No visit to the New Forest would be complete without seeing the ponies roaming semi-wild among the stunning landscape of this much-loved national Park. The New Forest ponies have been part of the landscape for thousands of years - and are one of the reasons people like to visit. A trip to the motor museum at Beaulieu is also a must, to see the wonderful cars and machines from a bygone era right up to the present day.
The towns of Brockenhurst, Lymington and Lyndhurst are great for shopping or having a meal out in the many bars and restaurants. And of course, the close proximity to the Solent and the sea makes the New Forest a great destination for holiday makers. It's no wonder that both glamping and camping in the New Forest are popular with visitors
The towns of Brockenhurst, Lymington and Lyndhurst are great for shopping or having a meal out in the many bars and restaurants. And of course, the close proximity to the Solent and the sea makes the New Forest a great destination for holiday makers. It's no wonder that both glamping and camping in the New Forest are popular with visitors
Glamping in the New Forest
When it comes to places to stay, there is plenty of choice from B&Bs, hotels, New Forest camping sites and pods. But at peak times - especially when the weather can be glorious in the spring and summer - this can become busy and expensive. Which is why sometimes it's worth thinking outside the box when looking for accommodation.
Meon Springs is less than an hour's drive from the New Forest along the A272 to Winchester and then down the M3. Staying in a shepherd's hut or yurt at Meon Springs, you can be enjoying an ice cream in the New Forest and watching the famous ponies in less time than it takes to walk to East Meon - which is just a few miles away - and back.
Meon Springs is less than an hour's drive from the New Forest along the A272 to Winchester and then down the M3. Staying in a shepherd's hut or yurt at Meon Springs, you can be enjoying an ice cream in the New Forest and watching the famous ponies in less time than it takes to walk to East Meon - which is just a few miles away - and back.
Glamping near the New Forest
At Meon Springs, there is a yurt village and a flock of six shepherd's huts. The yurts - which sleep up to six people on beds and futons - are ideal for families and friendship groups looking to spend some quality time in the countryside. The shepherd's huts are perfect for couples or single travellers looking to experience a slower pace of life.
But if you're interested in New Forest Glamping but happy to be a bit flexible, then you're in luck. As touched upon before, Meon Springs is less than 30 miles from the centre of the New Forest National Park - a 40 minute journey from the South Downs National Park to another. And that's the beauty of it.
Staying at Meon Springs - which is nestled in the South Downs - and visiting the New Forest is a great way to enjoy the very best of what both National Parks have to offer. And if the roads in the New Forest get busy - as they can sometimes in peak holiday seasons - then there is always something else to do such as visit the cathedral cities of Chichester, Salisbury or Winchester.
The historic dockyard at Portsmouth is just a short drive down the A3 - or even better, you can take the train from Petersfield all the way down to Portsmouth Harbour. And if you're after a beach, the white sands at the Witterings near Chichester are some of the best around.
But if you're interested in New Forest Glamping but happy to be a bit flexible, then you're in luck. As touched upon before, Meon Springs is less than 30 miles from the centre of the New Forest National Park - a 40 minute journey from the South Downs National Park to another. And that's the beauty of it.
Staying at Meon Springs - which is nestled in the South Downs - and visiting the New Forest is a great way to enjoy the very best of what both National Parks have to offer. And if the roads in the New Forest get busy - as they can sometimes in peak holiday seasons - then there is always something else to do such as visit the cathedral cities of Chichester, Salisbury or Winchester.
The historic dockyard at Portsmouth is just a short drive down the A3 - or even better, you can take the train from Petersfield all the way down to Portsmouth Harbour. And if you're after a beach, the white sands at the Witterings near Chichester are some of the best around.