Fernwood Glamping
UK England South East England Hampshire Ringwood
The approach to Fernwood is like a steady fizzle out of the urban world. As you leave the historic market town of Ringwood, the houses gradually seem to retreat from the edge of the road, before a church and a thatched-roof cottage mark the start of the New Forest proper. From here, the road weaves into the smudged shade of the trees and the holiday begins. You feel miles away from anywhere.
It’s through a wooden gate and down at the end of a large garden that the shepherd’s hut at Fernwood is eventually found, it’s wood-lined interior rustic and warm. Inside, it sleeps up to four (though it works well as a romantic break for couples) with a double bed that folds away into a dining space and two pull out singles for children. At one end an all-important wood-burning stove provides heating throughout the year with a free supply of logs included. It’s also cleverly backed by a strip of shiny, corrugated metal, reflecting the heat and filling the place with warmth in seconds.
There’s something very apt, in this environment, about staying in a shepherd’s hut. The lightly painted structure has an agricultural feel that fits among the surroundings, where foxes and deer can be spotted. An old treehouse works nicely as a deer and bird-spotting hide and there’s a small pond that also attracts the critters – frogs and newts can be found bathing along its edges. Indeed, Fernwood itself also plays host to chickens, rabbits, cats, dogs and a pet tortoise. So though this may be a quiet hideaway from the rest of the world, you’re not entirely alone!
Also available is Fernwood's beautifully painted gypsy caravan. Snuggled into a woodland area in the garden, this cosy caravan was built on an original 1930's dray base overlooking fields where deer and rabbits are frequently seen. The cool caravan arrived here in 2016 and is ideally booked alongside the shepherd's hut for a family with older children or two couples going away together.
Finally, the the wooden summerhouse in the garden is a handy accomplice to the shepherd’s hut and gypsy caravan. The structure has electricity for charging phones, powering a small fridge and running the kettle, with free tea and coffee for you to use. And it’s a great spot for powering up in the morning before you set off on foot or by bike to explore. Head east to submerge yourself further in the trees and heathland of the New Forest or return to busy Ringwood for the Wednesday market and a visit to the local restaurants. The choice is yours.
Our Coronavirus Booking Guarantee
Book with complete confidence at Fernwood Glamping with the Cool Camping Coronavirus Booking Guarantee. We guarantee the following clear policy for your booking:
- A low deposit of 30% to secure your booking
- Balance due 30 days before your holiday
- Complete flexibility to move bookings up to the end of 2021 in the event of Coronavirus restrictions
- Due to the flexibility provided we are unable to offer refunds
- This guarantee supersedes any other policies
Gallery















Details
Facilities
The shepherd's hut overlooking the field has a 5-ft bed. Room for two children (sleeping bags and pillows provided) using a pull out bench and a pull down bunk over the bed. It is so cosy inside with fairy lights (double plug socket). The hut also has tea / coffee making facilities with a mini-fridge (fresh milk provided). Guests may use the electric kettle or be more adventurous and boil their own water on the stove! Hot water bottles are provided. The shepherd's hut guests have use their own compost toilet (lit with fairy lights). our glamping season is longer for the hut as it is slightly larger and has a bigger woodturner.
The locally made gypsy caravan is in a wooded area and has a pretty rose fabric interior. It is a fabulous place to hide away in those hot summer months as it is sited in dappled shade. It has a 4-ft wide double bed, reached by climbing onto the bench seats, and a small double underneath for two children. It has a double plug socket, a low- level heater and a wood burner. The guests in the van also have use of the summer house overlooking the pond with an electric kettle (tea/coffee provided) and a mini fridge (fresh milk provided). The gypsy van guests have their own toilet outside the main house close to the shared shower.
The shower will be available with staggered times available. Both the shepherds hut and gypsy van have their own basic outdoor solar shower where guests can warm up water in solar bags to use in the porta-shower. We can also help out with additional hot water should the sun not shine enough! (Great fun- yes I have tried it!).
Campfires are allowed (fire pit provided) and guests can buy wood for this on site (£5 charge) and enjoy an evening with the sunset or the stars, toasting marshmallows (provided). Many guests bring a small camp stove / disposable bbq to make the most of their outdoor adventure.
The tree house platform looks out over the field. Most guests see deer, sometimes rabbits and foxes. Great excitement when there was a badger in the ditch below! Not guaranteed but, because we are surrounded by mature oak trees, you will almost certainly hear owls hooting and may see bats swooping over the pond. In the daytime, it is common to see buzzards circling overhead.
Bedding, towels, bathrobes, tea/coffee, biscuits, wood for the wood burner indoors, marshmallows, matches and firelighters all included.
Suitable For
Glamping only. The shepherd's hut and gypsy caravan sleep 2 adults and up to 2 children (4-10 ideal because of bed length). Sorry, no dogs permitted. No pup tents or additional camping possible. We ask guests not to play music outside and for quiet after 10pm. Ideal for a short break to visit the New Forest. Many guests use Fernwood as a base to explore the New Forest, making the most of opportunities for walking and cycling across the many tracks and footpaths in the area.
Nearby
On the edge of the New Forest National Park, Fernwood has plenty on the doorstep, including a wealth of cycling and walking trails – stay quiet to spot wild ponies and deer. If you struggle to find 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. Alternatively, it's a very easy drive through Ringwood to Bournemouth and the coast. Passing Go Ape! (08456 439215) en route – a good, organised family day out – or continue to the beaches and the magnificent sandbanks peninsula. A favourite recommendation from Fernwood is to visit Hengistbury Head (01202 451618), with a visitors centre, ferry boat across to Medeford Quay (great for crabbing!) and a land train which can take you back at the end of the day. Younger guests especially enjoy Peppa Pig World at Paulton's Park (20 mins) or a visit to one of the beaches. Older children and 'young at heart' parents love the New Forest Water Park and their many activities on offer (worth booking in advance).
Food & Drink
There are some great pubs in more rural locations which make a fantastic point to start or finish a walk such as The Alice Lisle (01425 474700), The Red Shoot Inn (01425 475792) or The High Corner Inn (01425 473973). Within half a mile and easy walking distance there is a Tesco local (0345 026 9408), a fish and chip shop (01425 478310), a fantastic bakery with take away pizzas Friday and Saturday nights (01425 480666) and The London Tavern (01425 473819) – well known for its quiz nights and live bands. There are several local cafes in the town worth exploring which can serve coffee, breakfasts or brunches. Alternatively, a continental breakfast hamper can be ordered in advance by e- mail or text. It includes cereals, bread, jam, a muffin or a pastry, fresh fruit and yoghurt, milk and juice.Opening Times
All year.
Why book with Cool Camping?
- Coronavirus Booking Guarantee
- Best Price Guarantee, with no fees
- Instant booking confirmation
- Trusted for over 10 years
- A chance to win prizes in our regular competitions
The Owner Says
It is through a wooden gate and down to the end of a large garden over looking fields grazed by deer that you will find the shepherd’s hut and gypsy van, well spaced from each other to enjoy the garden (outdoor seating provided). At Fernwood, it is hard to imagine you are only a mile away from the friendly market town of Ringwood. Inside they both sleep up to four (though it works very well as a romantic break for couples). At one end a cosy wood-burning stove provides heating throughout the year, with a basket of wood included. Alternatively, on a summer evening, guests may use the fire pit outside. The hut is lit by fairy lights and lamps are provided. Guests have a choice of using our compost toilet or a more traditional one outside the garage. A shower room and solar showers will also be available for guests to use.
Social Distancing Measures
As a small family run business with a single gypsy van and a single shepherd's hut over 25 metres apart, Fernwood Glamping offers a much needed escape from the city with a peaceful garden, walking and cycling in the beautiful New Forest- a perfect spot for two couples or families to book together where they wish to socialise with a limited number of people. There are separate toilet facilities: the gypsy van- flushable toilet by the main house; shepherd’s hut- compost toilet near the hut. The shower will hopefully be available again in staggered time slots after the 17th of May 2021. Alternatively guests can use outdoor solar showering facilities (with a pressurised porta-shower- we can help with more hot water). The summer house will be used by the gypsy van only (smaller accommodation unit and closer to the pond). We have therefore added a mini-fridge (15 litre / 12 cans capacity) and a small kettle to the shepherd's hut.
This site offers our Coronavirus Booking Guarantee
Offers & Deals
The best offer will automatically be applied to bookings on Cool Camping
Accommodation
One shepherd's hut and one gypsy caravan.
Shepherd’s Hut
Gypsy Caravan
Location
Contact Fernwood Glamping, Fernwood, Ringwood, New Forest, Hampshire BH24 3JN
Getting There
From Salisbury direction (on A338): When the A338 meets the A31 Ringwood roundabout take the first exit onto the A31 dual carriageway towards Southampton / Winchester. Ignore the first exit to Poulner and continue up Poulner Hill. At the top of the hill, take the exit off the dual carriageway to Hangersley by the In Excess Garden Centre. Continue down the hill, ignoring the first turning on your right sign posted to Hangersley Hill. Look out for "Fernwood" on the left hand side, which has a sign on the fence. It is the house after “Woodpeckers”, which has a circular reversing mirror on their brick entrance. If you get to the London Tavern at the bottom of the hill you have gone too far!
From Bournemouth direction (on A31): Go past the turn off to Ringwood (stay in right hand lanes) and continue on the flyover past the main church and the town. Ignore the first exit to Poulner and continue up Poulner Hill. At the top of the hill, take the exit off the dual carriageway to Hangersley by In Excess Garden Centre. Continue down the hill, ignoring the first turning on your right sign posted to Hangersley Hill. Look out for "Fernwood" on the left hand side, which has a sign on the fence. It is the house after “Woodpeckers”, which has a circular reversing mirror on their brick entrance. If you get to the London Tavern at the bottom of the hill you have gone too far!
From Southampton direction (on A31): After following the A31 across the forest you will pass the exit for Burley (by the Picket Post services) After 1 mile look out for the exit sign posted to Hightown and Poulner. Turn right at the mini roundabout, which takes you over the A31 towards Poulner and continue until you reach a second mini roundabout by The White Hart pub. Turn right here into Gorley Road. Take the second turning on the right which is Linford Road. You will pass the London Tavern on the right hand side. Continue up the hill, past St John The Baptist's Church. The road then forks so keep right, around an S bend. You will go past a gravel track on the right and "Fernwood" is the second five bar gate / house on the right hand side.
If the gate is shut, please do not try to push it open, but press the button on the fence (driver's side) to open the electric gate. Please park in front of the five bar gate. Please come to the front door of the house to meet us unless we have made arrangements to leave a key.
Reviews
Add Your ReviewRated ★★★★★ over 25 reviews
Picturesque stay in the heart of the New Forest
Response from Fernwood Glamping
Gorgeous relaxing stay in a beautiful shepherds hut
Response from Fernwood Glamping
Cosy caravan in a lovely setting
Response from Fernwood Glamping
Wonderful place !
Response from Fernwood Glamping
Friendly and peaceful
Fun two night stay in lovely gypsy caravan
Response from Fernwood Glamping
Peaceful getaway post lockdown
Response from Fernwood Glamping
A wonderful escape
Peaceful stay near New Forest
Excellent few days
Grest location! So much to do!
Friendly, Cosy & Peaceful
Everything was top notch!!!
Tranquility
Lovely Weeks Break
Magical Experience
Fabulous weekend in the shepherds hut
A great stay
A Special Place
perfect retreat at fernwood
lovely holiday at Fernwood
Magical stay in a Gypsy Caravan
Perfect!
Pure Magic
Lovely unique family break
We stayed in the hut (with our 2 and 4 yr old) at Fernwood as a compromise to camping in a tent given the recent weather conditions. It was a very last minute arrangement, but Rachel was very accommodating and welcomed us despite not giving her much time to prepare for our arrival. On arrival we were shown to the Shepherd's hut which is beautifully designed with a rustic earthy feel. The wood burning stove, fairy lights and little candles make for a magical feel and the little extras (tea, coffee, fruit, marshmallows etc) make it instantly homely and welcoming. You can really tell that so much thought has gone into the place, they really have thought of everything! From robes to crocs, blankets to teddy bears and high quality bedding to top it off. There wasn't a great deal of space for a family of four but it was very very comfortable.....especially the bed. The kids were also warm and cosy in their thick sleeping bags.
The compost toilet was a few steps down the garden...two toilet seats with one 'resting' and the other in operation. The children were fascinated that they didn't need flushing but instead you throw a scoop of sawdust down. All very clean and quirky, lit with fairy lights and quotes from the Dalai Lama on the wall to get you thinking about how to get the best out of life!
We lit the fire pit and sat round it for the evening which was lovely knowing that a pack of marshmallows were sitting waiting for us in the hut.
Our wonderful breakfast had been left in the summerhouse across the garden. Full of delicious goodies all beutifully presented in a wicker hamper....we sat and had our breakfast looking out to the pond and then after played a few of the games that were on the shelf in there.
The children loved running around the big garden, jumping on the trampoline and swinging on the little rope swing. When we left they asked when we could go back! Altogether a lovely place and I would recommend to anyone considering staying here.
Why book with Cool Camping?
- Coronavirus Booking Guarantee
- Best Price Guarantee, with no fees
- Instant booking confirmation
- Trusted for over 10 years
- A chance to win prizes in our regular competitions
Related Guides
See Campsites in the New Forest
See Campervan Hire in the New Forest
See Campfire-friendly campsites in the New Forest
See Dog-friendly campsites in the New Forest