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This was my first time camping with my kids. We only stayed for two nights, but could of easily stayed for more,
I found the site lived up to everything it said on their website. I was drawn to it for the back to basics camping and kids playing with sticks, although it was more throwing stones into the water that kept my son happy for hours on end,
I loved the challenge of my fire every night, wood and a fire lighter were provided, but the best thing was to see the kids all meet up and play together, only problem was with a toddler you have to be with them near the water but my 9 year old daughter loved the freedom of going to meet her friends at the pedalos!
Dont be put off by the composting toilet, I have been in worse public loos, and although I failed to shower for two days I was told the showers were very good!
Will be returning for sure, and have told lots of friends to do the same.
We stayed as part of a large group (7 families) over the Bank Holiday, and would recommend this site very highly. As set out on the web site this is a laid back place, with limited facilities, where the owners encourage you to get away from it all.
The pitches are well spread out, and we weren't disturbed very much by other visitors. The fire pits and braziers (free loan) were great for sitting around late into the evening. The extensive fields and lakes gave the kids plenty of opportunity to run around and play.
The site owners were very friendly and helpful, provided free eggs, and were keen to know what we thought of the site. All the other campers were relaxed and friendly too.
As promised the facilities are basic but very adequate (just portacabin toilets and showers, and a separate purpose built washing up area). If you need luxury facilities and a shop this isn't the site for you. If you don't need much, then you'll be fine.
The local area has plenty to see and do (New Forest, Beaches, local Country Park etc) as well as good local pubs and shops.
The only improvement that could be made is more hot water for washing up. We ended up taking full kettles to the sinks. Not a big issue.
Having booked a five day break near 300miles away from home, I was somewhat apprehensive regarding the reviews here on lack of showers and toilet facilities.
Hindsight is great isnt it?
Shower blocks and toilets have been added that now takes the totals to 5+5 showers (male and female) and a mixed shower near the main entrance. Toilet rolls / hand wash / shower gel / shampoo and washing liquid are provided in abundance or left by others on departure.
The site is magnificent, where, when booking you can decide to have complete peace or be around or near to other campers and the huge fire pits. The pitches are mowed regularly and everything is in pristine condition. Some very nice surprises to be found around the lake areas.
Geese, swans and hens walking past the tents in a morning are a sight to behold.
Yurts with log burners are available to hire and are beautifully situated around the edges of the lakes.
Firewood is supplied on arrival to start you off, and the odd bucket of wood extra is a few pounds more - braziers are also handed out should you need some privacy from the fire pits.
Eggs are passed around some mornings if the hens have been on overdrive, I was expecting a couple but came home from a day at the beach to find a dozen left by the owners!
ZIP WIRE - never thought I would see one on a campsite, but all the children loved it and certainly put a lump in my throat when I had a try!
The location is very good, 20 minutes into Bournemouth and 15 into Poole. Supermarkets / fuel are around 3 miles away.
This is a gem of a campsite, in a beautiful setting, with just the right blend of laid-back welcome and attention to detail to make a great stay.
We stayed on the big front field, because we were a big party, with trailer tents. But you can also stay in one of the woodland clearings or on the meadow. The Fire pits, picnic benches and braziers were great additions. The owner also brought over a stack of straw bales for the kids to build a fort with!
The kids loved the freedom to roam, and messing around on the lakes, bridges and islands (bring a dingy if you've got one!) and on the zip wire.
The toilets in the car park were nothing to write home about, but then who wants to write home about toilets. They were clean and there were rarely any queues.
Moor Valley Country Park ten minutes down the road was a good family day-trip - with huge wooden play structures spread out around the forest.
I've done quite a bit of camping over the years and I can honestly say that this was the best site I've ever had the pleasure of visiting.
First of all, the ethos of the site, the owners and those that visit is wonderful. Everyone was very laid back, friendly and incredibly helpful, and people genuinely had a great spirit about them.
The site itself was beautiful, which is helped by being impeccably clean. You have masses of space as this is a campsite that doesn't go with the philosophy of “stack em high, sell em cheap”. Having said that, it was exceptional value for money - £28 for 2 people for 2 nights over the bank holiday weekend (there’s an honesty box as well though if you feel you want to contribute a little more which is another lovely touch)!
The lakes are great to walk around and if you look carefully enough, you'll find a hammock amongst the trees to enjoy. To say this site lets you relax is an understatement!
The facilities are perfect. Not once did I queue for the toilet, have a cold shower, or feel like I needed to wash once I'd left!
Although we didn’t have children with us, this is a place where the families with children that I saw were all having a great time. If I was brought here as a child, I’d have loved the zip-line and space to run around in!
The highlights:
-Provides a place where you really can unwind and forget the outside world -Plenty of space -Beautiful site -Enjoying a few relaxing drinks around the camp fire with new-found friends -Being offered a lift to Bournemouth by the owners father!
When I camp in this area again, this will be the first place I look to stay at. It really is fantastic.
Riverside Lakes really is a hidden gem that is perfect for those who appreciate a 'green' approach to camping.
Having spent a memorable sun-filled three days at Riverside Lakes, we can say that it is the
Prefect site to 'kick-back' and relax. Set in lovely green open meadow space, its a low-key place where entertainment comes from chilling out and watching the fire glow, in one of many fire-pits that are thoughtfully placed around the site.
Lovely extras like boat rides or walks around the small lakes, means that's there's plenty to do on-site. Sleeping in either your own tent or in one of the sites heated tepee's (provided with blaze stove and accessories) Riverside is just the thing for campers looking for something different. A hidden hammock in the woods and small glowing solar lights in the trees at night, all add to the fabulous vibe at Riverside Lakes.
The owners impromptu gifts of fresh eggs and firewood is a thoughtful gesture and its refreshing to see owners that put in a lot of time and energy to ensure that the site is a great place to stay.
Space between tent pitches is good and the owner made the effort to carefully select how campers are grouped together. Those looking to party grouped in one area and families elsewhere. Though we did experience a group of thoughtless campers playing loud music late into the night, we were really impressed that the owner was apologetic and dealt with the problem. Other nights on the site were fantastic.
Its great to see a site that is not commercialised. Riverside Lakes is not filled up tightly with campers and is a car-free zone, which is a added bonus. The local residents of hens, geese and visiting deer are lovely!
The eco-loo might not suit all, but showers and toilets are on site. Other facilities such as recycle bins are also provided and owner informed us that the sites electricity comes from renewable energy sources. The site is excellent value for money and their website is helpful to.
We stayed at Riverside Lakes over the May Day Bank Holiday Weekend. Although more than 100 people stayed at the site over the weekend, the nearest tent to our group was more than 30m away. We had our own fire pit with wood supplied at no extra cost, brought round by the extremely friendly owner on his quad bike.
The toilet and shower facilities at River Lakes as pretty basic at present, with only one shower, but as long as you are a bit flexible there's no problem. If you are the type of person who prefers an amazing setting with no noise except the birds and crackle of the flames to a huge sparkling block of facilities then this site is for you.
No cars are allowed on-site so you need to haul your luggage in one of the trolley's provided, or get it towed behind the quad bike, but this adds to the serenity once in. We enjoyed playing in the boats on the lake and the baked bananas with melted chocolate we cooked in our embers! Best of many campsites we have stayed at in the UK and we will be back.
We have just returned from a 2 night stay at Riverside. If your looking for peace and quiet, back to nature, laid back chilling this is it.
The facilities (toilets, showers, washing up) are basic and solar powered, so don't come here if your looking for a full blown holiday park.
It has 3 coarse fishing lakes which fishermen and campers can use. It has numerous woodland areas which you can roam around in, a lovely, clean, safe paddling stream and so much more.
They even have a yurt you can hire, which is fully equipped with all the gear.
The owners are so helpful and friendly but not intrusive. There are 2 big dogs which are very friendly and well trained, geese, swans, ducks and chickens wandering around the place.
Fantastic location, remote and peaceful, yet 10 mins from main new forest road.
The pitches are pegged, there is a small field which they prefer 'camper vans' to use (which has EHU) as they do not want cars churning up the rest of the campsites, and when you go, you'll see why. For tents etc, you are asked to leave your car in the carpark and borrow one of their trailers to carry your gear to your desired pitch. There is so much space here, you can choose to be up near the trees all alone, or around a huge firepit, or right up by one of the lakes. They let you wander and choose what suits you and then the empty trailer can be filled with kids for the bumpy ride back - mine loved it!
You can borrow all the equipment needed to have the most fantastic fires and what's a camp without a warming campfire??!
Recommend this campsite with all my heart, was so sad to leave and am planning or next trip already!
Its hard to know where to place this recommendation, its registered with the camping and caravan park, it has EHU and hardstanding. But I don't think you can get much more wild or remote camping than this - its amazing and I wish I found it years ago!
The owner was really helpful and friendly on the phone and we were pleased they could offer us a fire pit (after all what's camping without a campfire?). The owner even supplied us with firewood which was a great bonus and complimentary fresh eggs were available in the morning (first come first served but the farmer was happy to get some more for us when they had all gone).
Toilets are basic but well supplied with tissue/soap etc. There is also an eco toilet which is actually well kept and hardly any smell. There are washing up facilities and cleaning products are supplied.
Fabulous grounds with plenty of space to pitch up.
Definitely worth returning to and as the previous review states - one we want to keep to ourselves!
We visited the site for our annual family camp and the owners couldn't be more helpful. They provided us with an area for a motorhome and 3 tents and ensured that we also had enough space for games and other activities. They brought us a log burning brazier, logs and even some firelighters. All part of the service.
The toilets etc are somewhat basic, but I've never camped in such a delightful spot. It's back to nature with Geese, Herons, Fish, Butterflies and the odd deer in the meadows.
I can't praise the site or the owners enough and will definitely return.
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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 my first time camping with my kids. We only stayed for two nights, but could of easily stayed for more,
