New Forest Centenary Club Campsite Review: Why We've Returned Five Times
- thecaravanningmummy
- Jun 7
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 5
If you've followed us for a while over in Instagram, you'll probably know that we love the New Forest. In fact, we've just returned from our fifth stay at New Forest Centenary Club Campsite, and I think that alone tells you just how much we enjoy coming back.
Every time we visit, we're reminded why this remains one of our favourite family campsites in the New Forest. It combines everything we love about caravanning – a fantastic location, plenty for the kids to do, dog-friendly facilities, and easy access to some brilliant days out.
So, if you're considering booking a stay, here's our honest review after five visits.
At a Glance
📍 Location: Hampshire, New Forest National Park
🏕 Total pitches: 273
🚐 Touring pitches: 264
⛺ Tent pitches: 9
🪨 Hardstanding pitches: 123
👨👩👦 Best for: Families, dog owners and anyone wanting to explore the New Forest
🐶 Dog friendly: Yes
⛺ Tents welcome: Yes
🚲 Bike hire available: Yes
🍔 Food trucks and on-site bar: Yes
👥 Non-members welcome: Yes
🕐 Earliest arrival time: 1pm
📅 Open mid-March to the end of October
⭐ Overall score: 9/10
For our latest trip, we were touring with our Bailey Phoenix+ 650 and towing with our Ford Kuga Plug-In Hybrid.
Why We Keep Returning to New Forest Centenary Club Campsite
There aren't many sites we've visited five times, but New Forest Centenary Club Campsite is one of them.
Over the years we've stayed on grass pitches, hardstanding pitches and serviced pitches, and each visit has given us a slightly different experience.
For us, the biggest attraction has always been the location. Not only is the New Forest right on your doorstep, but we also have elderly family members living nearby, making this the perfect base for combining family visits with a caravanning break.
Our latest stay was made even more special by meeting up with long-time Instagram friends, which is one of those lovely things that caravanning often brings.
Facilities
One thing we love about this Caravan and Motorhome Club site is that it caters for such a
wide variety of campers. Whether you're travelling with a caravan, motorhome or tent, there's something for everyone.
Families are well catered for, with excellent play areas and plenty of open space for children to burn off energy. There's also an impressive dog agility area and a dog wash station, which always comes in handy after muddy New Forest walks.
The site is fantastic for cycling, with plenty of routes straight from the campsite.
If you don't bring your own bikes, on-site bike hire is available. At the time of our visit, prices were £4 for the first hour and £1.50 for each additional 30 minutes, making it a great way to explore the surrounding area.
Food and Drink – The Best We've Found on a Club Site
One thing we've noticed over the years is how much the food and drink offering has improved.
The on-site bar has become a real asset to the campsite, and regular visiting food trucks provide plenty of options when you don't fancy cooking after a day exploring.
In fact, year after year this side of the site seems to get better and better, and it's probably the best food and drink offering we've experienced on any Caravan and Motorhome Club site so far. It gives the site a lovely social atmosphere, especially during busier weekends and school holidays.
Things to Do Near New Forest Centenary Club Campsite
One of the reasons we love staying here is the huge variety of days out nearby. Whether you're after family attractions, beach days, countryside walks or somewhere dog friendly, there's no shortage of places to explore.
Forest Walks and Cycling
You can head straight from the site and enjoy some beautiful New Forest walks and cycle routes, with plenty of opportunities to spot the famous ponies and other wildlife.
The Old Station Tea Rooms
A favourite of ours, The Old Station Tea Rooms are within walking distance or a short drive from the campsite and make a lovely stop for coffee and cake.
Christchurch and the Beach, Highcliff Castle
We often find ourselves heading over to Christchurch during our stays.
The beaches are fantastic and make for an easy day out, whether you're after fish and chips, an ice cream or simply a stroll along the seafront.
Being close to Christchurch is another big plus for us, especially as we have elderly family members nearby, making this campsite an ideal base for combining family time with a holiday.
Beaulieu National Motor Museum and Buckler's Hard
One of our favourite days out from New Forest Centenary Club Campsite is Beaulieu. There's so much to see and do that it's easy to spend a full day there, making it a great option for families.
The National Motor Museum is always fascinating, and there are plenty of other attractions to explore around the estate too. Better still, Caravan and Motorhome Club members can often take advantage of discounted entry through the Great Savings Guide, making it even better value.
If you're travelling with a dog, Beaulieu is also a fantastic option. Most areas of the grounds
are dog friendly, meaning your four-legged companions don't have to miss out. The only exceptions are Palace House and the National Motor Museum itself.
Nearby Buckler's Hard is another lovely place to visit, which is walkable down from Beaulieu has plenty of history and a relaxed atmosphere. We love the boat trips and have done this a couple of times (dog friendly)
Combined, they make for one of our favourite days out when staying in the New Forest.
Paultons Park
Paultons Park is another attraction that's easily reached from the campsite and one we've visited several times over the years.
It's genuinely one of our favourite theme parks, particularly for younger children. Everything is impeccably maintained, the grounds are beautifully kept and the whole park always feels clean, well organised and easy to navigate.
Home to Peppa Pig World and a wide variety of rides and attractions, it's somewhere that manages to appeal to a wide range of ages. Whether you're visiting with toddlers or older children, there's plenty to keep everyone entertained.
For families staying at New Forest Centenary Club Campsite, Paultons Park makes a fantastic day out and is one of the reasons we love this area so much.
Things to Note
No campsite is perfect, and we always try to keep our reviews balanced.
During our most recent stay, when the site was at full capacity, some of the pitches felt a little closer together than we'd experienced on previous visits. It wasn't a major issue, but it was noticeable.
There are also some pitches positioned alongside the road and, depending on where you're located, traffic noise can occasionally be heard.
Neither of these things would stop us returning, but they're worth bearing in mind when booking.
Pros
Fantastic location for exploring the New Forest.
Excellent family facilities.
Brilliant dog-friendly features.
Bike hire available on site.
Great play areas and open spaces.
Regular food trucks and an excellent on-site bar.
Close to Christchurch beaches.
Easy access to Paultons Park, Beaulieu and Buckler's Hard.
Suitable for caravans, motorhomes and tents.
Non-members are welcome.
Cons
Some areas can feel a little close together when the site is full.
Road noise can affect pitches near the perimeter.
Its popularity means you'll want to book early, especially during school holidays.
Our Ratings
📍 Location: 10/10
🚿 Facilities: 9/10
👨👩👦 Family Friendly: 10/10
🐶 Dog Friendly: 10/10
⭐ Overall Score: 9/10
Top Tips Before You Visit
Book early, especially for school holidays.
If possible, request a pitch away from the roadside if you're sensitive to noise.
Bring bikes or take advantage of the on-site hire.
Leave plenty of time for exploring the surrounding area.
Pack muddy dog towels – you'll probably need them!
Would We Return?
Without a doubt.
Five visits later, New Forest Centenary Club Campsite remains one of our favourite caravan and motorhome sites and one of the best family campsites in the New Forest.
That probably says everything you need to know.
Final Thoughts
If you're looking for a family-friendly campsite in the New Forest with excellent facilities, plenty to do nearby and somewhere that welcomes both children and dogs, New Forest Centenary Club Campsite is hard to beat.
It's one of those places we always seem to come back to, and I can't imagine this latest trip will be our last.
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