Tell me, if I go to SandyBalls will I lcherish its budget prices and well-maintained facilities or think that I've stumbled into some "Carry On Camping" holiday hell?

[Issy]

Here's the thing. We are looking for a cheapish, probably midweek holiday for DH (wheelchair user), the DDs (5 and 6) and me, towards the end of August 2008. We live in Guildford and the New Forest is easy to get to for us and is somewhere where we can use DH's whizzy off-road wheelchair. I've looked at all sorts of chic cottages but they are fabulously expensive and none of them are wheelchair accessible in the slightest. We could either go for a 'ready tent' or, more likely, on our first outing to a campsite a disabled lodge. Will I hate Sandyballs or will I think "Whoopee! A reasonably priced, well-organised place where the DDs can run free and we can all get out into the countryside with ease"?

[catgirl]

just back from a weekend in sandy balls - had a great time, stayed in a caravan, but the friend who recommendd it to us has stayed in the lodges and says they are great. good pool, food, shop, playground- what is not to like? Didn't see Sid James or Hattie Jacques anywhere! They had activity stuff for kids too (sticking/painting etc). Caravans/caravan sites are nothing like I remember them!

[Issy]

Thank you catgirl. Pleased to hear about the absence of Sid James (Hattie Jacques I could endure). Anybody else?

[Marina]

There is a poster called SandyBalls Issy - am guessing she might have some views

We went to the unpromisingly named Ruda Bay Caravan Park in Devon last year, admittedly not in August, and were really impressed with it as a family holiday. Accessibility was very high, come to think of it, the place was spotless and the staff really nice.
The caravan was pretty good too - very comfortable.
I've heard Sandy Balls is a very good park, but have not been there myself.

[Piggy]

I live about 5 minutes away from Sandy Balls and we are members there (so we can use the pool and gym etc etc). It has good reputation and seems pretty busy most of the year. I've never been on a camping holiday but it certainly seems like a good place to stay and the lodges do look pretty nice. You are also on the edge of the Forest and you're only 25 - 30 mins from Bournemouth if you fancy going to the seaside.

They are attempting to stop cars within the site and encourage everyone to use bikes so children can cycle/run around without worrying about cars. They also have a good spa place called tempus that has lovely treatments.

[widgypog]

Have been to Sandyballs. It was very nice. Not much going on there and to be fair was off peak so full up in summer hols could be a different story but my expeerience was good.

[borntobealive]

There's some very nice sites in the New forest area - Sandhills is in a great poition right on the seafront at mudeford near Christchurch - is fairly small so not lots of entertainment, but great views and beach over the road - here's a link -
www.parkholidaysuk.com/holidays/parks/dorset/sandhills/index.php hope this helps

[miljee]

Camped in the Cornfield in August (a field only open for that month for diy campers) and I have to say we had a really good time. The site is very well maintained and with good facilities, and of course easy access to the forest. The pool is good and there's a very good kids playground. I wouldn't say it would be the cheapest place you'd find but we felt we had value for money out of it.

[rosalinda]

I once went to sandy balls out of season and they had a country and western disco and all the campers were americans in winnibagos. It was hilarious! The campsite is pretty cheesy all round but its got all the facilities and swimming pools.

[PoinsettiaBouquets]

No no no Sandy Balls is nice, you are thinking of Haven and Butlins for the Carry On vibe . The lodges are very nice.

[Peachy]

We're doing a week here after a week at a coastal site

The UK campsite reviews are good 9always worth checking sites on there)

We have Sn kids, so although not wheelchair users, general disability friendliness important to us (2 X ASD)