Forest camping is perfect for getting in touch with nature (of course you know that already) and each forest is beautiful in its own unique way. The New Forest, Forest of Dean and Scotland are full of fun, adventure and awe for those camping in the forest this summer! Here are a few suggestions on things the whole family can look out for and get involved in during a camping stay in the forest.
There are around 3,000 wild ponies roaming free in the forest and they’ve been around for almost 2,000 years which means they know the forest much better than any of us!
Camping in the summer means you may be lucky enough to spot a few very cute foals as they’re born during spring and summer. As cute as they may seem though, Mares are really protective of their young and are known to kick and bite when approached. Don’t feed the ponies either- you’ll get a £200 fine. Read all about staying safe around the ponies on our blog here.
The ponies wander all around our Holmsley and Setthorns campsites so you won’t need to go far in order to spot one. Be aware at all times because they like to cross the road whenever and wherever they feel like it, on unfenced forest roads there is a 40mph speed limit.
Deer live peacefully alongside the ponies too. Red, roe, fallow, sika and muntjac deer can be found all over the forest. Look out for reptiles because the adder, lives in the forest as well as grass snakes and sand lizards!
The New Forest cycle route offers endless miles of track to explore. Discover the wonders of the forests landscape and meet some of the resident animals on the way.
Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst and Beaulieu are just a ride through the forest from Roundhill and offer unique takes on traditional English villages.
You can hire bikes all year round in the forest and there are cycle routes for all ages and abilities.
For families the New Forest is a great place to start cycling together because the majority of tracks are safe, off road and gentle routes through sheltered wood. With routes starting at 2 miles, this is a great option for half a day of outdoor activity time with the kids.
For more experienced cyclists and seasoned New Forest bikers there are a number of long distance cycle routes with a mix of terrain.
Bracelands is our stunning campsite in the Forest of Dean and campers share the surrounding area with lots of fantastic wildlife. Deer can be seen year round, the best time to spot one is either early in the morning or at dusk as they usually settle down during the daytime.
It’s fairly unlikely you’ll spot any however wild boar can be found all over the forest and numbers are increasing. If you do happen to come across a wild boar whilst out in the forest, do not approach and keep dogs on leads.
Badgers, grey squirrels, hedgehogs and foxes are just a few other animals that call the Forest of Dean home alongside 300 different insects and dozens of nesting birds and owls.
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park are really popular for water sports with Loch Lomond being the largest inland stretch of water in Great Britain.
Within reach of our Cashel campsite is canoeing, water skiing, fishing, paddle boarding and a mix of other activities for all ages and abilities. Find out all about local water based activities on www.lochlomond-trossachs.org.
When you’re done with your water based day of adventure you can sit back with a beverage of your choosing and enjoy the absolutely breath-taking views of Loch Lomond from the comfort of your own tent or van.
The West Highland Way, running past the entrance of our Cashel campsite is a 96 mile route across Scotland and takes around 7 days to walk in one go. Campers can wander as far as they wish at a leisurely pace or more seasoned walkers can attempt the challenge and see how many days it takes to cover the whole distance.
In the New Forest there is very little restriction on where you’re allowed to walk which means there are countless places to explore on foot. The car parks scattered through the forest provide great start and end points and you’re never far from a pub to end your day out.
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