In this glamping New Forest guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know to plan your perfect escape to Hampshire. New Forest is one of the most popular getaway destinations in England. With beautiful forests, roaming ponies, nearby beaches, quaint high streets and many attractions, it’s easy to understand why.

Staying in a glamping site in the New Forest is one of the best ways to enjoy the area while feeling a little closer to nature.

How to get to the new forest?

Brockenhurst is a station in the heart of the New Forest with direct trains from Bournemouth, Southampton and Clapham Junction.

If travelling by car, you can park at your chosen Glamping site. Note that parts of the New Forest can become congested – especially on holidays and sunny weekends – so you may want to use local buses to get around.

Top things to do in Hampshire?

There are plenty of activities, museums and attractions in the New Forest and the surrounding area. Here are my top suggestions of things you might like to include in your itinerary:

• Visit the award-winning 200-acre gardens at Exbury and take a ride on their steam train
• Keep all the family entertained at Peppa Pig World at Paulton’s Park 
• Spend a day in Portsmouth shopping or having a boat ride and visiting the incredible Mary Rose
• Visit the Winchester Cathedral and then head into town after for coffee and lunch
• If you are near Basingstoke, Milestone Museum is a really fun place to take the family
• Spot bison, otters, wolves, owls and all sorts of other wildlife at the New Forest Wildlife Park
• Get active in the New Forest, with activities including Canoeing, Kayaking and Low Ropes
• Wander TripAdvisors top attraction for the area: The Solent Sky Museum
• There are so many wonderful hiking trails in the area. I’d suggest using an app like Komoot to find the ones closest to where you are staying

Depending on the time of your visit, there are also some brilliant festivals that take place each year!

MAY: Dogstival….Alresford Watercress Festival 
JULY: New Forest and Hampshire County Show…..Hampshire Food Festival …..Mela Festival …..Winchester Hat Fair 
AUGUST: The New Forest Food and Drink Fortnight…..Boomtown  ……CarFest South  
SEPTEMBER: runners can join the New Forest Marathon……Kitesurfing Armada 
HALLOWEEN, GUY FAWKES & CHRISTMAS: are all celebrated Beaulieu

What to pack?

Check out my complete glamping packing list so you don’t forget anything important!

You might also be interested in reading: 28 Fun camping games | Adults & Children to help add a bit of memorable fun to your holiday.

Top tips for your Glamping New Forest adventure!

1. Always check what is included and what you need to bring as this varies greatly between sites, ie some you will need to bring bedding and towels, others will provide everything you need.
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2. If you are planning to stay for a longer visit (week or more) see if you can get a discount or at the very least get something thrown in free of charge (such as breakfast or wood for the burner). Just contact the site directly to ask.
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3. If you have the flexibility, glamping in the New Forest off-peak will get you a better deal, and attractions will also be a lot quieter.
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4. The National Park’s in Hampshire are really a highlight of the area, so ensure you make time to fit in some walks, bike rides or horse riding.
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5. If heading to the New Forest, do not feed the ponies; a forest bylaw forbids the feeding of forest stock and can get you a £200 fine and a criminal record if you do.

Best New Forest Glamping Sites (2023)

In this guide, I’ve listed the best glamping sites in New Forest, Hampshire – categorised into:

• Best for Tents (bell tents, yurts and lotus tents)
• Best for Treehouse
• Best for Huts (wagons and shepherd’s huts)
• Best for Glamping with Hot Tub

To make it as easy as possible to find the right stay for you, I’ve clearly stated prices (updated this year), the main benefits of the site and if it’s dog-friendly.

You’ll also fund under each my ***TOP PICK***, the best in the category. These sites are chosen due to their excellent facilities, high quality and their overall experience.

4 Best Glamping Tents:

So let’s get down to business….you want to know the best places to stay for glamping in Hampshire. Below I’ve listed the 7 best sites in Hampshire. They are a mix of bell tents, pods and yurts. But each place has something extra special to offer those who stay there from incredible views to unique workshops….

#1 FOREST YURTS ***TOP PICK***

Website
Where: Sopley, New Forest
Dog-friendly glamping site? yes
Family-friendly: yes
Price: £260 for 2 nights for up to 4 people (larger yurts are available for up to 8)

Forest Yurts has 4 beautifully decorated yurts (or 2 bell tents if you prefer) each with their own unique character which you’ll quickly fall in love with. The yurts on site are all positioned around the peaceful Sopley Lake, nestled in the heart of the New Forest. There’s a farm shop at the lake entrance (with a fantastic bakery!) and pubs are within walking distance. Forest Yurts makes an extra effort to be eco-friendly, using renewable energy sources and eco-friendly materials wherever possible.

#2 Harry’s Field

Website
Where: Frogham, New Forest
Dog-friendly glamping site? no
Family-friendly: yes
Price: 4m bell tent (sleeps up to 5 people), starting £350 per weekend (2 nights)

Harry’s Field has a beautiful field dedicated to 10 bell tents. Each tent is uniquely furnished and has accessories – with vintage and bohemian furniture, soft feather cushions, throws and rugs – making for a great stay in the New Forest. The character of the tents really makes a stay here special. They come equipped with everything you need, including kitchen items and a gas stove, plus a personal fire pit area. You’ll need to bring your own towels.

#3 secret garden

Website
Where: Lymington, New Forest
Dog-friendly glamping site? no
Family-friendly: yes
Price: £210, 2 people for 2 nights (children are an additional £25 per child per night)

Secret Garden has 2 lotus belle tents, located at the end of a garden out of view. Both belle tents are kitted out with fresh linen and a secret garden with fairy lights and a seated BBQ area. The Bathroom and kitchen is shared. The site is just 15 minutes walk from Lymington Train Station and 10 minutes walk from Lymington high street, making it ideas for anyone travelling by public transport.

#4 Greenfields Glamping

Website
Where: North Gorley, near Fordingbridge 
Dog-friendly glamping site? yes (£10 a night)
Family-friendly: yes
Price: £80 per night

A family-run business where everyone gets involved (including the pets!). Enjoy a quiet stay on this stunning site in one of their 2 shepherd’s huts or 4 bell tents. Well-behaved dogs are allowed to join for £10 a night. And additional friends and family can pitch a tent next to your bell tent if you need a bit more room (additional cost of £20 per person per night). Both the shepherd’s huts and bell tents are well kitted out, and you’ll h

The Best tree house:

#5 The Fallow ***TOP PICK***

Website
Where: Fordingbridge, Andover, SP11 7JX
Dog-friendly glamping site? no
Family-friendly: no (although babies under 2 can stay as there is space for a travel cot)
Price: from £245 per night for 2 (2 night min stay mid-week, 3 night min stay weekends)

The Fallow is about half an hour drive from the New Forest, but I wanted to include it in this guide as it’s such a unique and luxurious stay….just look at that outdoor bath! Not only will you be staying in a treehouse, but you’ll be in a working vineyard, adding to that special atmosphere. This is the perfect romantic getaway with quiet woodland walks on your doorstep. A complimentary breakfast hamper and a complimentary bottle of the Vineyard’s English sparkling wine ‘Black Chalk Classic 2015’ will be provided on arrival. The best feature by far though is the rustic outdoor bath overlooking the farm….bliss!!

3 best huts:

#6 New forest glamping ***TOP PICK***

Website
Where: Near Burley
Dog-friendly glamping site? no
Family-friendly: no
Price: from £150 per night for 2

New Forest Glamping is close enough to the forest National Park to enjoy everything it has to offer – but is also a beautiful site in its own right meaning you can just put your feet up and enjoy the views from your Shepherd Hut. This is a wonderfully decorated hut with all the comfort of a luxury hotel but with the character and nature that glamping brings. One of its best features is a wood-burning stove, making it ideal for chillier months.

#7 Vinegar Hill Pottery

Website
Where: Lymington, SO41 0RZ
Dog-friendly glamping site? no
Family-friendly: no
Price: from £100 per night (inc breakfast)

Vinegar Hill Pottery is just south of the New Forest, right next to the sea, and is a great choice for creative people or couples who enjoy staying in places with lots of character. Stay in a very cool 1885 Showman’s Gypsy Wagon for something a little different. Nestled in a quaint seaside village, guests can look forward to a yummy continental breakfast and a heated private wet/shower room. What makes this place really special are the pottery courses that are offered on-site!

#8 Fernwood Glamping B&B

Website
Where: Ringwood, New Forest
Dog-friendly glamping site? no
Family-friendly: yes
Price: £100 per night for 2 adults (can add up to 2 children at a charge of £20 each a night)

Fernwood Glamping B&B have a Shepherds and Gypsy huts on site. Both are hidden away, overlooking pretty fields. For guests looking for a smaller more private stay, this is the site for you! Guests are welcomed with a breakfast hamper and can look forward to real showers, ‘posh’ composting toilets and access to a summer house. Ringwood is just a 5-minute drive away, making it a great base.

3 best sites with hot tubs:

Glamping and hot tubs are made for each other! There’s something about getting back to basics combined with sitting in a bubble of hot water under the stars that makes a perfect combination. These are the best glamping Hampshire hot tub sites…

#9 Bentley’s Frenchmoor ***TOP PICK***

Website
Where: Lynwood, Frenchmoor Ln, West Tytherley,
Dog-friendly glamping site? no
Family-friendly: no
Price: from £330 for 2 nights

An idyllic retreat in an 8-acre smallholding that sits adjacent to Bently Wood on the edge of the New Forest – a 15-minute drive to the National Park. As the only glamping hut on-site, you can expect a relaxing and peaceful stay. The interior has been decorated to a good standard and has a magical pull-down bed and en-suite shower. There’s a log burner for cold nights and the best feature is a star-gazing curved window above the bed for star gazing! You also have access to a wood-fired hot tub and will receive a complimentary breakfast hamper. A real gem!

#10 Cosy log cabin with hot tub

Website
Where: Ringwood, New Forest
Dog-friendly glamping site? no
Family-friendly: infants welcome but not children
Price: from £110 a night

Sandford Lodge is a really unique and quirky log cabin, full of character! It was handmade by the owners. Downstairs is a living area, wood burner, bathroom and kitchen. Upstairs you’ll find a cosy bedroom. The rocking chairs on the outside veranda are the cherry on the cake….as is the hot tub of course. Situated on the edge of the New Forest National Park, it’s a perfect base for cycling, hiking or horse riding. There are pubs nearby and Bournemouth is just a 20-minute drive away.

#11 Amanda’s Shepherd Hut

Website
Where: Sway, near Brockenhurst
Pets allowed? Horses are welcome
Family-friendly: yes
Price: £300, minimum 2-night stay

Enjoy this luxury shepherd’s hut with countryside views. The hut is larger than your usual shepherd’s hut which means it fits a double bed, bunk beds, a kitchen area and a luxury bathroom with a victorian style toilet and monsoon shower. Other features include underfloor heating, a large decked area, sun loungers, BBQ, a fire pit and a continental style breakfast hamper.

I hope this Glamping Hampshire guide has made it easier for you to plan your outdoor escape. I give all my advice out for free on my website so if you want to say thanks, you can buy me a coffee!

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