Fernwood Glamping

UK England South East England Hampshire Ringwood

  • Shepherds Hut & Gypsy Caravan
  • Cosy Rural Retreat
Secluded, peaceful glamping on the western edge of the New Forest, ideal for a romantic getaway.

On the western edge of the New Forest, near the market town of Ringwood, Fernwood Glamping is one for solitude seekers.  As you leave Ringwood, the houses gradually seem to retreat from the edge of the road, before a church and a thatched-roof cottage mark the start of the New Forest proper. From here, the road weaves into the shade of the trees and the holiday begins. You feel miles away from anywhere.

The shepherd’s hut can be found through a wooden gate and at the end of a large garden, overlooking fields. Inside its wood-lined rustic interior, it sleeps up to four people in a double bed and two pull-out singles – so it's perfect for both a romantic break or a family getaway. At one end of the hut, an all-important wood-burning stove provides heating, with a free basket of wood included. It’s also cleverly backed by a strip of shiny, corrugated metal, reflecting the heat and filling the place with warmth in seconds. Outside, the hut feels like a perfect fit in this bucolic environment – foxes and deer can be spotted and an old treehouse works nicely as a deer and birdwatching hide.

The site is also home to a beautifully painted gypsy caravan. Snuggled into a woodland area in the garden, this cosy caravan was built on an original 1930's dray base and provides glimpses into fields where deer and rabbits are frequently seen. There's both a wood burning stove and an electric heater to keep you warm in the cooler months while a supply of electricity powers the lights and is useful for charging phones. Guests who book the gypsy caravan have sole use of a thatched octagonal summerhouse, with decking overlooking the pond, where you'll find more seating, a handy mini fridge and kettle. The gypsy caravan can be booked alongside the shepherd's hut and is ideal for a family with older children or two couples going away together.

Fernwood is a great spot for powering up in the morning before you set off on foot or by bike to explore. Head east to submerge yourself further in the trees and heathland of the New Forest or return to busy Ringwood for the Wednesday market and local pubs and restaurants.

Details

Facilities

The shepherd's hut overlooking the field has a 5-ft bed.  Room for two children (sleeping bags and pillows provided) using a pull out bench and a pull down bunk over the bed. It is so cosy inside with fairy lights (double plug socket). The hut also has tea / coffee making facilities with a mini-fridge (fresh milk provided). Guests may use the electric kettle or be more adventurous and boil their own water on the stove! Hot water bottles are provided. The shepherd's hut guests have use their own compost toilet (lit with fairy lights) or use of a shared flush toilet near the house if preferred. Our glamping season is longer for the hut as it is slightly larger and has a bigger wood burner.

The locally made gypsy caravan is  found through an archway in a wooded area and has a pretty rose fabric interior. It has a 4-ft wide double bed, reached by climbing onto the bench seats, and a small double underneath for two children. It has a double plug socket, a low- level heater and a wood burner. The guests in the van also have use of the summer house overlooking the pond with an electric kettle and a mini fridge. The gypsy van guests have their own compost toilet and shared use of a flush outside the main house close to the shared shower.

There is a shower room near the house (shared use). Both the shepherds hut and gypsy van have their own basic outdoor solar shower where guests can warm up water in solar bags to use in the porta-shower (summer only). We can also help out with additional hot water should the sun not shine enough!

Campfires are allowed (fire pit provided) and guests can buy wood for this on site (£5 charge) and enjoy an evening with the sunset or the stars, toasting marshmallows. Feel free to bring a small camp stove too.

The tree house platform looks out over the field. Most guests see deer, sometimes rabbits and foxes and on occasion a badger! Not guaranteed but, because we are surrounded by mature oak trees, you will almost certainly hear owls hooting and may see bats swooping over the pond. In the daytime, it is common to see buzzards circling overhead.

Bedding, towels, bathrobes, tea/coffee, milk, biscuits, wood for the wood burner, marshmallows, matches and firelighters all included.

Suitable For

Glamping only. The shepherd's hut and gypsy caravan sleep 2 adults and up to 2 children (4-10 ideal because of bed length). Sorry, no dogs permitted. No pup tents or additional camping possible. We ask guests not to play music outside and for quiet after 10pm. Ideal for a short break to visit the New Forest. Many guests use Fernwood as a base to explore the New Forest, making the most of opportunities for walking and cycling across the many tracks and footpaths in the area.

Nearby

On the edge of the New Forest National Park, Fernwood has plenty on the doorstep, including a wealth of cycling and walking trails – stay quiet to spot wild ponies and deer. If you struggle to find them on your bike though, try heading to the New Forest Safari in Burley or the deer feeding station in Bolderwood – both a short drive away. Lyndhurst (02380 282269) is seen as the central town for the New Forest, with extra tourist info if you need. Alternatively, it's a very easy drive through Ringwood to Bournemouth and the coast. Passing Go Ape! (08456 439215) en route – a good, organised family day out – or continue to the beaches and the magnificent sandbanks peninsula. A favourite recommendation from Fernwood is to visit Hengistbury Head (01202 451618), with a visitors centre, ferry boat across to Medeford Quay (great for crabbing!) and a land train which can take you back at the end of the day. Younger guests especially enjoy Peppa Pig World at Paulton's Park (20 mins) or a visit to one of the beaches. Older children and 'young at heart' parents love the New Forest Water Park and their many activities on offer (worth booking in advance).

Food & Drink

There are some great pubs in more rural locations which make a fantastic point to start or finish a walk such as The Alice Lisle (01425 474700), The Red Shoot Inn (01425 475792) or The High Corner Inn (01425 473973). Within half a mile and easy walking distance there is a Tesco local (0345 026 9408), a fish and chip shop (01425 478310), a fantastic bakery with take away pizzas Friday and Saturday nights (01425 480666), The London Tavern (01425 473819) well known for its quiz nights and live bands and The White Hart, popular locally for watching sports and for its roast dinners (the best gravy I am told!). There are several local cafes in the town worth exploring which can serve coffee, breakfasts or brunches. Alternatively, a continental breakfast hamper can be ordered in advance by e- mail or text. It includes cereals, bread, jam, a muffin or a pastry, fresh fruit and yoghurt, milk and juice.

Open

Generally mid February until end of November

Pricing

Shepherd's Hut £80-£90 per night, Gypsy van £90-£100 per night, minimum 2-night stay, 3 nights over bank holidays. Children (maximum 2, aged 4-10) £20 per child per night. Optional continental breakfast hamper, (£15 for two people, £25 for a family of four) available every day to start your holiday.

The Owner Says

It is through a wooden gate and down to the end of a large garden over looking fields grazed by deer that you will find the shepherd’s hut and gypsy van, well spaced from each other to enjoy the garden (outdoor seating provided).  At Fernwood, it is hard to imagine you are only a mile away from the friendly market town of Ringwood. Inside they both sleep up to four (though it works very well as a romantic break for couples).  At one end a cosy wood-burning stove provides heating throughout the year, with a basket of wood included. Alternatively, on a summer evening, guests may use the fire pit outside.  The hut is lit by fairy lights and lamps are provided. A shower room and solar showers will also be available for guests to use.

Location

Contact Website  07730 586 601  Fernwood Glamping, Fernwood, Ringwood, New Forest, Hampshire BH24 3JN

Show Map

Getting There

From Salisbury direction (on A338): When the A338 meets the A31 Ringwood roundabout take the first exit onto the A31 dual carriageway towards Southampton / Winchester. Ignore the first exit to Poulner and continue up Poulner Hill. At the top of the hill, take the exit off the dual carriageway to Hangersley by the In Excess Garden Centre. Continue down the hill, ignoring the first turning on your right sign posted to Hangersley Hill. Look out for "Fernwood" on the left hand side, which has a sign on the fence. It is the house after “Woodpeckers”, which has a circular reversing mirror on their brick entrance. If you get to the London Tavern at the bottom of the hill you have gone too far!

From Bournemouth direction (on A31): Go past the turn off to Ringwood (stay in right hand lanes) and continue on the flyover past the main church and the town. Ignore the first exit to Poulner and continue up Poulner Hill. At the top of the hill, take the exit off the dual carriageway to Hangersley by In Excess Garden Centre. Continue down the hill, ignoring the first turning on your right sign posted to Hangersley Hill. Look out for "Fernwood" on the left hand side, which has a sign on the fence. It is the house after “Woodpeckers”, which has a circular reversing mirror on their brick entrance. If you get to the London Tavern at the bottom of the hill you have gone too far!

From Southampton direction (on A31): After following the A31 across the forest you will pass the exit for Burley (by the Picket Post services) After 1 mile look out for the exit sign posted to Hightown and Poulner. Turn right at the mini roundabout, which takes you over the A31 towards Poulner and continue until you reach a second mini roundabout by The White Hart pub. Turn right here into Gorley Road. Take the second turning on the right which is Linford Road. You will pass the London Tavern on the right hand side. Continue up the hill, past St John The Baptist's Church. The road then forks so keep right, around an S bend. You will go past a gravel track on the right and "Fernwood" is the second five bar gate / house on the right hand side.

If the gate is shut, please do not try to push it open, but press the button on the fence (driver's side) to open the electric gate. Please park in front of the five bar gate. Please come to the front door of the house to meet us unless we have made arrangements to leave a key.

Ringwood has a bus station with regular coaches from London and other cities. From there it takes just over half an hour to walk, so it's best to grab a taxi, though your hosts can collect you if they're around so ring in advance. Local buses also run to and from the centre of Ringwood to Poulner (at the bottom of the nearest hill – 10 minutes walk from the site). The X3 runs from the centre of Ringwood into Bournemouth every thirty minutes.

Facilities

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See Glamping in Ringwood

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