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Could well earn 10 starts except I'd like to see a woodland play are for children.
Very friendly staff on arrival suggested nice pitch. We had a select pitch with a little more room. As you can see very private.
Was a warm few days so lovely and cool being under the Forrest canopy, some areas of dappled sun.
Great cycle rides on disused railway. Popular with families so as said would be lovely to see a woodland themed play area so kids can meet and play.
Note: there are no showers or toilets, if you don't have your own toilet you won't be allowed to stay, so you need to be 100% self sufficient except for optional power, water taps and chemical toilet empty point. via mobile
Our first trip to new forest. As an animal I was in heaven. We actually saw deer walking theough the campsite whilst eating breakfast. A short walk to heathland to see the wild ponies.
Also a little village is close by. We had a short stay after landing back in the uk just before lockdown. It was so peaceful.
There are no facilities on site but it made it a hit more remote and real camping. You get lots of space. And can pick your own space. We opted for amongst the trees. It was beautiful to wake up and see the trees and hear the birds. Paradise.
The little shop has lots of walks and the staff are the friendliest I've met.
Will definitely be returning.
I've given 10 for facility as the shop was lovely and the staff and we knew there was no toilets when we booked. via mobile
This was our 3rd stay here and its our favourite New Forest campsite. No facilities except EHU and the pitches feel quite secluded amongst the trees.
Its an easy cycle ride out of the back of the campsite into Sway where there are a couple of nice pubs. Or via the old railway track to Brockenhurst where you'll find a good selection of shops.
With good sized pitches spread out between the trees you are far enough away from your neighbour not to hear his snoring. Plenty of wild life on view with squirrels bouncing and swinging around everywhere.
One afternoon we had a group of deer, splendid antlers, taking their ease for a couple of hours just 20 feet from our caravan. Good forest walks from the site and many forest honeypots (Beaulieu, Bucklers Hard) within easy reach.
Own sanitation and shower essential, as no facilities block. A popular site so book early - and give yourself time to save up for the very high fees. But I was the only vehicle that stuck to 5 mph, many were doing twenty!
If you like sites with a clubhouse and lots of hustle and bustle then this is not the campsite for you. If however you are prepared to forgo facilities (and let's face it, it's not the end of the world to have to empty your own toilet, have a lick and a promise or use a camping shower), then this is a little gem for you.
The whole place has an aura of peace and tranquillity. In the daytime the silver birches glisten golden leaves in the sun, waves of wind gently lap the tops of the oaks and the birds sing in the trees.
At night the Owls hoot, at dawn the woodpeckers get to work and the cows do their noisy best to make sure you don't sleep late. We stay here frequently, in fact I think we would live here if we could! There are plenty of walks straight onto the forest from the site.
Sway is about a mile and a half away, mostly walking or cycling across the forest. There is a good, if pricey, butchers, a deli, a couple of convenience stores, newsagents, the Silver Hind pub and, slightly further to walk, the Hare & Hound pub. We ate in the Hare & Hound, good, reasonably priced food. Both pubs are dog friendly.
This was the first time we have stayed on a site with no facilities and were a little apprehensive, however using the shower in our van was not as nearly as stressful as expected, except for the twice daily trip to the water point to refill the water barrel!
The site itself is nature lovers dream. It's set in woodland so there are plenty of birds, deer and other wildlife around.
The site is large but didn't feel crowded. We had a hard standing pitch and you are free to choose your own. We were up high on the other side of the disused railway. We chose not to go down by the railway as it looked shadier and damper there.
Bikes are a must as a disused railway runs through the site and there a plenty of traffic free route to cycle on nearby.
The only downside was the midges. I got eaten alive and my daughters teacher thought she had chicken pocks! How ever despite the midges we will return.
It is rare I leave campsite reviews however I felt it necessary on this occasion. I wanted to come away able to post a positive review as my memories of this site were fond ones and I felt saddened to read some contrary reviews. I’ll attempt to be as subjective as possible, then you can draw from it what you will and can decide what may appeal or not.
Forest location:
10 minutes from Brockenhurst, this site is positioned in the heart of the forest, the positive to this is that you can possibly wake to deer outside your van if you are lucky to bag a pitch on the OUTER edges of the site. The bird calls are varied and squirrels are abundant – beware they also chew more than just seeds!
The positive of being so very much in the forest is the wildlife, the negative is that it is VERY shaded, very little sunlight hits many of the pitches and we were literally eaten alive by midges – I spent nearly £40 just on preventative sprays and bite creams for less than a weeks stay!
It is well positioned for much of the forest, Southampton is a mere 30 mins, Lymington possibly 15 minutes, Ringwood 20 minutes, Marwell zoo 45 mins and from site there are cycle trails, starting with the perfect disused railway.
Select pitches:
All pitches are unreserved and you’ll be aware there are no facilities on this site, only EHU. The select pitches are spacious, most boasting a picnic table and each area within select are within little cul-de-sacs – on the positive this gives privacy. The negative, it removes the ability to socialise as most campers retreat into their own world, this may appeal to some but not to all, especially maybe not to families with children who you want to grow in confidence that spreading their social wings can bring.
This site from a child's perspective:
The site over rule the no den building policy to allow children some ability to create grand designs. However, whilst children are encouraged to build dens, you are ever mindful that ticks are abundant and upon the mention of adders from the office staff, my children feared venturing too far! Such a shame. There are no communal play area’s and for the reasons mentioned above, it is hard for children to seek or make friends due to the layout of this site, infact, even in half term we didn’t come across other young campers in our select area at all. Scooters do not work on this site as they sink into the ground, bikes are best advised. Forget ball games altogether!
Staff:
I was heartened on arrival by two very lovely chaps who made us feel welcomed however on day 3 we were visited (whilst emptying my chemical toilet!) by a very officious older gentleman who without giving any sort of courteous pleasantries, even as basic as “good morning”, he ordered us to take our hammock down. The one bit of joy my children had and the only thing that gave a sense of relaxation. Given the fact there are many rope swings throughout the forest and that management overturn the no den building rule, to say we were disappointed is an understatement. But more distressing was his manner, especially infront of my children who are brought up to respect and be courteous to all. Appalling and really left a bad taste.
Would we return:
I would love to return but this site isn’t cheap and due to many of the reasons mentioned, we didn’t find this site overly relaxing. It didn't give what I wanted for my intrepid mini explorers and to avoid being more of a feast to midges (that became so unbearable we nearly cut our holiday short), we were out for much of the day which really negated the reasons for seeking a tranquil site in the forest.
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Common Questions
Is Setthorns Camping In The New Forest child friendly? YES, it accepts children View all facilities
Where is the nearest shop to Setthorns Camping In The New Forest? There is a shop within 5 miles View all facilities
Is Setthorns Camping In The New Forest dog friendly? YES 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 
No Statics for Hire 
No Statics for Sale 
Seasonal Pitches 
Electric Hookups 
Hardstanding Pitches 
No Fully Serviced Pitches 
Families Welcome 
Not Members Only 
No Rallies 
Not Naturist Site 
Dogs Welcome 
No Dogs Allowed 
Groups Welcome 
No Toilets 
No Showers 
No Washing Up Area 
No Bathroom 
No Baby Changing 
No Laundry 
Drinking Water 
Disabled Friendly 
Chemical Disposal 
No Battery Charging 
No Gas Exchange 
Recycling Facilities 
No Kitchen Facilities 
No Freezer / Fridge 
No Motorhome Point 
No Wifi Access 
Shop <5 miles 
Bar <1 mile 
Restaurant or Cafe or Takeaway <1 mile 
No Playground 
No TV Room 
No Games Room 
No Evening Ents 
Fishing <5 miles 
No Wild Swimming 
No Indoor Pool 
No Outdoor Pool 
Horse Riding <5 miles 
No Cycle Hire 
No Golf 
No Tennis 
Beach <10 miles 
Watersports <10 miles 
Boat Launch / Mooring <10 miles 
No Sea Views 
Not Working Farm 
No Campfires Allowed 
Open All Year 
No Waterside Pitches 
Public Transport <5 miles
Offroad Dog Walk On Site or Direct Access 
Could well earn 10 starts except I'd like to see a woodland play are for children. 
via mobile
