Forestry England has just announced that
they have acquired control of 13 Camping in the Forest campsites. They hope that in addition to supporting their sustainable management of the
nation’s forests, it will encourage an enhanced customer offering at these
sites. This might include experience-based activities linked to nature,
wildlife and recreation, and a wider choice of camping
accommodation types becoming available.
Forestry England’s campsites have over 4,000 pitches. They include Sherwood Pines (Nottinghamshire), Bracelands (Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire), Postern Hill (Savernake Forest, Wiltshire) and several sites across the New Forest (Hampshire).
These popular woodland campsites provide guests with a forest experience and direct access to miles of walking and cycling trails and other outdoor activities. Each site is unique, and they range from basic, without any facilities, to those with full amenity blocks and some with cosy glamping pods and pre-pitched tents.
With staycations on the rise in recent years and to enable more people to get closer to nature, Forestry England decided to buy out the Camping and Caravanning Club, which were previous joint owners of the venture.
Forestry England Chief Executive, Mike Seddon, said: “We are very excited about the new and exciting opportunities we could offer campers in the nation’s forests. Camping brings people closer to nature and heightens their appreciation for the environment and the wildlife these precious habitats support. We have a unique ability to provide overnight stays in beautiful forest locations across the country, helping make memories that enhance health and wellbeing.”
Forestry
England is currently seeking experienced operators to run these sites but there should not be
any disruption to the service and experience for customers
during this transition period.
Camping in the Forest is also available at a number of locations in Wales and Scotland.
An attractive site, Ashurst is on the fringe of the New Forest, set in a mixture of oak woodland and grass heathland which is open to the grazing animals of the forest. It provides 280 pitches, some of which have been gravelled to provide semi-hardstanding; otherwise you pitch where you like, applying the three-metre rule on ground that can be uneven. Set on the edge of a small area of woodland known as Ashurst Wood, the site is a short walk from Matley Heath, an expanse of New Forest heathland criss-crossed with walking and cycling tracks. Only a five-minute stroll away is the pretty village of Ashurst, where you will find shops, traditional pubs and welcoming restaurants. Local attractions include the Longdown Activity Farm and The New Forest Wildlife Park. There are no electricity connections. Some noise must be expected from the adjacent railway line – the station is a short walk away. No pets allowed.
Bracelands Campsitesite is just waiting to welcome you. Located on the edge of the Forest of Dean, Bracelands is open all year. As soon as you enter the grounds of Bracelands site, you will be immediately impressed with its size and ability to encompass you in the wonderful landscapes of the forest. Look out across the fields in any direction and you will be rewarded with superb views of the surrounding woodlands, made up of majestic oaks, stunning copper beech, and tall pine trees, as they climb and fall in line with the land’s rolling hills. The site has 400 grass or hard standing pitches (some seasonal) most with electricity hook-up point. Glamping pods and safari tents are also available to hire.
Postern Hill Camping in the Forest site is in the ancient Savernake Forest, surrounded by a network of tracks and paths. Completely immersed in the woodlands with lush, flat green pitches, Postern Hill is a special place for anyone. It is rich in everything ecological from grand and ancient trees to a rich array of flora and fauna. The forest surrounding the site has been awarded with Site of Special Scientific Interest status due to the diversity of wildlife and plants found within the land. Hugged by the tree-lined boundaries yet spread spaciously through the site are some of the most beautiful pitches in Wiltshire. Each spot feels like it has been taken straight out of a secret garden, whether carved into the bushes or overlooked by the site’s many ancient oak trees, and all provide more than a glimpse of serenity. Please note that there are no showers at this site. The site has 170 grass pitches (some seasonal) and most have 10 amp electric hook-up point.
Sherwood Pines Camping in the Forest site is situated close to the famous Sherwood Forest, sitting amongst beautiful woodland. The site perfectly located across 20 acres, provides an excellent base to explore the forest with numerous walking and cycling routes. Sherwood Pines is a full-facility site, with all-weather pitches and electric hook-ups. The site also has some fully serviced hardstanding pitches which offer more space, electric hook-up, plus fresh water and drainage. The site has 150 grass or hardstanding pitches (some seasonal), most with electric hook-up point. The site also has glamping pods and safari tents for hire.
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.
This site is attractively laid out in a fairly informal style in several adjoining areas connected by narrow, part gravel, part tarmac roads, with access to the lochside. One of these areas, the Pinewood Area, is very popular and has 28 hardstandings (some distance from the toilet block). Of the 206 marked pitches on fairly level, firm grass, 78 have 16A electricity. This site, with something for everyone, would be great for family holidays. The Glenmore Forest Park lies close to the sandy shore of Loch Morlich amidst conifer woods and surrounded on three sides by the impressive Cairngorm mountains. There is regular snowfall in the winter months. Large motorhomes are accepted but check availability with site in advance.
Beddgelert Forest Holidays site is the perfect location if you are looking for a tranquil, relaxing experience. Set within a conifer and broadleaf forest, Beddgelert site offers you a place to get away from it all, take in the local surroundings and get closer to nature. Set within Snowdonia National Park and just a few minutes from the pretty Welsh village that shares its name, Beddgelert is an idyllic riverside location, surrounded by snow-capped mountains (in the winter) in an area of Wales that is steeped in legend. One of the most wonderful aspects of Beddgelert site is that it is one of the stops for the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway. A unique way to see the Snowdonia scenery, with a day ticket you have unlimited access to hop off and back on again at various points along the track. The Meillionen stop at Beddgelert is a short walk from your pitch.
Rob has been involved in the leisure industry since completing a BTEC in Travel & Tourism in 1993. Previous roles have included the promotion of tourism in Yorkshire and running a motorcycle touring company in the Australian Outback.
He is the General Manager at Alan Rogers Travel Group, responsible for the ongoing development of the Alan Rogers website and the publication of the Alan Rogers Guides and 'Destinations' magazine.
Rob has owned several caravans, and he regularly travels with his wife and young daughter in their VW Transporter, complete with a Tentbox roof tent. A keen cycling fan, Rob can often be found in a field in Belgium during the 'Spring Classics' season.
