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Well established, well sorted site. Permanent caravans, lodges and camping/touring area. Pitches well laid out with full services, including tv point providing limited number of channels. Connecting cable can be hired from cycle store for £2.
Toilets/showers were nice and clean, plenty of hot water, but are showing their age a bit. On site supermarket is well stocked and reasonably priced.
Food at the Piazza was well cooked, well presented and reasonably priced, but portions are not huge. Nice cooked breakfast at Woodside bar. Lots for kids to do.
Surrounding woods are lovely, easy access to riverside. We have stayed here before in the lodges, but first time in the motorhome.
Took advantage of special £10 a night offer for May. We weren't charged extra for the dog.
This is the second time we have stayed here. The first time was in February so out of season and we really enjoyed it so booked again. But this time was late bank holiday weekend, so the site much busier and we had quite a different experience to the first.
This holiday park is in a good location, in the New Forest close to popular attractions like Paultons Park, and within an easy drive of Romsey, Southampton and other villages and towns in the New Forest.
The pitch we had in the Four Acres field was good; spacious and close to facilities, including a small playground which the kids loved. There were aerial points for TVs on all pitches but we did not get a good signal on this pitch compared to our previous stay. The wardens made checks of the site but despite this we struggled to get our caravan out at the end of the weekend as cars were thoughtlessly parked on the roads.
The facilities and entertainment here are great, but at busy times they seem to struggle to accommodate everyone. The on-site pizza restaurant wouldn't take bookings except for parties of 8 or more. So, predictably, that meant that they were full with large parties and so we were, along with several others, turned away - very disappointing. This system was not at all fair as it obviously disadvantaged all those not travelling in large parties. They also ran a booking system in the swimming pool, and stuck to it rigidly so that if anyone turned up on spec they were refused entry even if the pool was quiet! The showers in the pool were freezing as apparently the hot water system broke down. I had to use the shower block on the campsite instead and was disappointed. It was slightly grubby and the shower curtains were yellowing and mouldy. There was no way of controlling the temperature or height of the shower so not very good for children.
Despite these gripes, my kids still had a great time, and particularly enjoyed the Bug Hunt they went on, but personally I found it all much too hectic and claustrophobic so will only return in the off season when prices are much more reasonable and the whole atmosphere more pleasant.
We've just returned from a weekend at Sandy Balls, booked only Friday morning and at the amazing price of just £10 per night which is their current special camping/touring offer until 26th May
This is a well maintained, well thought out site. The facilities are outstanding with a superb shaped, graduated depth, outdoor pool which the children loved. This is adjacent to the indoor pool which also has 2 smaller toddler pools, a sauna and jacuzzi. I understand they also have an endless pool.
I thought I read somewhere that they have a cinema but we didn't come across this
There is a couple of outdoor play areas for the children and a smaller indoor play area
The shop is very well stocked and not too badly priced
We ate lunch in the Piazza Pizza restaurant today and that was priced in line with most pizza restaurants. There is a small play area for children and a large screen tv and dvd player to entertain the children whilst you finish your meal in peace
The shower blocks in the Northfield were modern and clean. We didn't use the washing up facilities
All the pitches have gravel & grass (apart from an area only open in August which is grass only, no electric) and they insist on you pitching on the gravel, not the grass as required by their licence. This wasn't a problem for us as we were in a Motorhome but I don't know how the campers found this to be
Every pitch had a service point with electric hook up, tap, grey waste drain and also a 1' and 4' drain in the gravel, I assume for you to drain straight from your tank but we're new to this and didn't come prepared with pipes so we just used a bowl to empty our grey waste tanks and tip down the drain. The chemical waste point was only a couple of pitches away and there were plenty of these
The surrounding area is just stunning. We've not been to the New Forest before, what a lovely area!
There is a tesco express less than a mile down the road in Fordingbridge which is open until 11pm if the site shop is closed (7pm weekdays/8pm weekends). I think there was also a Co-Op but not late night
This is an ideal place to stay if you're planning on visiting Paultons Theme Park with it's new Peppa Pig World addition as we did, it is only 23 mins away by car
We would definitely go back again but I understand that booking for high season is difficult and usually needs to be done way in advance
There's little doubt this is a very high calibre site.
The facilities are excellent, but also 'un-holiday camp' in the way they are delivered.
At check in we didn't need to leave the van - they came to us with info and welcome pack, nice touch. The pitches are fairly tight and my suggestion is go for the gravel with hedges rather than the concrete. Next door to us had set up on 'our' grass which squeezed the space considerably, although with a camper it didn't matter too much.
I would say the site doesn't feel spacious, this is due to the trees and fairly tight pitches, although it is large.
In a camper you have to more or less cycle or stay on site which isn't a problem as the cycle maps are online and the site shop is excellent. Food in the Italian and pub are both good.
The dog field is excellent with cut grass, is fully enclosed, and level. (Don't know why people still cant clear up though.) The river walk is great for dogs as well. The location for the new forest is great with the wilderness on the doorstep.
I didn't like paying for a padlock in the pool (stupid system) or the elsan point which was designed by someone who has never emptied and has no comprehension of 'splashing'! Also the adult only times for the pool are before 8am plus a couple of 8-9pm slots. However free wifi and the launderette is reasonable so it balances.
We stayed during the royal wedding where the site made an effort to grasp the occasion, and despite being full, the facilities were not overstretched.
Liked the site a lot, would be brilliant in the winter too!
Stayed here over Easter and had a great time. This was our first trip out with our tent and we weren't disappointed, we didn't even have to get out of the car when we arrived.
Our pitch was gravel which is a bit uncomfortable when you are in a tent but the hedges around made a lovely setting.
The facilities on site are great, the kids loved the playground and being able to hire bikes from the site was a great advantage. Well stocked shop.
We always found the toilets and showers clean and tidy although could do with some updating.
E camped in over the Easter weekend. I have been to Sandy Balls on numerous occasion, but stayed in the Lodges.
We started camping last summer.
We had pitch 38 and 39 in Orchard, which was out of the way, in the top corner. Good sizes, the gravel is ok, but take an extra ground sheet and tent carpet and clear the bigger stones out the way first!
We did erect a pop up gazebo just for lunch time because it was so hot, but were told politely to take it down. Rules are rules I suppose.
We all felt the showers blocks could have been better, hot water supply was intermittent with some seat/benches missing. Trying to juggle your shower stuff and keep your clean clothes dry is not an easy thing to do.
I have stayed at other camping sites where the facilities are better. This said, it is ok, just needs tweeking a bit.
There is plenty to do for the children, in a safe environment. Staff are very helpful, the shop stocks everything, pub food and beer is also good.
Stayed here for the 2nd time for the New Year, They really do a fine job of entertaining the new year. Well Done. Site is very large and has good toilet / shower blocks which do get busy at peak times. Very well maintained. Staff helpful always. Location requires use of your car and / or cycles as is located away from the more touristy area of the new forest. Good pubs nearby at least one may be walked to.
Easy booking in, reasonable size pitches on a huge site. Came here on a rally, despite getting a block booking price found others had paid £5/nht less due to an internet promotion.
Cons
No signal from on pitch TV post plug in, which defeats the point when staying in a poor reception area.
The Christmas meal was poor! Luke warm with one roast potato per person!
I just got back from a long weekend at this site. All pitches have there own fresh water tap and grey water drain as well as a power point. Also there they have a TV aerial point if required. The pitches are all level and there is excellent facilities including a swimming pool and sauna. A Spar shop and a cycle hire shop along with a pub and pizza place complete the public areas. There are good walks down to the River Avon from the site and you have the opportunity to view the many types of wildlife.
Visited away from the peak season for a few days. Friendly welcome on arrival.
Overall, site was satisfactory, very quiet and many pitches unoccupied, which made it feel open and uncongested. Pitches a bit boggy due to rain but partly gravelled which helped.
Central facilities in piazza seem good, swimming pool probably best part, warm and a decent size. Didnt try other facilities so can't comment.
Couple of things that let this site down were washblocks: showers not always very hot and didn't seem very clean. Seems a small thing but nothing available to wipe/clean round sinks and loos etc after you have used them (this is standard in the club sites and would be worth the site management here considering). As we use the site facilities not the van based ones when away it makes a difference. Cost not great either, felt that what we paid was not worth it in extra facilities.
Away from the site there are some great walks through the New Forest and although a bit of a drive away, National Motor Museum at Beaulieu worth a visit.
Idyllic location walking out the gate to the setting of The New Forest
Well organised and friendly site
Large plots for the caravan but very strict on what goes where
All close together so no real privacy
Pool was lovely and the central guest unit modern although we did not use the facilities
Dog walking field was large
Toilets where older and we did not see them really clean all weekend. We where there for a quiet weekend I can't see how these facilities would cope during their busy summer months and would not want to visit during this time
Would not recommend it for these reasons and do not think we would visit again as there are so many lovely sites in that area
As a family, we are new to camping. We visited a Camping and Caravan Club site in August and were really impressed with the peace and tranquillity of the site. So, we decided, to try the other side of the coin and go for a more Commercial site, Sandy Balls.
The facilities are great. Showers and toilet blocks clean. The staff are friendly and helpful. Overall, we were very impressed with the 'pockets' of pitches which made the whole site feel much smaller.
The majority of fellow campers were friendly and chatty, which makes the difference.
There is a fantastic pub, just up the road, which serves reasonably priced and delicious food.
First visit to Sandy Balls this year - and overall was very happy with it.
Just one main criticism that they had squeezed too many people into a site with too little 'main-centre' facilities - especially for the high nightly cost. If you didn't book the restaurant, turn up early to the pub, or prepared to wait for the swimming pool - you wouldn't get in. If they plan to squeeze so many people in, they must add more central bars, restaurants and activity attractions.
That aside, the facilities that were there were excellent, clean and the staff were very friendly. The location is picturesque, and great for a popping into Bournemouth, Portsmouth and the New Forest.
When it worked, each plot had a satellite tv point, a tap and electricity so everything was on hand. The plots were gravel, but flat and dry, just had to use a few extra blankets under our tent carpet.
The place is full of families and kids and to be honest were never kept awake late at night or woken up early in the morning.
Not a place for relaxing, but a great place to enjoy and explore from.
Just got back from a great weekend at Sandy balls.
The lady at reception was very friendly and showed us the way to our pitch. The pitch was huge and almost level.
The park for the kids was fantastic and many a happy hour was spent there. The kids also did one of the craft activities, making a wooden plaque. This was well organised and the staff were great and very patient with the children. Great value for money.
The pools were fantastic catering for everyone, and the zorbing was great fun for children and adults alike. The changing the facilities were great with big single sex changing rooms and decent showers.
The other site facilities were also very good with 2 excellent shops, games room and indoor play area.
The pizza shop was a bit of a let down as it wasn't busy and when we went in for takeaway they told us a 45 minute wait which would have been fine but then when we went to order they refused to take the order saying they were to busy. The local pizza / kebab shop in the village is well recommended except they don't deliver. The takeaway hatch is very slow but the food was OK.
The toilets and showers were clean and had plenty of blocks throughout the area meant even when they were being cleaned you didn't have to go far.
This certainly won't be my last visit to Sandy balls.
We had only just brought a caravan and this was our test night away. The site is large but extremely good for children.
The swimming pools, one out door and one indoor were good with showering facilities. The only down side to the pool was that you only had an hour at a time and my children could have stayed in all day. I do think £50 a night is quite expensive even though the facilities are good.
Each pitch has its own tape, drainage and hook-up.
The site itself is in beautiful surroundings and you couldn't ask for more helpful staff.
Showers and toilets are clean and no waiting in the morning for a shower.
A well stocked shop on site is reasonable and only a short drive away is a little town with a supermarket and some take aways.
For our first time we had a whale of a time and would return, but only on a special deal or reduced price.
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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 
Well established, well sorted site. Permanent caravans, lodges and camping/touring area. Pitches well laid out with full services, including tv point providing limited number of channels. Connecting cable can be hired from cycle store for £2. 
