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?
Tracey & Roger Wicks (Club member) reviewed Setthorns - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
It is 10 years since we last stayed at Setthorns with our children and we decided that this year we would return, this time on our own as our children are now grown up. This setting still has all the charm and beauty that we remembered and loved the first time that we stayed here. Although there are absolutely no facilities other than a water tap, electric hook up and Elsan point, this is all you need for a very relaxing holiday. A disused railway line runs through the centre of the site and this is an excellent cycling and walking route right on your doorstep. There is a path through the forest that leads directly into the villiage of Sway and here you can find local shops with places to eat and drink. There are many other off road pathways to walk and cycle directly outside the campsite and a particular beautiful spot is Wootton Bridge where you can sit by the stream and relax or if you have children, they can paddle and fish for tiddlers with a net! An ice cream van stops here regularly as well. During our visit, we saw plently of wildlife around our caravan including deer, rabbits & squirrels plus many species of birds including woodpeckers & cuckoos. The New Forest ponies also roam in and out of the forest. We would highly recommend this site if you like getting away from it all and having some time out of the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
DATE STAYED:
MEMBER FOUND TOWING: Easy
RECOMMENDED: 
SUITABLE FOR: Families,Older couples,Groups,Active break,Peaceful break,Younger couples
LOCATION: Country,Secluded
4.7
Terry and Valerie reviewed Setthorns - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
This was only our second trip in our recently bought caravan. The staff were friendly and helpful. We were given a map and allowed to choose from any available pitches. A beautiful setting, even in the rain. After reading previous reviews we were fully prepared for the large pot holes near the entrance. We took rock pegs as well (definately needed them). There was also advice, not sure where from, about avoiding a narrow lane when travelling from Brockenhurst. As newbies we would have struggled along there! We will definately go back at some point.
DATE STAYED:
MEMBER FOUND TOWING: Moderate
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Older couples,Active break,Peaceful break
LOCATION: Country,Secluded
5
Alan & Karen (Club member) reviewed Setthorns - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
Our very first stay at a club site and can only hope all our future ones are as enjoyable as this one. Great site, with friendly and knowledgable staff. Ideally placed for exploring the forest. We had such a good time we stay an extra night. Thanks Mel and his team.
DATE STAYED:
MEMBER FOUND TOWING: Easy
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Peaceful break
LOCATION: Secluded
5
Loz003 (Club member) reviewed Setthorns - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
It was the first time we had been away in our motorhome and my parents recommended the site.
We went with another couple and it was perfect.
We were there for the Queens Jubilee Weekend, so the site was full but it didn't feel that way.
We got a Premium Pitch with electric and table. They were very private from our neighbours.
The best part is you feel like you're in the forest as you pitch on the edge of it.
When we were in the van we saw deer walking past us in the forest. Awesome.
There are some great walks and good pubs in the local village.
The staff were very friendly when we checked in and very helpful.
I will definitely be going back and we have our favourite pitches, which we'll request for next time. Sorry but not going to tell you which they are, you'll have to discover for yourself :-)
DATE STAYED:
MEMBER FOUND TOWING: Easy
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Families,Peaceful break
LOCATION: Country
5
Adam and Sue (Club member) reviewed Setthorns - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
Great friendly check in, although bank holiday found a pitch easily even though we did arrive a little later in the afternoon. Site is really in the country as it tells you and walking to get the water in the morning it reminded me of my trips to centre parcs, in the forest and very peaceful. Although we didnt us it this time the cycle track running through the site looked great and will return for the children to cycle along it, Lovely site...
DATE STAYED:
MEMBER FOUND TOWING: Easy
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Families,Older couples,Active break,Peaceful break
LOCATION: Country,Secluded
5
els (Club member) reviewed Setthorns - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
we have been going to setthorns for about 10 years now first with family and grandchildren and now on uore own love it there hope to go for many more years yet.it is allways good whatever time of year you go.els
DATE STAYED:
MEMBER FOUND TOWING: Moderate
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Families,Older couples,Groups,Active break,Peaceful break,Younger couples
LOCATION: Town,Country,Secluded
4.7
Andy & Megan (Club member) reviewed Setthorns - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
What a loveley site! A very warm friendly welcome from smiling and knowledgable staff. We had asked for EHU and had a choice of pitches,most among trees, with plenty of space and relative privacy. Our chosen pitch was almost perfectly level too. We were visited by several large Fallow Deer and we also saw woodpeckers, squirels and all manner of other wildlife.
A very peaceful time, probably the most relaxing break we have taken.... we wished we could have stayed longer.
The nearby disused railway and other cycle paths were great too. Plenty of countryside to explore by foot or by bike if you want an active time, but plenty of space and peace and quiet if you want a gentle break.Fantastic dawn chorus was a bonus!
The facilities are basic but well constructed , easy to access and plentiful.Limited grey waste water disposal for motorhome was a minor criticism, hence only 4 stars.
The pot-holes mentioned in another review were not an issue for us (7m motorhome)but as the speed limit on site is 5mph, it shouldn't really be a problem for anyone....
DATE STAYED:
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Families,Older couples,Active break,Peaceful break
LOCATION: Country
4.7
Seasoned Camper reviewed Setthorns - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
Lovely site in fabulous surroundings HOWEVER all visitors should be handed with a site etiquette letter upon arrival. We stayed in Settoaks for tents, pitches are close together, surrounded by a couple who thought it was okay to laugh and joke (loudly) till 1am, a family who thought it was okay to allow their kids to kick footballs at the trees continually, kept awake every night by noise, car doors slamming till early hours, people banging kitchen utensils during the night goodness knows what they were doing, as a seasoned camper newbies need to have a few ground rules put down for the benefit of the whole....shame because the noise has put me off returning to setthorns which is a pity as the site is stunning....so come on management lay down some ground rules with your visitors......
DATE STAYED:
MEMBER FOUND TOWING: Easy
RECOMMENDED: 
LOCATION: Secluded
4
Pandabloke (Club member) reviewed Setthorns - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
I stayed for 4 nights over the Jubilee weekend.
I am a solo camper (apart from Arnold, a particularly grumpy and foul mouthed cuddly Panda...) and my unit is a Conway Excel folding camper with EHU. On arrival, despite having booked online less than 24hrs before, the very courteous staff were expecting me and could not have been more helpful.
I had booked a premium pitch, with EHU and was given the freedom to roam around those applicable pitches to choose whichever one I wanted. The pitches were all adequate for any reasonable sized unit. (Even Arnold, who himself is a big unit....)
I just decided to erect my unit, 1 metre extension + sun canopy and skirt for storage. I saw no need to use my full awning (Arnold doesn't take up that much room), although there was plenty of room to do so if I had chosen too. However, a word of warning - unbeknown to me, you'll need rock pegs. This problem did double my time to put up even limited canvas and a word to the wise beforehand would have been nice. Have you ever tried welting in a seven inch rock peg armed with nothing but a wooden mallet and the comical asides of a stuffed Panda?
But apart from that very limited issue, the stay is proving to be peaceful (very quiet in the evenings despite the site being fully booked with a mixed group of campers of all ages). Arnold's snoring hasn't even bothered anyone. If it has, they haven't mentioned it, but would tell an irritable Panda he was snoring?
There are almost no facilities at these Forest sites, just CDC and water, so beware. That info is on all the literature so it should come as no surprise, but if you don't like chemical loo's... Also no showers, so make your own arrangements. I purchased a loo + tent beforehand and Arnold just ambles into the undergrowth to carry out his ablutions.
So come to the forest. Bring a lavvy and a club hammer and a more ammicable mammal than I did, and you'll be fine.
After all, if it's good enough for Arnold...
DATE STAYED:
MEMBER FOUND TOWING: Easy
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Families,Older couples,Active break,Peaceful break,Younger couples
LOCATION: Secluded
5
RAY KING (Club member) reviewed Setthorns - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
GREAT SITE WITH PLENTY OF WILDLIFE AND BEAUTIFUL SCENERY AND PLACES TO VISIT.MY ONLY ONE NEGATIVE COMMENT WOULD BE THE VERY LARGE POTHOLES AT THE ENTERANCE AND AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL JUST ACROSS THE OLD RAILWAY LINE AND CATTLE GRILL.THESE REALLY NEED TO BE ATTENDED TO.
DATE STAYED:
MEMBER FOUND TOWING: Moderate
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Families,Older couples,Peaceful break
LOCATION: Secluded
4.7
Hollyberry (Club member) reviewed Setthorns - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
This was my first camp site ever as I only collected my motorhome the day I stayed here.
Very friendly welcome, great directions to the pitch I was given a choice of areas within the site) I was also allowed to bring my car (and my friend's car) up to the site as I had to load so much into the new motorhome (and couldn't park it outside the house I'd been staying in)
The Forest is my favourite place in the UK anyway, and this was a lovely place even in cold January. Squirrels ran past the door, and of course lots of ponies and deer nearby too.
A great place to stay if you like cycling or walking. With transport you can visit Lymington, Lyndhurst, Burley as well as Bournemouth. Sway, the nearest village, is very friendly with a village store, P.O/newsagent, pharmacy, butcher and a new pub--well worth a visit & support local businesses.
DATE STAYED:
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Families,Older couples,Active break,Peaceful break
LOCATION: Secluded
4.7
Fi Smith (Club member) reviewed Setthorns - New Forest Camping in the Forest Campsite...
Although we stayed on the coldest night of the winter so far the site was absolutely beautiful. Lots of wildlife - deer, squirrels, birds and of course ponies all around. Wonderful views of the forest and wonderful walking right on your doorstep. The staff were very friendly even though they had to un-freeze the water taps both days we were there. There are no toilet facilities so probably older people or couples without children would prefer this site. Sway is only a 30 minute walk away so no car is actually required. It is a thoroughly peaceful and beautiful site and I would recommend it to all, especially wildlife lovers, walkers and cyclists.
DATE STAYED:
MEMBER FOUND TOWING: Moderate
RECOMMENDED:
SUITABLE FOR: Older couples,Groups,Active break,Peaceful break,Younger couples
LOCATION: Country,Secluded
4
