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Just returned from Holmsley and had a really good time.
Camp site was huge and very busy when we arrived but found an electric pitch with no problems. Toilets and showers were clean and warm and did not find a problem with the water temperature of the showers although hubby said the showers were quite hot. Only problem with the shower/toilet block was that they were closed for cleaning for two hours everyday. We thought this was excessive but they were spotlessly clean. The shop was quite expensive and we found Sainsburys just down the road towards Christchurch much better and only used the shop for milk - and ice cream.
Spent time travelling around Christchurch and Bournemouth. Went to Lulworth Cove and visited several National Trust properties during our stay.
The site is very large but was remarkably quiet during the night. The forest looked wonderful as did the ponies but the weather was not very good and unfortunately we never managed to go into the forest and had to come home early due to the bad weather. We would visit again and hopefully the weather would be good.
This was our first ever camping trip and although we haven't been put off it could have been better. The site is vast and very flat and uninteresting. The fact that we were in the New Forest was lost. Although there are 3 toilet/shower blocks because of the size of the place there were always queues for the showers. We didn't make use of it but a shop on site is handy. There are no designated pitches and on such a big site (700 pitches) it was a bit of a free for all and lots of tents were closer than the required 6m apart. We will definitely stick to smaller sites in future.
Large site, well located for both the New Forest and for Christchurch, Bournemouth and beaches. New Forest ponies roamed freely just outside the site. Good standard of facilities (i.E. Showers/toilets etc), and good playground for the children. Ground was easy to pitch the tent into, was fairly flat, and there was no restriction on the amount of space taken.
Our children met several friends and were able to play safely within sight of everyone.
The site shop was adequate but we found a visit to Sainsburys (a short drive away) a better option.
Because the site is very large (it is on part of a WWII airfield) it can be a bit of a walk from the farthest plots to the toilet blocks but if that is a problem there is no restriction to choose a pitch much closer. Lots of people use bikes on the site to get between different parts and, because much of the airfield concrete is still there, several children were able to use scooters without them getting bogged down.
The only negative was we had reserved a hook-up and as it was very busy all the decent pitches had gone so we pitched the tent in a part we liked but had to do without the hook-up. After the weekend lots of better pitches with hook-ups became available.
I found the site to have a bit too much tarmac, not very natural. Campers were blatantly ignoring the 6 m rule which is not good if you prefer a little privacy. The staff were friendly but I didn't see them around the site at all. I found the toilet and shower blocks modern and clean although the showers had no temperature control so there was no way of making them cooler. It was set in a lovely area with lots of gravel paths through the forest at the back of the campsite, ideal for walking or cycling, with various horses and cows wandering around (although they were kept out the campsite).
This was our 1st visit to Holmsley. We have stayed at 2 other forest holiday sites (see reviews for Ashurst and Roundhill).
I found Holmsley very large, over 700 pitches. There is plenty of hardstanding which is great for caravans and campervans. There is also plenty of grass for tents. As it was an wartime airfield, it is very spread out. The ground was boggy in places but at least we could see where not to pitch.
There are 3 shower blocks. We never once see any need for queuing and that was on August Bank holiday weekend. They have a shop, a coffee shop and a laundry on site. Shop is well stocked, but fairly expensive.
Ponies and cows don't come onto site but roam all the way round the outside.
We had 3 members of our family pop by for a BBQ and instead of them having to pay for a car visit, we told them to park outside the site, where there are loads of parking spaces and they walked over one of the many styles into the site (a bit cheeky but seemed to be what everyone else was doing so I think this is not frowned upon).
After staying at 3 of their sites now, I like them all for different reasons. This one for the amount of showers and the handiness of a shop and coffee shop. I dont think we would go back to this site as it was too big, but thats our choice. If you are going, ENJOY!
Arrived Saturday lunchtime to a very busy site but check in was quick and easy and just had to find a couple of pitches for motorhome and tent. Had to wait for people to leave before room became available and had nice spot in the corner not on the way to anywhere luckily.
Considering size of site toilets were kept as clean as could be expected and washing up facilities were good with water that could steam clean all your pots and pans! Showers and sink area were ok but suffered a little later in the evening due to children that should have been supervised a little more closely.
Shop was well stocked and opening hours were good. Site was well located for all the New Forest has to offer and plenty of room for kids to ride their bikes safely. The area we were in was not too noisy in the evening but that could have been the wet and windy weather keeping people in.
Kids have already asked to go back next year and would definitely consider it.
Just got back last week, had a great time, the toilet/showers are very clean, the shop got very busy, serving great snacks etc. The playground for the kids was also great, the only negative was about 11pm a load of people turned up with their tents (about 12) and played football, drinking, laughing/joking, until 2.30am, just yards from out tent. I let them know what I thought the next morning, they were quiet the next night. I guess we were just unlucky that night.
Our very first time camping as a family at Holmsley. I had camped as a little girl but never as a Mum of two before! We were greeted by the friendly staff who very helpfully told us where the site was quietest and so where to pitch. The ground was a little hard to our heavy duty tent pegs came in handy.
Yes, people that arrived after us pitched their tents closer than they should have but they were friendly folk and I think thats what camping is all about.
The showers and toilets were always clean and not too hot at all even for my kids. The shop staff were very friendly but it was over priced and did not sell any alcohol, so we had to miss out on our evening bottle of wine.
I have always stayed in static caravans before and looking at the miserable faces of people in the pouring rain always put a downer on things, I was so delighted to see that despite the torrential rain my fellow campers, like me, just put on their waterproofs and still played games with the kids and went for walks with friendly smiles on their faces, maybe it's down to the beautiful surroundings at Holmsley.
We have just returned from a week at the new forest, staying at Holmsley. The area is great with loads to do and has some really stunning scenery. The site is right in the middle of everything which is perfect.
The site is huge and for most things is really good, although we do have a few moans, which, I have to say are mostly to do with other people and not the site itself.
The first thing that you notice on the site is the amount of concrete. This is due to the site being an old airfield and after a day or so you just get used to it. On arrival you can drive around and find your own pitch which is great but, be warned, there are pitches to avoid. We saw people desperate to get close to the play area, but after 9 o clock ish the play area was taken over each night by noisy teenagers. There is also a nice area just behind the shop but the drinking water tap is at the top of a hill next to this. It only takes one person (out of 2000 or so) to leave the tap running and this area quickly turns into a mudbath.
We did like this site but it does seem to suffer from the fact that it is so big. We were constantly annoyed and shocked that, despite the fact thre were so many kiddies (including ours) playing all over the site, people still blatantly ignored the 5mph rule. There were cars driving past our tent at 30-40mph and then swerving to avoid kids. Perhaps this is due it being a bit of a race to get a good pitch. There is also quite a bit of noise at night, including groups of teenagers wandering around, sometimes drunk and shouting at each other.
All in all we had a fantastic holiday in the New forest and would definitely come again. Although I would be happy to stay at holmsley again, I would probably try and find a smaller more family friendly site first. Holmsley is a great site but could be much better with a few more, rigidly enforced rules. As I said before, the moans we have are about the people and not the site itself.
Arrived for a 2 night stay on a Thursday, 2 adults & 3 children. Check in very quick, left to find own pitch. First impressions very good. Nice playground and shop, not overpriced. By Friday afternoon the site was completely full, very busy, queues for showers, dish washing etc, no matter what time of day, people pitching anywhere much to close to each other. Not enough toilet/shower blocks for 700 pitches, they only seemed to be cleaned once a day, in the evenings it was chaos, people washing up in the toilets basins.
The site in is a lovely location, great for walks and bike riding, Mudeford, Bournemouth, Christchurch etc short drive away.
This was our first camping trip and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The staff were friendly on arrival and explained everything. You are left to find your own pitch but must be 6m from anyone else. We found a nice area near a stream which our boys loved playing in. The toilets, showers and dishwashing facilities were great. There was always plenty of really hot water and they were kept clean. There's an on site shop which as you would expect was relatively expensive but stocked pretty much everything you could need. There was also a Costa Coffee there (fantastic for that morning cappuccino!). The New Forest animals surround the site which our boys thought was fantastic. There's a Sainsburys about 10 minutes away towards Christchurch. The kids play area isn't bad - though our boys spent most of the time playing in the stream and up and down the slight slope we were on on their bikes/scooter. It's a great area to take bikes to. There's so many places to visit around the site in the New Forest and also Christchurch. Bournemouth and Portsmouth are both not too far away either. All in all we really enjoyed our stay here and would definitely visit again.
This was our first time camping with our 1 year old daughter in our tent. I had booked in for us, and my husbands family as this was a long weekend get together for us all (2 tents, 1 Caravan and a motorhome).
We arrived and the site was pretty empty at this point.
To be honest, we arrived and I am thankful it wasn't busy at this point as the people in the office hadn't really got any idea which members of my family were at the site already, and even if they had paid their part of the bill! Thank god I had the reservation letter with me!
It seemed to be quite confusing, mainly as they had us all booked in under the same name (mine) when I had specifically booked on the phone, different names with types of pitch. It ended up just faster and less confusing that I pay the whole bill there and sort out with family later. The lady was very nice, just a bit disorganised.
I am soooo glad we got in on the Thursday as on the Friday the place got rammed full!
The site is huge and very well catered for with clean toliets and showers - though as a person with heat sensitive skin, the showers were too hot and suffice to say my showers were short and painful. There is no way I would have taken my daughter or any child into those showers because of the heat of the water. There are plenty of sinks, but none (that I found) that were private so you couldn't have a wash at a sink if you wanted to.
The site was clean, but the 6 metre gap between plots is non exsistant! We had a group of parents and young teenage children set up camp right next to us.
While this wasn't a problem to us, the kids did make a racket on the friday night - ALL night with the mother not helping by shouting at them to shut up (they didn't). Our other family members in their tent didn't get any sleep.
We were protected somewhat by someone elses tent, but we were thankful that they didn't wake our little girl up or there may have been a few cross words said.
All said, the holiday was made by the fact the weather was great and we had lovely family time. The surroundings are wonderful and cycling is easy for even the holiday cyclist (me!)that only ride their bikes once a year.
The shop - was expensive for everything, but the ice cream is lovely!
All in all, the site itself is fine and clean.
Would we go again - probably, but not over a weekend in the school holidays, and we would pick our pitch much more carefully!
I last camped at Holmsley as girl with my mum, dad and brother in our caravan. We had several weekends and odd week over 7 years.
Now a mum of 2 we all enjoy camping I wanted my children to experience camping in the New Forest.We booked easily online. When we got to the site and booked in at the office we were given a little information package (with some valuable phone nubers) and staff were friendly.
Not much has changed in 25 years (except loo's and showers have been refurbished).
I liked the fact you could pitch anywhere as long as you leave 6 meteres between tents/caravans and people were very generous with that. As so many sites just try to pack so many in a small area. Night times, most people were very considerate and quietened down by 10.30/11pm. And I think alot of that is down to the fact the gates to the site are locked at 10.30 so cars arn't driving in late. But if you wanted to stay out after 10.30pm you could park your car outside the campsite entrance and walk in, so no problems.
The rangers were friendly, and walked the site in torrential rain and high winds and retrieved 3 tents which blew away and helped people, fork the ground (to help water drain)and bail water, when certain areas got flooded. Our tent luckily had a sewn in ground sheet so even though there was massive puddle we floated!
Lovely walks, lovely wildlife. Out in the sticks but not far from Christchurch, and Bournemouth and all the lovely beaches. As yes we had 3 days of sun!
Right onto the negatives.
The showers were far too HOT and there was NO way of turning them down, I love hot showers but was even a bit warm for me, but my children could hardly bare it and made showering them a nightmare! (But in 7 days, none of us had to queue for a shower (even at peak times)
The shop was expensive an poorly stocked.
Was surprised to find out non of the rangers/staff were first aid qualified as kids come of bikes and slipped over in the mud bumping heads, parents were told all staff could do was call an ambulance.
But these a little niggles, and did not affect our stay, which was very enjoyable and would happily come back again.
A bit of mixed feelings over this site. We came here after a few days in Corfe and it was very different and HUGE! Not the best start when my husband went to pay the balance on arrival and they wanted to charge us for an extra child - we showed them the brochure which stated a family was 2 adults and 3 children and a woman in the office told the man doing the booking to ignore the brochure! It was sorted the next day and the woman was very nice then so maybe she was just hassled. We found a nice quiet spot by the stream with a few families but had 2 disturbed nights one by a group who were quiet as soon as we asked ( I think they just didn't realise how much we could hear) but another night by a group of teenagers who stayed up until after 3am drinking, crashing in woods etc. Problem was the ranger was so far away on such a huge site that he couldn't hear. They were made to clear up and then told to leave the next morning as soon as we complained though. The toilets were not the cleanest I've seen and as stated the water was very hot, depending on where you pitch they're a good trek through the forest too! Didn't buy much from the shop as it was expensive - £8 for a meal for two heated up for you from the freezer. After Corfe this site seemed unfriendly and impersonal and not very safe, I was on edge the whole time the noisy group was next to us. However, having said that our 3 children loved the fact that they could go off and play in the forest. One other thing - Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch are the closest resorts with summer fireworks etc but as the displays didn't start until 10pm we couldn't stay as they were too far away for us to be back before the gates closed at 10.30pm.
This was our first-ever family camping holiday - two children (age 6 and 3). We stayed for three nights after reading the positive reviews on UKCampsite.co.uk. Basically, we had a great time. The weather was great (which helped), and the facilities at the campsite were very good, although the shop was a bit of a let down. If you want bread, you need to be quick as 'once it has gone, it's gone' to quote the woman who served me. And that was at 8.30am. T here were 3 or 4 toilet/shower blocks and these were really good and cleaned thoroughly once a day. Only one temperature in the shower though - and that's 'Hot'. The campsite is set in beautiful surroundings, and within a minute you are in to the heart of the New Forest with the ponies and the cows. One thing to be aware of is that there is an 'A' road that skirts the outside of the campsite, and at 2am there still seems to be quite a bit of traffic, so if you're a light sleeper take some good quality ear plugs. We can heartily recommend The Crown in Bransgore for eating out - it's a five minute drive from Holmsley. All in all, a great campsite - especially if you've never really been camping as a family before.
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Common Questions
Is Holmsley Camping In The New Forest child friendly? YES, it accepts children & has a playground View all facilities
Where is the nearest shop to Holmsley Camping In The New Forest? There is a shop on site View all facilities
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
All reviews and comments are the personal opinion of the review author only , and as such do not represent the view of the UK Camp Site.co.uk.
The facilities shown on this website are a guide only, and you should check with the campsite direct before making any booking. The UKCampsite.co.uk will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions
Tent Pitches 
Caravan Pitches 
Motorhome Pitches 
Small Campervans 
Glamping Units 
No Statics for Hire 
No Statics for Sale 
Seasonal Pitches 
Electric Hookups 
Hardstanding Pitches 
No Fully Serviced Pitches 
Families Welcome 
Not Members Only 
Rallies Welcome 
Not Naturist Site 
Dogs Welcome 
No Dogs Allowed 
Groups Welcome 
Motorbikers Welcome 
Toilet Facilities 
Hot Showers 
Washing Up 
No Bathroom 
No Baby Changing 
Laundry On Site 
Drinking Water 
Disabled Friendly 
Chemical Disposal 
Battery Charging 
No Gas Exchange 
Recycling Facilities 
No Kitchen Facilities 
No Freezer / Fridge 
Motorhome Point 
Wifi Access 
Shop On Site 
Bar <5 miles 
Restaurant or Cafe or Takeaway <5 miles 
Kids Playground 
No TV Room 
No Games Room 
No Evening Ents 
No Fishing 
No Wild Swimming 
No Indoor Pool 
No Outdoor Pool 
Horse Riding <5 miles 
Cycle Hire On Site 
Golf <5 miles 
No Tennis 
Beach <10 miles 
Watersports <10 miles 
No Boat Launch 
No Sea Views 
Not Working Farm 
No Campfires Allowed 
No Waterside Pitches 
Public Transport <5 miles
Offroad Dog Walk On Site or Direct Access 
Electric Car Charging Point
Just returned from Holmsley and had a really good time. 
