Campsite with easy access to great off road cycle trail

[CMOTDibbler]

Last year we stayed near the camel trail, and it was fab, but needed a car trip to access the trail.

This year, we'd like to stay near enough to some sort of off road trail/ long distance cycle path to cycle from the campsite, and that is a decent distance - ds is happy cycling 16 miles atm, so a longish stretch that goes to places would be great.

We'd prefer a site with a play area, and ideally a pool. No entertainment or bars needed!

Any recommendations?

[Milliways]

Most of the sites in the New Forest would give access to great Forest cycle routes cycle map here

The sites we preferred in the Forest didn't have a pool - but there are paddling streams at Brockenhurst.

Sandy Balls has all the facilities but is VERY expensive in peak season - we only went at £15/night in April.

Or the Forest of Dean?

[CMOTDibbler]

Oh, the new forest is a great idea! Don't know why I didn't think of it.

Sandy Balls is a bit big/busy/commercial for us - plus of course the cost

Forest of Dean is lovely, but too close to home, and we do the cycle trail at least once a month and it takes less than an hour tbh

[crazymum53]

How about the Tarka Trail which is also in Devon see link www.devon.gov.uk/index/environmentplanning/public_rights_of_way/where_to_walk_and_ride/tarka_trail.htm.
I can recommend the trail and there must be campsites nearby. We stayed some distance away and had to use the car to transport the bikes unfortunately.

[CMOTDibbler]

Is it good on the Tarka Crazymum? Does it get mega busy like the Camel?

[crazymum53]

Looking at the map, we did the sections near Okehampton which were fairly quiet. This is part of the South Loop.
I would imagine nearer the coast would be busier.
We have also done an old railway track ride all the way down to Plymouth www.theaa.com/bike-rides/the-plym-valley-trail-418680 when we were staying at Tavistock. Trail starts at Yelverton.
It wasn't as busy as the Camel trail which we have done from Bodmin. We could cycle to the campsite to Bodmin but it did involve some road cycling. We stayed at this campsite here in Cornwall www.croftfarm.co.uk. From here it's possible to ride to the Eden Project and there's also the Clay trails cycle path which would be suitable for older children.

[CMOTDibbler]

Croft farm looks lovely, and thats a great ride to Plymouth, thank you!

[crazymum53]

The campsite we stayed at near Tavistock is this one www.harfordbridge.co.uk. Lovely children's play area etc. would recommend.