New Forest Camping - campinginthenewforest.com - formerly Camping In The Forest

Kannon Fodda

Kannon Fodda

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The new website for the operator of the Forestry Commission campsites will be https://www.campinginthenewforest.com.

The website is due for a full launch in April (surprising perhaps it's not launched fully now given many sites are opening in time for Easter so they should be attracting many bookings now).

Regular users of the New Forest will know the partnership between the site owners, Forestry Commission England, and the Camping and Caravan Club, known as Camping In The Forest, CiTF,(there were other sites in the UK and Scotland too), dissolved in 2022, and the sites were tendered for new leases / operators. The New Forest sites are taken over from 2023 by the New Forest Show Society.

Those who visit the New Forest in their motorhomes, campervans, caravans and tents will know that wild camping is strictly verboten, and enforced. That creates a particular cartel for site operators. It is noted that there are many vested interests in the New Forest and whilst businesses may depend on tourism, there are environmental factions that seek to limit visitor and even local population activities.

There are a number of smaller CLs and CSs around the perimeter, and I believe a MHF licenced site (Sir Walter Tirrell) too . Of course there are a few independent moderate sites. For most the venues of choice are the larger Forestry Sites, albeit some are quite massive potentially 400 - 600 pitches!

The sites will include:
Aldridge Hill (outside of Brockenhurst, restricted openings),
Ashhurst (amenities block, 0.5 miles Ashurst close rail line),
Ocknell (WC only) and Longbeech (N of A31 central to main New Forest);
Roundhill (amenity blocks removed in 2021 and no idea if will be reinstated, 1.5 miles from Brockenhurst);
Denny Wood and Matley Wood (SE of Lyndhurst
Sethorns (was the only all year round site between Sway, Brockenhurst and Burley)
Holmsley has some EHU, biggest site 600 pitches about 2 miles S of Burley)
Matley Wood (some EHU, and amenities blocks about 1 mile N of Brockenhurst)

Prices through C&CC club had been quite sensible. Over the last couple of months as the CiTF had fallen away, bookings have been through PitchUp, and have shown substantive increases, perhaps punitively so for peak season (Aldridge Hill - which is CDP refuse and water only - end Aug to start Sept 6 Nights 2022 1 person was £66.60, similar 2023 dates quote currently £144, ouch). I hope that as the new site falls into place there will be some reductions, or my visits to the New Forest may well be curtailed.
 
Kannon Fodda said:
Those who visit the New Forest in their motorhomes, campervans, caravans and tents will know that wild camping is strictly verboten, and enforced. That creates a particular cartel for site operators. It is noted that there are many vested interests in the New Forest and whilst businesses may depend on tourism, there are environmental factions that seek to limit visitor and even local population activities.
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I live in the New Forest area and campsites are a complete stitch-up. there is a strong argument on a number of grounds to suggest that Forestry Commission England is not fit for purpose on a number of different grounds and we could add the campsites to the list.

Having been very critical above, their job in managing visitor numbers is unenviable, the pressures are horrendous.
 
Yesterday I was going to book Longbeech with no facilities for two nights this Saturday and it was £48! Last year I paid £24. Now there is no discount for seniors.
 
We used CiTF site regularly as they are only “down the road”. We usually go to Setthorns for Xmas, but the prices had gone through the roof.
My daughter camps and usually stays at Roundhill where we join her in the mh, but unfortunately they have increased price too much and no mid week or single use discounts available. On top of that obviously no C&CC discounts.

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I read somewhere it had cost over £7million for the Forestry Commission to buy out C&CC. I suppose the increased prices are to recoup that and no doubt a premium rental is being paid by the new operators.

It may in part be intended to hike prices to reduce demand and thus appease some of the local environmental issues?

With general rising costs I could have accepted some increase, but the no facility sites peak season for one person are now extortionate. It will be cheaper for me to find a C&CC full facility site elsewhere, claiming my singleton discount. I'll also have to look out for any THS in the forest area, albeit the ones I currently see clash with other planned outings.
 
Same dates at the Brockenhurst CMC site is £202 for 6 nights, one person. Hardstanding full facilities and 16a EHU
 
Just gone back to the new site and there was a pop up to sign up for newsletter and get 10% off. So maybe there will be some offers kicking about.
DuxDeluxe said:
Same dates at the Brockenhurst CMC site is £202 for 6 nights, one person. Hardstanding full facilities and 16a EHU
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At Hollands Wood (sorry missed that from the first post) same dates, full facility no EHU, grass pitch (they can be muddy due to the ponies), one person £216! And I always thought the CMC were the premium priced club.

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The forest sites have never been cheap due to what the forestry commission charges plus 'variable pricing' that 'the club' uses .
However it is without a doubt a fabulous place .
 
cyberyacht said:
Not £30 a night 'no facs' fabulous. For that sort of money I'd expect a herd of wildebeest.
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No wilderbeast, but many sites have ponies, donkeys and/or cows. Before motorhome, I was sat in a tent minding my own business when a pony's head popped through the door flap :)
 
To update this thread and with excellent news on pricing. Currently for the end Aug dates in post one, and before trying to add any further discounts as a single I am getting £63.75 for 6 nights offer price. 6 nights Aldridge Hill (water, refuse, CDP only). That's actually cheaper than last year :whatthe:
 
Thats a very good price (y)

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We’ve booked Bracelands for sometime in July. Not been before any recommendations on what’s around the site?
 
But Bracelands is Forest of Dean not New Forest. Not even sure where that is let alone what might be worth doing in that part of the world.

Or are you referring to a third party operated site in Christchurch?
 
Kannon Fodda said:
But Bracelands is Forest of Dean not New Forest. Not even sure where that is let alone what might be worth doing in that part of the world.

Or are you referring to a third party operated site in Christchurch?
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Bracelands is in the Wye Valley and part of the Camping in the Forest sites.
 
So who is new operator for Bracelands?

The New Forest Show Society, as above, do the Forestry Commission sites for New Forest. But what happens in other parts of England and Scotland?

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Kannon Fodda said:
So who is new operator for Bracelands?

The New Forest Show Society, as above, do the Forestry Commission sites for New Forest. But what happens in other parts of England and Scotland?
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Not sure, assumed Forestry England. But realised that we went via Pitch Up to book Bracelands.
https://www.campingintheforest.co.uk/ this site just acts as a landing page, then takes you off to the operator.
 

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