Harry's Meadow

Everything about the New Forest seems spacious and unhindered: the way that deer and ponies roam freely for miles, the way that country lanes seem to dissolve into the verges, the way that bushes and heathland thrive. So it's only right that a campsite like Harry's Meadow feels so open and vast. The space on offer here is immense. There's plenty of room to find your private area, set down and enjoy some peace, yet at the same time feel somehow sociable, too, as you occupy a campsite with ample space for up to a hundred other campers.

Set on a historic New Forest estate, ribboned by trees that cross the land in neat avenues, Harry’s Meadow, is the sister site to the smaller Harry’s Field further south. The main manor house and central part of the estate is closed to campers, but there’s a real sense of privilege to being allowed to camp here. And, with enough space to pitch even the largest of 10-man tunnel tents, you can build your very own country mansion instead.

Given the vast amount of room on offer – think swathes of wildflower-pimpled grass and a handful of huge hundred-year old oak trees – affable manager Jesse has a laid-back attitude about where you pitch. Find a quiet space at the far end of the field, further from the facilities, or pitch near the entrance to be five-minutes from a wild swimming spot on the River Avon and closer to the public footpath, which leads across fields to Woodgreen. This village, though tiny, is home to all you really need: an award-winning community shop and probably the best pub in the west of the New Forest. Campfires are allowed in off-ground fire pits which are available to hire from reception on arrival and dogs are welcome too.

The back-to-basics nature of Harry’s Meadow make this an almost wild camping experience (albeit one with the option of pre-pitched bell tents if you really want to take it easy). It’s fitting given the wild surrounds of the New Forest. Those in the know bring bikes to make the most of the area – the New Forest has miles of car-free trails and it’s a great way to see the ubiquitous wildlife. Even the village green in nearby Hale is a conservation area and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). On rainy days it’s a 15-minute drive to Salisbury and around 20 to family favourite, Paultons Park, while, on sunny ones, it's only half an hour to Bournemouth beach.