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What a great site to spend time at and in a great location to explore the new forest either by bike or walking. Would defiantly return to site in fact tried to book new year but already its fully booked no surprise with such a great site. Children play areas very good for younger and older children. Even on site a walk down to the river is very nice and shallow enough to paddle in for kids if the pools not what you fancy
A really nice site. Well laid out, spacious and clean pitches - with hook ups and water close by. Clean shower blocks with heated floors. Be warned though - these pitches are gravel and we had to hire special tent pegs from reception. Great for drainage - hard work to get the tent up!
But once the tent was up it was worth it. Even though it was September the site was busy, but quiet and everyone was friendly. Nice indoor swimming pool - bit too cold to try the outside one. An average sized shop that stocked nearly everything you needed - including swim suits (handy as I had forgot mine).
The bar was nice and the food was good - it was very busy in the evening though - and you needed to get to the Italian restaurant early as well. This could be because being September it was cold in the evenings, and like us may have found the tent a bit cold. Until a friendly motor home owner lent us a heater - fantastic for damp, chilly nights.
The children's playgrounds were good - and lots of them. It took me and my 2 1/2 year old about 3 hours to get round all of them - and then we still had the indoor ball pit to enjoy.
The site can sell fishing permits for the nearby river, and they also had cycle hire on site to enjoy the surrounding New Forest. If you want a well laid out, quiet site to use as a base to explore the New Forest - this is the place.
I had expected this site to be a bit too over commercialised for our liking, but my Husband and I were happily surprised! The entrance is well signposted, and the facilities seem excellent. The site, although very busy looking at the entrance with resturant/take-away/ leisure centre/pool/fun centre/bike hire etc still has a lovely woodland feel to it, and somehow reminded me of 'Kellermans' the site in the Dirty Dancing movie!
Our pitch was bordered by hedges, £14 a night and had hook up/ariel point and water tap on it which was handy, and well thought out. The shower/toilet block was really nice, warm and welcoming and very clean. The dog walking field was small but good enough, and again very well thought out with benches and 2 dog waste disposal bins(sometimes these are hard to find on sites!) We could not use all the facilities because of our dogs, the on-site Spar shop which my Husband used was quite expensive, but no surpise!
I think there are improvements going on at the site, i hope it doesn't change it too much, as it seems a nice place to stay. We understand it is jam packed at peak times, and can see why! We liked the atmosphere, and felt relaxed, we would visit here again in low season for sure
Fab is the only word to describe this campsite, booked another holiday before leaving. The safety aspect is excellent, wardens patrolling, so everyone adheres to the rules. Recycling is encouraged which can only be good. Activities for the kids are second to none, nothing like you would find on a Haven/ Butlins/pontins park. Peace n quiet after 11pm, so the entertainment is not inyaface!. Keep up the good work Sandy Balls.
Just returned from a half term break. This is only our second caravanning holiday but we have been camping in the UK and Europe for over 20 years. We found the site well kept and quiet (due to being February I suspect)
There is a lot of development work going on at the moment, but this does not intrude into the holiday and should be interesting to see when complete.
Toilet facilities and showers were excellent - always clean (despite the mud outside) and very warm for mid-Feb. The bar was good, well priced beer (well to what we are used too!) and the food was simple pub food (not tried by us) but looked and smelt very good.
Swimming pool was clean and again due to the time of year, not that busy. Spar shop is well stocked - fresh baguettes and croissants were very good.
All in all, a very enjoyable stay. Enough onsite to keep the kids happy - indoor and outdoor play areas and of course the pool.
All pitches are serviced with water, drainage and TV. This makes caravanning a real treat as no daily water chores need to be done.
We will definitley be returning, maybe as early as April! Just remember when booking that it is essentially a site aimed at caravanners with families, so just be realistic as to your expectations of noise, style of campsite....etc.
One of the best commercial sites I have ever visited.
Pros - Large site, well divided into separate fields. Large hardstanding fully serviced pitches. Clean shower block with plentiful supply of hot water. Lovely woodland walks, lots to do nearby.
Cons - Lots of traffic, pedestrains and kids on bikes near main area. Pool heavily chlorinated and outdoor pool very cold, Spar on site expensive.
There is a Lidl and Sainsbury's situated on the A31 towards Bournemouth, just on the outskirts of Ringwood - Approx 6 miles from site.
Very busy but never felt overcrowded. Security fantastic at ensuring everybody is adhering to the 2300 cut off for noise. Litter pickers evident daily. Fantastic!
We have just returned from two weeks at Sandy Balls - self, wife and dog.
We were in our caravan, and had all the advantages offered by the multiservice hardstanding pitches on the site. Whilst the hardstanding areas mostly appeared the same size, overall pitch sizes varied. We were fortunate and had a good grass area on all four sides of the hardcore gravel, but some pitches didn’t appear as large, with the front of their vans almost on the site roads. A number of pitches had concrete bases for the caravans, and hardcore gravel for the awnings. We noticed that some people on such pitches had difficulty in pegging the corners of their awnings.
There were many tents on the hardstandings, and notwithstanding earlier reviews about tents on such, given the couple of rainy days we had, I am sure most were pleased not to be on grass. The operators provide green matting for tents (same as breathable awning matting) to protect the underside of tents. Heavy duty pegs and a lump hammer are definitely required.
The pitches are divided into a number of fields, and this helped to give the appearance that the site was not overcrowded. However, it was the busiest two weeks of the season - and the place was heaving !
The site facilities were all excellent. The toilets / shower blocks took a real hammering, as the site was full, but never appeared dirty. All were thoroughly cleaned daily. The Spar Shop on the site was extensive, and provided most needs. It was pleasing to see that prices were not higher than elsewhere locally. The Co-Op in Fordingbridge was a little larger; for major supermarkets Morrisons / Waitrose in Ringwood were closest, but we found them to be expensive. The Woodside Inn on the site offered decent food, with prices similar to local pubs. We didn't eat at the Italian restaurant on the site, but the menu was fairly limited and appeared expensive.
Our only serious gripe concerned cycling on the site. What a lot of the children seemed to forget was that there was considerable traffic movement on the site, but all the road sense they had no doubt been taught went out of the window. Pedestrians suffered as well, particularly in the late evenings, when, with no lights on their cycles, there were some quite dangerous near misses.
Sandy Balls is a real family orientated site, covering all ages from ankle-biters to grannies. It did, however, have something of a 'Butlins/Haven' feel about it. It is very commercial, and quite impersonal.
What we found most difficult (and this is not a criticism of Sandy Balls) was the attitude of the majority of the people on the site. We had the feeling most were once-a-year holidaymakers, and not true caravaners/campers. There was very little of the camaraderie we have found elsewhere. You know what it usually is - ‘we’re all in this together, enjoying the sun / beer / getting wet, can we help etc etc.’ Not this time – rather than even a basic ‘good morning’, most people did the big city ‘look the other way’. Not at all what we are used to. Most probably this was due the period we were there.
Overall, the site and facilities offered were excellent. The location, for us, in the New Forest was the best selling point, and was stunning. We would like to return, but think outside of school holidays might be preferable for us.
July 2005 Just returned from this site (Not my cup of tea really) too large.
The facilities are as described in the earlier reviews all serviced pitches.
The Italian restaurant on site was really good although a little on the expensive side.
Toilet and showers OK although not up to CC club standards of cleanliness. No mop and bucket to mop shower after use.
Launderette Ok but didn't like the idea of washers that dispensed their own powder and you were unable to add your own or any fabric softener and the tumble driers were a joke. No laundry baskets in laundry to transfer washing from washer to drier.
Dog exercise field not all dog owners believed in picking up the mess.
The walk through the woodland to the river was very enjoyable.
May 2004 I have been to this park on many occasions as a tenter and enjoyed it, however since they decided to redevelop the Woodland area there is no where to pitch a tent, unless you enjoy trying to peg into solid rock,which would also rip your groundsheet to shreds quicker than a randy tiger. I feel the park have alienated the tenters unfortunately - having said that, if you are a caravanner, you will have a great time, very clean, good service, plenty for the kids to do. I can't see me returning not until they start making groundsheets from kevlar or carbon fibre.
December 2004 Can't fault the pitch and its facilities, toilets / showers clean and hot etc. However I was disappointed with the Woodside Inn (cramped and smelt of the greasy chips they were serving) and the pool. The pool was over-chlorinated (eyes and throat sore within few minutes) and was not being cleaned properly (very obvious scum line). All in all if you are going to use site as base to see forest it's excellent, but beware the leisure facilities!
September 2004 We were here as part of the UKCampsite.co.uk Members Meet.
A very friendly reception was had and we were looked after efficiently and promptly, we were pointed to our pitch and given a load of info on the park.
The pitches are all hard standing and fully serviced, ok if you want all that but a bit of a rip off if you are just in a tent and don't need all that on tap.
Take rock pegs, there is literally only 1" of top soil to get those pegs into.
There is plenty on site for the whole family, indoor and outdoor pools, childrens amusement centre, pub, restuarants,large shop, large play area plus so much more.
The site is located on the edge of the New Forest and is great for walks, cycling, visiting Lymington etc.
Local town of Fordingbridge is ok, has a few shops but for main shopping I would suggest a 10 minute drive into Ringwood for a Morrissons, Waitrose etc.
Watch your noise levels, they will not allow noise after midnight which is great for the yougsters trying to sleep. Wardens continuously patrol this site, good for security.
This place is very expensive though and that is the only reason why I would not come back again, unless the rate was reduced as part of a Club Meet.
September 2004 Large site with varied accomodations. Stayed for one night only. The food in the Woodside Inn was dreadful and inedible! We also waited for 45 minutes for it to arrive. (Only 4 people ahead of us in the queue). Would stay here again but not would certainly NOT use the Woodside Inn resturant. Did not try the Italian one which seemed a bit pricey.
August 2004 We spent August Bank holiday here in the cornfield and it was such a great park we will definately be returning!
Bit boggy though, due to the weather! but there was so much to do and if you get a chance, book a table at Valencio's, Sandy Balls own Italian restaurant, it is gorgeous!
We were a group of ten, including 5 kids ages 2,4,7,11,13 and they had a great time! loads for them to do, and loads of great parks for them to play on!
The facilities were top notch, only the portable showers / toilets in the cornfield got very muddy! not down to sandy balls, only the British weather!
Will definately be returning again soon!! only next time I will take some wellies! (the shop charged £13 for a kids pair! so beware!)
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Common Questions
Is Sandy Balls Holiday Village child friendly? YES, it accepts children & has a playground View all facilities
Does Sandy Balls Holiday Village have a swimming pool? YES, there is a pool on site View all facilities
Where is the nearest shop to Sandy Balls Holiday Village? 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 
No Glamping Units 
Holiday Homes for Hire 
Holiday Homes for Sale 
No Seasonal Pitches 
No Electric Hookups 
No Hardstandings 
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 
Bathroom 
Baby Changing Facilities 
Laundry On Site 
Drinking Water 
Disabled Friendly 
No Chemical Disposal 
No Battery Charging 
No Gas Exchange 
No Recycling Facilities 
No Kitchen Facilities 
No Freezer / Fridge 
No Motorhome Point 
Wifi Access 
Shop On Site 
Bar On Site 
Restaurant or Cafe or Takeaway On Site 
Kids Playground 
No TV Room 
Games Room 
Evening Entertainment 
Fishing <10 miles 
No Wild Swimming 
Indoor Pool On Site 
Outdoor Pool On Site 
Horse Riding <1 mile 
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 <1 mile
No Dog Walk 
What a great site to spend time at and in a great location to explore the new forest either by bike or walking. Would defiantly return to site in fact tried to book new year but already its fully booked no surprise with such a great site. Children play areas very good for younger and older children. Even on site a walk down to the river is very nice and shallow enough to paddle in for kids if the pools not what you fancy
