The New Black Knowl

harryb
harryb Forum Participant Posts: 1,536
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edited November 2019 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

We are at present at Black Knowl. This is our first time since the demolition of the old  'Roundhouse' style toilet block. The new block is quite splendid but has anyone noticed the old one lives on. Have a look at the new information centre. It has been built on the same lines as the old loos, it's round. It even has the old finial on top of the roof. 

If this was intended and it looks like it was then hats off to whoever thought of it. A little piece of retained history

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  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited November 2019 #2

     Evidently It is the original cool

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited November 2019 #3

    The building received design awards originally, I liked it (I wonder if it was listed?) At least it's good to hear the shell is still there. smile

  • harryb
    harryb Forum Participant Posts: 1,536
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    edited November 2019 #4

    Brue

    There's nothing left of the old one. The new info centre looks to have been designed on the shape of the old loo. A photo of the old loos was taken for posterity. This is framed and is on the wall of the dish washing area

  • scarletsfan
    scarletsfan Forum Participant Posts: 292
    edited November 2019 #5

    Just arrived back from our first visit to Black Knowl  We were there from 3rd November to 9th on pitch 103.  Very impressed to be fair.  A very well kept site, and the shower block is simply superb.

  • Heethers
    Heethers Forum Participant Posts: 641
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    edited November 2019 #6

    We are thinking of doing the New forest this year we will be taking the Bikes and golf clubs, not sure which is the best site to choose, we have a motor home and tend to aim for sites quite close to villages, bus routes and cycle ways, some say the new forest centenary site,others say Black Knowle, not sure which, looking sometime early spring or late October

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,310 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2019 #7

    Don't know about the Golf, but for us it would be BK every time. Although it is a fair walk into Brockenhurst it is doable for us, at least at the moment. Buses are available there, plus the train station from where we caught the train to Portsmouth. Also a Tesco and Sainsurys local for restocking. It would be an easy cycle ride from the site. There are also plenty of walks / cycle rides direct from the site. We walked into Lyndhurst through the forest and caught the bus back. The NFCS is much more out of the way and we probably wouldn't use it again now we have a MH.

  • MalcMc
    MalcMc Forum Participant Posts: 71
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    edited November 2019 #8

    Black Knowl, Great site, Great location, only draw back is very popular so book early

  • harryb
    harryb Forum Participant Posts: 1,536
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    edited November 2019 #9

    Can't comment on the Centenary Site.

    As for Black Knowl then if you want the New Forest this is the site. It's in it. If you walk across the heath to Brockenhurst then it's 1.75 miles if you drive it's about 2.5 miles. 

    Can't comment on Spring time but October is beautiful. The colours are golden and the streams will have filled up with the Autumn rains, it's all very picturesque. You will share the roads and pathways with ponies and cows and not forgetting October is the rutting season and you should see some deer, they have been known to come up to the caravan site perimeter fence.

    There is a golf course about 1 mile from the town centre on the Sway Road

  • Heethers
    Heethers Forum Participant Posts: 641
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    edited November 2019 #10

    harryb thanks for that we think October looks like the best time to go, we live on the out skirts of the peak district South East Cheshire side and are used to the deer rutting as we are quite near Lymm park so it would be great time for us to visit, l do believe there is a golf course in the new forest, we played with a couple from their at one of our opens. l have been told the Centenary site is quite large and a little way out. Once again thanks for your advice.

    Heethers

  • Impy
    Impy Forum Participant Posts: 257
    edited November 2019 #11

    There is a golf course at Burley, when we have driven past it we have noticed that sometimes you have to "share" it with the ponies smile

  • ArthurandJean
    ArthurandJean Forum Participant Posts: 43
    edited November 2019 #12

    We are at BK at the moment. Plenty of pitches available, even on Saturday night. New serviced pitches very popular and the new site facilities are excellent. Still some beautiful colour in the trees.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited November 2019 #13

    If in the New Forest unless there are cattle grids you will be sharing the roads and a lot of villages Brockenhurst high street and area especially with Ponies, Cattle including Highland,Donkeys and at times Pigscool

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,310 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2019 #14

    I think one of the Donkeys commuted😂 We noticed him trotting along the high street in the morning. Then trotting the other way, when we went in for some shopping in the evening.

  • Kontikiboy
    Kontikiboy Forum Participant Posts: 304
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    edited November 2019 #15

    Hi all, just picked this thread up, and another interesting place to visit, either walking or by bike, is St Nicholas Church, just off Church Lane, which is just over the Brockenhurst railway crossing.   This is the oldest church in the New Forest.     There is a cemetery and lovely memorial to the New Zealand Infantry and others who were based in Brockenhurst during WW1 & WWII.  There are storyboards telling the story of how Brockenhurst and the railway line transported troops, horses and stores to Southampton docks and emphasising how important this place was during both world wars.   The memorial area is right at the back of the cemetery.      But also, the church is very old and there is a Yew tree near the church entrance that is over 1,000 years old.     The oldest records of the church go back to c 1160.    For more information look up www.brockenhurstchurch.com.

    BillC

  • Pathfinder
    Pathfinder Forum Participant Posts: 4,446
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    edited November 2019 #16

    With ref to the said site can someone please confirm whether the travel directions on the site information page are correct, as looking on google earth there is a right hand turn before Grigg Lane which does not look that narrow and is of a more direct approach to Rhinefield Road.

     

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,310 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2019 #17

    They are. The road you refer to is narrow in parts and has a 2.0 m width restriction.

  • harryb
    harryb Forum Participant Posts: 1,536
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    edited November 2019 #18

    From Rhinefield Road end it says 'No Caravans'. Club directions are proven and are best followed.

  • Fozzie
    Fozzie Club Member Posts: 550 ✭
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    edited November 2019 #19

    PF If you mean Meerut Road this is narrow and not recommended also do not turn right at the end of Grigg lane as this will take you through a ford plus it is the main shopping street where cars can park.

  • Pathfinder
    Pathfinder Forum Participant Posts: 4,446
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    edited November 2019 #20

    Thank you all for confirming, your replies are really appreciated.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited November 2019 #21

    One "problem " is the approach lane to the site it could have plenty of potholes and the speed humps are very slow speed to usesurprised

  • Kontikiboy
    Kontikiboy Forum Participant Posts: 304
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    edited January 2020 #22

    Ref the potholes, I was there in the Autumn and that road had been relaid, but the humps are still there.

    BillC

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