Fernwood Glamping is a small, family-run retreat offering a genuine countryside glamping experience just minutes from the market town of Ringwood and within easy reach of the New Forest National Park. Guests can choose between a rustic shepherd's hut and a beautifully painted gypsy caravan, both enjoying peaceful surroundings with views towards fields regularly visited by deer. Each accommodation is ideal for two adults but can also sleep two younger children up to around 10 years old (additional charge and sleeping bag with integral pillowsupplied). The hut and caravan can be booked together for two couples or families. Positioned more than 25 metres apart in a large garden, each provides its own individual space for a relaxing break surrounded by nature.
The shepherd's hut features a five-foot-wide double bed, additional sleeping arrangements for younger children, mini fridge, electric kettle and a cosy wood burner, while the gypsy caravan has been created on an original 1930s dray base and includes a four-foot-wide double bed, additional children's bed underneath, wood burner and exclusive use of a delightful octagonal thatched summerhouse beside the wildlife pond with a fridge and tea/coffee making facilities.
Both have their own fire pit, outdoor seating, compost toilet and use of a shared traditional shower room and flush toilet near the house. Bed linen, towels, hot water bottles and hot drink facilities are provided, with towelling robes included on stays of two nights or more. You can bring your own logs for your fire or buy a basket using our honesty box in the log store. There are plug sockets and an electric heater in both units. Optional breakfast hampers can also be arranged in advance for an additional charge.
Fernwood is a wonderful place to slow down and enjoy the natural surroundings, whether watching buzzards circling overhead, spotting fallow deer in the neighbouring fields or listening for woodpeckers and owls amongst the trees. Evenings can be spent beside the fire pit watching the sunset, toasting marshmallows and looking up at the stars before retreating to the warmth of the wood burner inside. We have a deer viewing platform overlooking the fields behind and smaller platform for younger guests with a slide.
Beyond Fernwood, guests are ideally placed for walking and cycling in the New Forest, exploring the countryside around Ringwood or heading towards the area's beaches for a day by the coast.
There are many pubs and restaurants within a few miles.
We are not able to offer cooking facilities but there is a Tesco local, off-licence, bakery (pizza takeaway twice a week) and fish and chip shop half a mile away so you certainly won't go hungry!
Ringwood is a traditional market town on the edge of the New Forest which has still retained much of its original character. Every Wednesday the marketplace is blocked off for the traditional street market, but every evening it is buzzing with people, whether it is a meal out in a restaurant or a drink in the pub. In the day time there are plenty of small and unique shops to browse in and coffee shops. The old cattle market has now changed to The Furlong with places to sit and relax and some more well known high street shops, sometimes even French markets or street entertainment.
Ringwood is also on the Avon Valley Path, a 34-mile route across fields and footpaths across the Forest and alongside our beautiful River Avon that takes you from Salisbury Cathedral to Christchurch Priory.
The Castleman trail also runs along an old railway track with sections open near Burley and again from Ringwood, through Moors valley Countryside park and on to Poole and can be done in sections or one long day as a cycle trail, with sections along the River and through the forest.
There are lots of family friendly attractions and things to do nearby including Blashford Lakes Wildlife Reserve, Owl Raptor and Reptile Centre, Go Ape or the play trail at Moors Valley or walks at Avon Heath Country Park. For watersports there is also the New Forest Water Park on the road out of Ringwood towards Salisbury.
The New Forest villages are full of tea shops, ice creams, donkeys and ponies and well worth a visit.
If you prefer open space, we can recommend walks and quieter rural pubs in the forest too.
Our house is about half a mile from the A31 which takes you into Southampton or to Bournemouth / Poole (with popular sandy beaches and cinemas/ theatres). From the centre of Ringwood it is easy to access the main cities in the area by bus and it takes about half an hour by car to get to Salisbury, Bournemouth or Southampton. It takes about 30 minutes to walk into Ringwood from Fernwood, alternatively buses leave every 20 minutes from the bottom of the hill.
The town’s Visitor Information Centre is located off the main carpark and can provide you with details of many areas nearby that can be explored on foot, bicycle or horseback as well as information about nearby attractions. There is even an open topped hop on / hop off bus that travels around the New Forest villages.
With only five minutes in the car you are able to walk in the New Forest. Bikes can be hired from several local places such as Moors Valley Country park, or the villages such as Burley and Brockenhurst (worth stopping for a cream tea too!).
Combining quirky accommodation, a warm welcome, wildlife and a peaceful setting, Fernwood Glamping offers a memorable escape for solo travellers, couples and young families.
