Camping in the New Forest | The Complete Guide [2024]

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Camping in the New Forest is one of the best ways to spend time in this area. This part of Hampshire is blessed with some of the warmest weather in the UK. That means the camping season can be longer than in other parts of the country.

Whether you’re looking for Brockenhurst camping in the centre of the area, New Forest caravan parks to stay at, or a list of the best campsites in the New Forest, this guide will tell you all you need to know. As a local who’s camped in the forest a number of times, I’m sharing with you what the options are. As well as all the best places to stay.

So what are the options when you want to camp in the New Forest? Can you go wild camping in the New Forest? Do you want to find New Forest campsites with electric hook up so you can power up all the teens’ tech, or would you rather look for campsites near Lymington for just the two of you?

Whatever you’re looking for, you can find it here. Sleep under canvas in a back-to-nature kind of campsite, opt for a more solid sort of roof over your head by booking into New Forest caravan sites or finding a shepherd’s hut or cabin, or choose a bell tent where it’s all set up for you.

Maybe a friend has recommended, for example, Holmsley campsite in the New Forest, and you want to know more. Or perhaps you’re wondering whether or not you can find New Forest camping with a pool for the kids in summer.

Whichever it is, keep reading. From glamping in the New Forest or the top New Forest camping sites in convenient locations to family and dog friendly campsites in the New Forest, this is the complete guide to camping in the New Forest!

Wild camping and overnight parking is prohibited by Forestry England

Wild Camping in the New Forest

Let’s begin with wild camping. Can you camp anywhere in the New Forest? The best source for information here is Forestry England. So what do they say?

New Forest wild camping isn’t an option, in short. In the National Park, wild camping isn’t allowed anywhere. You cannot camp anywhere without the express permission of the land manager – whether that’s a government authority or private farmland.

The New Forest provides a habitat for various forms of wildlife. This is one of the main reasons why wild camping is not allowed. One of the main risks is littering and fire risks caused by smoking, BBQs or campfires, which can have a detrimental effect on where local fauna live.

Much of the New Forest is classed as Crown Lands. And the only way to stay in these areas is to book into one of the ten campsites operated by Camping New Forest. While there is no free camping in the New Forest, many of these sites are unspoiled, and rates for staying there are also very affordable.

Top 5 Camping New Forest Sites

Camping New Forest operates ten campsites across the National Park. Between them, these offer good value for money in a range of locations.

There are sites close to Lyndhurst, Fritham, Brockenhurst Christchurch and New Milton. Here’s all you need to know about each of these. Covered first are the top five in terms of facilities and popularity, then you can see a brief guide to the other five options.

Holmsley

Best for families

Address: Forest Road, Burley, BH23 7EQ
Tel: 01590 631641
email: info@campinginthenewforest.com
Website: campinginthenewforest.com/campsites/holmsley/
Map
Dates: 1st April to 31st October
Types: Tent, trailer tent, caravan, motorhome, XL & hook-up pitches
Facilities: Toilets, showers, drinking water, dish washing area, laundry, playground
Pitches: 600
Pet friendly: Yes
Local’s tip: During WWII, part of this site was Holmsley Airfield.

Holmsley campsite in the New Forest is the nearest to where I live (also in BH23). Though the address is Burley, in reality this one lies between Bransgore, northeast of Christchurch, and Burley, which is a little further north. The two villages aren’t far apart at all, however: I often cycle past this Bransgore campsite before carrying on up and over the hill to Burley.

This is among the most popular places to pitch up in the New Forest and is open from April to October. It’s pet friendly and also has a kids’ play area. A variety of pitches are available for tents, caravans, motorhomes and more, and some have electric hook-up.

Ashurst

Best for local pubs

Address: Lyndhurst Road, Ashurst, SO40 7AR
Tel: 01590 631641
email: info@campinginthenewforest.com
Website: campinginthenewforest.com/campsites/ashurst/
Map
Dates: 1st April to 30th September
Types: Tent, trailer tent, caravan, motorhome & XL pitches
Facilities: Toilets, showers, drinking water, dish washing area, laundry
Pitches: 280
Pet friendly: No (because of ground nesting birds)
Local’s tip: There’s several good pubs nearby

Ashurst campsite in the New Forest is a little smaller and more basic than Holmsley, but it’s in a great location at the edge of this New Forest village. It’s ideal for access to Lyndhurst, Southampton and beyond, and local amenities.

Pubs, a bus stop and a train station are close by. You can also access local trails leading directly from the site. For drivers, this one’s (pitch) perfect.

Hollands Wood

Best for a train station

Address: Lyndhurst Road, Brockenhurst, SO42 7QH
Tel: 01590 631641
email: info@campinginthenewforest.com
Website: campinginthenewforest.com/campsites/hollands-wood/
Map
Dates: 1st April to 30th September
Types: Tent, trailer tent, motorhome & XL pitches
Facilities: Toilets, showers, drinking water, dish washing area, laundry
Pitches: 600
Pet friendly: Yes
Local’s tip: Brockenhurst is ideal for arriving by train

For one Saturday night a few years back, Hollands Wood campsite in the New Forest was home to our old VW camper van! It’s just north of central Brockenhurst, where you can catch trains to and from London and lots of other locations. So it’s a great spot to stay in.

Electric hook-up isn’t available at Hollands Wood in the New Forest, and all pitches are grassy. Dogs are welcome here.

Roundhill

Best for back-to-basics camping

Address: Beaulieu Road, Brockenhurst, SO42 7QL
Tel: 01590 631641
email: info@campinginthenewforest.com
Website: campinginthenewforest.com/campsites/roundhill/
Map
Dates: 1st April to 30th September
Types: Tent, trailer tent, caravan, motorhome & XL pitches
Facilities: Chemical disposal point & drinking water
Pitches: 500
Pet friendly: Yes
Local’s tip: You need to bring your own chemical toilet

For back-to-basics or campsites near Beaulieu, this is the one. Roundhill campsite in the New Forest offers 500 pitches, but each will need their own chemical toilet. Disposal facilities and drinking water are supplied.

You can expect to see New Forest ponies wandering around at this unspoiled site. It’s good for those who want to visit the National Motor Museum too.

Setthorns

Best for year-round camping

Address: Wilverley Road, Brockenhurst, BH25 5WA
Tel: 01590 631641
email: info@campinginthenewforest.com
Website: campinginthenewforest.com/campsites/setthorns/
Map
Dates: All year round
Types: Tent, trailer tent, motorhome & hook-up pitches
Facilities: Chemical disposal point & drinking water
Pitches: 235
Pet friendly: Yes
Local’s tip: Lots of picnic spots and paths can be found nearby

Setthorns campsite in the New Forest is very popular with wildlife lovers, walkers and cyclists. If you want to find New Forest campsites that are open all year, this could be for you. Unlike others it’s open between October and March, in addition to peak season.

As at Roundhill, you’ll need your own chemical toilet when staying here. Hardstanding pitches with electric hook-up are available at Setthorns. Some of our favourite New Forest picnic spots can be found close to the site and there’s also lots of paths leading in all directions.

5 More Camping New Forest Sites

Aldridge Hill: Brockenhurst area ~ 170 pitches ~ Limited facilities ~ Pet friendly
Denny Wood: Lyndhurst area ~ 170 pitches ~ Limited facilities ~ No pets
Longbeech: Fritham area ~ 200 pitches ~ Limited facilities ~ Pet friendly
Matley Wood: Lyndhurst area ~ 70 pitches ~ Limited facilities ~ Pet friendly
Ocknell: Fritham area ~ 280 pitches ~ Toilets ~ Pet friendly

5 Other New Forest Camping Sites

The 10 sites featured above – that are operated by Camping New Forest – aren’t the only option. In fact there’s a wide range of campsites in and near the New Forest that are privately owned. Here are the details of five of the best of these, then five more you can choose from.

Lytton Lawn

Best for swimming pools

Address: Lymore Lane, Milford-on-Sea SO41 0TX
Tel: 01590 643339
Map
Types: Grass, hardstanding & premier pitches
Facilities: Toilets, showers, laundry, playground, games room, shop, pizza nights & street food van (selected days)
Pet friendly: Yes (with pet walking area)
Local’s tip: On the outskirts of a charming coastal village

Book into Lytton Lawn and you can choose between a range of pitches. Some have a water tap and electric hook-up. The main bonuses of staying here are the coastal location and the amenities offered.

On site you’ll find a shop, which stocks freshly made baked goods as well as all the essentials. There’s also a kids’ park and games room. A local street food van visits on certain days, and the site also offers regular pizza nights.

Perhaps best of all is the fact that guests are issued with a pass to access all the facilities at nearby Shorefield Country Park. These include bars, restaurants, entertainment, a gym and swimming pools. This is just over two miles away, so you can drive or cycle there in minutes.

Sandy Balls

Best for all the amenities

Address: Fordingbridge, SP6 2JZ
Tel: 01590 643339
Booking
Map
Types: No tent pitches: caravans & lodges, some with hot tubs
Facilities: All the amenities of a leading holiday park including a gym, swimming pools, a spa, restaurants and bars
Pet friendly: Yes (in selected units)
Local’s tip: An outstanding holiday park with hot tub lodges

Sandy Balls Holiday Village near Fordingbridge has everything you could possibly wish for – and more. Unlike Lytton Lawn Touring Park where you have to travel a couple of miles to access facilities like a swimming pool, when you stay here it’s all right here on site. If you want a hot tub lodge, you’ll find plenty of those here too.

Sandy Balls New Forest camping is no longer an option, however. This stopped several years ago, so now you can only book a static caravan or luxury lodge. If you’re flexible about staying under canvas or a more solid roof, this is one of the finest places to stay in the forest.

The amenities offered to guests staying here are second-to-none. There’s several pools, a gym, a sauna, a guest lounge with Sky Sports, a restaurant and bar and even a spa and wellness centre. Also on the site is a picnic area with BBQ facilities.

Click here to book Sandy Balls

Long Meadow

Best for bell tents

Address: New Park, Brockenhurst, Hampshire SO42 7QH
Tel: 01590 622489
email: info@longmeadowcampsite.com
Website: longmeadowcampsite.com
Map
Dates: 1st March to 31st October
Types: Grass, hardstanding & hook-up pitches, bell tents
Facilities: Toilets, showers, hairdryers, WiFi, drinking water, washing up area, food van (selected days)
Pet friendly: Yes (max 2 per pitch)
Local’s tip: There are lovely views over the fields from here

Long Meadow campsite in Brockenhurst is around a 20-minute walk from the centre. So you get the best of both worlds – peace and quiet, yet access to village centre amenities and of course the train station.

All the amenities you need are on site, and you don’t even need to bring a hairdryer. If you like, you can book a bell tent here too for the full glamping experience. These come with a double bed plus up to 3 camp beds for kids, bedlinen, bean bags, a kettle, cutlery, a BBQ with coal provided, a phone charging point, board games and access to a picnic area.

Pylewell Park

Best for sea views

Address: Pylewell Park Estate, East End, Lymington SO41 5SH
Tel: 0345 2572267
email: contact@emberscamping.co.uk
Website: emberscamping.co.uk/campsites/pylewell-park-the-new-forest/
Map
Types: Camping pitches & bell tents
Facilities: Toilets, showers, drinking water, fire pits, Embers snack bar
Pet friendly: No
Local’s tip: Within walking distance of beaches & a country house

This Embers campsite in the New Forest is rather special. It’s part of the Pylewell estate, with a grand country house that doubles up as a wedding venue in the grounds. There are stunning sea views too – and it’s close to lovely Lymington.

Everyone staying at this campsite is supplied with their own personal fire pit. So you can imagine the magical evening atmosphere- especially given the coastal and country estate location. You can book a pitch or a bell tent at this glorious New Forest campsite.

New Forest Centenary Club

Best for caravan club members

Address: Forest Road, Bransgore, Christchurch BH23 8EB
Tel: 01425 673638
Website: caravanclub.co.uk/club-sites/england/southern-england/hampshire/new-forest-centenary-club-campsite/
Map
Types: Grass, hardstanding & hook-up pitches
Facilities: Toilets, showers, drinking water, dish washing area, laundry, WiFi, playground, dog walking area
Pitches: 275
Pet friendly: Yes
Local’s tip: Lots of birdlife on site including colourful bullfinches

Centenary Caravan site in the New Forest is good for those bringing a tent, motorhome or touring caravan. It’s also great for those with an interest in military history, as you can still see part of the WWII airfield’s runway here. This is the Caravan and Motorhome Club New Forest site too.

This site is also ideal for families, as it has a play field and play equipment. Twitchers will also loved looking out for the colourful male bullfinches with their salmon pink breast, or listening to the song thrushes.

If you want to visit towns and beaches as well as the forest, then Christchurch, Bournemouth and Poole are all easy to reach from here.

5 More New Forest Camping Sites

Jubilee Camping: Fordingbridge area ~ Good facilities ~ Pet friendly
Harry’s Field: Fordingbridge area ~ Great facilities ~ Pet friendly
The Old Airfield: Burley area ~ Great facilities ~ Pet friendly
Red Shoot: Ringwood area ~ Great facilities ~ Pet friendly
Green Hill Farm: Fritham area ~ Safari tents & lodges only ~ Holiday park ~ Pet friendly

Camping in the New Forest FAQs

Can you camp anywhere in the New Forest?

Wild camping is not permitted in the New Forest. You can only camp on private land with the owner’s permission. There are campsites all over the New Forest, though. These offer everything from a back-to-basics experience to a holiday park with all the amenities you could wish for.

Is the New Forest good for camping?

The New Forest is great for camping! You can take everything from romantic glamping getaways to family and pet friendly camping holidays in the New Forest. The natural landscapes, native wildlife, lovely villages and towns and mild weather can make camping here extra special.

Can you pitch a tent in the New Forest?

You can pitch a tent at any of the New Forest campsites that provide tent pitches. There are many of these all over the National Park. Wild camping is not permitted, however, partly because of the threat to local wildlife.

Can you camp overnight in the New Forest?

There are many places to stay overnight in the New Forest. The options include 10 campsites run by Camping New Forest. Other privately owned and operated campsites can also be found within the area. You can stay at these in anything from your own tent, motorhome or touring caravan to a bell tent or a luxury lodge.

Can you park overnight in New Forest car parks?

Overnight parking in the New Forest’s car parks is not permitted. So you cannot camp here in a car or motorhome. Instead you’ll need to book into a proper campsite for the night – or find other accommodation such as a hotel.

Can I book camping in the New Forest with electric hook-up?

A number of Camping New Forest and privately run sites offer pitches with electric hook-up. Some also have a water tap. You’ll often pay a little more for these pitches, and not every campsite has them.

Is New Forest camping available all year round?

Some sites offer camping all year round. The Setthorns site run by Camping New Forest is the best example. This is located in the Wilverley Road area, between Brockenhurst and Burley and close to the A35.

Where will you camp in the New Forest?

There are plenty of campsites in the New Forest to choose from. The best one for you depends on what you want from your visit – whether that’s a back-to-basics experience, luxury glamping in the New Forest or something in-between.

Which to choose may also depend on what New Forest attractions you want to visit. From Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary to Peppa Pig World, there’s plenty for everyone.

Whatever it is, you’re guaranteed to love this beautiful part of the British Isles!

For more options, check out 15 top New Forest glamping options, 10+ top lodges in the New Forest with hot tubs, or all the camping gear you need for a great stay.