Have you seen the excellent article in PC about the New Forest? As a regular visitor to the area and Lytton Lawn in particular I thought it was first rate.
However it is sadly lacking in detail in the section "Caravanning essentials" on page 36 so in an effort to enlighten folk thinking of going there for the first time I thought I'd list the important details that have been left out.
1) Caravan Accessories are available at Dolphin Leisure, 63 Old Milton Road, New Milton BH25 6DN. Avonbridge are way across the other side of the New Forest and from my own experience are more repairers although they do have a small supply of accessories.
2) There are two Tesco supermarkets just down the road to the west in New Milton, one of which is a huge one selling petrol and diesel. A bit further west there is a huge Sainsbury in Christchurch. There is a Waitrose on the one way system just as you enter Lymington going in the other direction. So while what is stated in the feature is quite true it is also misleading to suggest that the only supermarket of any weight is as far away as Ringwood.
3) Whilst I wouldn't say that filling stations abound in the area there is the one at Tesco in New Milton (already mentioned) along with a Shell garage on the way into Lymington and another Shell in the village of Hordle. A bit further away is an Esso in Brockenhurst. So to state that the nearest filling stations are in Lyndhurst and Picket Post is simply inaccurate.
Personally I think that such inaccuracies can put people off going to an area because it gives the impression that you're going to the back of beyond which simply isn't true.
I really do wonder sometimes whether the reviewers actually do visit the places they're writing about.
Shhhh, Vic, don't tell everybody how great the New Forest area is lol! I'm biased, OH's mum lives in Ferndown and the traffic was terrible down there last weekend.
Great area, shame it has been portrayed in a bad light.
Ali
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Quote: Originally posted by snowy747 on 18/5/2011
Shhhh, Vic, don't tell everybody how great the New Forest area is lol! I'm biased, OH's mum lives in Ferndown and the traffic was terrible down there last weekend.
Great area, shame it has been portrayed in a bad light.
Ali
Have to agree with you Ali, New Forest is a lovely area.
I would move down there tomorrow, if had the chance.
Yes it is rather special....... I was born and bread and parents still live in Lyndhurst. I now live in Southampton, only 13 miles away. Love living here in the south!
Did you notice that PC are now putting a "Guarantee" that all reviews are based on visits. I do like PC generally but I have to admit I reckon Caravan Magazine is nicking shed load of people at the moment with it's offer of Caravan Magazine + Go Caravaning and a free gift for £10 a quarter. I took it out and the free gift has got to be worth £50 (I went for the auto glym kit and expected it to be mini's but it's the full size bottles it a really smart valet bag). To be honest as well they've really revamped the mag and it's certainly a bit more family friendly and geared slightly towards those with older caravans.
I have to admit though I do get overloaded with magazine at some time in the month with PC, Caravan Magazine, Go Caravan and CC magazine all dropping through at the same time lol! still keeps me going until the next hols
Thats a part of our glorious country we have not visited as of yet. Very much like to visit wooland sites but probably more so in the autum may get around to it one day.
I enjoyed reading the article too, we love the New Forest and hope to fit a weekend in down there this autumn.
I too have sucumbed to subscribing to Caravan mag as I agree including the Go caravan too its a great price and lots to read, we've asked for the autoglym kit as our free gift too.
I have bought the last few Practical Caravan mags too and found them far more interesting than the last time I picked one up a couple of years ago when I first started on to OH about getting a van. Holding on subscribing to it at the min to see ig next month will have a different free gift as dont want more autoglym, tool set or picnic set.
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i have just got my first ever copy of practicle caravan...never usuallu read them, but got it cheap via tesco clubcard, so thought i'd give it s go.
i am still reserving judgement on the overal quality, but first impressions with this article werent great. as you say vic, those are the sorts of things we are interested in.
just to go off topic slightly...the first thing i do when on site is find out where the local "camping" shop is. although you would be surprised at the number of site owners that dont know!
Thats a part of our glorious country we have not visited as of yet. Very much like to visit wooland sites but probably more so in the autum may get around to it one day.
I was on a wooded site last week in Kent and whilst very nice in most respects, my caravan and awning didn't half get in a state with sap, debris and dust falling off the trees not to mention bird droppings. I think there must have been an albatross roosting in the tree nearest to us!
Necessitated a major cleaning up operation upon our return home.