Harry's Field New Forest

The New Forest may be 150 square miles in size but the essential characteristics are almost perfectly parcelled up in the immediate surroundings of Harry’s Field. There’s an appropriately named old English pub – The Foresters Arms – next door, footpaths and bridleways leading immediately from the end of the lane and wild ponies grazing in the heathland across the track. If you want to enjoy all the New Forest has to offer without spending your holiday hopping in the car, Harry’s Field is certainly a top choice.

The campsite has all the basics covered. The field is flat and well drained, there are showers, sinks and toilets at one end and pitches are generously sized. There’s also a great buzz about the place. The meadow affords room for 40 pitches, with a few more set aside for pre-pitched bell tents, and, though they don’t like big groups or late night noisiness, the campsite still has a thoroughly sociable, family feel. The sheltered camping kitchen can be found in a lovingly converted barn with electric kettles, toaster and tea and coffee milk and sugar for all guests. Even the pub has a tendency to captivate every age group – while parents are having a taste of the local ales, kids will fall in love with the donkeys who graze an apron of grass by the front gate.

“We want to run Harry’s Field as the sort of place we would love to camp ourselves”, owner Vivien explains. The Sheriff family grew up on a staple of summer camping holidays and it’s clear their approach to the site draws on classic camping memories: campfires are allowed, dogs are welcome and they’ll happily provide guests with an annotated map outlining the best walks and bike-rides in the area – a little local insight goes a long way. There are no frills, bells or whistles and they don’t have plans to fill the place with new, manmade facilities either. If it’s the sort of place they’d camp themselves then, we’re happy to say, we’d certainly go camping with them.