New Forest Camping: The Best Gear and Campsites for 2026
Compare Roundhill vs Hollands Wood, best tents from £250, fire rules explained, and verified campsite pricing — New Forest camping guide 2026.
New Forest Camping: The Best Gear and Campsites for 2026
The New Forest National Park covers approximately 566 square kilometres of ancient woodland, open heathland, and wetland habitat. Under the jurisdiction of the Verderers of the New Forest, around 7,000 free-roaming animals — including ponies, donkeys, cattle, and pigs — graze across the forest year-round (Verderers of the New Forest, verderers.org.uk). It remains one of the UK’s most distinctive camping destinations, with Forestry England managing multiple dedicated campsites across the park alongside Camping and Caravanning Club (CCC) sites and private operators.
This guide covers verified campsite information, tent recommendations with manufacturer-sourced specs, fire rules, booking windows, and sleeping bag guidance for New Forest conditions in 2026.
⚠️ Open Fire Rules: Read Before You Book
Forestry England prohibits open fires on all its managed campsites in the New Forest. Disposable barbecues are also banned across Forestry England-managed land. This rule applies regardless of weather conditions or time of year.
Campers who arrive with fire pits, chimineas, or disposable BBQs risk ejection from the site. Raised charcoal barbecues may be permitted on some private sites — check individual campsite terms and conditions before arrival.
Source: Forestry England official guidance, forestryengland.uk. Verify current rules directly with your specific campsite before travel, as policies can be updated.
This is one of the most practically important pieces of information for anyone planning a New Forest camping trip, and one that many general camping guides omit entirely.
Quick Picks: Tents
| Tent | Best For | Capacity | Price Range (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vango Osiris 300 | Solo / couple campers | 3-person | ~£250–£280 (Go Outdoors, accessed April 2026) |
| Coleman Cortes 4 | Family camping | 4-person | ~£300–£350 (Cotswold Outdoor, accessed April 2026) |
| Robens Klondike | Private glamping pitches only (see note) | 6-person | ~£700–£850 (Cotswold Outdoor, accessed April 2026) |
Quick Picks: Campsites
| Campsite | Best For | Price Per Night (pitch) | Hookups | Dog-Friendly | Booking Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roundhill | Families, dog owners | From £18 (Forestry England, 2026) | No | Yes | forestryengland.uk |
| Hollands Wood | Families, central location | From £18 (Forestry England, 2026) | No | Yes | forestryengland.uk |
| Ashurst | Motorhomes, couples | From £18 (Forestry England, 2026) | No | Yes | forestryengland.uk |
| Denny Wood | Quiet, rustic camping | From £14 (Forestry England, 2026) | No | Yes | forestryengland.uk |
| Hollis Farm | Rustic, small-scale stays | Varies — contact site directly | Limited | Check direct | hollisfarm.co.uk |
| Ocknell & Longbeech | Tents only, open heathland | From £14 (Forestry England, 2026) | No | Yes | forestryengland.uk |
Prices correct per Forestry England’s booking system as of April 2026. Always confirm current pricing at forestryengland.uk before booking.
Why the New Forest Is a Top Camping Destination in 2026
The New Forest received National Park designation in 2005 and is one of the largest remaining tracts of unenclosed pasture land, heathland, and forest in southern England. The park is crisscrossed with over 140 miles of waymarked cycle routes and hundreds of miles of footpaths, making it well suited to active breaks.
Forestry England operates the majority of the park’s dedicated campsites. The Camping and Caravanning Club also operates sites in and around the forest; note that CCC sites require club membership, which costs around £52 per year (2026 rate — verify at campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk). Families are well catered for across multiple sites, dog owners will find most Forestry England sites permit dogs on leads, and the park’s free-roaming wildlife adds a character found at very few other UK camping destinations.
Booking Lead Times: Critical Information for 2026
Forestry England’s most popular New Forest sites — particularly Roundhill and Hollands Wood — book out up to 11 months in advance for peak summer weekends (late July and August). If you are planning a summer 2026 trip and have not yet booked, check availability immediately at forestryengland.uk.
Key booking facts:
- Forestry England sites open their booking window 11 months ahead of the arrival date
- Weekend pitches in July and August at Roundhill and Hollands Wood are typically gone within days of the window opening
- Shoulder season (May, June, September) offers significantly better availability
- Camping and Caravanning Club sites require advance membership before booking
The Best Campsites for New Forest Camping
Roundhill Campsite – Best for Families and Dog Owners
Roundhill is one of Forestry England’s largest and most popular New Forest sites, situated near Brockenhurst. It accommodates tents, campervans, and motorhomes, and is set within mature woodland with direct access to forest tracks. Dogs are permitted on leads.
- Facilities: Toilet and shower blocks, washing-up areas
- Electric hookups: Not available
- Open fires: Prohibited (Forestry England policy)
- Price: From £18 per pitch per night (Forestry England, forestryengland.uk, April 2026)
- Booking: forestryengland.uk — books out months ahead for peak summer
- OS Grid Reference: SU 272 019
Hollands Wood Campsite – Best for Central Access
Hollands Wood sits just north of Brockenhurst, adjacent to open forest and within easy reach of the village’s shops, pubs, and train station (direct services to London Waterloo). It is a large, open site popular with families and groups.
- Facilities: Toilet and shower blocks, play areas
- Electric hookups: Not available
- Open fires: Prohibited (Forestry England policy)
- Price: From £18 per pitch per night (Forestry England, forestryengland.uk, April 2026)
- Booking: forestryengland.uk
- OS Grid Reference: SU 302 027
Ashurst Campsite – Best for Motorhomes and Couples
Ashurst is a well-positioned site near the northeastern edge of the forest, close to the village of Ashurst and the M27, making it one of the more accessible sites for campers travelling from London and the southeast. It suits motorhomes and campervans as well as tents.
- Facilities: Toilet and shower blocks, hardstanding areas
- Electric hookups: Not available on standard pitches — verify current provision at forestryengland.uk
- Open fires: Prohibited (Forestry England policy)
- Price: From £18 per pitch per night (Forestry England, forestryengland.uk, April 2026)
- Booking: forestryengland.uk
Denny Wood Campsite – Best for Quiet, Rustic Camping
Denny Wood is a smaller, quieter Forestry England site in the heart of the forest near Beaulieu Road. It has minimal facilities and is best suited to self-sufficient campers who want a more remote feel. Free-roaming animals frequently pass through the site.
- Facilities: Basic toilets; no showers
- Electric hookups: No
- Open fires: Prohibited (Forestry England policy)
- Price: From £14 per pitch per night (Forestry England, forestryengland.uk, April 2026)
- Booking: forestryengland.uk
Ocknell and Longbeech Campsites – Best for Tents on Open Heathland
Ocknell and Longbeech are adjacent Forestry England sites near Fritham, set on open heathland in the northwest of the forest. They are tent-only sites with a genuinely open, exposed character. Facilities are basic. These sites suit campers who want space and quiet over amenities.
- Facilities: Basic toilets
- Electric hookups: No
- Open fires: Prohibited (Forestry England policy)
- Price: From £14 per pitch per night (Forestry England, forestryengland.uk, April 2026)
- Booking: forestryengland.uk
Hollis Farm Campsite – Best for Small-Scale, Rustic Stays
Hollis Farm is a privately run site offering a more intimate experience than the larger Forestry England sites, with direct access to forest tracks. Facilities are basic. Pricing and availability should be confirmed directly with the site at hollisfarm.co.uk, as these are not managed through Forestry England’s central booking system. Confirm fire and BBQ rules directly with the site before arrival.
The Best Tents for New Forest Camping
New Forest weather is variable. Summer temperatures average 18–22°C during the day but can drop to 8–10°C overnight, particularly in May, June, and September. Rain and wind are possible at any time of year. A tent with a hydrostatic head (HH) of at least 3000 mm is recommended; 4000 mm or above provides a meaningful margin in sustained rain.
Vango Osiris 300 – Best for Solo and Couple Campers
The Vango Osiris 300 is a three-person tunnel tent designed for lightweight camping. Per Vango’s official product listing (vango.co.uk, accessed April 2026), key specifications are:
- Capacity: 3-person
- Weight: 3.8 kg
- Hydrostatic head: 4000 mm
- Pole system: Vango PowerLite fibreglass poles with Tension Band System
- Price: Approximately £250–£280 (Go Outdoors, gooutdoors.co.uk, accessed April 2026)
The tunnel design and porch area make it practical for storing muddy boots and cooking gear. The 4000 mm HH rating is adequate for typical New Forest rain. Owner review consensus across Amazon UK and Go Outdoors (combined several hundred reviews as of April 2026) consistently highlights ease of pitching and wind stability as key strengths. Verify current specs and pricing at vango.co.uk before purchase, as Vango updates SKUs regularly.
Coleman Cortes 4 – Best for Families
The Coleman Cortes 4 is a four-person tunnel tent with two separate sleeping areas and a central living space. Per Coleman’s official product page (coleman.com/en-gb, accessed April 2026):
- Capacity: 4-person (2 bedrooms)
- Weight: 12.5 kg
- Hydrostatic head: 4500 mm
- WeatherTec system: Taped seams, welded groundsheet, strong steel frame
- BlackOut Bedroom technology: Coleman’s term for the darkened bedroom panels, which the manufacturer states block approximately 99% of daylight — cited on Coleman’s official product page
- Price: Approximately £300–£350 (Cotswold Outdoor, cotswoldoutdoor.com, accessed April 2026)
The 4500 mm HH and taped seams make this a genuinely rain-resistant option. The BlackOut bedroom panels — a confirmed Coleman product feature per their official listing — are particularly useful for families with young children camping in midsummer when it stays light until 10pm. Verify current specs at coleman.com/en-gb before purchase.
Robens Klondike – Best for Private Glamping Pitches (Important Restrictions Apply)
The Robens Klondike is a large bell tent with woodburning stove compatibility. Per Robens’ official product page (robens.de, accessed April 2026):
- Capacity: 6-person (or 4 with stove)
- Weight: 25 kg
- Fabric: 210 g/m² cotton-polyester blend
- Central height: 2.8 metres
- Price: Approximately £700–£850 (Cotswold Outdoor, cotswoldoutdoor.com, accessed April 2026)
Critical restriction: Forestry England prohibits large canvas structures including bell tents on its managed New Forest sites, and woodburning stoves are not permitted. The Klondike is therefore not suitable for any of the Forestry England campsites listed in this article.
The Klondike is viable only at private glamping pitches that explicitly permit bell tents and stoves. Private sites in and around the New Forest that offer suitable large-tent or bell-tent pitches include operators such as New Forest Glamping (newforestglamping.co.uk) — confirm current availability, pricing, and equipment permissions directly with any private operator before booking. Always verify stove and fire rules with the specific site.
Owner review consensus on Cotswold Outdoor and specialist canvas tent forums rates the Klondike highly for build quality and condensation management (the cotton-polyester blend breathes significantly better than pure nylon). It is a basecamp or glamping product, not a touring tent.
Comparison Table: Top Tents for New Forest Camping
| Tent | Best For | Capacity | Weight | Hydrostatic Head | Approx. Price (April 2026) | Site Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vango Osiris 300 | Solo / couple | 3-person | 3.8 kg | 4000 mm | £250–£280 | All sites |
| Coleman Cortes 4 | Family | 4-person | 12.5 kg | 4500 mm | £300–£350 | All sites |
| Robens Klondike | Glamping | 6-person | 25 kg | N/A (canvas) | £700–£850 | Private pitches only — not Forestry England sites |
Prices sourced from Go Outdoors and Cotswold Outdoor, April 2026. Verify current pricing before purchase.
Sleeping Bags for New Forest Camping
New Forest overnight temperatures vary significantly by season:
- July–August: Lows of 12–15°C — a 2-season or light 3-season bag is sufficient
- May–June / September: Lows of 8–12°C — a 3-season bag is recommended
- October onwards: Lows can fall below 5°C — a 4-season bag or a 3-season bag with a liner is advisable
When comparing sleeping bags, look for EN 13537 / ISO 23537 temperature ratings. These are the standardised European and international testing protocols that provide Comfort, Lower Limit, and Extreme ratings. The Comfort rating is the most relevant for typical users — it represents the temperature at which a standard adult woman can sleep comfortably. Do not rely solely on the “Extreme” rating, which represents survival conditions rather than comfortable sleep.
Recommended specifications for New Forest camping:
- Summer (July–August): Comfort rating of +5°C to +8°C
- Spring/Autumn: Comfort rating of 0°C to +3°C
- Year-round use: Comfort rating of -3°C to 0°C with a silk or fleece liner for flexibility
Specific products to consider (verify current specs and pricing at manufacturer or retailer sites before purchase):
- Alpkit Pipedream 400 — a well-regarded down bag with a Comfort rating of approximately +2°C, widely reviewed positively by UK camping communities. Current specs at alpkit.com.
- Vango Nitestar Alpha 350 — a synthetic-fill bag suited to damp conditions (synthetic insulation retains warmth when wet, unlike down). Comfort rating approximately +3°C. Current specs at vango.co.uk.
- Mountain Equipment Helium 600 — a premium down bag for shoulder-season and autumn camping, with a Comfort rating of approximately -1°C. Current specs at mountain-equipment.com.
Essential Kit Checklist for New Forest Camping
Beyond tent and sleeping bag, the following items are particularly relevant to New Forest conditions:
- Midge and insect repellent — the forest has significant midge and tick activity, particularly in summer. DEET-based repellents are most effective; tick checks after walks in long grass are essential.
- Waterproof footwear — forest tracks become muddy quickly after rain regardless of season.
- Bike lock and lights — the forest’s cycle network is extensive; many campers bring bikes. Lights are required for evening riding.
- Portable camping stove — open fires are prohibited across Forestry England sites. A gas or multi-fuel stove is essential for cooking. Popular options include the MSR PocketRocket 2 (lightweight, for solo/couple use) and the Coleman Classic Propane Stove (larger, for family cooking). Verify current specs at msrgear.com and coleman.com/en-gb.
- Tick removal tool — available at most outdoor retailers and pharmacies. The NHS recommends fine-tipped tweezers or a purpose-made tick removal tool; do not use heat or petroleum jelly (NHS guidance, nhs.uk).
- Waterproof map or OS app subscription — Ordnance Survey’s OS Maps app covers the New Forest in full at 1:25,000 scale. Subscription details at osmaps.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you have a fire at New Forest campsites? No. Forestry England prohibits open fires on all its managed New Forest campsites. Disposable barbecues are also banned on Forestry England land. Raised charcoal barbecues may be permitted at some private sites — always confirm with the specific site before arrival. Source: Forestry England (forestryengland.uk).
Do you need to book New Forest camping in advance? Yes, for peak season. Forestry England’s most popular sites — including Roundhill and Hollands Wood — open their booking window 11 months ahead and peak summer weekends (late July and August) typically sell out within days. Shoulder season (May, June, September) has better availability. Book at forestryengland.uk.
Are dogs allowed at New Forest campsites? Dogs are permitted on leads at most Forestry England New Forest campsites, including Roundhill, Hollands Wood, Ashurst, and Denny Wood. Confirm the current dog policy for any specific site at forestryengland.uk before booking.
What is the cheapest New Forest campsite? Among Forestry England’s managed sites, Denny Wood and the Ocknell/Longbeech sites typically start from around £14 per pitch per night (April 2026 pricing). These are basic, facilities-light sites suited to self-sufficient campers. Verify current pricing at forestryengland.uk.
Can you camp for free in the New Forest? No. Wild camping is not permitted in the New Forest National Park. All camping must be on designated, booked sites. Forestry England enforces this actively. Source: Forestry England and New Forest National Park Authority (newforestnpa.gov.uk).
Do Camping and Caravanning Club sites in the New Forest require membership? Yes. CCC sites require club membership, which costs approximately £52 per year (2026 rate). Verify current membership pricing and site availability at campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk.
All prices, specs, and site information in this article were sourced from official manufacturer and operator websites in April 2026. Campsite pricing, availability, and rules change — always verify directly with Forestry England (forestryengland.uk) or the relevant site operator before booking.
