Excellent facilities inside and spacious camping and glamping options outside in the grounds of this well located New Forest youth hostel.

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YHA New Forest YHA

UK England South East England Hampshire Ringwood

Excellent facilities inside and spacious camping and glamping options outside in the grounds of this well located New Forest youth hostel

The mature trees that dot the camping meadow around this white-washed YHA hostel are certainly in keeping with the setting. Right in the heart of the New Forest, the small 15-pitch campsite very much has the feel of being a part of the woodland. Camping here is like pitching in the garden of a large family house, with just a plain, relatively empty meadow in which to pop your tent and all the facilities themselves housed inside the commanding main building itself.

That’s not to say the place is lifeless. On the contrary the camping area comes alive on the weekends, when tents sprawl their way around the undesignated spaces and colourful cookwares are spread across the numerous picnic tables peppered around the field for anyone to use. Inside, meanwhile, along with the regular shower, toilet and washing up offerings, you also have the added bonus of full hostel facilities – there’s a kitchen, lounge, Wi-Fi, cycle storage and a drying room.

Comfort seekers can pluck for one of the two glamping options that also take up some of the outdoor space. There are sturdy year-round pods and, during summer, four furnished bell tents pitched on raised wooden decking. They’re certainly the speediest option of you want to simply turn up and head out on your bike without pitching your tent (or if you want to simply head down the pub – the nearest one is right next door!)

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Details

Facilities

Pods sleep 4 in a double futon and 2 single beds. Bell tents sleep 4–5 in a double bed and 2 or 3 single mattresses. They have eco-friendly solar lighting and comfy bean bags, bedside tables, a coffee table, rugs and soft flooring. There are also 2 premium bell tents that only sleep 4 and include their own wood-burning stove. Bedding is included with all glamping options. As for facilities, campers have full access to the hostel, which has a restaurant/dining room, a self-catering kitchen, shop, lounge, tv room, laundry, drying room and a cycle store. Campfires are not permitted.

Suitable For

Tents, families, groups, couples – yes. Campervans, caravans, trailer tents, dogs – no.

Nearby

The footpaths and cycle trails around the picturesque villages of Brook, Cadnam and Bartley are among the least visited in the national park – perfect if you want a little peace and quiet. The Red Route bus service runs between all three villages, so you can walk in one direction and catch the bus back. If you fancy the cycle trails but don't have a bike, you can hire them from Forest Leisure Cycling (01425 403584) a 5 minutes walk from the site. Also within walking distance, Burley Manor Riding Stables (01425 403489), half a mile away, offer riding tours on bridleways around the New Forest Country Park.

Food & Drink

There's a hot and cold buffet breakfast (£5.25) in the hostel each morning from 7:30am–9am. They can also provide a packed lunch for the day and in the evenings there's a three course meal served at a set time and sold at a set price – a good old fashioned hosteling moment when you can socialise with other guests. An onsite bar serves drinks including Ringwood Brewery Ales (01425 470303) – the brewery is 8 miles away and has tours through summer. The White Buck pub (01425 402264) – a tudor-style building with a modern, gastro interior – is also just a hundred yards or so down the road.

Opening Times

Camping Easter–October; pods available all year.

The Owner Says

A popular camping meadow set in the grounds of the handsome YHA New Forest Youth Hostel building. Great rural location right in the heart of the New Forest with a pub just around the corner.

Location

Contact YHA New Forest, Cott Lane, Burley, Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 4BB

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Getting There

Follow Lyndhurst Road, go past Burley School on the left and past the golf course for 1/2 mile to the crossroads. Follow the sign post to White Buck Inn and turn left into Cott Lane. Follow signs for the hostel.

It’s entirely possible to explore the wider locale without the use of a car. In high season the open-top New Forest Tour bus route links the national park’s major towns, villages and attractions. Alternatively, escape to the coast; Christchurch is a 45-minute bus journey away and the Blue Flag beach at Southbourne, a favourite amongst locals, is a little way beyond.