With May half term less than two weeks away, our campsites are all set and ready to open their gates for more family adventures.
Wake up in the heart of the New Forest
With all three of our campsites (Harry’s Field, Harry’s Meadow and The Old Airfield) opening up for May half term, now is the perfect time to book your next family camping trip.
The New Forest is a magical place at this time of year. Look out for newly born New Forest Pony foals roaming the heathlands with their mums, listen to birdsong from underneath canvas and plan an escape without the crowds of summer.
Forest walks, bike rides and outdoor adventures
Use our campsites as a base for taking a deeper delve into all that the New Forest has to offer. From each of our campsites, you can enjoy a variety of walks. Whether it’s choosing to walk to a nearby stream for a quick paddle or you want to take a longer route deeper into the National Park. The New Forest website has lots of suggested walking routes, including those suited for families.
Bring your bikes along and follow some of the New Forest’s gravel tracks as you weave your way past lush woodlands and take in the sweeping views. If you don’t have your own bikes with you, that’s not a problem – bikes can be hired from local cycle hire spots including Burley, Brockenhurst and Lyndhurst.
If you are looking for something a little different to do – why not hire a canoe from New Forest Activities and paddle along the Beaulieu River? A great way to create special family memories. Alternatively, book a place at a Medieval Trio session (archery, crossbows and axe throwing) at Insight Activities, just a short distance away from our Harry’s Field and Harry’s Meadow sites.
Beach days and wild swimming spots
Spend lazy days on the beaches – from gentle strolls along the shoreline at Mudeford to building sandcastles on the sandy stretches at Milford-on-sea. Our Old Airfield campsite is the closest to the beach – just 10-minutes from Mudeford, Hengistbury Head and Highcliffe beaches. Our other two campsites are further away but are within a drive of beaches at Lepe or to the golden sands of Bournemouth. Watch the sunset from the beach and feast on good old fish and chips.
For a refreshing and invigorating experience, why not try out a bit of wild swimming when you stay with us? Whether it’s a dip in the ocean near the Old Airfield or a swim in the river – Harry’s Meadow has wild swimming just a 5-minute stroll away from it.
And if you just love being on the water, the New Forest Water Park (very close to Harry’s Meadow and Harry’s Field campsites) is great fun. Navigate your way across inflatables on the water park, try your hand at wake boarding or paddleboarding or book onto one of the park’s open water swimming sessions.
Family-friendly places to visit in the New Forest
There are some amazing days out for all the family in and around the New Forest. Opening up just ahead of May half term will be the Valgard Viking-themed area of Paultons Park. With thrilling rides for older children, this new addition to the park will get your adrenaline pumping. For younger children, Peppa Pig World is often a highlight, with chances to meet Peppa and other characters as well as go on numerous rides.
Meet the animals at Longdown Activity Farm and get hands-on with bottle feeding kid lambs, searching for freshly laid eggs and much more. Or look for animals both native and exotic at the New Forest Wildlife Park (which also has some large play areas too).
Beaulieu is also a great family day out. Explore the National Motor Museum with cars from across the generations (also a perfect wet weather activity), ride the Monorail, have fun exploring ‘Little Beaulieu’ – the large wooden play area and join in with family activities. Delve into facts about Beaulieu’s Victorian history, including some facts you may just wish you’d never learned with their Horrible Histories activities taking place across May half term.
Travel back in time on a journey to Hurst Castle. This coastal fortress was built by King Henry VIII and oozes history. Follow the 2-mile walk along the shingle spit to the castle or catch the regular ferries from Keyhaven. Hurst Castle is also dog-friendly so makes an ideal day out for all the family.
And last but by no means least, anyone staying with us with a dog may wish to head to Dogstival. This two-day festival is dedicated to your canine friends with a dog beach, dog agility sessions, a wealth of dog-related stalls and much more. For the humans, there’s live music, food and drink and a great atmosphere. Dogstival runs at Burley Park from 30-31 May.
Campfires, pizzas and simple camping moments
There is so much to do in the area, there really is. That said, if you fancy so simple camping moments, there’s plenty of opportunity for that too.
Huddle around a campfire, toast marshmallows and tell stories of your adventures. Think less screen-time and more of a chance to reconnect as a family. Create those memories that your children will treasure forever.
And if you don’t fancy cooking, feast upon freshly cooked sourdough pizzas – available at all three of our campsites every night across half term.
What are you waiting for? Book your May half term camping break today.
