Plenty of paths for safe cycling and long walks makes this site ideal for those who want to go out and explore.
Based on an old World War II Airfi eld, Holmsley is a site steeped in history and is on the edge of the New Forest National Park, giving the perfect opportunity to see ponies, deer and other wildlife. Access to the forest is just a short walk from your tent, or enjoy getting back to nature on the eastern end’s heathland.
Families of all ages will benefi t from the children’s play area, safe cycling routes and short walks – and adventurers can enjoy hikes and mountain biking.
If you’re looking to stay closer to home, the on-site shop is well stocked with a range of groceries, magazine and essentials. Tickle your tastebuds with fresh baked bread and croissants, or the breakfast and evening take-away service means you can relax free of the washing up! From 2013 there will be a separate Rally Field especially for larger group bookings.
The local town of Christchurch offers a priory and riverbank setting where you are able to hire kayaks. Holmsley is also close to several stunning beaches, the nationally renowned Hengistbury Head, Bournemouth and Sandbanks. The tea rooms at nearby Burley are superb, and you can also enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the forest. Bransgore has some great food shops too, or you could venture out for a delicious meal at The Crown pub.
Facilities
Standard Pitches
Premium Pitches
Forest retreat
Tents
Touring Caravans
Motorhomes
Trailer Tents
Jumbo Tent Pitches
Grass Pitches
Grass pitch with electric hook up
Hardstanding pitch
Hardstanding pitch with electric hook up
Seasonal pitches
Unsheltered site
Toilets
Showers
Washbasins
Electric Razor sockets
Seperate disabled facilities
Family shower room
Chemical toilet facilities
Drinking water taps
Motorhome service point stop off
Dishwashing facilities
Laundry
Ice pack freezing facilities
Gas cylinders
Battery charging facility
Shop
Childrens play area
Takeaway
Pets welcome
Holmsley – what’s nearby?
On your Caravan or Camping break at Holmsley you will be spoiled for choice, with plenty of things to do on-site and nearby. There are fantastic events happening all year round from large festivals and concerts to local markets.
One of the best ways to experience the natural beauty of the New Forest is by horseback. The New Forest is also the perfect location for cycling with miles and miles of traffic free tracks leading you into the heart of the forest. Holmsley is close to the Dorset coastline with miles of award-winning beaches - so dig out your bucket and spade and enjoy a day at the seaside! Below is the Camping in the Forest guide to where to go while staying at Holmsley:
Days out
Paultons Family Theme Park
There are plenty of activities and things to do around the New Forest area. Paultons Family Theme Park is approximately 30 minutes from the site. With over 60 family rides and attractions it is a great day out for all the family. Younger kids will love Peppa Pig World, the first dedicated Peppa Pig Theme Park in the world!
Longdown Activity Farm
A fantastic family day for everyone can be enjoyed at Longdown Activity Farm, approximately 20 minutes drive from Holmsley. You can bottle-feed the goats and calves, feed the ducks, meet the pigs and cuddle the baby rabbits, with many more animals to see. After meeting the animals, the kids can explore lots of farmyard buildings and enjoy loads of great indoor and outdoor play areas including trampolines, a ball pool and the straw bale barn.
Beaulieu
Less than a 30 minutes drive away is the area’s premier attraction, Beaulieu, a haven for motoring enthusiasts. Visitors can find the world renowned National Motor Museum which has over 250 vehicles from every motoring era on display. Top Gear fans will be thrilled at the World of Top Gear where you can take a look around the cars from the challenges, get a rare behind-the-scenes view into the show’s production office, and enjoy clips of some of the best Top Gear moments. James Bond fans can view a fascinating exhibition of glamorous and genuine James Bond vehicles and props at the James Bond Experience. However for those of you not interested in motoring there are stately homes, historic buildings and beautiful gardens to explore.
Calshot Activity Centre
For those of you campers interested in activity courses, Calshot Activity Centre is the place to be. One of the largest Outdoor Adventure Centres in Britain, approximately half an hour’s drive away, it gives immediate access to the country’s most popular watersports location. Watersports offered include windsurfing, canoeing, dinghy sailing and powerboating. Cyclists will be impressed by the Velodrome, the only indoor cycling track in the south of England. The centre also offers Snowflex slopes for skiing and snowboarding and a climbing wall for rock climbing.
Liberty’s Owl Raptor and Reptile Centre
Holidays in the New Forest are perfect for animal lovers. Liberty’s Owl Raptor and Reptile Centre can be found approximately 7 miles from Hollands Wood Campsite. Visitors to the centre can enjoy daily flying displays, see a wide range of birds of prey on display and visit the reptile house with snakes, lizards and more.
New Forest Wildlife Park
A 25 minute drive from the site is the New Forest Wildlife Park where you can see many animals including 3 species of otters, 12 species of owls, badgers, foxes and deers. Other mammals to be seen are the, lynx, wallaby and wild boar and even the highly endangered Scottish wildcat.
Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club
If you fancy a round of golf whilst on your camping break, Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club can be found 5 miles away in the pretty village of Brockenhurst. A premier golf course in the heart of the New Forest, visit Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club for an excellent course, stunning scenery and a warm welcome.
Bluebells & Breakfast Trails
Nature lovers will love taking in the wonderful sight of the woodland floors carpeted with English bluebells during the Spring season . For the very best places to see bluebells in the New Forest take a walk on the Bluebells & Breakfast Trails. Enjoy a locally produced New Forest Breakfast before following the trail by foot or bike.
Holmsley - where to eat?
Our lovely Holmsley campsite is located within convenient driving distance of both Brockenhurst and the southern coastal town of Christchurch, with both towns offering a fantastic range of eateries to suit all palates including English, French, Indian and Italian.
Eating out near Holmsley:
The Crown
The Crown can be found less than 2 miles from Holmsley campsite, in the heart of the New Forest. Enjoy a comprehensive menu of fresh seasonal dishes and a cellar full of real wine and ales for a perfect country pub experience.
The Station House
Close to Holmsley, The Station House is a lovingly restored building and the perfect venue for breakfast, morning coffee, lunch or afternoon tea, all created with the finest local ingredients.
Eating out in Christchurch:
Boathouse River Cafe and Restaurant
Situated in Christchurch with stunning views across Christchurch Quay, the River Stour and the marshes, The Boathouse Restaurant offers everything from fresh coffee to a three course meal.
Cliffhanger Cafe
Cliffhanger Cafe is perfect for breakfast, lunch and evening meals with breathtaking views from the cliffs at Highcliffe on Sea.
Prezzos Restaurant
Situated on Bridge Street in Christchurch, Prezzo serves great tasting Italian food in comfortable and stylish surroundings.
The Jetty
For contemporary water’s edge dining in the heart of Christchuch, The Jetty is the perfect place to choose. An award-winning restaurant, bar and grill, The Jetty serves mouthwatering dishes using seasonal and local ingredients.
Eating out in Brockenhurst:
Blaireau’s Bistro (French)
Situated in the grounds of Careys Manor Hotel and Spa, this Bistro offers simple, high quality, and authentic French cuisine. Open to residents and nonresidents daily for lunch and dinner, this is a great place for a special night out.
Brookleys Bistro
Situated on Brookley Road in Brockenhurst, the bistro uses fresh, local produce to create attractive and tasty meals.
Dynasty Indian Cuisine
Dynasty offers authentic Indian food combined with great service. With a full and varied menu and good portion sizes, this is a great restaurant to visit whilst you are staying at Holmsley.
II Palio 2 (Italian)
A fantastic, family-friendly Italian in the heart of Brockenhurst, this restaurant offers excellent pasta dishes and nightly specials.
Rainbow Fish & Chips
After a busy day out in the forest, give yourself the night off from cooking and treat yourself to a bag of good quality fish and chips. Particularly recommended are the mushy pea fritters! Rainbow is located on Brookley Road in Brockenhurst.
Rosie Lea Tea House and Bakery
Based in Brockenhurst, Rosie Lea’s Tea House and Bakery uses locally produced New Forest ingredients to create mouthwatering delicacies. Throughout the day visitors can drop in for breakfast, light lunches, sumptuous afternoon teas, plus a wide variety of delicious pastries and baked goodies. The bakery also caters for special diets and offers gluten-free American Pancakes, gluten-free toasted sandwiches, dairy-free and low sugar tea breads to name but a few.
Directions
From London, the East, East Midlands and East Anglia (Avoiding Lyndhurst.)
Take M3 westbound on to the M27 west. At J1 join the A31. Continue on A31 as far as Picket Post and turn left (signposted to Burley Street and Burley). Follow the road over the heath through Burley Street and into Burley. Turn right opposite the cycle hire shop (signposted to Bransgore). After about 1.5 miles at the cross roads, just before Thorny Hill, turn left. The site is signposted from here. After 1 mile, at the sign, turn left up the entrance road to the site.
From Bristol, the West, Wales and the West Midlands (Avoiding Christchurch and the Bournemouth area)
From the M4 at J15 take the A346 south and then the A338 as far as Ringwood. At Ringwood turn left onto A31 east (signposted Southampton). At Picket Post turn right (signposted to Burley Street and Burley). Follow the road over the heath through Burley Street and into Burley, turn right opposite the cycle hire shop (signposted to Bransgore). After about 1.5 miles at cross roads, just before Thorny Hill, turn left. The site is signposted from here. After 1 mile, at the sign, turn left up the entrance road to the site.
Site phone number: 01425 674502
