Reviews
Here’s your opportunity to tell fellow campers all about the campsites that you know and love. Whether it’s to highlight a hidden gem of a location or praise a sensational site manager, we want to hear from you!
Think of your favourite site and how well you know it. Then imagine being able to tell someone else about some of those wonderful things that make it so special! Advice on getting there, info about the pitches, the low-down on the facilities, what there is nearby to do, see and explore... it could open up a world of possibilities to fellow campers just like you.
Your reviews are important and will be valuable to the Club and Club Members alike, so why not
get writing one now?
Shoreham (Club member) reviewed Holmsley - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
Not appealing!!
Entrance is way too tight - constricted by posts - and why there would have been plenty or room?
Pictures are misleading. Hardstanding is a joke. No marked pitches.Ugly site.
I dont think the Club should list this site.
In defence there was no parking allowed on the grass due to weather.
So should it be open? I was given a refund but would not return.
I have parked in better lay By's.
DATE STAYED:
MEMBER FOUND TOWING: Difficult
RECOMMENDED: 
2.3
Mick & Gella (Club member) reviewed Holmsley - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
This was our second visit to Holmsley and will definitely be going back again. On both occasions we had no problem finding a Premium Pitch, we don’t understand why people have such an issue with having to find their own pitch, (Postern Hill does the same, again no problem). This site is just perfect for our needs, with very friendly and helpful staff. Would be good if the CDP and grey waste area were covered to give some shelter in bad weather and it’s a shame the site is not open all year, would be ideal with the amount of hard standing. GREAT SITE!
DATE STAYED:
RECOMMENDED: 
SUITABLE FOR: Families,Older couples,Groups,Peaceful break
LOCATION: Country
4.3
Simmo (Club member) reviewed Holmsley - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
Site is basic. Shower block is clean but poorly appointed. Cublicles are small and have neither stool nor shelf. Hooks are small and basic. THere are no discreet hand-basin cublicles. Dropping point for waste water is just about accessible for camper van, but not for m/homes; it is almost surrounded by mud. Pitching arrangements are haphazard with no clearly defined pitches.
We were attending a party 10 miles away and were told there was no way that we could access the site after 10.30pm. We had to leave the prty early.
Having said all that, the staff were cheery and helpful but seemed resigned to the mediocre set-up.
The site needs bringing into the 21st century!
DATE STAYED:
MEMBER FOUND TOWING: Easy
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Active break
LOCATION: Country
3.3
Human Condition (Club member) reviewed Holmsley - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
Forget the description -- unless you're driving everywhere this site isn't close to *anything*, and given this site touts its green credentials it seems a little at odds. (If you're in a motorhome you may not want to drive anywhere; see below).
The walking directions to Burley are needlessly long, but it turns out that unless you want to hire a bike or buy a tacky souvenir it's pointless anyway. Bransgore has a pub, a Co-Op, a chip shop, a pharmacy, and a butcher, but these are a two and a half mile walk (the on-site shop covers the basics, but anything beyond bread, milk, and ice cream and you really need to head to town).
The site organisation is dreadful; we booked a premium pitch and when we turned up we were told to take our pick. Unfortunately as people can park more or less anywhere it meant that very few premium pitches were accessible, and as the site filled up we watched several people circling the site fruitlessly looking for somewhere to hook up. This also meant we didn't feel able to drive anywhere as there was a fair chance that when we got back we'd have lost our pitch.
One other minor complaint: dogs are supposed to be kept on a lead but this doesn't seem to be enforced at all.
In closing, the sheer scale of the place means that you don't feel like you're getting away from it all but still manages to be miles from anywhere -- it's the worst of both worlds!
DATE STAYED:
RECOMMENDED:
4
Hawkeye (Club member) reviewed Holmsley - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
We found all the best and worst comments about this site were true. It must be chaos in the school holidays. Difficult to find an available electric hookup, the 10 inch waste water drain had no cover, at the weekend when the site was busier units were too close together and no-one seemed to care, we just had to get on with it. It's good not to be regimented - have a look at the nearby Caravan Club site ! - but some organisation would be good. The whole site looked as though it needed some TLC but the location is wonderful.
DATE STAYED:
MEMBER FOUND TOWING: Easy
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Families,Groups,Active break
LOCATION: Country
3.3
Steve (Club member) reviewed Holmsley - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
I have to say that the location is perfect, as was the access, the welcome and overall the site was exactly what we were looking for. I found the staff very friendly. I would like to say however, that as previously commented, it was not ideal that you have to drive round and round the site to look for a pitch. I had expected to be allocated one having pre-booked, as we were arriving late and would need as much time as possible to set up. We actually spent a good 20 minutes driving round before we found an area that was only acceptable, and not to the standard we had hoped. Some visitors have commented on the hard ground, and I have to say that this information is stated on the website, so we went prepared.
Finally, whilst it states there is a shop and takeaway on site, neither of them were more than average, and despite very friendly staff we did have to leave site for both food and essentials. Yes, we would return, and despite all the issues we found the location fabulous for just relaxing and walking!
DATE STAYED:
MEMBER FOUND TOWING: Easy
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Families,Older couples,Peaceful break
LOCATION: Secluded
4.7
Paul & family (Club member) reviewed Holmsley - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
Nice location but there are real issues with this site.
General lack of maintenance is obvious, my wife told me that half the ladies showers were not working in our block. I know that they wish to save water but setting the shower controls so that you get just over a second of water per push as well as being frustrating means that you have to develop a technique of keep the button permanently depressed, somewhat self defeating! I also tried another block and the shaver points were ALL out of order.
The provision of a dirty old mop to clean showers out was hopeless, used it once and the result was worse than before I mopped it.
There is a take away on site, but even in high season it has limited opening times, if fact not opening at all on many days.
The vehicle access hours are not at all enforced so you will be disturbed very late and very early as well.
My overall view is top prices for at best poor 2nd rate facilities (excessive prices for gas replacement and being charged £5 per night for our very small trailer is greedy in the extreme!!).
You may guess that we will not be returning here.
DATE STAYED:
MEMBER FOUND TOWING: Easy
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Families,Older couples,Younger couples
LOCATION: Secluded
2
Broomsticks (Club member) reviewed Holmsley - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
We stayed here when the weather was horrendously stormy so ended up with a small lake in the centre of our awning due to it running under the skirt, however, weather is not the sites fault! Lovely little shop, facilities good. Perfect for kids and dogs! Lovely for walking the dog. We thoroughly enjoyed the peaceful stay, despite the weather and we are going back again next week!
DATE STAYED:
MEMBER FOUND TOWING: Easy
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Families,Older couples,Groups,Active break,Peaceful break,Younger couples
LOCATION: Country
4.3
HappyCampers (Club member) reviewed Holmsley - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
We arrived to find that although we had booked a "premium pitch", you had to drive around until you found somewhere suitable. Not what you need to do when you have had a long journey. The ground was really hard so getting the pegs in was quite difficult as we had to go under a tree as it was the only level ground. The pitches were a mess there had been no care taken to level the pitches, ok so you can say that's camping or you are camping in the forest so it's got to be natural but when the dips are caused by cars & caravan tyres that's not natural & to me should have been filled in. We were staying in a bog so when it rained we had to dig trenches; the water was just running from the pools made by tyres into our tent. I don't mind the rain we've been camping for years. Not happy with the pitches at all we drove round to have a look to see if there were any better ones but no luck. The toilets aren't bad, fairly new looking however you go into the loo & you have to stand to one side to shut the door & if it's raining your coat is hung on the back of the door it's dripping straight onto your lap. Showers - no shower curtain, or stool & very small. It's ok if you had a shower in the very end one but if you were in any of the others all of their water ran into your shower, nice. The campsite is in a prime location which is why I think there is complete disregard the state of the pitches as they will get customers anyway. As I say prime location walk out of the campsite & there are the wild horses there, walk direct into the forest, great for bikes, very little traffic so ok for the kids to ride their bikes. I was concerned before I went about this site due to the reviews but I really wish I had listened, there are other campsites in the new forest & I highly recommend you give them a look before booking here
DATE STAYED:
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Groups
LOCATION: Country
2
Scott reviewed Holmsley - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
Fantastic place to go! Please be aware the ground is very hard and you will need strong pegs. I agree with other people about trying to find the electric hook up pitches where a nightmare.if you pay for a hook up they should provide you with a space. Other than that fantastic place!!
DATE STAYED:
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Families,Older couples,Active break,Peaceful break
LOCATION: Country
4.3
Mr & Mrs R (Club member) reviewed Holmsley - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
We stayed in August, turned up on a Saturday and told to find a spare pitch - this meant driving round the large site trying to find one as we were given no idea of where the empty pitches were. No organisation so tents/vans were all over the place. Many pitches on concrete with awning on sloped bank next to it. We were lucky but without the mover would not have managed to get the pitch we did. Saw a couple other vans come and go to another site.
Outside site nice area for walking, kite flying.
DATE STAYED:
MEMBER FOUND TOWING: Easy
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Families,Groups
LOCATION: Country
3
campervan (Club member) reviewed Holmsley - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
camp here first time. We found this camp very clean with all the facilities. Staff are all very friendly.
the only problem was the postcode indicated is incorrect and we took some time to find it.
DATE STAYED:
MEMBER FOUND TOWING: Easy
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Families,Older couples,Groups,Active break,Peaceful break,Younger couples
LOCATION: Country
4.3
Ryan reviewed Holmsley - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
When we arrived there was no one in reception, just a sign saying ''closed for lunch'' which meant we had to wait with 2 very young children for nearly an hour before we could book in. After setting up we decided to get a take-away as advertised on the website, however we found that it is only open at certain times of the year. The site staff on the whole were very helpful, apart from one woman who refused to provide some hot water for a bottle for our baby as our stove failed to work. The site manager, Ben, however was fantastic, when there was an incident on the site he was very helpful and reassuring, overall while the site has it's failings it is perfectly placed in the forest and is great for a family getaway as long as you don't have to rely on the facilities.
DATE STAYED:
MEMBER FOUND TOWING: Easy
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Families,Older couples,Groups,Active break,Peaceful break,Younger couples
LOCATION: Country
3
Ivan (Club member) reviewed Holmsley - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
We arrived on a Saturday afternoon and found the free for all system very poor considering we had booked a premium pitch (caravan and awning) The site had a number of weekenders (Which i am not against as we do the same)We ended up with a poor pitch at the bottom of a slope which caused problems when it rained we could have pitched on the ex runways/roads but we did book with awning.The actual premium parts are not very nice looking unless you use the far fields which are a long way from any facilities let alone hook ups.Toilets etc have been refurbished? The showers only have hooks no benches and curtains missing. Take away advertised but when we want to use closed do to lack of numbers onsite.Overall i feel this site requires a complete overhaul to make it more inviting we would not return as it is.
DATE STAYED:
MEMBER FOUND TOWING: Easy
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Families,Active break,Younger couples
LOCATION: Country
2.3
sammienhs (Club member) reviewed Holmsley - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
I have been to this site 3 times now, and really like it but it does have its pitfalls. I have been when it is very busy, and the comments some people have left regarding the free for all pitching is true, it can be difficult to squeeze in when it is busy. I have often found it noisy too well after 23.00 but the last time in May 2011 it was quiet.
I found it frustrating having a premium pitch and still told "to find a space anywhere" to try and squeeze in where there was a free socket but giving the units there a clear 6 mtr space. It just wasn't possible as units already there had spread out.
I would very much prefer marked pitches but the site is in a great location in the heart of the forest, perfect for cycling/walking and a short drive to the beach.
I am back there in June but dread driving around finding a pitch, thats the worst bit, but even with that its one of my favourite sites.
DATE STAYED:
MEMBER FOUND TOWING: Easy
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Families,Older couples,Groups,Active break,Peaceful break,Younger couples
LOCATION: Country
4
kdbcmt (Club member) reviewed Holmsley - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
The best first experience for my partner. She'd never been camping before but has now returned to this site and gone to others. Facilities were clean and modern. The shop and cafe were well stocked. Staff were friendly and surroundings were picturesque. The site was generally quiet and the late rule was kept to.
DATE STAYED:
MEMBER FOUND TOWING: Easy
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Families,Older couples,Groups,Active break,Peaceful break,Younger couples
LOCATION: Country
5
AMC London (Club member) reviewed Holmsley - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
A great centre for exploring the new forest. The site is a disused WW2 airfield, so very big and not particularly beautiful. The ground was hard, stony and grass patchy. The facilities were brand new, but some pitches were quite a distance from them. The site is spacious, but the siting of the electric points make the 6m rule almost impossible to apply. The site is very peaceful at night.
DATE STAYED:
MEMBER FOUND TOWING: Easy
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Families,Groups,Active break
LOCATION: Country
4.7
Tony (Club member) reviewed Holmsley - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
What a fantastic site
The site had something for everyone both young and old. All the fellow users were understanding of 2230hrs silent hours and the site staff were helpful, efficient and made sure the camp rules were adhered to.
The shower facilities looked brand new with all the piping nice and shiny there are three large main blocks with separate male and female ablutions, baby changing and dish washing areas in each. Next to each block there were all the relevant facilities for caravans and a full recycling centre.
I will 100% revisit this site and plan to in the near future.
DATE STAYED:
MEMBER FOUND TOWING: Easy
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Families,Older couples,Groups
LOCATION: Country,Secluded
5
Jon Estell (Club member) reviewed Holmsley - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
On a disused airfield with large expanses of broken roadway, the site was incredibly busy to the point of overcrowding even given the time of year. The words 'busmans' holiday were expressed by our party on a number of occasions! Free-for-all on pitches led to some interesting positioning by some! Superb location for mountain biking and near the lovely coast. Main shop useful with take away Pizza on site although local pubs served excellent food. The facilities were too small for the numbers and were in need of updating, particularly the showers. However, the nearest shower block had a sign stating it would be closed for renovation the following weekend.
Safe for the kids but really noisy at night.
Generally, we felt the Forest Holidays description did not meet the reality. A beautiful location rather let down by the disused nature of the sites grounds.
DATE STAYED:
MEMBER FOUND TOWING: Easy
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Families
LOCATION: Country
2.7
AnitaH (Club member) reviewed Holmsley - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
My family and I loved it here, the site was full to capacity, but was quiet and peaceful especialy at night. My only small complaint is that it is a free for all to try and find your pitch, as my son and his family were bringing their caravan as well it was difficult to find 2 pitches together, luckily someone was just packing up next to an empty pitch so we waited for that one. It would be helpful if you could book 2 together as our holiday would have beem spoilt had we not got together, also there were some people pitched with tents on electric hook up pitches that were not using them. That is what happens when it is a free for all. But apart from that small gripe we loved it, the staff were all nice the shop was well stocked with basics, and there were plenty of toilets and showers.We would definately visit again in the future.
DATE STAYED:
MEMBER FOUND TOWING: Easy
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Families,Older couples,Groups,Active break,Peaceful break,Younger couples
LOCATION: Secluded
4.7
Cath (Club member) reviewed Holmsley - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
A very big site, and exceedingly busy over the weekend during summer holidays. The children's playground is small, but fine for younger children.
Had to queue for a shower on Saturday am, but otherwise no problems with the facilities - good hot showers and cleaned regularly.
Great location for New Forest walks and cycling, also very close to the beach.
DATE STAYED:
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Families
LOCATION: Country
4
Renee (Club member) reviewed Holmsley - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
We arrived late and struggled to find a small pitch. There are no marked pitches and there is no way there was 6m between pitches. The paths/roads around the camp are not marked or lit and it is huge. There are only 3 toilet/shower blocks and the showers were filthy. The water was too hot - and there were babies and small kids being showered and no way to turn down the heat. The next morning the water was cold.
The noise carried on until well past 11pm and I wont be using the site again!
DATE STAYED:
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Families
LOCATION: Country
1.7
