Camping in Burley

Burley sits right in the heart of the New Forest, and while wild camping is illegal in England without the landowner's permission, the national park is unusually well provided with designated sites that let you camp legally amid the same open heath and woodland the ponies graze. Forestry England runs a network of official campsites across the New Forest through its Camping in the Forest partnership, with several within a short drive of Burley, ranging from basic, low-facility pitches to larger family sites with showers, shops and play areas. Independent campsites in the immediate area, including sites on the edge of the village and further out towards Ringwood, add further choice for tents, campervans and caravans.

The terrain around Burley is classic New Forest heathland and pasture woodland: gently undulating heath dotted with gorse and heather, threaded by gravel tracks and bordered by ancient oak and beech woodland. It is beautiful walking and cycling country but can turn boggy after rain, so pitches on established campsites rather than informal ground are the sensible choice, and sturdy footwear is worth packing whatever the forecast. Ponies, cattle and donkeys graze freely across the open forest and often wander onto campsites themselves, so campers are asked to keep food secured and give the animals plenty of space.

Late spring through early autumn is the best window for camping here, when the heath is at its most colourful and evenings are long enough for a walk from the tent before dark, though many sites also cater for shoulder-season stays when the forest is quieter and autumn colour is at its best. For a softer introduction to sleeping under canvas, several sites in the wider Burley and New Forest area now offer glamping options, from safari tents to shepherd's huts, giving the comforts of a proper bed alongside the same forest access as traditional camping.