Camping in Ashurst

Camping is one of the classic ways to experience Ashurst and the surrounding New Forest, and the village sits right beside one of the region's best-known sites, with a large Forestry England-run campsite just a short stroll from the pubs and shops, set among ancient oak trees and open grassy pitches for tents, touring caravans and motorhomes. Facilities typically include toilet and shower blocks and a launderette, though sites in the New Forest generally do not offer electric hook-up on every pitch, so it is worth checking what is included before booking. A particular charm of camping here is the resident New Forest and Shetland ponies that wander freely around and through some sites, along with easy access to cycle and footpaths leading straight into the open forest.

It is important to remember that wild camping is not legal in England without the landowner's explicit permission, and this applies fully within the New Forest, where camping is restricted to designated, licensed sites to protect the fragile heathland, ancient trees and grazing that the National Park depends on. Straying off-site to pitch a tent on open forest land is not permitted and can result in fines, so campers should stick to recognised campsites such as those in and around Ashurst. The New Forest's terrain of heath, bog and woodland floor means pitches can be soft underfoot after rain, so sturdy tent pegs and suitable footwear are worth packing.

Late spring through to early autumn is the most popular and reliable camping season, when the woodland canopy is full and evenings are long enough for a walk among the ponies after pitching up, though many keen campers also enjoy the crisper air and autumn colour during pannage season. For those who prefer a roof and fewer guy ropes to worry about, glamping options including bell tents, pods and safari-style tents have become increasingly common around the New Forest, offering a softer introduction to sleeping among the trees without sacrificing the sense of being genuinely immersed in the forest.