A group of friends and I spent three nights camping in the New Forest, UK, at the end of the English summer. We go on annual camping and festival trips together; it’s our favourite, budget-friendly activity to be outdoors, play games, and chat around a campfire.
This trip marked my first camping experience in the New Forest, although my friends had been here before and were eager to recommend it. I must admit, I was sold at the mention of wild ponies. We settled on a campsite just over 4km from the charming New Forest town of Brockenhurst and 7km from Beaulieu, which is famous for its National Motor Museum. England’s south coast can be an expensive region to visit, but with some self-catering and affordable ground rent, it’s possible to enjoy a wholesome and cost-effective trip.
Pre-trip Spending
Total: £50.74
Petrol: £30 (£15 for me) topped up between two people, comfortably covering our trip from London and back.
Accommodation: £35.74 per person for three nights. There were eight of us in the group, utilizing four tents and pitches. We found a 15% discount code for our campsite – it’s always worth checking for offers.
On the Ground
Friday
Total: £25
5pm: On our way down, we stopped at a supermarket to stock up on food for a camp stove breakfast the next day (£15 each between two people).
7:30pm: With four cars heading down, we raced to see who arrived first. We were (just!) beaten by another duo and subsequently checked in. The campsite sprawled with seemingly infinite terrain of lush grass, bushes, heather, and forests, where we immediately spotted wild ponies, donkeys, and cows roaming about. After sweeping our chosen corner for pine cones, we set to work setting up two tents. When others joined us after dark, we all pitched in to help put up their tents with only torches and car headlights as our light source – all part of the fun!
Saturday
Total: £44.50
9am: We enjoyed a relaxed sunny morning at the campsite cooking breakfast, each of us either on beans, sausages, coffee or washing up duty.
11am: We headed out to the coastal town of Lymington, wandering through markets, and making our way down the steep cobbled streets to the harbor. Tempted by a children’s pirate boat tour, we were informed that a scenic boat tour suited our group better, and we could bring our own food and drink. We bought tickets for the boat (£7.50 each) and gathered snacks from a supermarket.
1pm: The weather had been decent, but, true to British summer tendencies, rain began to pour during our boat trip, which made it chilly. After the boat docked, we sought shelter in a nearby pub, though it seemed everyone had the same idea. We decided to raincheck and head back.
3pm: We detoured to gather supplies for a fire later on. After some struggle, we found fire-lighters and kindling and ingeniously used two dog bowls as makeshift fire pits to protect the grass.
4pm: The rain eased by the time we returned, but we discovered two of our tents had been opened, and crumbs were scattered everywhere. When the campsite warned ‘no food in tents due to hungry horses,’ they meant the horses could even get into sealed packages!
After a clear-up session, we enjoyed a relaxed afternoon with games, reading, and soaking up the sun before heading to one of the pubs we admired in Brockenhurst.
Sunday
Total: £21.78
9am: Having opted for a non-electric pitch, we had to make do with some leftovers from yesterday’s breakfast: coffee, partially chilled milk, toast, and beans.
11am: With the best weather forecast ahead, we headed to a pebbly beach at Barton-on-Sea. Half of us donned swimwear and leapt into the waves. Once past the larger breaks, the water was surprisingly calm and warm for the end of summer.
2pm: We refueled at a cliff-top eatery with breathtaking views. It was as if the restaurant read our minds with their fish and chips special. I opted for scampi and chips paired with hot chocolate.
Monday
Total: £21.62
11am: With reluctance, we packed up our tents and visited a charming local garden center and café for breakfast. I ordered smoked salmon, eggs, and a latte.
1pm: After a brief stop at the Portsmouth beach for ice cream (£1.65), I felt exhausted but satisfied after such a fun weekend. Until next summer!
Overall Spend: £112.90 + accommodation (£35.74) + petrol (£15) = £163.64
Notes: I recommend exploring the New Forest National Park by car, as it can be quite challenging to get around otherwise. During our next visit, we may look for a pub within walking distance, but the remoteness contributed to the charm of our experience.
