Camping in The New Forest All Year Round

The New Forest has remained largely unchanged for centuries, with ancient woodland and a unique natural environment preserved under Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Special Area of Conservation and Ramsar protections. Of course, society and technology have moved on a little, but the forest, landscape and heritage have been preserved.

The New Forest is a place that is well worth a holiday; even better, you can holiday here all year round. Every season brings something new to see and explore. So, you can choose a holiday that suits you.

A brief history of the New Forest

The history of the New Forest starts with the great William the Conqueror, who named the forest his new hunting forest, or 'Nova Foresta'. William was responsible for the complex system of managing and maintaining the forest.

Since then, the forest has seen a succession of rulers and influencers, with it being an integral part of Tudor and Elizabethan eras. The New Forest even played its role during both World Wars.

This ancient community's history is captivating and worth digging a little deeper into when you visit.

Things to do while camping in The New Forest

It won't come as a surprise that walking is one of the top activities while in the New Forest! The extensive woodland and surrounding area have plenty of walking trails to explore, and you will always find something new to see along the way.

Want something different? Hire a bike and cycle one of the many cycling trails or even take an organised horse ride. There are a host of other outdoor activities you can choose from, including water sports, boat tours and wildlife parks you can visit.

A couple of must-see tourist destinations are Hurst Castle and Furzey Gardens.

Hurst Castle is a fortress built by Henry VIII. Its original intention might have been a strategic fortress to ensure a robust defence, but now it offers you the best views of the area and a fascinating look back at Tudor life.

Furzey Gardens is a tranquil and attractive woodland garden with a quaint tea room. The gardens are a riot of colour throughout spring, summer and autumn, although the most intriguing part of the walk will be trying to find all the fairy doors hidden within the gardens.

For more inspiration on things to do in The New Forest, please take a look at their website, which has lots of information on visiting and things to do in the area, as well as more information on the intriguing history of The New Forest.

The New Forest has many fantastic campsites. Take a look and see which one is perfect for your next holiday.

Setthorns Camping in the Forest
England, South, Hampshire, New Milton

Setthorns Camping in the Forest is a secluded, back to basics, site surrounded by woodland. Throughout you will come across paths branching off in various directions which you can follow to explore the area, either on foot or by bicycle. With direct access from the campsite, the nearby disused railway line is a great place to start. Guests of Setthorn may be lucky enough to experience a visit from the local New Forest ponies and deer wandering through. Nearby are the seaside resorts of Barton on Sea and Bournemouth. The site has 235 grass or hardstanding pitches (some seasonal), a few have electric hook-up. There are no shower or toilet facilities on this site.

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Matley Wood Camping in the Forest
England, South, Hampshire, Lyndhurst

Matley Wood Camping in the Forest site is a seamless mix of forest and smaller open spaces. This secluded site offers a compellingly beautiful woodland experience where you can sit back and relax. Finding the perfect spot could not be easier, with each part of the site offering its own unique bit of character, whether it is surrounded by ferns, carved into the treeline or out in the open, taking in far-reaching views of the forest's glorious trees. The site has 70 grass pitches. This is a limited facility site with no toilets or showers, so your own chemical toilet is essential.

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Holmsley Campsite
England, South, Hampshire, Christchurch

Holmsley Camping occupies part of what was once Holmsley Airfield in WWII, one of twelve New Forest wartime airfields and Advanced Landing Grounds. Now, the site offers visitors a unique forest base for their holiday and outdoor activities. Stay at Holmsley and you will have the opportunity to set off straight into the forest on foot or by bike. The rural villages of Burley and Bransgore are close by and not much further are Christchurch, New Milton and Bournemouth. Of course, being close to Bournemouth also means the site is close to the coast, and so pristine beaches and blustery coastline walks await at Rally Barton on Sea, Bournemouth, Poole and everywhere in between. The site has 600 grass or hardstanding pitches (some seasonal) most with electric hook-up point.

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