Looking for site in Dorset/New Forest area please
Hi
We are thinking of staying in the uk for our annual holiday next year.
We have never visited Dorset or the new forest area.
Just wondered if anyone had suggestions for a nice site that would allow us to visit both places; some good walking and a nearby pub would be great too.
Mrs Murdy.
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Dorset and the New Forest extend over a large area with many areas of interest, far too much to be seen from one site.
We always prefer to move the van and get close to places thereby reducing the daily travelling. In the same situation we would use 3 sites probably around Brockenhurst, Wareham, Bridport.
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sort of concur with MikeyA, however, i think it is important to know when you plan to take your holiday, most sites in Dorset during peak periods e.g. July/Aug are expensive and very busy but there are a few commercial sites in the Bridport area that are good out of season e.g. May/June, and there are lots of areas within 1 hours drive of Bridport, the club now have a site at Bridport, Bingham Grange, but recently acquired and not yet re-vamped to club standards if that is what you prefer, the club also have i think 2 sites in the New Forest one being the Centenary, not stayed but have visited, looked too much like a car park for our liking but each to their own.
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I agree with Mikey and Ruffs. It’s too big an area to cover from one site.
If you’re considering the Wareham area for the aisle of Purbeck, I recommend Birchwood which I find far superior to the club’s Hunters Moon site across the road.
https://www.birchwoodtouristpark.co.uk
There are several CLs near Weymouth that have got good reviews and recommendations from members. Handy for visiting Portland and Chesil Beach.
Edit: We cross posted Murdy but CLs are sites and many have full facilities.
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Predictive text has much to answer for. 'Isle of Purbeck', obviously🙄
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For the New Forest I suggest Setthorns campsite if you are willing to use your own toilet, or Hollands Wood if you want to use theirs. But for the Dorset coast there are other choices altogether.
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if you want a bit of excitement and on site pool's, bars, restaurants etc 2 commercial sites, Fresh Water Beach & Highlands end just outside Brideport, but they will be very very busy in August and certainly for Highlands end you need to be good at walking if you are to drop down into West Bay for a meal etc.
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We were down that way during the summer and had a wonderful 2 weeks stay at The New Forest Centenary site. It was handy and close to the border between Dorset and Hampshire so lots to do in the area. We were within easy reach of Christchurch, Bournemouth, Portsmouth and Poole. We took our bikes and were able to go out lots as the site is close to some excellent cycle routes. There are a couple of good pubs in the village Bransgore which is about 2 miles from the site.
Hope this helps.
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We prefer CLs but the one exception I would always make is Black Knowl. I just love being able to walk out the gate and being straight into the forest. I also agree to cover an area of that size you need two sites.
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Long Meadow in the middle of the New Forest, straight out of gate into forest for walking or cycling, 30 mins flat walk into Brokenhurst village, great little village. Site more like a large CL but it does have a modern toilet block with showers etc, not as big as we would like but adequate, sorry not recommending many club sites as dont use them that often.
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Dorset, I'd look at sites around Corfe Castle, look for steam train access to Swannage. The lovely Arne nature reserve nearby, coastal walks from Durlston Country Park. Have a look at the stone villages of Worth and Langton Matravers (nice little quarry museum.) Visit Poole and the Studland Penisula (get the chain ferry to Sandbanks and see the beaches, parks and chines of Bournemouth.
The Isle of Purbeck, as already said, is a good first time base. We like the C&Cc site which is within walking distance of Corfe itself, you emerge by the castle walls. The CAMC site at Haycraft is well placed too.
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If you wanted to be a bit nearer to Poole and Swanage this site might suit http://www.davidklyne.co.uk/south_lytchett_manor.html There is a pub within walking distance and bustop at the entrance if you prefer not to use the car.When we were there reception gave us a voucher for a free bottle of wine at the pub I mentioned.
David
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Just read your 2019 blog and had to smile at the references to what you can do now and what you could have done a few years ago. Sounds so familiar.
I also noticed that you haven't been abroad for a couple of years which I guess is for medical reasons. We are so cheesed off that we have had to cancel ours this year as hubby hasn't been well. Tempus fugit for all of us.
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I was going to suggest South Lytchett Manor, Lytchett Minster, too. We stayed there several years ago and walked to the local pub for a meal. There was also a craft centre a short walk across a field at the bottom of the site, with a cafe that did lovely breakfasts and Sunday roasts (amongst other things). I don’t know if it’s still there. We found the site very handy for trips to Poole and East Dorset. The New Forest would also be within easy striking distance.
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Jenny
We did try for a trip abroad last year but ran into a problem with Red Pennant because of ongoing medical conditions. Nothing particularly serious but the longer you go between trips the less confident you become. As you say with age comes limitations. South Lytchett is the sort of site we now like. The bus from the entrance gives us options.
David
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Hi Mrs Murdy
My option is Durdle Door, part of the Lulworth Estate, you can walk into Lulworth Cove, proper tourist spot by day, come the evening just a handful of sightseers, stunning location plus close enough to do Weymouth / Bournemouth, if 2 sites then Black Knowl for the Forest. I only added this post as no one else had, so many choices down here.
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Re Kingston Lacey CL
Looks very nice site and certainly one we would consider. I just wonder what the following statement means:-
"foot access only to water and waste. Suitable for motor homes."
I don't mind a short distance with my trusty bucket and watering can. Is anyone able to provide any information.
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We have visited both new forest and dorset. Too big an area from one site especially with the heavy traffic. Depends on what you like doing but I would suggest if you have only say 2 weeks I would base ourselves in east Dorset, near Wareham. There is so much to do in the area. We have stayed twice at Birchwood touring park albeit at a C and CC temporary holiday sites. From here easy to drive to purbeck, Poole and Dorchester. Lulworth 20 minutes away. Lots of good places to eat. Facilities at Birchwood good. Two other sites on the same road, one CMHC site, looked very crowded to us, and Wareham forest park. One word of warning is that tv and phone signals can vary in the area.
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Cherry Cottage CL is just south of Sherborne and very central to explore Dorset from. New CL only opened this summer, not yet in book. Currently £15 a night.
2 hard standing 3 grass pitches, EHU, free WiFi, family and dog friendly. Toilet, laundry room, information hut, on site dog walk, walk to pub on footpath across fields, on main bus route to Sherborne and Dorchester, station in both to explore further afield if you want to leave vehicle on site.
Check out reviews https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/certificated-locations/england/dorset/sherborne/Cherry-Cottage-CL/
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