New Forest C&MC Site
We are thinking of going to the above site as part of our main summer holiday next July. Its an area we have never really visited before so just looking for a bit of advice. Can anyone recommend any 'must sees' in the area and also give a bit of info about the site. I have read the reviews and it seems to get good reviews and it is mentioned that there are plenty of cycle routes ect. Also can anyone tell me if there is a pub within walking distance.
Thanks
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Francis
There are two sites in the New Forest I imagine you are referring to the Centenary one rather than Black Knowl? Can't help with the first although our next door neighbour seems to like it. Quite like Black Knowl as yo can walk into Brockenhurst. If you are out in the car I would have thought either would be good for getting to all the attractions.
David
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I don’t recall a pub within walking distance of the Centenary site but people’s idea of 'walking distance' can vary so much. There is a Harvester and a Toby Carvery not far away on the road to Christchurch and a Sainsburys a bit further on.
The Centenary site is fairly new with good facilities. It was a bit exposed and bleak when it first opened but is much better now the hedges and shrubs have grown. There is a huge dog walk and a kiddies' play area. Some pitches suffer from hearing traffic wumff over the cattle grid so check out the site plan and Google Earth.
I've not visited Black Knowle since the refurb and can’t help there.
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Whichever site Francis I'd definitely recommend a visit to Beaulieu (pronounced bewlee) where there is a club discount and Beaulieu village itself which is very attractive. Also Bucklers Hard, another beautiful place and if you want to be on the coast in a nice spot, Lepe Country Park. Most of all I'd recommend some strolls in the forest, especially along Ober Water. Watch out for forest animals on all the roads. Personally I think Black Knowl is in the best situation for exploring the forest and the train from Brockenhurst is handy for Bournemouth.
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I agree with brue, Beaulieu is a definite. Lovely ornamental gardens at Crompton Acre Bournemouth. Trip across to Isle of Wight if there isn't enough locally 😉, likewise the Isle of Purbeck, but in truth both deserve their own holiday.
Not stayed on either site so can't help with local pubs etc. It's a beautiful area.
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Agree with Brue re Black Knowl site a lot smaller than new Forest site, we stayed at Black Knowl in October and facilities are a big improvement on the old, plenty of cycle paths straight from the site there are good pubs in Brockenhurst but we would prefer to use the car than walk to them and the nearest pub to New Forest is about 2.7 miles away in the village of Bransgore which has 23 pubs we have been to the Carpenters Arms and had good food. There is a lot to do in the New Forest if you have not been before and if you look up on their website it will give some ideas for you.
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Hi Francis, (if its the Centenary site you are talking about) if you google the site you will see it is in the middle of the countryside set on a old WW2 airfield. You can still make out the runways. The road network on the site are all named after old aircraft.
Pleasant reception area sells fresh bread, cakes and newspapers daily along with other grocery requirements. Food vans visit the sites (Fish and Chips, Pizza)
There is a memorial on the edge of the site to the people stationed in the area during the war. It is a short walk into the forest national park and as others as mentioned some pitches do suffer from the sound of cattle grid noise. No pubs in walking distance, some very nice ones in the village of Bransgore (The Crown being one of them). Bit further out is Burley, a very pleasant new forest village with pubs and olde worlde shops. Heading back towards the A35 main road and turning right will bring you down in to Christchurch. Before this however is the hamlet of Hinton Admiral. Free parking at the week end at the train station and you can catch a train to Christchurch, Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth with various other stops in between. (Southampton etc in the other direction)
Nice pub in Hinton Admiral is the Amberwood Inn. There is such a lot to do in this area I am sure you will enjoy it. I think there is a open deck tour bus that stops outside the site gate (but never used it so cant really comment)
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23 pubs? 😱😂
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Here's a link to Brockenhursst and other New Forest places.
Hope you enjoy it Francis, you can be in amongst the throng in places like Lyndhurst or find spots well away from the crowds, in heathland and forest or down on the coast at Milford and Hurst Castle.
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Hi all
Thanks for the replys I should have mentioned it is the Centenery site we are wanting to go to. It seems from all the replys that there is plenty to do in the area. A pub would be nice but isn't essential. Think we will book it.
Many Thanks
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It's a while since we were there, Francis, but I think the nearest pub was the Three Tuns in Bransgore. Traditional thatched pub with a nice large garden if weather is good and excellent food and within cycling distance though make sure your lights are working for the ride home! Agree with earlier suggestions about visiting Beaulieu and Buckler's Hard. Also worth trying to see the Rufus Stone for historical interest.
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When we go to the New Forest and you have a dog then Black Knowl is the place to go also for cycling ,Brockenhurst (with quite good transport links buses and trains)nice shops and cafe/pubs)and you can also cycle to Lyndhurst,with shops and pubs/cafes both can be reached via forest tracks (no cars)if going to the IOW it is not a cheap crossing (day return with car was £75 this year at peak rates and that was with a staff discount)Mudeford quay is nice to visit but food is a bit expensive
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Several "Camping in the Forest" sites if you want to be closer to nature.
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We did a vineyard tour of southern England a few years ago and stayed at a very nice CL near Bockenhurst in the middle of the vines. Not only able to sample the wines but the farm shop on site was a real bonus.
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I liked the idea of 23😃
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We have stayed at both and liked each. However, from the point of view of walking direct from the site, BK was by far the best and we will be returning to sample the revamped site next year.
As far as places to visit, a nine mile drive from the Centenary site takes you to Keyhaven ( near to Milford on sea), from where you can get a boat to Hurst Castle (English Heritage). Or as we did walk along the shingle spit. The photo is from the Castle end, looking towards Milford.
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We walked along the spit a couple of years back in a biting wind only to find it didn't open until the following week.
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Centenary site is close to Highcliffe beach and you can walk into Mudeford or there is a cycle path sraiggt to Mudeford Quay and walk around Hengistbury Head: Depending on your interests you could visit Southampton for the Titanic museum or West Quay shopping centre; Bournemouth is about 30 mins drive from site with lovely sandy beach, you could also go to Lymingtom and catch ferry to Isle of Wight for day trip; Osborne House worth a visit; Winchester is around 1 hour drive, good park and ride access into city centre to see Great Hall and cathedral
overall lots to see and do in the area and the site is ideal - if you decide to come, have a lovely time
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