Hello everyone, only recently joined this site and have so far found it to be both friendly and informative,my O-H and myself have been into camping for over 30yrs most of which has been in the New Forest , now I know some folks might find it boring to return year after year to the same place but we have been going the the New Forest for 20 yrs now all our children family and friends have enjoyed some fantastic holidays there, however as some will know the C&CC became a 'partnership' with the Forestry Commission , sadly gone are all the old managers and friendly staff, replaced by C&CC staff. Although some new facilities have been updated the charges for us went up in the 1st year by almost 200% and across all the sites,even those that remain the same and untouched thus far, also in have come some rather odd rules such as only 1 -6 pole wind break per pitch, now those with children will now how handy it was to help 'pen' the little ones in, as well as keep the local ponies out of the tents/awnings (lovely to look at but very damaging to insides of tents and awnings..lol)a lot of regulars ourselves included have 'boycotted' the old Forestry sites since.
Some of us did raise our concerns with both the Forestry Commission and C&CC, but neither even had the courtesy to reply or acknowledge our concerns. We have since found a couple of other sites near to the Forest ,one very interesting character has his own 'still' behind the barn..lol.. we just wondered what others that used the old Forestry sites such as Ashurst , Roundhill and Hollands wood feel about the changes.
------------- .....JUST A THOUGHT!!!!!]
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Hello there.........unlike yourselves we have never been to the new forest but are looking to take our vw camper with bikes to the area in august,can you recommend any forest cycle track friendly sites that may appeal to a couple in their forties....many thanks
Hello I saw your post and have added a couple of my suggestions ,for my money Id take Ashurst we have already booked for 16 nights next month, it is a little more expensive then it used to be now it is run by Camping and Caravan club(C&CC) £16--£20 approx a nightbut if you want something a bit more basic try Pondhill farm just outside Lyndhurst ....which ever you chose I'd advise you book soon as it is becoming very busy ths year due to the ''credit crunch'' an the big interest in camping again...
regards John
I tottally agree with you algernon. We are in Hampshire and until the CC&C took over always went to ashurst. It wasn't that long ago that we paid £12 a night for a saturday night (2 adults,2kids) in May, now its almost £30!!!
I to wrote to the forestery commision and the CC&C, didn't even get an aknolewdgment letter!
I would be intereasted to know where you go now?
We tend to go to Shamba or Sandy Balls, yes the latter is rather expensive (infact the same price as ashurst in now) but you get so much more for your money.
------------- Theres only one way of life and thats your own!
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
Hello Happy, I must confess we have booked to go back to Ashurst this year,as you say they do charge a lot but provide very little for same money you can get swimming pools and clubhouses and even entertainment elsewhere .... but as it will just be me and the ''Mam sahib',...lol...it works out at £260 for 16 nights,but they still slap ya arse for children /extra person(£6---£8pppn) where as before as you know it was £12 for a unit and 4 people regardless of age, and a 20% all year round discount for disabled .We have used a little site in Verwood called Hillside (www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=4927)
the couple that run it are a bit eccentric but isnt that part of the fun when camping,you do get a free bottle of wine and a 1lb of home-made sausages vouchers to use in the village when you book which is more then you will get from C&CC...we also use a site nr Lyndhurst run by a young cpl that own the farm and have a organic food and meat shop on site, but a pretty basic site,called Pondhill Farm (sorry I dont have any contact details if they come to light I will post them on here)..which is on the Lyndhurst to Beauliea rd 1/2 a mile from Lyndhurst £10 a night all in...
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: NEW FOREST AND THE CCC
