While I’m exploring more of the UK I was very excited to visit the New Forest in Hampshire. As a child I was obsessed with horse and ponies, so visiting the New Forest National Park was a dream come true: ponies everywhere! Of course, there is more to the New Forest than ponies, and the best way to explore the National Park is by getting close to nature. While I’m not a huge fan of camping in tents, staying in an Airstream trailer sounded like the perfect choice for me to try glamping in the New Forest – without Mabel the Motorhome!
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Where to Stay in the New Forest
If you want to go glamping in the New Forest, then YHA New Forest is a fantastic choice. The hostel is close to the village of Burley and has a variety of glamping accommodation available in addition to their hostel rooms, including camping pods, land pods, bell tents and an Airstream Trailer. There are full details of what’s on offer on the YHA New Forest website, which is also the best place to book direct for the best prices.
It had been a while since I stayed in a hostel, but I felt very welcome and the staff took great care of me, from check-in to cooking up tasty pizza for dinner, and helping me to get a campfire going. I admit, I was a little nervous about staying anywhere apart from at home or in my campervan, but I soon felt reassured – and glad to be back enjoying hostel life!
Are Hostels Safe?
I spend a long time assuring women and other solo travellers that hostels are safe, and while during the pandemic most of us preferred to keep our distance, now we can mix with people and get sociable again, and get back to meeting people from all over the world in hostels.
If you love the idea of meeting people but prefer some privacy, YHA dorm rooms are available to book privately for a small group of family or friends, and in many cases, you can also book out the whole hostel for exclusive hire. Private double, twin and family rooms are available, and there is a range of camping and glamping options at many of the hostels too.
What is Glamping in the New Forest Like?
I stayed in YHA New Forest’s Airstream trailer which is a very cool alternative to the more typical glamping options and perfect for a couple or solo traveller. It’s an original vintage Airstream Trailer that has been refurbished and furnished to modern standards, while still maintaining as many of the original features as possible.
YHA now have several hostels around the country where you can stay in a vintage Airstream trailer, so if you want to try glamping at YHA Borrowdale in the Lake District the experience will be just as much fun!
My Airstream was nestled in a corner of the garden at YHA New Forest. Inside is a gloriously comfortable double bed with a cosy duvet, a seating area, wardrobe and under-bed storage. A set of drawers has a mirror on top, as well as a fan and fan heater, and a dehumidifier.
Above the drawers is a shelf with plug sockets, hidden behind a light-up sign proclaiming “good vibes only”, and above that are some of the original dials and switches preserved for the future.
There are plenty of plug sockets and USB chargers as well as lighting inside – definitely an advantage of glamping over camping so you can keep phones and other devices fully charged. However, if you prefer to use this as a digital detox then switch off your phone and enjoy!
Outside the Airstream there are two chairs and a table to use, as well as a picnic bench and fire pit. Behind the trailer, you’ll find the toilet “Lav Shack” and the “Shower Shack” exclusively for Airstream guests. They’re plumbed in so you have a proper toilet and shower – no portaloos here. While I didn’t enjoy having to get up and go outside to the Lav Shack at 6.30 am (thank you tiny bladder), it is the nicest camping toilet you’re ever likely to have!
Up to two dogs are allowed in the Airstream, so bring your four-legged friends to the New Forest too.
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What I Loved about New Forest Glamping
This was my first stay away from home and Mabel the Motorhome since the beginning of 2020, and it was sooooo nice to stay in a different bed! And what a bed it was, one of the comfiest I think I’ve ever stayed in. In the campervan I have to physically make my bed every night, moving cushions around, spreading out the sheet, duvets and blankets, so to be able to snuggle down in a cosy ready-made bed was heaven!
Special credit has to go to the very cool Airstream, which I loved. It’s very well renovated but with plenty of original features to admire. It’s compact but has everything you need inside and out for an epic glamping experience.
I had one day of rain when I was pleased to see that the Airstream is indeed fully waterproof! When the rain cleared, I enjoyed an evening sitting outside the Airstream with a cider, listening to the birds in the trees.
The following evening, I had flashbacks to Brownie Camp as a child trying to get the campfire going. I managed it in the end (with some help!) and whiled away a couple of hours as the sun was going down just enjoying being outside next to the fire.
Anything I didn’t like?
I have got soft in my old age, and I have to say that getting up and going outside to use the toilet is my least favourite thing about camping and glamping. However, I didn’t have far to go as the Lav Shack is right behind the trailer, so it’s as close as it can be – and it was kept spotlessly clean by the hostel staff.
Overall, I loved my time at YHA New Forest and did my best to get into the glamping spirit – especially on the last evening when I had the campfire going. It is a lovely place to get away from it all, yet close enough to activities and various things to do in the New Forest that you can get out and about easily too.
Eating and Drinking while Glamping in the New Forest
While you’re glamping in the New Forest you might be wondering how to store or prepare your own food. At YHA New Forest there is a shared kitchen, but that is currently closed due to COVID. Don’t worry though, you won’t go hungry here as there are lots of options for you to fill your belly.
Facilities at YHA New Forest
As well as the shared kitchen, YHA New Forest offers some food options that you can buy, including freshly made pizzas in the evening and breakfast baps in the morning. A sausage or bacon bap will set you up for the day, trust me!
Otherwise, there are fire pits available for each glamping pod and tent, including the Airstream glamping trailer where I stayed, so you can cook up a barbecue in the evening. You can also bring your own camping stove to cook your meals while glamping, although you will need to bring a cool box to keep food cool or buy fresh food to cook each day.
Where to Eat in the New Forest
There are also plenty of places to get food near to YHA New Forest. Next door to the hostel is a fabulous gastropub The White Buck which has a full menu to choose from, and it’s less than 15 minutes walk into the village of Burley which has more shops, cafes and pubs to enjoy.
I ate lunch at the Cider Pantry in Burley which was delicious (the homemade sausage roll was enormous) and their menu includes favourites such as New Forest Ham & Eggs, Mac & Cheese, and afternoon tea. I also enjoyed trying some of their cider at the cider shop there too.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, don’t miss Burley Fudge Shop which is full to the brim with different flavours of fudge, homemade biscuits, traditional sweets, jams and chutneys.
Top 5 Things to Do in the New Forest
If you’ve come glamping in the New Forest, then you should take the chance to explore this beautiful National Park. There are activities to suit all ages and abilities and you certainly won’t get bored here. There are lots of things to do in the New Forest, but these are my top 5 activities to give you a taster!
Wildlife Watching
The New Forest is famous for its ponies which wander freely across the National Park. There are also cattle, donkeys, sheep, and pigs grazing here too, so you never know what you will spot! These animals aren’t really wild, they are all owned by someone, but you should still treat them as wild and not approach, chase or feed them.
Deer are also common in the New Forest, and if you don’t spot any wild ones roaming around then a trip to the Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary can almost guarantee that you see some Fallow Deer.
Wild New Forest offers guided wildlife tours where you can learn about the wildlife in the New Forest with a local guide. I really enjoyed the New Forest Discovery Walk I joined around Lyndhurst, and we spotted wild deer, lots of birds, butterflies and even a little frog.
Walking & Hiking
Exploring the New Forest on foot is the best way to get up close and personal with nature, and in the New Forest, you are surrounded by it! There are 100s of footpaths and walking trails in the National Park, varying from short strolls to longer day hikes.
Some of the best walks in the New Forest include the Jubilee Grove Trail at Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary, the Tall Trees Trail taking in Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, and the Lymington and Keyhaven Marshes. The New Forest website has a list of suggested walks in the New Forest, including maps and directions.
Cycling
Bring your bike to the New Forest and you can cover a lot of ground while still being able to appreciate fine views and wildlife as you go. The New Forest is pretty flat, so even inexperienced cyclists can enjoy a nice bike ride. As well as cycling on roads (most of which have a 40 mile an hour speed limit), there are bike trails crisscrossing all over the New Forest.
If you don’t have your own bike but want to head out on the cycle trails, there are various cycle hire companies where you can arrange bike hire for a day or longer periods – Forest Leisure Cycling is in Burley about 15 minutes’ walk from YHA New Forest for example. Most hires will also include a helmet, lock and puncture repair kit, but check the details before you agree on a hire. Some may also include a GPS and route maps too.
Horse Riding
The New Forest is famous for its ponies, so how better to explore than on horseback? Horses have free rein (get it?!) of the National Park, although it is advised to stay on existing trails to not disturb ground-nesting wildlife.
There are several companies offering forest hacks and trail rides in the New Forest, I took a Forest Hack with Bagnum Equestrian Centre which was lovely – although an hour was a bit short. I would recommend at least an hour and a half so you can explore more of the beautiful countryside.
On my ride, it was just me and my guide Izzy, and we walked, trotted, and cantered our way along the route, partly on a quiet road through woodland and partly on the open heath which had beautiful views of the countryside. There are rides available for all abilities, and it’s a lovely way to see the New Forest.
Explore the Beaulieu Estate
The Beaulieu (pronounced bew-lee) Estate covers 9000 acres of the New Forest. There is a large museum complex where you can visit the National Motor Museum which is filled with historical cars and motorbikes, including land speed record breakers like the Bluebird, film and TV favourites such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and an exhibition of Top Gear vehicles.
Your museum ticket also gives you access to Beaulieu Abbey and museum, Palace House (a Victorian country house which is the home of the Estate owners, Lord and Lady Montagu), and the grounds and gardens.
Outside of the museum boundaries, the village of Beaulieu is a quaint little village that you can explore on foot or take a kayak tour along the Beaulieu River. Further downstream is the historic shipbuilding village of Buckler’s Hard, where ships for Nelson’s fleet at Trafalgar were built. Nowadays you can visit the Maritime Museum there, explore the Shipwright’s Cottage or just walk along the river and admire the view.
Tips for Enjoying the New Forest
Follow the New Forest Code
Please follow The New Forest Code at all times. This area is a fragile ecosystem and is carefully managed, so do your bit to protect and preserve it.
- Keep Your Distance from Animals – Don’t feed or touch them
- Keep Dogs Under Control – Don’t let dogs approach or chase any animals
- Stick to Permitted Cycle Tracks
- Take Home Any Litter & Dog Waste
- Park Only in Official Car Parks
- Drive with Care
- No Fires or Barbecues
- No Wild Camping
- Help Wildlife by Keeping to the Main Tracks
Plan Ahead
Some attractions may require you to pre-book entry tickets online. It’s also advisable to make reservations for dinner, especially at popular places like the White Buck. While some of the activities are best for dry weather, try to book as far in advance as you can to avoid disappointment – especially during weekends and school holidays.
Take Your Time
No matter how long you have to spend in the New Forest, try not to rush. The National Park is a relaxing place, no matter how active you want to be just take your time and enjoy. With animals on the road and low speed limits, it is not a place to be in a hurry! While you may be thinking of a short break in the New Forest, consider booking an extra day off so you can enjoy your time here a little bit more!
I hope this has given you some ideas and inspiration for a New Forest glamping trip. I really enjoyed my time in the New Forest and wouldn’t hesitate to go back for a return visit. Would you like to go camping or glamping in the New Forest? Let me know which activity you’d do first!
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