Where to go camping in August - sorry it's going to be a long one.

[Debbiethemum]

This is a camping holiday that has to suit a number of different personalities & age groups and I need to find somewhere closer this year.
The last two years we have camped in the Gower and it has been lovely but the drive is too much especially by myself in one hit with two small children.
This year there will probably be me, ds(5), dd(2), dnephew(13), dniece(11), MIL, stepMIL, & MIL's sister. This is the core group and we are probably looking a v long weekend say Wednesday to Monday. Also we will prbably be visited for a night or two by dh, FIL, FIL & StepMIL's two older teenagers, DBIL & his wife.
So as we own all the camping stuff except for all the airbeds/sleeping bags. I will have to have all the kit in our car & a borrowed trailer, but I don't want to do it again with another 5-6 hr drive.
The campsite HAS to have v clean toilets, showers and an on-site shop. Also most of the following, swimming pool (suitable for the entire age range to spend the afternoon by), bar (so we can get a bit of space from each other), free or v cheap local attractions, this can be bike hire & local rides, nice walks (pushchair friendly), beach, pretty countryside.
People will be travelling from Hertford (just north of London), South Wales, Oxford & Brighton. Ideally not too far from anyone. Though not to worried about the distance from Wales as she has had it easy for the previous two years.
I have been thinking Dorset but looking for any suggestions.
Thanks for anyone who has managed to get through all the list of requirements.

What about the new forest? That is quite central for everyone, but I have never stayed anywhere there. I know a site called Sandyballs (yes really) has been mentioned and recommended here before

check out ukcampsite.co.uk in case you haven't already.

New Forest is fantastic but we like unspoilt wild sites so can't recommend somewhere with pool and bar etc but there are bound to be lots. Also Christchurch is nice, Lymington, that area. Highcliffe beach is fantastic.

I had noticed the sandyballs campsite mentioned previously on Mumsnet, but I am concerned about camping on the hard standing & we will probably take the huge tent (maybe medium sized on as well) and stick a gazebo between the two. Also only have the standard tent pegs which won't go into gravel & are v expensive for one short holiday.

Crunchie, thanks for the recommendation though sorry didn't sday that in last post

KBear I have been looking at UKCampsite but found it difficult to find what I wanted there though, I will check out highcliffe bay in particular though.
Also I know I was asking for a bar but I do not want 'evening entertainment' just be able to take turns and gat a bit of space in the evenings if necessary.

At Sandyballs they have grass pitches in an additional field in August.

It might be worth calling them though, there is another group called Shorelands' who own Oakdene and Forest something nearby.

Try here . Im not a big camping fan but went here last year with my mum and was quite impressed.

This place is the other side of the New Forest fron Sandyballs, nearish to Bournemouth. The pitches are a reasonable size, has an onsite shop, swimming pool (indoors and out) small play area, bar and resturant, also has kids clubs and has a forset ranger type who arranges walks. you can hire bikes there too

It is big and not 'unspoiled', but good facilities

Oakded Forset Park

We went there last whitsun and had a very good time

MB, that's who I meant with Shoreland/Shorefields whats the difference

We tried to get into Sandyballs and it was fully booked, so went to Oakdene instead and it was very good.

We were on the overflow field, which has a portacabin loo and shower block, but this was spotless when we were there. TBH we had a bit more room in te overflow area.

I would go back

Hi I have now got the children into bed etc so coming back to this thread. I have looked at the ones you recommended and I am sorry they are a bit too manicured & organised for me. So what about a campsite without a ba or swimming pool. However the loos/showers will have to be clean as MIL is very fussy about that

without a bar not ba

The problem is that the ones with nice facilities do seem to be far more organised. Look on UKCAMPSITE around new forest/hants, there seemed to be loads there

If you want grass pitches there is a campsite next to The Red Shoot Inn at Linwood, Hants. You walk out of the gate and you are right on the open New Forest. I used to live in Linwood so know it well.

The site has toilet and shower blocks and a shop on site. The pub is next door and I think even offers breakfast nowadays! You've got Bournemouth not too far down the road if you want beaches (roughly 20 miles off the top of my head).

The campsite is very popular and gets very busy during the summer.

If you want the telephone number it is: 01425 473789 - and no I'm not on commission!