only 2 hours away we frequent it regularly, Winter time to Setthorns in Sway which is open all year and has hook ups but no other facilities other than water taps and emptying points. Our main one is the Roundhill, which is on the B3055 Brockinhurst to Beaulieu road.

The site caters for 500 pitches with 3 toilet blocks, wash basins but no showers, not brick buildings. We found that using our own facilities is more convenient as we site away from the blocks, they do get busy in the high season. Brockenhurst is the nearest for shopping app 3 miles, too far to walk for a drink. Walking is good from the site without the need of the car.

We don’t visit July and August as we feel £9.3 per night a bit expensive. Senior Citizens do get 20% off, but make sure you ask at the time of booking. I have been going since 1968 so it can’t be bad.

John Stanford. CLIC. April 1999

Roundhill Caravan & Camping Site--- Third report below
Beaulieu Road
Brockenhurst
Hampshire
SO42 7QL

Tel: 08451 308 224 (bookings)
Tel: 01590 624 344 (Site number)

Web site: http://www.forestholidays.co.uk/ Roundhill site

Map ref. 196/335021

Site visited: July 2000

Facilities:
Sinks and washing up area, toilets and individual washrooms Elsan disposal point.

For other details and prices check Forest Holidays site which will go live in a few days according to warden.

Peak price.
Weekends £10 per night. Midweek £8

Discounts for disabled 20%. Month price (28 days) £179

Allen & Jean Hughes. CLIC. July 2000

Roundhill Caravan & Camping Site--- Fourth report below
Beaulieu Road
Brockenhurst
Hampshire
SO42 7QL

Tel: 08451 308 224 (bookings)
Tel: 01590 624 344 (Site number)

Web site: http://www.forestholidays.co.uk/ Roundhill site

Site visited: April 2002

This is a two part report. It come from two of the many people from CLIC that attended the ’Roundhill Meet’.
The first is from Pat Worsfold....

This large spacious site has an attractive small lake and is a mixture of open grassed space and sheltered glades within the trees. Gorse and ferns abound.

The ground is mostly level and caravans, motorhomes and tents are accepted. There is a separate area for motorcycling campers. There are no pitch markers here, it’s informal and very much a matter of simply choosing your own space whilst observing the 20’ rule.

The unheated facilities blocks have toilets and privacy cubicles but there are no showers. Electric hook-ups are not available here. Drinking water, rubbish disposal and chemical emptying points are adequate.

The great thing about staying here is being within, and thus a part of, this environment. Wonderful birdsong and, for enthusiasts, a wide range of woodland and heathland birds to observe. Great for cyclists and walkers. The forest ponies and cattle gently wander their paths and, if lucky, there will be sightings of deer.

Located just off the A3055 about 2 miles E of Brockenhurst. This quaint village has a good range of shops - a real butcher and baker, hardware, fish & chip, plus a mini supermarket, newsagent etc.

Lots of things (to suit all ages and interests) to see and do in this area.

The site managers were welcoming, friendly and efficient. Cost was appx £7 per night for one adult in VW camper.

Pat Worsfold. CLIC. April 2002

Now it’s the turn of Susan McKnight

Natives are very friendly, the wardens actually thanked us for coming over from Ireland to their site. Other natives were very good about helping transport-less bog-trotters to get out and about.

Ideal for tenters, flat, well-drained ground, good shelter where we were pitched, Allen picked a good spot for us.
Facilities are not the prettiest we’ve seen but were clean and well-maintained.
No shop was a not a problem for us (see above) this time but would be more of a problem if we were there on our own, since we were a fair wee way out of the town.

Wildlife was interesting, even the donkey that decided to invade Lindsay’s tent, and the cow and the robin that decided to join us for breakfast.

The area is beautiful, just what I think of when I think of England, quintessentially so. Lovely villages, people so friendly, market was lovely, I have never seen such fruit & veg stalls.

I would definitely go back.

Sussan McKnight. Belfast. CLIC. April 2002.

Roundhill Caravan & Camping Site
Beaulieu Road
Brockenhurst
Hampshire
SO42 7QL

Tel: 08451 308 224 (bookings)
Tel: 01590 624 344 (Site number)

Web site: http://www.forestholidays.co.uk/ Roundhill site

Roundhill campsite is a Forestry Commission site Site manager run by Forest Holidays a wholly owned subsiduary.
The site is flat and based on an old airfield RAF Beaulieu Heath, after a number of years ’open forest camping’ this was chosen to be a medium facilities site and the link road opened with a reception area in 1972.

It is the only site with dedicated motorcycle facility and a seperate field keeps them in a friendly environment where they can meet other bikers. There is no obligation to use this area but it is provided with picnic tables, toilets, fresh water and waste disposals.

Tenters are welcome and there is a backpackers area sheltered by trees and away from the roads. Well behaved dogs are also welcome, they must be kept under control and on a lead whilst on the site but can be exercised on the heath adjacent to the site running free.
There are rabbits, badger and deer on this area.

Some campers bring shelters for their dogs and there is a good spirit amongst owners and animals, a virtual dog heaven . Fouling on the site is discouraged and a pooper scoop is a handy item to carry. It keeps the site clean for other campers.
Dog fouling should be dealt with in the same manner ;-)

Well behaved children are also welcome accompanied by their parents or an adult. All male or all female groups are checked out on arrival by the site staff and there is a good atmosphere on site.
Silence at appropriate times is encouraged and quiet generators may be run between 9 and 11 am and 4pm to 6pm
Drinking water :o) is available around the perimeter at well protected and hygenic tap points. Waste disposal is at the toilet blocks in specially designed elsan flushing units.
The toilet blocks are clean and each contains a male and female area with wash hand basins, a kitchen area for washing up and washing cubicles for personal use with running hot and cold water. Cleaned regularly and well maintained.

Access to the site is by car, walking or taxi from nearby Brockenhurst. 2 miles which has a direct rail link to London and the north as well as Lymington, Wareham and Southampton.

Near reception is a pond which may be fished by youngsters(photo) this large fish is just one of many in the waters.
Picnic tables and seats are in the area a pleasant place to sit and observe the passing scene. Horses go in the pond to splash themselves all over and the area is a free range for herds of ponies, donkeys and cattle.
These are grazed by ’commoners ’ who have the right to release animals on the forest. Please don’t feed them, they get angry when you stop and may kick or bite. The foals and mothers look beautiful but shouldn’t be petted as they are very protective and may attack humans seen as posing a threat.

The big thing here is the amount of space, even when at capacity there is an enormous amount of area available to everyone.
Units should be pitched 7 metres apart and with care to avoid annoyance to others. Barbecues are welcome, instant pack ones should be on a stand to prevent burning the turf.
A big site attracts big motorhomes but these fit in with the towering pines, soaring birches and screens of gorse.

The pitches are in groves or open spaces chosen by the individual camper and can be shaded or open according to choice.

Rally Facilities

Roundhill has a rally site for groups to organise their events, here for example we have the Honda Owners Club Rally 2000.

A barbeque area surrounded by benches and some picnic tables make for an nice get together.

Other small groups organise themselves in an area of the general site, the staff are always cooperative in helping with arrangements although a fee may be payable for erecting marquees and other facilities.

An awning may be pressed into use but if possible the noise should be kept reasonable to other users of the site and silence at about 10.30pm is a good guideline to make.

Some go in for full cafe and canteen arrangements, entertainment in the marquees again ceasing at a reasonable time.

Attractions of the Area

Near at hand is Burley, a village with a theme of Witches. Thirteen maidens, white witches they claim, run thirteen shops.

Sway tower is amongst the things to see http://www.outlane.com/page226.htm for the full story ;-)

The Deer Platforms at Bolderwood which allow viewing of a herd of deer fed each day at 2pm are a popular place. These pics are taken with a Kodak Camera with no extra attachments.
(Editor note Allen not only ’has a way with words’, he’s pretty handy with a camera as well.)
Deer photo 1
Deer photo 2
Deer photo 3
Deer photo 4

Directions to Roundhill

Enter the site from the B3055 Brockenhurst to Beaulieu Road there are small signs 20 metres from the site on the verge from each direction.

There is a 15 mph limit road which divides into booked or not booked about 50 metres from the site office, it is a public right of way to ’Dilton’ village.
After the site office the road drops to a pond on the left and the perimiter road to the right. Large Oak tree on the corner. Take a water pistol if you want to move the horses. ;-)

Turning Right along the perimiter road is first a water point, then the entrance to the main toilet and disposal point.
Approximately 80 metres on there is another waterpoint with waste bins and at this point if you look to the left Allens caravan is set back amongst trees in a clearing.

Continue to the road junction and turn left then app 30 metres up there is an apple tree on the left followed by open space. At this point Allens caravan is on your left. John usually takes up position 20 metres from Allens van just before the Apple tree and Rowan tree.

If coming on the Friday evening from the M27 take the road for Fawley via Totton approaching the site from the bottom side of Lyndhurst (queues on the Cadnam to Lyndhurst Road can tail back for some two miles). Alternatively follow the signs for the Motor Museum at Beaulieu from the end of the M271. Pass the entrance and follow the Brockenhurst signs, continuous road, the site is on the left in 3.5 miles (B3055).

Allen Huges. CLIC. June 2002

Sandy Balls Holiday Centre--- Second report below
Godshill
Fordingbridge
Hampshire
SP6 2JZ

Tel: 01425 653 042

E-mail: post@sandy-balls.co.uk
Web site: www.sandy-balls.co.uk/homefromhome.asp

Typical pitch at Sandy Balls

Site visited: March 1999. Up-date: March 2001

A bit of a mixed bag really - on the positive side the pitches were superb - fully serviced (water, waste water, satellite TV, taps on each site). It was easily the best & biggest pitch we’ve ever had - plenty of room for caravan, full awning and car with loads of space left. Unfortunately, as the weather was dreadful when we left on Friday we didn’t take the full awning. (It’s a brand new Isabella Commodore Crown which we’ve never used before and I didn’t fancy spending the week before Easter drying it out in our flat!)

The site itself is huge - we didn’t see it all in the weekend. The woods were lovely but we never managed the recommended walk in the dark- I was too chicken even with a torch!

The toilet blocks were excellent. The showers are fantastic - so powerful they nearly knocked me over - and that’s not easy! They were very quiet too but I think that may be a different story in peak season.

On the negative side - the pitch next door was occupied by a VERY loud TV in a tent (television, not transvestite!). I’m sorry - but I don’t enjoy being woken up at 5am by someone’s television when I’m in our peaceful caravan! Don’t get me wrong - I have nothing against TV’s or tents - just inconsiderate people. Why do they always find me?!!

Another sore point - we were going to hire bikes until Ewan found out how much they were! £12.50 each per day!! We didn’t bother - as Ewan pointed out - it’s cheaper to hire a car for the day! (The staff did say that this did included the cycle helmet. It didn’t persuade us!)

The swimming pool and gym looked great but we never bothered - the weather was so good we went out and about. We took a trip to nearby Salisbury which we enjoyed - I think I’m a townie at heart!

There’s also a fantastic pub about a 1 and a half mile walk away in Fordingbridge. It’s called The George and for all you non-walkers (like me!) there’s a taxi around the corner to bring you back!. There’s a large selection of food and wine - everything we tried (lots) was excellent!

I would think that most people with kids and dogs would love it - there’s lots of entertainment for the children and lots of walks around. It’s right on the edge of the New Forest, so walker’s would also enjoy it.

To sum up - I think we paid for a lot we didn’t need but enjoyed it anyway (except the TV)!

We also watched an amazing couple put up the biggest trailer tent I’ve ever seen (a trigano I think!) in the dark. We normally would have helped them but unfortunately we had succumbed to the FDJ by the time they arrived!

Kim Phelan. CLIC. March 1999

Editors note: FDJ is an abbreviation used extensively in caravanning, means Falling Down Juice and refers to any alcoholic drink !!

Added March 2001.
Open: All year.
Facilities: 590 pitches (355 16a, all service, hardstanding touring pitches); 36 hot showers.

Sandy Balls Holiday Centre
Godshill
Fordingbridge
Hampshire
SP6 2JZ

Tel: 01425 653 042

E-mail: post@sandy-balls.co.uk
Web site: www.sandy-balls.co.uk/homefromhome.asp

We went to this superb camping site in the summer of 2004, although we have camped here before, this time we chose to hire a lodge as our parents were coming with us.

The lodge was beautiful and very well equiped with a lovely green aspect to the front. On the plus side we found all the facilities excellent, the kids enjoyed the pool and the games room too.
There were lots of activities organised for the kids but ours didn’t bother as we were out and about every day. We went horse riding through the New Forest which was fab, and all the ponies along the roads made it a truely unique holiday. We hope to visit again this year only in a tent! (fingers crossed for the weather)

Ann Jarvis. Internet. November 2005

Setthorns Caravan & Camping Site
Forest Holidays
Wooton
New Milton
Hampshire
BH25 5WA

Tel: 08451 308 224 (bookings)
Tel: 01590 681 020 (site number)

Web site: http://www.forestholidays.co.uk/ Setthorns site

OPEN ALL YEAR

Site visited: April 2002

This gives a good idea of the site

Setthorns is a Forest Holidays Caravan and Camping site between Brockenhurst and Sway in the New Forest (Hampshire). We have just spent 9 sunny days there in the middle of April 2002 having a very relaxing time.

Setthorns is an open woodland site with individual pitches nestling amongst pine and oak trees. It is divided into four separate areas ranging from standard pitches to what they call Select pitches. The site has 320 pitches in all and it doesn’t, however, have any toilet or wash room facilities. We stayed in the High Trees area and the pitches are very generous in size with the open forest right behind us. All around the site there are plenty of areas for walking and right through the middle of it is an old disused railway cutting which is ideal for the the kids to burn off their energy on their bikes.

You are only a couple of miles from Brockenhurst with its charming old village style shops. Glad to see they still exist. The Village butcher does some very tasty home made pork rissoles which barbeque a treat. His fresh chicken and free range eggs are also very good. Across the road is the village bakery and whilst all these traditional shops may charge a bit more than the bigger Supermarkets the quality of the food is unmistakably far better. Streets the Ironmonger sells just about everything you will ever need. I’d hate to do a stock take in their shop.

Lymmington with its Saturday market, harbour and Ferries to the IOW is about 4 miles away. We had a day trip to the Island and the Ferry special was £26 for Car and up to 4 passengers. It made a great day out.

The site is always full up for Bank Holidays and I imagine during the school breaks. Best book up early for these periods.

Prices range from £5.50 pernight (no elec) for an outfit in the low season to a max of £13.5 for a select pitch with elec on a bank holiday. It’s open all year.

You can make a booking for the site through Forest Holidays. Tel: 0131 314 6505.

Harry Rogers. CLIC. April 2002

Shamba Holidays--- Second, newer report below
Ringwood Road
Eastmoors Lane
St Leonards
Ringwood
Hampshire
BH24 2SB

Tel: 01202 873 302
Fax: 01202 873 392

E-mail: enquiries@shambaholidays.co.uk
Web site: http://www.shamba.co.uk/camping.asp

Site visited: March 2000

Shamba is on the main A31 midway between Ringwood and Wimborne, about 8 miles outside Bournemouth, 11 miles from Poole; on right hand side of dual carriageway, you have to go to traffic island beyond site and turn round there to get into site, clearly signposted.

The site has 150 pitches, all with hook ups, plenty of water points, outdoor heated swimming pool, licensed bar on site, shop, takeaway, free showers, launderette, childrens play area, site fees quite cheap for the area - around £12.50 pn electric I think is £2, dogs are allowed on site.

Level well grassed and very free draining should the rain ever dare to appear!

This is a family site, no single sex groups allowed (may change this rule if Mel Gibson, Tom Cruise and Jean Claude van Damme wish to come touring together though!).

Site is 3 ticks graded, amenities very clean, but getting a bit dated, however a massive rebuilding programme is planned to start at end of season, including something you rarely see on sites - childrens toilets and washrooms! So subsequent years will turn the site into the showplace of the south coast!! You heard it here first!

Jenny. CLIC. March 2000

Shamba Holidays
Eastmoors Lane
Off Ringwood Road
St Leonards
Ringwood
Hampshire
BH24 2SB

Tel: 01202 873 302

E-mail: enquiries@shambaholidays.co.uk
Web site: www.shambaholidays.co.uk

Site is accessed down a narrow single track, unmade road (Eastmoors Lane) fortunately with passing places, so please arrive after 12MD or you could end up in a sticky place, the wooded area you pass through is boggy and the road is lined with HUGE concrete blocks.

The site is well laid out and neat.

Pitching is very precise (2 feet from the left line and jockey wheel as far forward as possible or you WILL be asked to move your outfit.

There are 150 pitches for tents motor homes and caravans so sizes vary from 60m2 to 100m2. They make you aware of fire regs. and where the alarms etc. are. Prices are £24 a night for tents and £26 for a caravan + 2 people, or 6 Camping Cheques for 7 nights.

The Pitches are lawned and flat with 10amp electric although newer equipment is being installed that is 16amp.
There is water nearby to most pitches, BUT waste water must be taken to one central waste area near the central toilet/shower utility block which is WAIST high - BUT – IF you ask then there is a low level one nearby, but you have to ask it’s not offered freely.
Chemical waste goes to the same building.

The site boasts a small shop in reception, there is a bar, but this is not open all the time at low season even though the site is over half full. It was noted that the bar was only open Wed./Fri./Sat. evenings while we were there.

The swimming pool is heated and is in a large glass roofed enclosure which is opened on hot days.
What is not advertised is that the pool is closed twice a week for local swimming lessons.
Disabled facilities are good, everywhere in the central area is ramped, and have good wheelchair access, also the disabled shower/toilet is RADAR keyed too. The Male and female shower/toilets are keypad protected, there is a family BATHroom which is locked but key hire is £5 deposit refunded on key return.
The Camping Cheques book declares a large dog walking field, but the site has notices to exercise dogs OFF the site, there is an 11 ½ acre field for the dogs to run and play in but it’s not clearly signed as to where it is.

The site facilities LOOK clean, but I did have to ask for the disabled toilet/shower to be cleaned, I was told it was checked daily but I had to counter this by pointing out the rubbish bins had not been emptied and the floor had not been cleaned. (I had noted equipment still in exactly the same place for days, just where I had left them).

Locally there is nothing within walking distance. The nearest pub is 800 yards away BUT thanks to the road system it’s over 1.5 miles to get to it. The nearest Supermarket is Sainsbury’s, but there is a Tesco a half mile further on and the fuel prices are lower at Tesco’s but it is even lower in Poole.
Otherwise it’s a drive to either Bournemouth, Poole, Swanage, or further a field. The Chain ferry at Sandbanks is £3.50 single for a car (double with trailer) £1 for foot passengers or bikes. The Isle of Wight is easy to get to but a day return is £42 at present in 2011. The island is a money magnet unfortunately, for tourists.

Fishing
Poole Quay is easy access for us wheelchair users to fish BUT be aware that it is regularly closed for “Events”. There are plenty of other marks in Bournemouth on the pier, at Sandbanks from the Beach by the chain ferry for Sea Bass.
No fishing is allowed now on the moorings, only on the jetty wall

Graham Wilson. CLIC. July 2011

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