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Spent a few days last year at Ocknell. Found a nice spot which looked out upon a lovely view, but what we all really enjoyed were the wild ponies that came wandering through the site, sometimes grazing on the grass beside out tent!

The only things I didn't like were the rock hard ground (for pegging out) and the lack of showers.

Not a huge fan of regimented pitches set out in grids, but wondered if anyone could recommend any other New Forest sites where the ponies (ponys?) come wandering through that did have showers? (I dont mean the horses take showers!!!).

Quiet, back to nature sites most preferred!

I think the ponies are also able to access the site at Hollands Wood.

Valerie

Ashurst - they are all over there - there are toilets there and showers - I thought it was a really relaxed site.  Also stayed at Aldridge Hill - no ponies there funnily enough.

These sites are probably dear now as Forestry Commission prices have gone sky high!

Deb

Ashurst - one morning we woke up to find a pony had 'blessed' the area right outside the tent flap. Quite profusely also.

Steaming goodnes!

Going back a few years -

camped at the government camp site at Victoria falls in Zimbabwe, before the wheels came off. I woke in the morning to find literally dozens of baboons and warthogs marching through the site. The sun was about to come up so I decided to take a walk to see if I could see the falls by sunrise..... On the way, me and a local I met on the road took a shortcut through the bush. Against the rising sun and silhouette along with the trees we saw a strange shape in the sky...... then we made out the shape had big flapping ears..... and large pointy white tusks.... we decided that discretion was the better part and all that and beat a dignified retreat back to the tarmac.

I'll always remember that herd of gentle (but dangerous) giants as they nonchalantly browsed the acacia trees by the light of the rising african sun next to the roadside... all those years ago....

Quote: Originally posted by jonewer on 08/6/2007

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we saw a strange shape in the sky...... then we made out the shape had big flapping ears..... and large pointy white tusks....

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You mean... Dumbo wasn't just a Disney character? You mean he was REAL??

Remember folks, you heard it first at UKCS, the worlds premiere news forum!!

All joking aside, I am very envious! Sounds like the trip of a lifetime!

Most of the forestry comission sites have the wild ponies wandering through.  The privately run campsites do not, although there are likely to be ponies very close.

Hope this helps.