Camping Near Bournemouth/Poole/New Forest

[JuniorH]

Hi everyone!

I've looked at a few campsites on the internet but thought I'd pick your brains!

We're looking to camp down south Maybe around Poole, Bournemouth or New Forest way.

We like to have days out during the day, was thinking a beach day, a day at Portsmouth etc

Just wondering if anyone has any recs? Either for sites or things to do.

Thanks!

Moors Valley Country park near Ringwood - really nice for walkies in the woods plus there is a big play area, a mini steam train ride and some activity that involves climbing around the trees with a harness on . I recommend the treetop walk and the play trail. You can hire bikes too if you prefer.

There is absolutely loads to do, what ages are your children ? Moors Valley is defintely worth going to. Lots of beaches, a case of take your pick, eg Sandbanks, Alum Chine, Studland.

There's things like Alice in wonderland theme park, brownsea island, honeybrook farm, New Forest, monkey world, tank museum, corfe castle, swanage railway, the list can go on and on really.

For campsites it depends on what you are looking for, a fair few are round the £30 plus a night, but there are cheaper ones available, I went through the campsite search on ukcsmpsite and found some but have forgotten which ones they are.

I am going to give Wilksworth farm a go as a friend was visiting there recently and said it was lovely, but there is a thread on here from someone who is not impressed as they wouldn't refund her for cancelled nights . There are some lovely ones in the new forest apparently and a fair few good ones over towards purbeck.

we stayed here recently and can recommend it. It has a little shop for essentials but apart from that, no bar or cafe or pool - just a small kid's play area and great (clean!) facilities. Very close to Poole - there is loads todo in the area (everything chocolate teapot mentioned) Brownsea Island is great for the day - take a picnic though as there is only one cafe with not much to choose from. We also enjoyed hiring bikes from here in the Newforest.

(we hired bikes in Burley btw and not boscombe)

Sandy Balls in the new forest. Absolutely loads to do for kids. Swimming pools, club house etc. You will need to check if they still take tents because its a few years since we went.

GG - they really should get round to changing their name

Shamba is another campsite very close to the Newforest and Ringwood.

Thanks everyone! We've actually decided to go to Kent for this camping trip now as we've decided on a couple of thigs we want to do down there. I think our next will be to Bournemouth/New Forest so I really appreciate your recs. Will keep them handy for next time

We're off to Beacon Hill Touring Park in Poole in just over a week and looking forward to it as not been camping before (well, since I've been of an age to remember it anyway). I'll try and remember to let you know what it's like so you can keep in mind for next time

looney I was looking at Beacon Hill so would love to know how you get on! It almost booked it

Enjoy your hols!

CHeers, will try and remember to post afterwards but with a 7 week old baby and lack of sleep etc, my memory isn't as good as it used to be