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Hi there looking to book our summer hols and for a change (we live in Devon so always go Cornwall) we are looking to go to Hampshire, South New Forest way or near Poole/Swanage. Our dilema is which site to pick.  We are a family with 2 children (6 and 3) so a good play area is top of the list.  We will be in a trailer tent (for the first time after many, many years of tenting and no EHU) so good EHU pitches is another factor.  As its a holiday I like to have a night or two off cooking and a glass of wine so we need to be able walk to either an onsite bar/restaurant or be within reach of one, we dont mind entertainment but do mind Haven and big fluffly tigers etc.  This is sounding like a really long list (!) the other factor is swimming as ours cant swim yet, they like to swim in a pool so onsite fantastic or within easy reach of the site.  A few sites we have found on here and we have read reviews for are Beacon Hill, Oakdene and Shamba. 

Anyone got any opinions?  Anyone going this region in August?

Ilove Red shoot.

Has great facilities shop/toilets/washing up.

EHU we go for the top field alongside the shop when we can. There is a kids playground

AND at edge of site a micro brewery pub, that surves great food

Personally I would go for sites close to Swanage where there are lots of things to see and do within a small travelling area. Swanage itself is an ideal place for kiddies with safe bathing and a nice sandy beach. The Swanage Steam Railway (fun for kids young and old) runs from the Norden Park and Ride near Wareham to Swanage via Corfe Castle and with a return day ticket you can hop on and off the train at all places on route.

Ulwell Cottage campsite about 2 miles from Swanage ticks your boxes with swimming pool and bar but is ultra expensive in my opinion. Most of the sites around Swanage are good sites but alas a bar and a swimming pool may be too much to ask.

Bournemouth and Poole are of course large and busy holiday resorts...also lots to see and do but most of the campsites are a good car drive away and as previously mentioned can get pretty bogged down with traffic.

If you stay at any campsites too close to the A31/A35 you will get 24/7 traffic noise.

Looking for a site with a swimming pool may restrict your choices quite a lot...there aren't many in that area.

Weymouth is also a fantastic place for kids. The sea there stays shallow for quite a distance so ideal for youngsters learning to swim. There are amusements and rides on the beach but that area might be a little too close to home for you. The campsites there are a car drive from the seafront (average 4 miles) but I can recommend West Fleet Campsite which has a swimming pool and a small bar with good children's and adult entertainment in season without being too over the top.

Thanks all, I think we are now going to go for a site without a pool, so we can get all we want on the site and then just go and use the local swimming pool.  So if anyone has any suggestions for any other sites that may now fit. 

Bob61 thanks we have looked at Swanage my parents go there every year and they said we would really enjoy it.

Pauline will also look at Wilksworth

Dozy - will also look at Red Shoot.

Thanks for taking the time to reply all.