Relaxed camping in the New Forest with a great pub right on the doorstep.

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Red Shoot Camping Park

UK England South East England Hampshire Ringwood

Relaxed camping in the New Forest with a great pub right on the doorstep

The best campsites for families are those that are run by families and there’s no denying the credentials of Red Shoot Camping Park on that front. The same family have now been running the place for over half a century and bulbs and saplings planted when they first took over have now flourished into a green and well laid out camping space. The largely open, grassy meadow is peppered with magnificently mature trees along its edge, while the remaining gaps are bordered by a thick hedge offering shelter and natural greenry. It’s simple yet appealing. All that family hard work has paid off.

The field itself has around 100 grass-only pitches, near half of which have electricity, resulting in a pleasant mix of campervans, caravans and a spread of family tents. While the general vibe is of a relaxed, traditional feel – kids head straight for the playground to let off post car-journey steam – their facilities are very much of the modern kind. There’s under floor heating throughout the toilet block, along with handy touches like hairdryers for the ladies and a large family shower room, while the reception shop is like a campsite-tardis, defying its size with a stock of almost everything you could need.

The location, meanwhile, offers the best of both worlds. Within the New Forest, you can hop on a bike and camp without ever needing your car – perhaps the best way to get close to the flora and fauna the national park is so famous for. Yet when you do buckle up again, there’s not only the New Forest on your doorstep but also the beaches of Bournemouth and the south coast, allowing you to flit between seaside shenanigans and a weekend in the woods.

Perhaps the most convenient part of the location is the family-friendly pub that’s on the doorstep. After a long day on the hoof you can nestle down in one of the pew-like wooden chairs in the Red Shoot Inn for a pint of Muddy Boot and recall all of the reasons you booked this campsite in the first place. Space, check. Facilities, check. Family-friendly, check. Things to do, check. A good local pub within walking distance, check and check. Probably all the same reasons that you’ll come back again.

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Details

Facilities

First class facilities feature underfloor heating, showers, toilets, hot and cold water to all wash basins, hair-drier in the ladies and shaver points in the gents. There are also separate facilities for the disabled, a family shower room with baby change facilities and a chemical toilet disposal point. The laundry room provides automatic washing machines and tumble driers and is also where you'll find information on local attractions. There's a separate undercover area for dish-washing. An ice pack service is run from the well-stocked shop (and bakery) and outside there is a children's play area with a sandpit, balance beam and stepping stones for little ones and a rope climbing frame and activity castle for bigger kids. No camp fires allowed, BBQ's are fine though.

Suitable For

Tents, campervans, caravans, motorhomes and dogs (on a lead at all times) – yes.

Nearby

Within the New Forest National Park there is plenty on the doorstep, most notably the wealth of cycling and walking trails. Look out for the famous wild ponies and deer. If you struggle to spot them on your bike though, try heading to the New Forest Safari in Burley or the deer feeding station in Bolderwood – both a short drive away. Lyndhurst (02380 282269) is seen as the central town for the new forest, with extra tourist info if you need. Elsewhere, it's a very easy drive through the old market town of Ringwood to Bournemouth and the coast. Along the way you pass Go Ape! (08456 439215) – a good, organised family day out – or continue to the beaches and the magnificent sandbanks peninsula.

Food & Drink

There is a modern onsite shop selling fresh, frozen and canned foods, milk, freshly baked bread, homemade cakes, newspapers, camping equipment and a variety of games. It also has a licence to sell wines and beers. Adjacent to the camping field is the Red Shoot Inn (01425 475792), a traditional country pub which welcomes families, has live music on Sunday nights and 3 annual beer festivals. From their own, in-house brewery try the New Forest Gold or Tom Tipple for something different! Within 3 miles are two other pubs, the High Corner Inn (01425 473973) and the Alice Lisle (01425 474700). The nearest supermarket is a short drive away in Ringwood.

Open

March–October.

Family Friendly

Load the car, bring the bikes and take to the New Forest on two wheels. The rest of the time you can kick back and enjoy this family campsite; run by a family for families. The facilities are new and knock-out, while the campsite is the outcome of care and time.

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Location

Contact Red Shoot Camping Park, Linwood, Near Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 3QT

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Getting There

From M27 take A31 west towards Ringwood. At Ringwood take A338 towards Fordingbridge/Salisbury. After approx 1.5 miles turn right down Ellingham Drove (brown tourist sign points to Red Shoot Inn and Red Shoot Camp Site), over cattle grid and small hump back bridge. Left at t-junction and then first right signposted to Linwood. Stay on this road for 1.75 miles until you see the Red Shoot Inn on the left. The Red Shoot Camping Park is situated directly behind the pub. Nearest train station is at Brockenhurst (0845 748 4950) and closest bus is Ringwood.