Destinations
5 best New Forest campsites
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Perfect for families, mates’ hols or romantic breaks, the New Forest National Park is a beautiful destination for a southern England camping trip. It’s home to attractions and activities to suit everyone, from theme and animal parks to museums and miles of walking and cycling paths.
It’s also one of the most important locations in Europe for conservation and wildlife – look out for the famous free roaming wild ponies as you wander among the forest’s ancient trees.
There’s a great range of campsites in the New Forest, so whatever your type of holiday you’ll certainly find something to suit. Browse our best New Forest campsites to find the ideal one for your trip.
Best campsites near the New Forest: 5 spots to sleep under the stars
1. Long Meadow Campsite
New Park, Brockenhurst, Hampshire SO42 7QH
Price per night: from £21
Right in the heart of the New Forest National Park at the park’s biggest village, Brockenhurst, Long Meadow Campsite is family friendly with large pitches and plenty of space for children to play safely. It also runs Little New Park Ranger Courses where children can learn about New Forest wildlife – including the deer which regularly visit.
The park is a 30-minute stroll through the forest to the shops, restaurants and cafés of Brockenhurst; elsewhere, there’s immediate access to safe off-road walking and cycling paths. For New Forest sightseeing, the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu is eight miles away.
Campsite features:
Family-friendly New Forest campsite five minutes’ drive from Brockenhurst village
Just off the A337 for easy access to local sightseeing
Five miles from Lymington and Isle of Wight ferries
Large spacious pitches in a choice of grass or hardstanding
Friendly team of wardens always on site
2. Red Shoot Camping Park
Linwood, Near Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 3QT
Price per night: from £20
The family team at Red Shoot Camping Park knows exactly what makes a great campsite, as they’ve been developing and improving this New Forest site for three generations. Chosen as one of the Guardian’s top 10 best family campsites, this award-winning park is one of the many New Forest campsites with electric hook-up and one of the top small campsites in the New Forest, packed with features to make a first-class holiday.
Settle down in this wildlife haven for a lazy morning fuelled by supplies from the site shop and bakery, then stroll across for evening drinks and home-cooked pub grub at the Red Shoot Inn on the doorstep. The local area includes Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary and the Liberty's Owl, Raptor & Reptile Centre.
Campsite features:
Family- and couples-oriented campsite on the New Forest’s western edge
Multi-award winner including David Bellamy Gold and Loo of the Year awards
Play area with sandpit, fireman’s pole, fort, balance beams and rope climbing frame
One of the many campsites in the New Forest with showers: underfloor heated blocks plus family and accessible bathrooms
3. Ashurst Campsite
Lyndhurst Road, Ashurst, Hampshire SO40 7AR
Price per night: from £22.50
The New Forest is the perfect place to try a ‘Camping in the Forest’ campsite, a group of sites run on behalf of Forestry England/Forestry and Land Scotland which all hold Green Tourism Silver Awards for their environmental credentials. Campsites in the New Forest make up 10 of the group’s 16 campsites nationwide, including our pick Ashurst Campsite, one of the campsites open all year in the New Forest.
Head for forest walks on one of the waymarked routes leading directly from the site, or take a five-minute stroll to the shops, traditional pubs and restaurants of Ashurst village. Paultons Park and Peppa Pig World is just 15 minutes’ drive.
Campsite features:
‘Camping in the Forest’ campsite just outside Ashurst village
280 pitches, ranging from open spaces to peaceful secluded spots amongst the trees
Choice of hardstanding or grass pitches; XL pitches also available
Showers, toilets, chemical disposal point, washbasins, drinking water taps, dishwashing area and laundry all on site
Barbecues allowed
4. Harry’s Field
Abbotswell Road, Frogham, Fordingbridge, Hampshire SP6 2JA
Price per night: from £23 per pitch; adults £11; children £5
One of three sites of the New Forest Campsites group (the others are Harry’s Meadow and The Old Airfield), Harry’s Field is “run by campers for campers” in a peaceful wildlife haven frequented by deer and New Forest ponies. It’s all about quirky individual touches and relaxed times at this friendly laidback site, from the covered courtyard with wood stove to the weekend pizza oven and fresh coffee and croissants.
Got a water baby in the family? There’s no need to look for a campsite in the New Forest with a swimming pool if you stay at Harry’s Field, since the New Forest Water Park is just 2.5 miles away! Or meander to the stream at Ogdens 10 minutes away – the Harry’s Field team will supply you with fishing nets to try and land the stream’s minnows.
Campsite features:
Level and well-drained site with a relaxed and friendly vibe
Next to a pub serving food and local ales
Well-stocked farm shop selling local produce and camping essentials
Camping kitchen with hot water, washing-up liquid, kettles, tea, coffee and milk all provided
Toilets, showers, communal freezers, fire pit hire and wood sales
Book now
5. Green Hill Farm Holiday Village
New Road, Landford, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP5 2AZ
Price per night: from £43.55 including electric
Looking for 5-star campsites in the New Forest? Head to the north of the national park for a luxury stay at Green Hill Farm Holiday Village, in a 55-acre lake and woodland setting just south of Salisbury.
Among the many high-quality facilities at this caravan and motorhome campsite in the New Forest are a café bar, a pizzeria, a bungee trampoline area, an outdoor gym and a play area. Other excellent amenities include award-winning toilets and showers with underfloor heating. Guests can also hire Segways and bikes.
Campsite features:
AA 5 star, Best of British and Premier Parks campsite with three lakes
Direct access to the New Forest
Fishing available on site
Choice of grass or hardstanding pitches with optional electric, all with scenic views
Within walking distance of Forest Falconry (0.8 miles) and New Forest Lavender Gardens (1.4 miles)
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