Hampshire
Full-facility holiday park on the Avon at Fordingbridge, strong for families
Sandy Balls occupies 120 acres of woodland above the River Avon at Godshill, just outside Fordingbridge on the north-western edge of the national park. Despite the name, which comes from a set of sandy gravel domes on the estate, it is one of the most developed holiday parks in the area and operates more like a resort than a traditional campsite. Touring and tent pitches sit in terraced woodland clearings, alongside a large stock of lodges, static caravans and glamping units.
Facilities are the main draw. There are indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a gym and spa, restaurants and a bar, a well-stocked on-site shop, bike hire, a playground and an activity programme that runs through the school holidays — bushcraft sessions, archery, Nerf games and similar. Free WiFi covers the park, and there are resident alpacas that reliably occupy small children for a while. Serviced pitches with electric hook-up, water and drainage are available for caravans and motorhomes, and shower blocks are modern and heated.
This is a site for families who want plenty laid on and do not mind a busy park, rather than for anyone chasing solitude in the woods. The Avon valley walks start from the gate, Fordingbridge is a mile or so away for shops and pubs, and Salisbury is about 30 minutes by car — closer than most New Forest bases. The deeper forest around Bolderwood and Brockenhurst is a 25 to 30 minute drive. Pitch prices start from around £25 a night outside peak season and rise steeply for August and half-term weeks, with lodges and glamping units priced considerably higher.