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This was our second visit to this campsite, still has all the charm from our last visit. It is very relaxing and always enjoy sitting around the brazier in the evenings.
The owners are wonderful and nothing was too much bother. It's nice that they come around in the evenings to check that your ok.
The downside is the toilet block. There are only 2 showers per sex for the campsite and 2 female toilets in the block with the 1 additional eco loo. Hopefully this will be resolved with the opening of the new block, which is promised for this year. It would be nice to see a few more eco loos dotted around the site as the main block is quite a distance to walk.
All in all a great holiday and very relaxing. The pitches give you plenty of space which is great. We will be going back.
After spending such a lovely couple of nights at this campsite, we would definitely go back. Plenty of space, friendly and helpful owners, friendly other campers. Beautifully landscaped.
I had to visit the compost loo as I am passionate about this subject! It was beautifully constructed and comfortable but didn't have any sawdust to throw down, which was consequently making it smell a little
It is a shame as this is what tends to put people off! And compost loos really don't have to smell if looked after well. But as this was my only moan about the weekend, everything else was perfect.
After much research for a site that would not be crowded and allowed camp fires we booked Riverside Lakes. It did not disappoint in any way.
The owners are very helpful and friendly and the pitches are wonderfully spread about in small clusters. The woods around the lakes make for adventurous evening walks with the children with owls hooting and fairy lights in the trees their imagination and sense of adventure can run free.
Firewood and glow sticks were brought round each evening and the campsite guests were all equally appreciative of the set up. The only downsdie was the eco loo had to be shut and it was a long walk to the toilet block but that didn't bother us and they are upgrading the shower and toilet facilities for next year.
Would definitely go again and locally there is so much to do and see. Assuming you are capable of looking after your children around lakes and are looking for a real back to nature peaceful feel and friendly campsite this is wonderful. Loved it.
We have just got home today from Riverside Lakes and we have had the most amazing holiday ever! The site is beautiful with three lakes and pitches laid out in small clusters surrounded by woodland and meadow. Wandering around the site are geese, chickens, ducks and a swan.
The toilet and shower block is very basic but always clean, and a new brick building will be ready for 2011. Maggie, Nigel, Matt and Chris came round every night with logs for the brazier, including firelighters, matches and kindling, and they were the nicest, kindest, friendliest people you could ever wish to meet.
The boys are polite and chatty and there was always a smile and a friendly wave from all of them. On their rounds each evening they also brought lightsticks for all the children.
Nearby is Drusilla's Pub, which is a very pretty public house set in the middle of the countryside, and the shops are only a short drive away.
We cannot stress how relaxing and calming this holiday has been and by day two of our seven day stay, we were planning our return next year. I should also point out that we had my parents with us in a caravan and Maggie couldn't have been more helpful regarding my Father being ill prior to our holiday.
Our ten year old son has claimed it's the best site he's ever been to and he's been camping for ten years. We agree and I've been camping for 40!
If you're looking for a place to revisit your own childhood camping days and a place for your children to appreciate freedom and adventure without all the mod cons then this is the ideal place.
Where has this gem of a site been hidden. The site is fantastic, although it mainly caters for camping, we were made very welcome as members of the Camping & Caravan Club, we had a pitch just a few feet from one of the 3 lakes, as a fisherman this was like being in heaven, no walking to peg just opening the awning door and fish.
The site has been recently taken over by the new owners Maggie & Neil, they are both committed to making the site an enjoyable stay for all who visit and I am sure next time we visit we will see some change for the better.
On to the site itself its set in 27 acres with secluded camping spots, they looked great, also you can hire a Soul Pad which is a already erected tent, for a chill out stay, fantastic. All pitches are secluded for your privacy and you do not have close neighbours so if space and beauty is your style, you will not be disappointed.
There is also 3 fishing lakes on site and there is plenty of fish to catch by all.
A fantastic site we cannot wait until our next visit.
I could go on and on about this site Yes it is that good, visit for yourself and see.
If I were going to run a campsite, I like to think I'd run it on these lines. Well done to the owners - you are offering something pretty unique here and I wish you every success.
We came here for a weekend in June to celebrate our wedding anniversary - we invited a bunch of friends and family but weren't quite sure until the last minute who was going to make it. In the event, everyone who came - whether young or old, camper or non-camper - loved it and commented on the very special atmosphere here.
Yes, facilities are quite basic - but there is a very good website so you have been warned! - but that is part of its appeal. You really are getting back to nature here - but it does have hot showers (important to me!) and everything you need. My 8 year old son's comment: 'Well fun!'.
In these days where people seem so obsessed with money, it is refreshing to find campsite owners who are not primarily interested in milking this site for all it is worth. Here you find something rather more important than money - space. What comes across is that this beautiful site is beloved and to be made much of, without cutting corners. Very environmentally aware (check out the eco loo - well worth a visit!), thoughtful and informed, the owners really made us feel that nothing was too much trouble. I have been to Tim Smit's Eden Project and some first rate game reserves in South Africa - I had the same feeling here: there is a commitment to nature along with a really enlightened approach which makes the whole experience very uplifting.
What a lovely site. I visited with my husband and 4 children at the end of august and had a lovely time.
A huge site with lots of space for the children to play and explore, they loved the hammock and tyre swing,and the chickens became friends for the week we were there.
The showers and toilets were basic but always clean, water was not hot but more than warm enough.
My children loved the real fires in the evening and the wood was dropped of each evening by the owner a very friendly man.The swap shop was a great idea items you didn't want to take home but could be used were left out for other campers to take so nothing went to waste.
Down side the water at the washing up area was never hot enough to wash up so we would take a kettle of hot water with us.
We visited during the last week of September and were at times the only campers on the site.
Previously mentioned zip wire wasn't being used, so am unable to comment on this.
The layout is lovely, with pitches set around the lakes and large patches of unmown wild grass areas.
We tried the compost toilet, but used the standard facilities which were nearer to our pitch. Some pitches however could be quite some distance a toilet however, which would make nightime visits a bit inconvenient.
The yurts/teepees, look amazing - we had a peep at the one on a private island - its definitely something I would like to do.
Lovely touches such as logs freely delivered to your tent along with log baskets.
We liked the fact that the site was car free, but we would reduce the amount of gear we took, as lugging it around the field in a cart, makes you realise quite how much gear we take!
Stayed at Riverside Lakes in early August, it had been raining quite a bit before we arrived but had started to dry up. Tony & Lisa (the owners) were concerned that our Woodland pitch was a bit wet and offered us a change of pitch if we wanted. Bonus points to them straight away!
But we are made of sterner stuff and decided to stay put as we liked the idea of having the whole of the woodland pitches to ourselves!
After camping at 10,000ft in Colorado with the joys of a campfire we were made up to find that more and more sites in the UK are allowing them. We will be using that as our main site picking criteria from now on. And Riverside Lakes are getting off to a good start with us on that point! Also the pitching areas are widely spaced but encourage group camping if you want that, but apparently they will also limit bookings if they think the site is going to be over full. An excellent idea!
Facilities ARE basic but we never had to wait more than a few minutes for a shower even on a very busy Saturday! And they are kept clean (nearly impossible to manage in the weather we had!) and stocked with the essentials. If I can just have one slight complaint though. The woodland area with the highest concentration of Soulpads (which are not an inexpensive option) was the furthest away from the toilets. That might be something to address for next year? Another composting loo in that area might be a good idea?
On day two the rain started. And didn't really let up till 2 days later. Tony & Lisa were brilliant in their concern for us and again offered us a move if wanted! We didn't as although we were very tired from the joys of camping under trees in rain.I KNOW it's not a good idea!.We loved being down there as when it wasn't raining it was pretty and secluded and we felt like we were in the middle of nowhere!
On the 3 occasions we managed to get a fire going (due to the rain!) it was so nice!
There are plenty of pubs and stuff locally if you do get rained on and Poole an Bournemouth are reasonably close for cinemas etc to hide in for the day! The main attraction of this bit of Dorset is the proximity to the New Forest, Lulworth and Corfe Castle all within a short drive and the beaches are not that far either!
It was my husband's birthday while we were there and true to their reported generosity there was a little gift waiting when we returned from a very wet picnic in the New Forest! And there was always an abundance of wood to burn. They do really look after you!
All in all if you want a good base for Dorset that feels like 'real' camping this is definitely the site for you. We WILL be going back. Keeping our fingers crossed for better weather!
After three visits (so far) this year, to this lovely special campsite I feel qualified to write a review.
My opening statement may give you a clue as to my feelings for this place, I LOVE IT. Set in the beautiful Dorset countryside close to the New forest it really is a place to unwind. The owners of the site are just the most lovely couple you could wish to meet, and Bonzo and Ruby (black and yellow Labs) deserve a mention too.
You have a choice of where you want set up with pitches in the main field, in the woods or among the mown areas in the meadows. All of these have central firepits for those who want to socialise or braziers are supplied at no charge if you want to have your own fire, with logs cheerfully delivered at a reasonable fee. No excessive noise after 11.00pm is enforced which I think is very reasonable, it is not a party site. Although quietly chatting around the fire til the wee small hours is no problem as there is loads of room between pitches.
I have stayed at the site before and after the changes (zipwire and pedeloes), in my opinion without seems to be the way to go. My son aged 9 had a great week on our last stay, making friends and their own good old fashioned, muddy fun. There is no playground children have to and do make there own entertainment.
Out and about Bournemouth and other nearby beaches are only a short drive away (approx 20-30mins). West Moors Country Park is only 10 mins away and a good day out. The New Forest with all it has to offer is easily accessable. Ringwood is good for shopping with a market on Wednesdays. Local shops are a very short car or fairly short bike ride away. As are numerous pubs, I wouldn't fancy walking to either.
On site their are two toilet and shower blocks, very clean with eco friendly soap and soft loo roll, with an extra shower block hired in on busier weekends. The compost toilet at the top of the meadow is great and shows what can be done. The covered washing up and recycle area is very good with a freezer for iceblocks. There are three fishing lakes (free to campers) which when not being fished double as swimming lakes. Lots of the children (mine included) made use of this facility, but I've yet to see any adults take the plunge (I will one day!). The lake furthest from the entrance partly in the woods is where most of the pre-erected Soulpads are. Being a car free site Chickens, Geese and Children roam freely on site.
In summary if you're the type of person that likes their entertainment loud and laid on Riverside lakes is probably not for you. If on the other hand you want to unwind with the sights and sounds of the british countryside on your doorstep with like-minded people then you'll feel right at home.
Part of me didn't want to write this review, selfishly I wanted to keep this place to myself but Riverside lakes deserves all of the success that I know that it will get.
Oh and don't forget, be nice or leave.
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Common Questions
Is Riverside Lakes Camping And Glamping child friendly? YES, it accepts children View all facilities
Where is the nearest shop to Riverside Lakes Camping And Glamping? There is a shop within 5 miles View all facilities
Is Riverside Lakes Camping And Glamping 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 
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 
Bathroom 
Baby Changing Facilities 
No Laundry 
Drinking Water 
Disabled Friendly 
Chemical Disposal 
No Battery Charging 
No Gas Exchange 
Recycling Facilities 
Kitchen Facilities 
Freezer / Fridge 
No Motorhome Point 
Wifi Access 
Shop <5 miles 
Bar <5 miles 
Restaurant or Cafe or Takeaway <5 miles 
No Playground 
No TV Room 
No Games Room 
No Evening Ents 
Fishing On Site 
Wild Swimming <5 miles 
No Indoor Pool 
No Outdoor Pool 
Horse Riding <1 mile 
No Cycle Hire 
Golf <5 miles 
No Tennis 
Beach <10 miles 
Watersports <10 miles 
No Boat Launch 
No Sea Views 
Working Farm 
Campfires Allowed 
Lakeside Pitches 
Public Transport <5 miles
Offroad Dog Walk On Site or Direct Access 
This was our second visit to this campsite, still has all the charm from our last visit. It is very relaxing and always enjoy sitting around the brazier in the evenings. 
