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Campsites in New Forest National Park

Once a royal hunting ground, the New Forest has ancient woodlands, wild ponies, and wildlife reserves.

96% (2962 reviews)

Popular camping styles for New Forest National Park

12 top campsites in New Forest National Park

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Ninham Country Holidays

16 units · Motorhomes, Tents12 acres · Isle Of Wight, Isle Of Wight
A stunning, family-friendly campsite on the stunning, family-friendly Isle of Wight
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£13.25
 / night
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Dorset Glamping

50 units · Tents55 acres · South West England, Dorset, Swanage
At Herston we are a family orientated site, safe for children and our friendly staff will help you with whatever you need. There is so much to discover and experience around picturesque Purbeck; gateway to the Jurassic Coast, England’s first World Heritage Site. Take a trip on the famous Swanage steam train to historical Corfe Castle as we are only a 5 minute walk to Herston Halt station. Enjoy walks along the spectacular coastline and National Trust countryside and why not try out some bird watching, fishing, water sports or even sandcastle building. Further afield are Monkey World, the Tank Museum, Weymouth, Poole Harbour and the bright lights of Bournemouth. You can abandon the car for the entire holiday if you wish since the park is just over a mile from the bustling Seaside town centre of Swanage where many interesting events are held including the Swanage Carnival, Blues Festival, Folk Festival and Jazz Festival. It is even less distance to the sandy blue flag family beaches. On-site, there are great facilities for you to enjoy during your stay. If you want to unwind with just a coffee or sit back and relax in front of the log burning fire and sip your tipple of choice, knowing that your evening meal is being prepared by our experienced chefs then our bar is the place for you. There is a large selection of lager and real ales for you to enjoy as well as known spirits and wines for the discerning palette. Please check our "What's On" page for up and coming events and entertainment at Herston. Don’t forget the kids as we have an extensive children’s menu and a large selection of non-alcoholic drinks available and immediately behind the bar is our children’s play park, including swings and slides, you can watch you kids playing in comfort from our conservatory. We also have a show bar on site where most of our entertainment takes place during peak season. There is also a takeaway bar situated for you in the camping fields open at peak times for breakfast and evening meals. Also serving a wide variety of hot food from fish and chips to a full English, cold drinks, slush puppies and ice creams. If you do forget to bring anything then there is an on-site shop that carries most of the essentials that you may need. We do not charge for dogs. However, we do require that they are kept on a lead at all times whilst on the park, and that as a responsible owner, you clean up any mess they may create.
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£80
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The Old Airfield

114 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents30 acres · South East England, Hampshire
A New Forest airfield that's been overtaken by nature, less than 10 minutes' drive from the coast
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£26
 / night
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Misty Meadows Camp

19 units · Glamping10 acres · Dorchester, England
Misty Meadows is a lovely rural pop up campsite open for August only. There is a small lake and a shallow meandering river which you can paddle in. We have flush toilets and home made rustic showers with hot water. There are 20 unfurnished bell tents to hire and also plenty of space to pitch your
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£70
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Camping in Nature at Vallis Veg

15 units · Tents18 acres · South West England, Somerset, Frome
Back-to-basics, natural camping with campfires encouraged and easy walks to the local attractions in Frome
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£20
 / night
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Field 725 Camping

20 units · Glamping, Tents5 acres · South West England, Somerset
Field 725 is situated at Redwood Rare Breeds in Wanstorw Somerset. Redwood Rare Breeds is a new rare breeds farm park in the making with 35 acres of fields and forest. Located on the edge of the Mendip Hills, Somerset between the popular hotspots of Frome and Bruton. Our campsite, Field 725, is perched on the top of a hill with outstanding views of the surrounding area, flanked on one side by untouched natural woodland adding to the wildness of the site and enhancing the opportunities for getting back to nature and in touch with your wild side.
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£28
 / night
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Coppet Hill

17 units · Glamping, Tents600 acres · Bridport, Dorset
Wildlife-friendly camping and glamping with private loos at each pitch, 15 minutes' drive from the coast
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£60
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Kingsmead Camping

37 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents10 acres · Devon, Devon
A range of pitches, from grassy open spaces to off-grid woodland clearings, topped off by two well-stocked fishing lakes
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£24
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Higher Moorlands Farm

15 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents30 acres · South West England, Devon
Farm camping in the Blackdown Hills, with campfires, big views and homegrown produce for sale
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£10
 / night
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(20)

Forest Edge

29 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents30 acres · South West England, Devon
A welcoming and wild-ish camping and glamping site on the edge of a forest in East Devon
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£13
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(30)

Dernwood Farm Wild Camping

17 units · Glamping, Tents70 acres · South East England, East Sussex
Camping and glamping in Sussex meadows and woodlands
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£14
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(129)

Beech Estate Campsite

53 units · Glamping, Tents20 acres · Battle, East Sussex
Tent pitch camping and wild glamping in a Sussex woodland hideaway
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£24
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Under £50

Star Hosts in New Forest National Park

Dog-friendly getaways

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Best camping, glamping, and outdoor stays in New Forest National Park guide

Miles of open forest, purple heathlands, and ancient woodlands blanket the New Forest National Park, affording plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures. Walk, cycle, or go horse riding along forested trails; visit attractions such as the National Motor Museum or Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary; and look out for the herds of native New Forest ponies roaming freely in the park. New Forest camping comes with options, whether glamping in a yurt, checking into a family-friendly holiday park, caravanning along the south coast, or waking up to a pony outside the tent. As always, we’ve sidestepped the holiday parks and larger caravan sites and carefully selected our favourite campsites to help you find your perfect pitch, whether that’s a cosy cabin among the trees or a grassy pitch in an open field. Beaulieu, Burley, and Lyndhurst are among the main villages within the park, while Milford on Sea has shingle beaches with views to the Isle of Wight.

Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation

  1. New Forest campsites and caravan sites can book up quickly, especially in July and August and during school holidays. Early bookings are essential if you want to visit these times—popular holiday parks and glamping sites can book up six months in advance.
  2. If you do arrive without a reservation, it’s a good idea to secure a campsite first thing in the morning, as available spots will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. 
  3. You will need to pay a deposit to secure your campsite reservation, and some sites ask for the full payment upfront. 
  4. Be sure to check seasonal opening and closing dates, which vary by campsite. Many campsites open from March or April to September or October, while others stay open year-round.

Family Camping in the New Forest

Whether you're glamping or camping in the New Forest, your kids will probably thank you. Okay, so they may not actually say thank you (without a prompt), but they are almost guaranteed a good time. Being outside all day long, cooking on the barbecue, and toasting marshmallows on the campfire are all new adventures for children. Add to that the freedom to go exploring and the opportunity of making campsite friends—and you are likely to have some happy children. The novelty of sleeping in a tent means even bed times can be fun and, after all that fresh air, it may not be long before they fall into a contented sleep, leaving the adults to enjoy the campfire for just a little longer.

So how to choose where is best for family camping in the New Forest? If you have young children or babies, you’ll probably be used to checking out whether a campsite has changing facilities but you might also like to choose a pitch that’s a little closer to the toilets in case of night-time wake-up calls. And if you’re glamping, try to find out what provisions are made for little ones—you may be able to leave that travel cot and high chair at home. Bigger sites can offer play equipment and activities for children, but don’t discount the sites without these, as you might find that watching the New Forest ponies and playing field games are enough to keep the kids entertained anyway.

When to Go

Bluebells in spring, cool shade in summer, crunchy leaves in autumn, and a wonderland in winter, the New Forest manages to be a genuine year-round destination with abundant natural beauty whenever you choose to visit. Summer is peak season, and the park’s beaches and walking trails can get crowded in July and August. Arrive early at popular attractions to avoid the queues and book activities in advance to avoid disappointment. The forest landscapes change throughout the seasons, and many campers choose to return at different times of the year. Come in spring to admire the bluebells and other wildflowers, in autumn when the woodlands are ablaze with fall foliage, or wrap up warm for frosty winter walks.

Know Before You Go

  • New Forest National Park is in Hampshire, along England’s south coast, about a 15-minute drive from Southampton or Bournemouth, or a roughly 2-hour drive from London.
  • Trains from London Waterloo take 90 minutes, and there are eight train stations in the park: Ashurst, Beaulieu Road, Brockenhurst, Hinton Admiral, Lymington, New Milton, Sway, and Totton. 
  • There are more than 150 car parks in the New Forest, many of which are free. Parking is not permitted anywhere other than in the car parks. Regular buses connect all the villages and attractions in the park, and there’s a hop-on-hop-off New Forest Tour Bus in July and August.
  • Wild camping and overnight parking are not permitted anywhere within the park. Fires and BBQs are also off-limits, except on private camping lands and caravan parks.
  • Many small towns and villages dot the park, so you’re never far from a shop, pub, or information point. 
  • The New Forest has many accessible trails and attractions. All park buses and trains are accessible, and there are accessible restrooms in more than 20 car parks. 
  • The New Forest has free-roaming ponies, donkeys, and cattle. These animals have the right of way on forest roads, and there is a strict speed limit of 40 mph throughout. It is a fineable offence to feed any animals in the park.

Top 10 Things to Do in the New Forest

1. Visit Lyndhurst

The largest village in the national park, Lyndhurst and its New Forest Visitor Centre are great places to start your camping trip. This is the place to head for a map and local tips, while the independent shops of the high street are also good for stocking up for picnics and barbecues.

2. Walk in the woods

Heading out on foot is the best way to explore the heather moorland and ancient woodland of the New Forest. There are lots of well-signposted routes, but if you fancy getting further out, seek out Ordnance Survey map OL22. On foot, you’ll have more chances to spot deer, birds, and other wildlife.

3. Spot a deer

If you haven’t had much luck spotting deer in the forest, try the deer-viewing platform near Bolderwood Ornamental Drive. During the summer months, the deer are fed between 12 and 2:30pm, and so, although they are wild, they are less skittish. There’s a car park and the start of some nice walks here too.

4. Check out some impressive trees

You don’t have to be a tree-hugger to be impressed by some of the specimens in the New Forest. Check out the oldest tree—the Knightwood Oak, thought to have passed its 400-year birthday, then gaze up at the tallest trees, including 50-metre redwoods and sequoias, which have their roots in the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive.

5. Spend the day at Beaulieu

The huge Beaulieu country estate in the New Forest has so much going on you could spend a week here! Plenty of its attractions are under cover too, so it is a great day out whatever the weather. Not only can you discover the historic house and gardens, but there’s an old abbey and the National Motor Museum=.

6. Take the kids to see Peppa

Peppa Pig World is a great day out for families with younger kids, giving them the chance to meet TV favourites Peppa and George face-to-face. It’s actually part of the larger Paultons Park, where more than 70 rides and attractions are suitable for all ages.

7. Call in at Buckler's Hard

This ship-building village on the banks of the River Beaulieu is a picturesque spot that has changed little since its days using oak from the forest for Nelson’s ships. Call in to see the waterfront, visit a shipwright’s cottage, and discover Buckler’s Hard village history at the Maritime Museum.

8. Go to the beach

This national park includes a lesser-known 40-mile stretch of coast. Perhaps head for Lepe Country Park to enjoy a combination of great countryside and sea views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight—not to mention nature trails, an adventure play area, and a café.

9. Climb a tree

Where better to climb a tree or build a den than in the New Forest? If you haven’t managed it by the time you’re reading this, it’s time to make up for it during your camping holiday in the New Forest. Or at least let your kids have a go!

10. Go for a bike ride

The gently undulating terrain and quiet roads of the New Forest are perfect for bike riding. It’s a great way to get around, and there are off-road cycle tracks through the woods too, perfect for family-friendly cycling. If you can’t bring a bike, stop by a bike hire spot in a main town like Brockenhurst, Lyndhurst, Fordingbridge, or Burley.

New Forest History

To learn about the New Forest during your camping holiday, campers can visit the New Forest Centre in Lymington. But a little background always helps (and gives you the chance to be knowledgeable en route to your campsite).

Although there is evidence of Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Roman settlements before William the Conqueror declared the area his “nova foresta” (new hunting forest) in 1079, this is what gave the area its name and shaped the landscape. A system of “commoners’ rights” was set up and remains now, almost 1,000 years later, allowing some locals the right to graze their livestock on the land.

By the 18th century, the forest was used more for its timber than as a hunting ground, and wood from the New Forest was used to build ships. The Second World War also helped shape the landscape, with memorials commemorating several RAF airfields including at Stoney Cross. Since then, tourism has become the main business, which is carefully balanced with protecting this historic landscape. The New Forest was recognised as a National Nature Reserve in 1969 and was only given national park status in 2005.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you cannot camp anywhere in the New Forest. Camping is only allowed at designated campgrounds within the New Forest National Park. There are several campgrounds to choose from, offering a range of facilities and amenities. Some popular options include Hollands Wood, Ashurst, and Roundhill. It is important to follow the rules and regulations set by the New Forest National Park Authority to protect the unique environment and wildlife of the area.

Yes, the New Forest in the United Kingdom is an excellent destination for camping. The New Forest is a large, picturesque area in southern England, known for its diverse landscapes, including ancient woodlands, heathlands, and coastline. It offers a variety of camping options, from traditional tent camping to caravan parks and glamping sites.

There are several well-maintained campgrounds within the New Forest, such as Camping in the Forest sites, which are managed by the Forestry Commission and offer a range of facilities and activities for campers. Additionally, there are many private campsites and holiday parks in the area that cater to families, couples, and solo travelers alike.

While camping in the New Forest, you can enjoy numerous outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, horseback riding, and wildlife spotting. The area is home to the famous New Forest ponies, as well as deer, birds, and other wildlife. With its beautiful scenery and diverse range of camping options, the New Forest is a fantastic destination for a camping holiday.

Yes, you can camp overnight in the New Forest, but only at designated campsites. The New Forest National Park in the United Kingdom offers a variety of camping options, including tent camping, caravan sites, and glamping. There are several campsites managed by the Camping in the Forest organization, which is a partnership between the Forestry Commission and The Camping and Caravanning Club. These campsites include Hollands Wood, Ocknell, and Ashurst, among others. It's important to note that wild camping (camping outside of designated areas) is not permitted in the New Forest, and you should always camp at an authorized site to help protect the environment and wildlife.

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