Small Trees Campsite

Pick your own pitch in Small Trees, a laid-back site in prime position for exploring some of southern England’s best scenery, including the sprawling New Forest National Park. This pop-up campsite is named after its diminutive orchard, with trees lining this well-maintained five acres – neighboured by grazing sheep – and producing sloes and blackberries ripe for picking in late summer. An affordable and relaxing trip for families, there are only 20 pitches here to ensure peace and quiet, reserved for tents and small campervans only.

The lack of designated pitches lets you decide on your own spot for setting up your tent, made easy thanks to the flat ground. Amenities are simple but useful – male and female toilets, along with a water supply to fill up your bottles before you go on a walk. And there are some mighty walks awaiting, as a footpath into a woodland trail is accessible right next to the site (the path can take you right into Romsey if you’re up for a lengthier stroll). Bring the dog with you for some great walks, including the nearby Canada Common, a nice and easy looped route with donkeys and horses to meet along the way. There’s a popular dog-friendly pub en route, too, if you want to stop off for something to drink.

Back at camp, leave the kids to play with the rope swing or to hide away in the secretive stick dens. Then your evenings can be spent around a hired firepit, with wood-fired pizzas available on select nights along with s’mores kits to cook under the starry night sky – there’s very little light pollution here, with Small Trees doing its part by featuring no artificial lights. Bring those torches for when it gets dark!