New Forest recommendation please

[Allegrogirl]

Thinking of the New Forest for a week in May/June. I know it's a way off but I do like to plan ahead.

Was thinking Sandy Balls but if I've understood correctly you have to pitch on a gravel area which I don't like the sound of.

So, what camp site would you recommend for a 4 year old and 1 year old preferably with indoor pool?

No pool but we stayed at Redshoot Camping park last year and would recommend it. Immaculate family run site with really clean shower block - was quietly excited by the underfloor heating! Right in heart of new forest so great for seeing the ponies but cattle grid stops them joining in with the camping fun too much!

Thanks for the recommendation dancing. Looks lovely. I'm sure the girls would love the ponies.

if you like to live dangerously then Hollands Wood is a great campsite for pony encounters, sometimes you dont even have to leave the tent - the ponies will walk right in

Aren't the gravel pitches at Sandy Balls for caravans? Otherwise - ouch!

I'm pretty sure you don't pitch on gravel at Sandy Balls - camping area is grassy (may be gravelly under the grass I suppose?). We stayed in a lodge last year but I did wander enviously round the camping area.

Look here - clearly pitching on grass.

We loved SB and are returning this year, having said that Red Shoot does look nice and IIRC is next to a pub which is always handy

MegBusset that link is for a part of the site that is only open end of July to end of August.

I thought DH was wrong when he said it looked like you had to camp on gravel but the unserviced pitches only appear to be open in school summer hols. Happy to be corrected.

With Sandy Balls the only way to book is to phone them but have a site map ready. The on-line booking is unhelpful and the opposite of intuitive. Every time you try to book e.g. an unserviced tent pitch it brings up a serviced caravan pitch or says unavailable but you don't understand why!

Ooh yes forgot to mention there is a pub with microbrewery next door to red shoot, just remembered

I will second dancingintherain's recommendation for Red Shoot. We stayed there for a week at the beginning of September and DH said it was the best camping experience he's ever had. No indoor pool but the pub at the front with microbrewery and homecooked meals to take away are a real plus. Also the lack of traffic through the site. We could let 2yo DS run around outside the tent and not worry about cars. And I loved that underfloor heating in the showers We will definitely be going back this year.

The only down side to the week was the fact that we were flanked by loud snorers on both sides. The tents aren't especially close, noise like that just travels, especially at that volume

Well I've contacted Sandy Balls and they have confirmed only the gravel pitches will be available except for the 1st week in June and the Summer hols. I was hoping to make the most of off peak rates before DD1 starts school in September. Never mind. The girls don't actually need a pool or any organised activites as they will be stupidly excited just going camping.

Might well try Redshoot. DH would like the microbrewery although I'm more a cider girl.

Another vote for Redshoot. DD (3yo) and I went there in September and it was really good. Was in the field right at the bottom on that really windy weekend and it was OK, quite sheltered.

Even if you don't eat in the pub you can pop in for a hot choc. Food is OK and v child friendly.

Show block was lovely and warm, and there is a playground by the office.

Stayed at Hollands Wood when we went in group as well. It's massive, a lot more noisy. Quite different from Redshoot. It's nice that you are in the trees (out pitch wasnt really grassy), ponies everywhere.

We stayed across the road from Hollands Wood at a place called Long Meadow - it's basically a very big meadow, with a shower block and loos, but it's immaculate, nice big pitches, the owners are so nice and helpful, and the gate (which stops the ponies from rampaging around) opens out directly onto the cycle paths - the local cycle hire place will deliver the bikes to the campsite and collect them again, we had a great time! Also you get deer wandering through the campsite late at night/early morning, which DD loved.

That sounds nice Lovecat - I like Hollands wood but it can be a bit of a scram for some space in high season.

We liked the location of Red Shoot, but it was very crowded, not much room between pitches...