Maple Field Camping

Fordingbridge, New Forest, England

Zip around a trio of counties on a trip to Maple Field Camping, in the north-west corner of Hampshire and on the border with Dorset and Wiltshire. Stays here are in a four-acre field surrounded by tree hedges, about a mile from the main A354 road and 10 minutes’ drive from Fordingbridge. The views are as snazzy as the location – look out from the top of the field over the chalk grasslands of Martin Down Nature Reserve by day, then turn to the heavens and admire the inky black skies while listening to the crackle of the communal firepit at night. While it may seem a hol here’s just about relaxing in the wilds and nothing more, this isn’t strictly the case – the middle of the field’s kept clear so kids can run wild, and activities include guided walks and art classes. Bushcraft sessions, where attendees craft spoons from sycamore, build dens and conjure up fires, are organised as well. Ping pong sessions are also on hand, as are tables where kids can create arty masterpieces. A spacious timber barn at the park contains toilets and showers, and a kitchen is also available to use, with kettle, fridges and freezers – a handy place to prep produce plucked from the site's veg garden. In your free time, rove the Roman road on the parish boundary and see the polished flints and shoots of wild garlic they left behind. Wanders are also to be had in The New Forest, 10 minutes’ drive away, and across the sandy beaches of Bournemouth (half an hour).

Contact: +447811726934