Camping in the New Forest. (1 Viewer)

Jul 4, 2016
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Ok, last weekend we were in Setthorns but were a little disappointed with it. This is not a review or complaint but it was not really for us.

Good points was the EHU.

Not for us, Setthorns is in an enclosure so no forest animals plodded through the site. We would really like forest animals wandering about around the site. Because its still winter, we find it easier with Electric. So my query is anywhere recommended, love to see animals wandering through, EHU important. New forest ok but would consider wider.

Any suggestions?
 
Feb 24, 2013
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not long enough
we had animals there when we went November 16 (y)

also don't rate it for us, too wet under foot, partly time of year I guess and too far to anything to walk to

each to their own :)
 
OP
OP
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Jul 4, 2016
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Thanks but you have to pass over a cattle grid now, so really in an enclosure.

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Theonlysue

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Sep 14, 2009
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Not long enough!
I worked there for a season. You get the animals all over the site. Even in the enclosure. Perhaps you were just unlucky.

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JFD

Apr 9, 2015
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We go to Setthorns in November every year, to get the doggies away from the bulk of the fireworks. We don’t usually have EHU, as we don’t need it, but there are always several pitches available with it, if we feel the need. We get the horses wandering past our Moho all the time - have to check before opening the door, that you are not going to spook one! In the autumn, if you are lucky, you may also find pigs roaming free, eating the acorns that would, otherwise, cause issues with the horses!

The old railway line runs through Setthorns and, although it’s now a walking/cycling path, no-one told the horses not to use it!! I am amazed that you saw no forest animals during your stay - you were very unlucky!

We normally walk into Sway from the site - takes about 45 minutes, and there are a couple of excellent pubs in that village. You do need good walking or welly boots, however, as it is somewhat soggy around that area in Winter, to say the least!!
 

Jim lea

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Dec 13, 2015
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Have to agree with all that @JFD has said, the only difference is we go between Christmas and New year, our wedding anniversary (I know how to treat my women) ! as well as the couple of excellent pubs there is a cracking butchers in Sway. We have stayed on a good few sites in the forest and Settorns comes out tops IMO.
 

Hollyberry

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Staying at Setthorns a few years ago I walked back from visiting a friend in Sway, dogs on leads, and in the middle of the site, few metres from my motorhome was a huge stag. Absolutely beautiful. Even the dogs froze on the spot, luckily, and I was able to get to watch it for a moment before it ambled away.
Deer are usually around early morning and at dusk, but the squirrels ( which my dogs are convinced they can catch) are constant. Plenty of ponies just outside Setthorns, too.

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RowleyBirkinQC

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We went there for a long weekend last June, partly because it was right on the common and fairly remote, also because it is not that far from us. We had deer wondering past our pitch and loved that we could walk straight into the forest from our pitch with the dogs. Had a wander down to Sway, had a few beverages in a pub to, ahem, rehydrate and the natives were friendly. We were fortunate that we had a great weather for our stay. I’d go back there again.
 

RowleyBirkinQC

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Sep 20, 2014
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Thanks but you have to pass over a cattle grid now, so really in an enclosure.
If the cattle grid is on the entry road, that doesn’t stop animals wandering through the site from the forest? That said, if it’s the ponies you were hoping for, we didn’t see them directly on the camp site, only when out walking.
 
Sep 3, 2009
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Setthorns cattle grid is on the old railway bridge. Everything before that is open access for forest animals, and I believe the pitches to the immediate left of reception have EHU. They do however seem very popular, as is the whole site in winter as it's now the only New Forest site open all year.

Malcolm

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Paul an Jane MK

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enjoyed the freedom over the last couple of years but still Wish we could have got away more often
We were there at Easter and loved how the Deer and ponies wandered about the site right by the pitches and one morning taking our doggie for an early morning walk bumped into a baby Deer on its own in the mist, very cute.

You must have been very unlucky as the site was hardly quiet with all the kids over Easter so if ever there was a weekend for the animals to avoid Setthorns that was it!

From the site you can either walk in the woods or over the hills.

Ground was very wet and no facilities but I would rate as worth a visit.
 
Oct 17, 2013
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We stayed at Setthorns a couple of years ago, walked round to choose a pitch, then went to collect the van. As we pulled onto our chosen pitch 2 deer walked across in front of us and we saw them again several times during our stay. We were at the top section of the site, perhaps that makes a difference in wildlife spotting
 

JJ20

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We was pretty lucky at Setthorns, alot of deer walking past our pitch but we found Roundhill campsite and Matley Wood in the New Forest to be best for being surrounded by animals. Also The Breckon Beacons was fantastic for free roaming animals, just keep an eye out for the bulls, they are HUGE and pretty scary.

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Popeye

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Sep 5, 2011
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I live in the New Forest, moved here and I love more each day, my problem is keeping the beasties out of the garden, they do occasionally find their way round a cattle grid.

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2015-06-16 11.51.23_800x600.jpg
 

Lenny HB

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Stayed at Setthorns in November for a few days, really disappointed it has really gone downhill. Used to go there regularly, this was the first time for 2 or 3 years. Hardly any standard pitches available (we don't do EHU) most of the pitches occupied with permanently sited caravans with awnings and loads of junk around them, looked like a P1key camp.
 
Sep 3, 2009
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Stayed at Setthorns in November for a few days, really disappointed it has really gone downhill. Used to go there regularly, this was the first time for 2 or 3 years. Hardly any standard pitches available (we don't do EHU) most of the pitches occupied with permanently sited caravans with awnings and loads of junk around them, looked like a P1key camp.
Totally agree

Malcolm

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SOS

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You must have been terribly unlucky because we have always seen stags at Setthorns. However I agree about there being too many permanent set ups there.
 

Khizzie

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Forest Road, Bransgore We loved it there .

Kev
Must admit this is not my favourite site in the newforest ,too regimented and too many screaming kids running riot on their bikes for my liking ..but each to their own.. the camping in the forest site just a few hundred yards further on is more to my taste with great walks through the forest ...nice !ittle café and well stocked shop..
 

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