Not every New Forest campsite suits every kind of autumn trip. Some of our sites are full-facility bases built for families, with electric hook-up, hot showers and a play area on the doorstep. Others are deliberately back-to-nature: no toilets, nothing but forest, ponies and the sound of the forest. Before you book, it’s worth knowing which is which.
Below is a comparison of every campsite still open through at least the end of September 2026, followed by a closer look at which suits families, dog owners, and anyone chasing seclusion over comfort.
| Campsite | Electric Hook-up | Toilets & Showers | Shop | Play Area | Dog Friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holmsley Near Burley |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Long Meadow Near Brockenhurst |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Setthorns Near Sway & Brockenhurst |
✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Roundhill Between Beaulieu & Brockenhurst |
✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Ashurst Near Lyndhurst |
✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Ocknell Near Fritham |
✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Matley Wood Near Lyndhurst |
✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Hollands Wood Near Brockenhurst |
✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Longbeech Near Fritham |
✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
Opening dates vary by campsite and season, so always check the campsite page for this year’s dates before booking.
Full Facilities and Family-Friendly: Holmsley
If you want everything on-site, Holmsley is the clearest choice. It’s the only one of our autumn-open campsites with a play area, alongside toilets, showers, electric hook-up and an on-site shop. Its setting near Burley also puts you close to some of the best pannage season sightings if you’re visiting in September or early October.
Well-Equipped and Central: Long Meadow, Roundhill, Hollands Wood & Ashurst
For camping near Brockenhurst, Long Meadow has the full set of facilities, including electric hook-up, and the village’s shops and restaurants are a 20-minute stroll through the forest. Hollands Wood is also within walking distance of Brockenhurst, with toilets, showers and a shop, though there’s no electric hook-up on pitches. Roundhill, on the road between Beaulieu and Brockenhurst, offers the same facilities as Hollands Wood in a spacious woodland setting, within easy reach of Beaulieu’s National Motor Museum. For camping near Lyndhurst, Ashurst matches Roundhill on facilities and even has a train station a five-minute walk away. It’s worth knowing, though, that dogs aren’t permitted here due to ground-nesting birds, unlike every other site in this comparison.
Back-to-Nature: Setthorns, Ocknell, Matley Wood & Longbeech
If you’d rather trade facilities for seclusion, several of our sites are built around a back-to-nature stay. Setthorns is open all year round and is one of the best spots on this list for stargazing, being close to open heath with minimal light pollution. Ocknell keeps things simple with toilets but no showers, while Matley Wood has no toilet or shower facilities, so you’ll need to bring your own chemical toilet. Longbeech is our adults-only retreat. With no toilets or showers, it’s best suited to those who want the New Forest at its most unfiltered.
Camping with Dogs This Autumn
Every campsite in this comparison welcomes dogs except Ashurst. If you’re planning a dog-friendly New Forest camping trip this autumn, Holmsley, Long Meadow, Roundhill, Setthorns, Ocknell, Matley Wood, Hollands Wood and Longbeech are all options.
Ready to book your autumn stay? Check our campsites page for current availability and this year’s exact closing dates.