Camping in the New Forest at Hollands Wood Campsite

I love exploring new places by bike. I heard that cycling in the New Forest in a very popular activity, as it is safe and very scenic. So we decided to give it a go during a bank holiday weekend. We enjoy being close to nature, and we also wanted to keep costs down. We discovered Hollands Wood Campsite in Brockenhurst and quickly realised that it is one of the best options for camping in the New Forest.

Camping in the New Forest

Hollands Wood Campsite

We stayed at Hollands Wood Campsite twice, both during a bank holiday weekend. The staff was always very kind and helpful. Check-in is at 12, which is great, as it gave us a whole afternoon to explore on the day of our arrival. We were very satisfied with everything and we will definitely be back again.

The facilities are always clean and the site is huge. There aren’t allocated pitches, which is how I prefer things. This way we could decide where to pitch up our tent. Thanks to the site being so big, everyone has plenty of privacy from other people’s tents. Prices are also very reasonable, especially since they have a special rate, for people without cars.

Car camping and campervans are also allowed and a lot of people bring their bikes as well. However, the campsite can help you rent bikes. We did this one year, and they arranged the transfer of bikes to the site for us.

One of my favourite things about Hollands Wood campsite is its location. It is in a gorgeous setting in a secluded forest, but it is easily accessible by train from London. There is a huge field behind the campsite, where horses like to roam free. It is not uncommon for them to wander through the campsite, which is always a lovely sight.

What to bring: We couldn’t carry much, as we arrived by train. So we just brought the most essentials from our camping equipment checklist. But if you arrive by car, then you could bring more, including a portable power station. They are a great way to gain access to electricity without having to pay extra at the campsite for it.

How to get there: We took a train from Waterloo to Brockenhurst, which only took 1 hour 36 minutes. We then headed to Hollands Wood campsite, which was 1 mile from the train station, so accessible by foot. However, there is also a bus that could take you there.

Things to do in Brockenhurst

Horse riding

Horse riding tours are very popular in the area. Many local stables offer different packages. Most of the time children are also welcome. You can even book horse riding lessons.

Wild swimming

The area has many hidden wild swimming spots. The locals love putting up rope swings to trees. A popular swimming spot is in Brockenhurst near the Hollands Wood Campsite. The Lymington River is very shallow here, so it is also safe for children. On hot summer days, many families set up a picnic at the river bank and enjoy a nice afternoon there.

Coordinates of this swim spot: 50.826634, -1.570832

Coordinates of this swim spot: 50.835784, -1.587419

Book afternoon tea or Sunday roast

Brockenhurst has many bike-friendly pubs and cafes. The Buttery Cafe/Tearoom has an excellent menu and lovely staff. Book an afternoon tea at a very reasonable price.

Cycling in the New Forest

New Forest cycle hire

Cyclexperience hooked us up with two mountain bikes. They were great to explore the area. Their office is located next to Brockenhurst train station, so super convenient for anyone travelling by train. They also deliver bikes locally, so you don’t have to worry about getting to the rental location if you are too far to walk there. They provide a repair kit, breakdown cover, helmet, lock and a map about the route that could be attached to the bike, making it easy to tell directions, while on the go. They also have an app, with routes. If you don’t want to worry about planning your getaway yourself you can also book pre-planned day trips that include a voucher for a ferry ride or for pub food and afternoon tea.

Cycling routes in the New Forest

There are several cycling routes in the area including trails to Lymington, where you can take a ferry to the Isle of Wight.

Route 1 – Brockenhurst and the Ornamental Woods

Duration: 26 km

At 1 pm we were ready to set off on our bikes. We explored the Ornamental Woods. We had lovely weather and stopped for a while next to a little stream. It was very popular with families as there was a rope swing over the water (there are loads of these in the New Forest) and 2 trees were leaning over the stream creating a bridge. It was great fun trying to get from one side to the other, however, it can be slippery. We witnessed a boy falling into the water. He seemed to enjoy this and had fun splashing around afterwards. This route is fun and easy, also suitable for families with small children.

Route 2 – From Brockenhurst to Beaulieu

Duration: 30 km

We set off early from Brockenhurst and managed to make our way to Beaulieu by noon. We called a few local pubs to see if they have any table for lunch, however being a bank holiday, we had no luck with this. We then stumbled upon Steff’s Kitchen, which was a lovely place. They have bike racks to lock the bikes and lots of seats both inside and outside. We had a really tasty Sunday roast. Coming from Hungary I don’t eat this very often, but it’s always a treat when I get to, so naturally, it was one of the highlights of my weekend.
We cycled down to Buckler’s Hard, where we had a really quick walk, as it’s not so accessible for cyclists if you are not a visitor of the Maritime Museum. (we, unfortunately, forgot to start our tracker again, so no trace of this section on our journey, but the pictures are proof we did it.
On our way back we passed Hatched Pond, where we saw some ducks.

Route 3 – From Brockenhurst to the sea

Duration: 40 km

The trail to the sea, was really scenic through the woods. We reached Lymington quite quickly but then slowed down, as there was so much to see. We passed the Lymington Sea Water Baths, which looked like a lot of fun. It had lots of inflatable playground elements and paddleboards were also available for rent. We sat at a bench on the boardwalk for a while, just watching the sailing boats and people on kayaks. It was a gorgeous day to be out on the water. We later continued our way through the Lymington and Keyhaven Marshes Nature Reserve. This area is a paradise for bird watchers. We saw terns, black-headed gulls, cormorants, redshanks and egrets. We also passed a little sailing school, which has a gorgeous setting. At the end of the path, we arrived at Keyhaven. From here we could see the Needles in the distance. We saw signs for Hurst Castle as well, but we decided not to visit it this time. We headed back to our campsite in Brockenhurst.

As you can see camping in the New Forest is a great holiday for people who enjoy being close to nature. The area is a lovely destination for cycling and walking as well. We saw a lot of nice birds, cows, horses and deer. You can take the train and enjoy a nice hike near London. It’s a super getaway from the city life, even just for a day as well as it’s not super far.

If you want a similar great cycling or hiking holiday, then check out the Viking Coastal path.

What are some of your favourite cycling destinations in the UK?

We were guest of Cyclexperience, but all opinions are my own. #sponsored

Hollands Wood campsite (2026)

Who runs it: Hollands Wood belongs to Forestry England. After a tender in 2022, its ten New Forest campsites went to Camping New Forest, the campsite business of the New Forest Agricultural Show Society, which has run them since 2023. Older guides, and many search results, still say "Camping in the Forest". Book through campinginthenewforest.com or call 01590 631641.

Where it is: Lyndhurst Road (A337), Brockenhurst, SO42 7QH. The site is on the northern edge of the village, set in oak woodland that opens onto heath. The operator advises against relying on the postcode for satnav; follow the campsite signs on the A337 instead.

Season dates: - 2026: 26 March – 30 September (now closed for winter) - 2027: Friday 19 March – Thursday 30 September (grass pitches)

Prices and booking: Nightly prices start from £28.60 for two adults and two children. They rise at weekends and in school holidays, so check the live price for your dates. Minimum stays apply: 3 nights over bank holiday weekends and 2 nights at weekends in the summer holidays. Seasonal pitches (the whole season or from 1 June) are also sold. Earlier operators offered a rate for campers arriving without a car, but the current website doesn't advertise one, so ask when you book.

Pitch types: Hollands Wood is a large site with grass pitches among the trees and ferns and in more open glades. The operator lists standard and XL grass pitches. Tents, trailer tents, touring caravans and motorhomes are all welcome.

Facilities (and lack of): There are toilet and shower blocks, washing-up sinks, drinking water taps, chemical disposal and a motorhome service point. There are no electric hook-ups; the site description says it doesn't offer electricity, so bring a power bank or portable power station. The gates open at 07:30 and are locked at 22:00. If you arrive by train, nothing else matters much: the village shops, pubs and cafés are a short walk away.

Dogs: Dogs are welcome, and there is a dog wash.

Rules to know: - Only use barbecues designed for cooking, raised off the ground. Disposable barbecues are discouraged, and barbecues are banned anywhere in the New Forest outside the campsites. - Ponies and other forest animals wander through the site. Don't feed, pet or approach them, and keep food sealed away. - Petrol generators are allowed under an updated policy, so read it before you arrive.

Winter 2025/26 upgrades: Camping New Forest reopened its sites in March 2026 after winter improvements. These included better recycling and water-saving measures, and at some sites upgraded showers, solar lighting, extra phone charging and more glamping bell tents. If you want a bell tent, check which sites offer them for your dates.

Getting to Hollands Wood without a car

• Train: South Western Railway runs from London Waterloo to Brockenhurst, a main stop on the Weymouth line. The fastest trains take about 1 hour 29 minutes, and there are dozens of trains a day. From the station, the campsite is about a 10-minute walk along the A337 towards Lyndhurst.
• Bus: The New Forest Breezer 86 (Southampton–Totton–Ashurst–Lyndhurst–Brockenhurst–Lymington, known as the Bluestar 6 until May 2026) stops less than 5 minutes' walk from reception. A zone ABC Dayrider covers unlimited travel on Breezer, Bluestar and morebus routes.
• By bike from the station: The forest gravel tracks start about 400 m from Brockenhurst station, so you can be riding within minutes of getting off the train.

New Forest cycle hire (2026)

• Cyclexperience, Brockenhurst: Downside Car Park, next to Brockenhurst station, SO42 7TW; 01590 624808. It is listed as open throughout 2026, with more than 300 bikes, including what it describes as the area's largest e-bike fleet. Helmets, maps and tool kits are supplied, and there's a free route app.
• Other hire shops around the forest: New Forest Cycling (Burley), The Woods Cyclery (Lyndhurst), NF Bikes (Lymington), Jaunt-e Bikes (Milford on Sea) and New Forest Activities (Beaulieu). Opening hours change with the seasons, so book ahead for summer weekends and bank holidays.

The New Forest waymarked cycle network: what to know now

• Forestry England looks after more than 100 miles of waymarked, mostly traffic-free gravel routes. Many link directly to Brockenhurst, Sway and Ashurst stations.
• The routes are marked with wooden posts. The whole network was re-signed with 525 new posts made from New Forest Douglas fir. Each has directional arrows and a numbered plate with a QR code, so you can tell someone exactly where you are.
• Stay on the waymarked network. Off-road cycling is only allowed on the designated routes, not on narrow animal paths or open heath.
• E-bikes are allowed only on the designated cycle routes. They must be legal EAPCs: 250 W maximum and no assistance above 15.5 mph.
• Close gates behind you, and pass ponies, cattle and horse riders wide and slow. Animals roam freely on most forest roads too, so be ready to stop.
• Download the free Forestry England New Forest Cycle Routes Map (PDF) before you go. Check its "latest car park and cycle route closures" notices too, because forestry work sometimes closes sections.

You can still plan the three rides in the original post from Brockenhurst using the official map: towards the Ornamental Drive, to Beaulieu, and down to Lymington and Keyhaven. Use the waymarked tracks where they exist, and expect some sections on quiet roads, especially once you leave the forest towards the coast.

Frequently asked questions

Is Hollands Wood campsite open all year?

No. Hollands Wood is a seasonal site. In 2026 it was open from 26 March to 30 September, and the 2027 season is listed as 19 March to 30 September. It is closed through the winter.

Who runs Hollands Wood campsite now?

Camping New Forest, the campsite business of the New Forest Agricultural Show Society, has run Hollands Wood and Forestry England's other New Forest campsites since 2023. It replaced Camping in the Forest, so book through campinginthenewforest.com.

Does Hollands Wood have electric hook-ups?

No. The site has toilets, showers, washing-up facilities and drinking water, but no electricity. Bring a power bank or portable power station if you need to charge devices.

Can you walk to Hollands Wood from Brockenhurst station?

Yes. The campsite is about a 10-minute walk from Brockenhurst station, which has direct trains from London Waterloo (fastest around 1 hour 29 minutes). The Breezer 86 bus also stops a few minutes from reception.

Are dogs allowed at Hollands Wood?

Yes, dogs are welcome and there's a dog wash. Keep them under control around the ponies and cattle that wander through the site.

Where can I hire bikes in the New Forest?

Cyclexperience is right next to Brockenhurst station and hires bikes and e-bikes. There are also hire shops in Burley, Lyndhurst, Lymington, Milford on Sea and Beaulieu. From Brockenhurst you can join more than 100 miles of waymarked forest cycle routes.