Please recommend me a New Forest Campsite

[Nateismine]

Last minute plan to go for this weekend. I have looked online and there seems to be a lot of choice. We prefer basic sites but need showers! Kids are 4 and 7 so like to explore.

Ability to have fires a bonus ( but are they forbidden in the New Forest). Any other advise on this area greatly appreciated - especially what to do with kids if weather is rubbish?

The Ringwood YHA one looks nice, but only allows portable BBQs, no fires.

Moors Valley park is fun even in light rain, or the raptor centre. Sea Life Centre in Bournemouth if really pissing it down.

Watching with interest, as we're thinking of camping there next week

Hollands wood is nice, just tents and no pitches, just keep minimum distance between. Basic but quite large, not sure about fires. Horses and other wildlife wandering through.

not a camper but fairly local - sandy balls is the one that everyone here talks about!

What about the camping unplugged site White Meadow it's on the edge if the New Forest near the Solent. You can walk through woods about 1 mile to the beach. Quite basic, allows campfires, woodland for kids to explore, lots of space, reasonable showers. Lovely site if you like the wilder side of camping rather than clipped grass and designated pitches.

We're off to Green Hill Farm - lovely site (very few EHU) right on the edge of the Forest, walk through a gate and you're in with the ponies! Good facilities on-site too.

2 words

Longthorns farm will meet all your camping criteria.

Not in the new forest but not that far away .

Fire pits , nice showers , onsite animals , loads to do. Chilled atmosphere and the sound of monkeys whooping to wake up to.

www.longthornsfarm.co.uk/tablet/index.html

Long Meadow is my New Forest campsite of choice. Near Brokenhurst. It might not allow campfires though.

But based on what you say, although not New Forest, the Fairthorne Manor campsite in Southampton allows campfires and would be perfect for your DC to explore. It's a lovely site and has showers.

Thanks, they all sound great.

We've just spent 3 nights at Roundhill, third time there and really like it but was a bit shocked at the cost--came to 76 ish. But no set pitches, low key site, lots of recreational space, walk/bike to Brokenhurst which is great and has a river beach, shops etc. Also a good spot to get to places like
Drove past Setthorns (another camping in the forest site) and thought it looked lovely.
Also like longthorns, although you don't get the brilliant new forest experience.

pressed post too soon. That should have said - get to places like Mudeford beach, which kids love as you have to use a little ferry or train to get to the beach and it's v clean/sandy.

Ocknell if you're looking for a peaceful, back-to-basics experience; Sandy Balls if you want plenty of bells and whistles.

Sandy balls insider here
When are you looking to go??

Should have read the OP more thoroughly! Weekends are always good, busy but not crazy and lots of other tourers and campers to pal up with