Camping in the New Forest

With some of the UK’s most attractive woodland, plenty of family friendly attractions and history to absorb, you’ll never be short of things to do in the New Forest.

Explore the great outdoors

One of the special qualities of the New Forest National Park is the freedom it offers to campers across unenclosed land. There is 143 miles of track suitable for walking, cycling and horse riding (please ensure you stick to way-marked routes at all times).

Walking is one of the best ways to see and experience the New Forest. The area is criss-crossed with numerous tracks and trails with car parking at many of the starting points. Guided walks led by Forestry Commission Rangers are a great way to see the forest. On windy days head to Whitemoor Common, east of Verwood Club campsite, for kite flying and Bolderwood, with its cycle and deer watch trails.

Top things to do in the New Forest

1. Hatcher Pond (thelarges body of water in the forest) near Beaulieu (east of Verwood Club Site) is great for nature watching and coarse fishing.

2. South-east of Verwood Club Site is Beaulieu with the National Motor Museum, Palca House and Beaulieu Abbey.

3. Bucklers Hard on the banks of the Beaulieu River offers an insight into life in an 18th century shipbuilding village.

5. North-east of Verwood Club Site Paulton's Family Theme Park has over 60 rides and attractions and is home to Peppa Pig World.

6. Verwood Club campsite is also handy for the sandy beaches of the Bournemouth Poole area and the beautiful Hengistbury Head.

7. Situated on the cliffs at Highcliffe, Dorset, Highcliffe castle is argued to be the most important surviving house of the Romantic and picturesque style of architecture. The impressive building is situated in a picturesque coastal location nestled amongst a tranquil nature reserve. It is a perfect destination for a relaxing stroll or a picnic on the grounds

8. Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary is perfect for wildlife lovers, allowing you to walk alongside the herd and explore their surroundings.

9. The Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum is a popular family day out for lovers of all things to do with cars.

10. Lymington, Brockenhurst, Ringwood and New Milton are just a few of the popular towns and villages to explore during your camping trip.

About New Forest wildlife

When camping in the New Forest you’re likely to see some of the 3,000 ponies. They’ve lived in the forest for 2,000 years and are as close to being wild as ponies can get! While they’ll happily wander around our campsites, we recommend keeping a good distance and not feeding them. The ponies are one of the many reasons we ask you to keep dogs on their leads at all times.

As well as the ponies, deer, cattle, donkeys, sheep, and pigs all roam the New Forest at different times of year.

Although, not quite so easy to spot, the New Forest is also a stronghold for bats. It’s thought that 13 out of the 18 UK species can be found here. And all six species of deer found in the wild in the UK have been recorded at various times in the New Forest too, although you’re most likely to see fallow and roe deer.