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I have enjoyed camping in the past, but not for about twelve years! We plan to camp (under canvas) for the first time as a family at the end of May and I am so excited! The boys are 7 and 4. Looking at Ashurst camp site. What do you think? We don't want lots of facilities, other than clean showers, a basic shop and lots of space! Tell me about the ponies -are they really a pain as some have said? I am pretty used to horses but don't want the kids being bitten or kicked. They're pretty good and I know wouldn't bother the horses if told to leave them alone. Finally, is there a problem with ticks there? Have read the odd story about lymes disease.

We went there - it was lovely - ponies weren't a pain to us - where else can you go where wild ponies are just there?  I thought it was a great campsite and you can walk to two pubs - we went to the Happy Cheese which is the further of the two.  I think this is the site where you can bike from the site to a town beginning with B which has a Tesco express and some other shops, without going on a road - except for the little bit of road by the campsite to begin with, but that's not really busy at all and there are tons of people with bikes on it.  Didn't see or feel any ticks - but if they're in the New Forest they'll be in any of the campsites there.  I don't think you'll be disappointed if you go.

Deb

The ponies are not that bad, just don't feed them (ever) and do not leave rubbish bags laying around with food in or you will get a visit from them.

Assume you have a dog if you are worried about the ticks? Frontline or Spotone both deal effectivley with ticks so just make sure you treat before going, if you are worried about ticks on you, then i have not heard of that happening in the New Forest.

Debsy, you are thinking of Hollands Wood that is at Brokenhurst with the Tesco express, again another option for sandraj, same rules for the ponies

Can't comment on the site, but in about fifteen years of visiting the New Forest, I have never had a problem with a pony or ticks,  we do go off the beaten track where if anything they would be more likely.

Valerie

Thank you guys - it sounds great! The tick query was relating to us getting bitten! I have read that the New Forest has plenty  of ticks  - but I feel reassured that it is not as likely a thing as I'd imagined!  Thanks for the replies -what a great website this is! I'll no doubt be back with many other silly questions before the end of May!

sandra

From the New Forest District Council website:

"Ticks are found primarily in wooded and grassy areas such as the New Forest and feed on the blood or passing animals such as humans, particularly in the late spring and early summer."

There is a leaflet you can download giving advice.

We were there in October 2007 and my aunt's dog caught a tick.

We did go to Brockenhurst directly from Ashurst - haven't been to Hollands Wood - it was a great cycle ride - felt v. virtuous when locked up four bikes and bought food from local shops (not Tesco) and then cycled back!

Deb

Lyndhurst is the village along from Ashurst, excluding the parade of shops near the campsite entrance that is Ashurst.

Avoid the left hand side of the site as the railway thunders past that side.

just got back from the new forest you and your family will love it

yes I have been bitten by ticks in the New Forest, very yucky!  But then I seem to atract them as have had ticks attached from Scotland to Dorset.  The main problem is that ticks spread Lymes disease, so watch out for a rash spreading from the tick bite and go see a doc if you find a rash.  To avoid being bitten the advice is to wear long trousers tucked into socks and long sleeves, ideal for a hot summer!  Don't let it put you off, we still go camping.

Ribble

We stayed last year for two nights and three nights booked this year...as someone above said, don't feed the ponies or leave rubbish out. The ponies here are slightly bolder than the ones on Dartmoor, I reckon they would let you approach them but I don't think they would come for you, so to speak! We didn't wake up with a pack of them around our tent!

As for ticks, I grew up on Dartmoor - another tick-heaven location and never had single tick. I would recommend not running through any bracken (as nice as that is) as I believe that's where they hang out when they are not attached to a beastie.

Enjoy the campsite, it's very peaceful and the facilities are excellent.

When we used to tent on hollands wood the ponies were not a problem, the main suspects for trouble were the grey squirels, many a time a night would hear some scurrying and look out to find the little buggers inside the tent helping themselves to food.

They actually chewed through the sides of our hanging canvas cupboard and then the crisp packets, always seemed to go for the smokey bacon as well for some reason.