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Peaceful, simple, amongst the trees, there are no frills that's what makes it magic, no toilets/ showers - bring your own. Pitches are well laid out, there are three types based on location size etc and whether you need power 25amp breaker is close by, Great for walking and cycling, the pub at Sway and Burley offer great food and are really worth a visit. If you need a phone signal the higher ones manage it (depending on provider) wifi is at the pub, chemical disposal points are on site with easy access, so you don't need to carry the extra weight when you leave.
Bit of a last minute decision to come here, after we'd done a reccy visit a few weeks before. Check in was quick and painless and we paid the extra £3 to stay on till 5. 30pm - what a bonus!
We eventually found our pitch (more on that in a mo!) which was an XL pitch - we have more room than we knew what to do with! Tea was sat outside under the stars on the picnic bench, with a hooty owl serenading us - does it really get any better than that!
We had a short wander around the park and then veered off down a path that we discovered and found ourselves near the main road. Short walk over the road and you're in Longslade Bottom which seemed to be home to some of the gorgeous ponies. I daresay there were other places you could walk to but we found a spot to sit down and watch the world pass by for an hour or so.
The ONLY gripe have, and this might have just been us, was that we were told we were on ptich # 19. When we got up to Pine Top where we were staying we stumbled across an empty pitch, but it didn't look very XL and we really weren't sure if it was ours or not. We drove round, saw some XL pitches but they had white cones in the entrance and we certainly couldn't see any numbers. In the end we had to get out, ask someone who pointed out that the numbers were on the cones and it was only the XL pitches which were numbered.
We drove around again and ended up getting out the car by the white cone we had previously passed, only to see # 19 on the EHU box. The number on the cone was non-existent and we had no idea that the white cone was there to stop none XL'ers using the pitch - unfortunately this hadn't been explained to us.
It's a very minor thing and we know for next time, but all the same it was a bit embarrassing and also bloomin' awkward driving around with an 8ft caravan on the back!
We will be returning - next month in fact - we loved the relaxed feel, the silence and the surroundings. Always wanted to camp in the forest and now we've done it we want more!
Camping in the Forest. Need I say more? The wardens were super friendly with a very organised arrival. They directed us to good phone signal pitches and where the filling/emptying points were so we could sort ourselves out before pitching. The site was busy, which is always a good sign. Up the top you could get EE signal 3G & occasionally 4G. Most people don't need this but hubby needs to be able to work whilst we are away unfortunately. The walks from the site were obviously beautiful, being the forest and you could even walk to the famous Ober Water. Ponies were a plenty, and there was a disused railway track that ran through the site if you wanted an easy walk/run/bike! Brockenhurst had a Tesco express and Sainsburys local as well as a village butchers and village veg and donkeys! The beach is only about a 15 minute drive away and also Ringwood brewery is a must visit, if you're into alcohol. Overall the site is very well kept and very relaxed and informal and you don't feel on top of each other as they are quite spaced out but the woods give you a sense of seclusion. Most pitches are hard standing and there is plenty of wildlife about. We will definitely be going back and we can't wait!
Stayed here for one night on a premium pitch it was lovely my pitch being on grass set among the trees. The site was not noisy even though it was in August and the pitches are set well apart. The wardens were friendly and were seen to walk around site and check on pitches and make sure everryone was in the correct place I also saw them litter picking, I had a lovely chat to the warden whilst he was checking the passes.
The reception was nice and had a few small essential items if you had forgotten them and had lots of leaflets and information on what to do in the surrounding area.
Near to the site is open heathland and you can walk along a disused railway line ideal for walkers and dog owners or If you had bought your bikes.
Facility's apart from electric and the usual water chemical disposal point bins this was it I did struggle a bit to fill up with water at the area the wardens said was easier for motorhomes but on looking round the site the water fill up near my pitch would of been easier for me.
The only thing I found hard was getting the motorhome level but I managed in the end. TV reception was hit and miss as was mobile signal but to be honest this site is more about getting away from all this
There is no play park etc on this site for children but I think it's more about getting back to nature and making your own fun.
I enjoyed my stay and will use the site during the winter as its one of the only new forest sites open all year.
The only thing I can think that was wrong was the signposts into the site they start of brown with Setthorns name and then the last one on the road leading into the site it's blue but the site wardens have put a sign above with Setthorns name on but we did nearly miss the turning and only saw it at the last moment. Another thing to think about is sat nav directions It was only because I checked but the way it would of taken us was a very windy narrow road but using the main A35 route was much easier for the motorhome.
My wife and I had five nights at Setthorns in March and we immediately booked again for May. We've stayed at two other sites in the New Forest before but in our opinion Setthorns is the best. We booked a Premium pitch online initially but when we explored the site soon after finding a pitch we found the Select pitches were bigger, more secluded, and only a little more expensive, so we immediately upgraded and moved up the hill. Also, although it's not a deal-breaker for us, tv and phone reception were much better up in the Select pitches. Be aware that mobile internet is very hit and miss in the forest. If internet access is important to you, prepare to be frustrated at how slow, or non-existent, it can be. There's not much I can say that hasn't been said by other reviewers - there's easy access to numerous walks, the coast, Bournemouth, Christchurch, Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst etc. , and Blackwater Arboretum and the Tall Trees Trail (my favourite place). There's lots of deer, ponies, squirrels, birds, silence and masses of stars at night. It's a lovely place and the staff are friendly and helpful too. If, like us, you enjoy getting back to nature you'll love it.
No toilets, showers or shop here, just electricity if you need it.
One very minor downside, and one which should be expected really given the location amongst the trees: in May there were clouds of tiny flies in the shade. And I do mean clouds of them!
Well located site for the local area, we had mainly come to visit Paultons Park and Beaulieu. Well spaced out pitches and fairly level, we had a premium hard standing pitch which was easy to reverse onto. Plenty of water and waste points around the site and right in the heart of the forest.
Kids loved playing games in the trees and reusing a wooden 'den'. The occasional passing pony brighten up the day too.
Be prepared for a cacophony of dawn chorus waking you up in the early morning, or indeed the hooting owls throughout the night.
No review of facilities as there are none, only slight criticism is how rutted the access roads are. It gave the car suspension a workout even without towing and seemed the downfall of some children riding their bikes.
Would return and probably spend more time in and around the immediate area.
We came here for our first trip of the year when the sun finally came out in 2014. This is a really well set out forest campsite with all the pitches in the trees and well spaced with hardstanding pitches. This means it can be open all year round.
There is no toilet block but electric hook up is available. There are few facilities on the site, the campsite office have some essentials and the wardens were very helpful. The attraction of the site is being in the heart of the New Forest which you simply walk out to, with miles of bike and hiking routes. Brockenhurst is a couple of miles away for basic shopping and places to eat. There is also the New Forest villages of Beaulieu, Lyndhurst and Lymington a short drive away.
For a great get away to the New Forest with simple facilities look nor further.
You really wouldn't like it here, its really horrible, maybe think about trying somewhere else to go.
OK you're not going to fall for that one are you?
Setthorns is a fabulous place, great pitches, and the staff very friendly and always on-hand if needed. Great location, its the best camping trip I've had so far. If you like peace and quiet, and a real sense of being at one with nature, then this is ideal for you. Just a short drive (or bike ride) to the local town, and not too far to travel to some glorious beaches. So then, please don't all rush at once - leave some room for those of us who will definitely be returning!
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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 
Peaceful, simple, amongst the trees, there are no frills that's what makes it magic, no toilets/ showers - bring your own. Pitches are well laid out, there are three types based on location size etc and whether you need power 25amp breaker is close by, Great for walking and cycling, the pub at Sway and Burley offer great food and are really worth a visit. If you need a phone signal the higher ones manage it (depending on provider) wifi is at the pub, chemical disposal points are on site with easy access, so you don't need to carry the extra weight when you leave. 
