Readers share their honest opinion to help you choose the perfect campsite
ENGLANDSetthorns Campsite, Hampshire
I fell asleep with the sound of pine trees rustling in the wind and an owl hooting in the distance – what a perfect location!
We had come to Setthorns Campsite, one of 10 sites offered by Camping in the New Forest in partnership with Forestry England.
Four miles from the very pretty town of Brockenhurst, with all its amenities, the campsite consists of 237 pitches actually in the forest. Birds flitted about, sometimes deer walked through, and we felt far from the crowds in our lovely rustic setting.
The dog-friendly campsite is very large with really well-spaced pitches in six distinct sections, offering non-electric grass pitches through to extra-large fully serviced ‘select’ pitches. We chose the Pinetops area and an electric hardstanding pitch – although hard ground, as it is a forest, it can be dirty underfoot.
You must have your own chemical toilet and washing facilities as there are no toilet blocks or washing areas available on site, but there are several chemical disposal and drinking water points, plus bins.
You can walk through the forest campsite and out onto the heathland for breathtaking views and trails in all directions. The iconic ponies are not hard to find, and we even came across cattle walking down the road!
A disused railway line runs through the site, offering a perfect cycle track to Brockenhurst or Wootton Bridge.
We drove off site one day and spent the day at Exbury Gardens, which is a stunning 200-acre dog-friendly garden with plenty of parking.
Another day, a six-mile drive took us to the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum, which was fascinating! It is also less than 15 miles to the coast for ice cream and a view of the Needles on the Isle of Wight.
With so much to see and do, either within the New Forest itself or in the surrounding area, it won’t be hard for us to return to this campsite.
Wootton, New Milton, Hampshire BH25 5WA
☎ 01590 681020 info@campinginthenewforest.com campinginthenewforest.com
All year £ Two adults, pitch, electric: From £24.50
Nearest public transport: 1½ miles Nearest pub/restaurant: Two miles Directions:Exit M27 J1 onto A337.
