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Woodlands Camping

97%
·
· Ropley, England
200 acres hosted by Jay D.
8 motorhome/tent pitches · 2 tent pitches
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Amazing views
Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.
Family-friendly
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.
Best newcomers: Finalist
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.
Best in South East England: Finalist
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.
A back-to-basics campsite in the South Downs National Park

Woodlands Camping is the go-to place for a back-to-basics, eco-friendly experience at the west end of the South Downs National Park. This Greener Camping Club site is a low impact place to pitch a tent or park up in a campervan. It offers off-grid pitches, simple facilities, and plenty of space. It welcomes dogs, allows campfires, and is generally a relaxed place to stay for a week or a weekend in the Hampshire countryside.

As the name suggests, there are plenty of trees around this site – but that doesn’t mean its pitches are shady. In fact, you’ll find them split between two open areas on the edge of a 200-acre wood: The Clearing and The Meadow. The Clearing, which opens March to October, is about an acre with just six pitches, each with its own picnic bench and fire pit. Come as a group and you can hire the whole area for yourselves. The Meadow, meanwhile, is a much larger space with more open views, open from Easter to September only. There are 10–15 undesignated pitches here so you can put your tent where you please and park up alongside. It’s about five acres so there’s always plenty of room and there are often horses grazing in the neighbouring paddock.

The campsite offers a drinking water tap, seasonal rustic showers, and a mix of compost and portable loos. There’s no indoor space and those who will like it here most will be used to the great outdoors. In fact, they might appreciate the chance to explore it beyond the campsite fences. You can navigate country lanes, footpaths, and bridleways to explore the surrounding beauty of the national park. There’s an hour walk to The Fox, if you fancy lunch, or a longer one to West Meon, where there are more choices for food and exploration. On rainy days, Winchester is always an option as it’s only 11 miles away. On sunny ones, the 30-minute drive to Hayling Island doesn’t seem too long for a day on a south coast beach.

Activities
Biking
Fishing
Hiking
Horseback riding
Natural features
Forest
Field
Farm
97%
71 Ratings · 52 reviews
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Tim S.recommends
October 27, 2024
The clearing
The Clearing is a beautiful, quiet spot, with direct access to the woods. Jason could not be there but was very available and super helpful with all our questions. It's gone straight into my top ten camping spots.
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Oli T.recommends
September 17, 2024
The clearing
Stayed one night in the Meadow, one in the Clearing.. both excellent. Fantastic sunset in the Meadow, and the Clearing was just magically peaceful.
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Stu W.recommends
August 19, 2024
The Meadow
Superb site to relax into nature. Jay is an excellent host and has created a great balance of wild camping coupled with decent facilities. The location is beautiful and just far enough away from the hustle but close enough to the main roads to take you back
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Chris L.recommends
August 12, 2024
The Meadow
Great stay. Loved the back to basics. The kids loved camping in the woods. A bit of a mini adventure for them
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Malcolm B.recommends
July 30, 2024
The Meadow
A quiet, small site with lovely woodland adjacent. Simple clean facilities.
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Alex A.recommends
July 25, 2024
The Meadow
Beautiful area
Love the location and the area. Jason was very responsive and always trying to solve all issues.
Location
Ropley, England, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Jay D.

Joined in May 2022
From the host
If you’re after a clubhouse, arcade, or on-site entertainment, this is not the place. However, if you would like to be immersed into the outstanding Hampshire countryside with beautiful walks, views, plenty of space with peace and quiet then we may have the spot you’ve been looking for. Woodlands Camping is primarily an eco-friendly camping site set on the northern edge of the South Downs National Park, about five miles drive south of the market town of New Alresford. There’s a ‘leave no trace’ policy in place here and guests are encouraged to do their bit to help preserve the natural environment around them.
Nearby attractions

Woodlands Camping is on the northern edge of the South Downs National Park where there are plenty of footpaths and bridleways to explore including the Meon Valley Trail and the South Downs Way which both pass through West Meon (four miles). Old Winchester Hill is a great spot for panoramic views on the South Downs not too far from the village. The closest town to the campsite is New Alresford where there are shops and a station on the The Watercress Steam Railway. Another heritage attraction is Jane Austen’s House in Alford (nine miles), now a museum to the author. Winchester, with its impressive cathedral, museums and shops, is 11 miles from site and the Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium is on the edge of the city too – great for rainy days. Marwell Zoo is also about 11 miles. The seaside is a possible day trip with Hayling Island 24 miles to the south and Portsmouth a little further.

Food and drink

You could walk to traditional pub The Fox in Bramdean (two miles) in about an hour from the campsite or, for a longer walk, head to The Thomas Lord in West Meon (four miles). Both serve food. West Meon also has a village shop for the basics and a good butchers, Buckinghams. There’s another of those in New Alresford (five miles) alongside plenty more shops and eateries.

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