Sandy Balls Vacation Park has a repute as one in every of Hampshire’s most interesting vacation parks for in a single day stays and tenting. When you desire elevated outside expertise whenever you get out into nature, this might be the place for you. Take a look at my sincere evaluate earlier than you determine…
In my expertise, most individuals in Hampshire have heard of Sandy Balls Vacation Park, however it’s well-known for stopping on the borders. It appeared like anybody native I instructed we had been going within the three weeks between reserving and arrival had been or knew somebody who had been, however anybody else simply fixated on the title.
If it wasn’t ‘we had been there!’, it was ‘is that the suitable place?! Why is it known as Sandballs?’ [laugh / giggle / snort]
So, simply in case you are not from Hampshire – let me introduce you to Sandy Balls Vacation Park, on the very fringe of the New Forest.
In keeping with the web site, I ought to have been ready to ‘escape to historic forests, open moors and wild moors’. In keeping with my many mates who was once my company, I had an incredible time due to the nice location and household environment.
So, off we went.
The New Forest is just a forty five minute drive from our residence in Southsea and Sandy Balls is round an hour. It was an simply accessible weekend, which given the proximity and low value of arrival meant we might spend a bit of extra on lodging.
However was £412 for a weekend at Sandy Balls value it?
Errr, why is it known as Sandballs?
In keeping with the Away Resorts web site, its title really dates again to the reign of King Henry VII, when the ‘sandyballas’ – domed sand and gravel outcrops on its western border – first appeared on historic maps.
When you go to Sandy Balls, you possibly can stroll as much as the lookout and look out at these ‘sand balls’ and see what they imply.
Evaluate: lodging in Sandy Balls
The three of us (me, boyfriend and child) stayed in a 6 individual cabin at Sandy Balls. I would not suggest staying there as a 6 although. We had a pleasant room with a double mattress and a non-public rest room for the 2 of us. There was a bunk mattress in Reggie’s room, and a single one too. So, 5 beds, and a big lounge the place the couch might be stretched out to be a mattress.
To be honest our room was spacious and had a TV so when you’ve got 4 youngsters they might be positive however not 6 adults. As I stated, we had our personal rest room with a shower (nice for young children), however there was one other rest room with a bathe subsequent to Reggie’s room.
The kitchen/eating/residing space was large enough for Reggie to experience round on his scooter and for us to chill out across the desk and couch.
Reggie wakened very early one morning and it was very good simply to cuddle on the massive sofa with a quilt and watch TV with the sound of rain on the roof. We positively want an even bigger sofa at residence. Anyway, off subject, again to the Sandy Balls evaluate.
Meals evaluate at Sandy Balls
Every lodge has a small kitchen so it is easy to cook dinner for your self. We had all our breakfasts and lunches this fashion – utilizing nice stuff from the on-site store. The store is stocked with scrumptious domestically produced delicacies, from jams to fruit to meat. You will not go hungry!
No complaints.
Nevertheless, I do have complaints in regards to the eating places at Sandy Balls.
There are two eating places in Sandy Balls, the Woodside Inn and Aubreys. Booked Aubreys for the primary night time, from residence. I had already been warned by mates that the eating places had been very busy and troublesome to e book so I needed to safe our place.
We arrived and only some tables had been occupied, though there was a reservation for five p.m. Little youngsters hey?
In brief, the service was sluggish and the wait employees appeared agitated, though they weren’t busy. The meals was overpriced for what it was. And the entire place was so sizzling.
It was not the eating expertise I needed for £20 a meal. Or so I anticipated from a spot like Sandy Balls.
The following night we met mates and went to the native pub xxxx.
After which it was again to Aubreys for the final night time. We did not significantly wish to, however after wanting on the Uber Eats choice and eager about being late for Reggie’s nap, we determined to present it one other strive. The Woodside Inn was clearly full, though it did not appear to be it once we walked previous it.
What to do in Sandy Balls
I believed it might be the Centra Parcs environment. I envisioned a schedule of issues to go to and an epic pool for my cash. Sadly no. This was a ‘playground for young children’.
I used to be additionally stunned at how primary the pool was, particularly the altering rooms. As I stated I had been to Butlin’s in Bognor the week earlier than for a day and the services there far surpassed the pool at Sandy Balls.
I did not anticipate the world, however a slide or two is perhaps good. Oh, and the water was actually chilly. So chilly that everybody within the pool (about 5 others) was complaining. There have been two smaller swimming pools on the prime, I imply small, like a paddling pool – and all the youngsters stayed there.
However not my Reggie, he simply needed to leap into the chilly pool so he struggles to be there to catch him.
The sunshine recreation was soiled. There was at the very least half an inch of mud, together with discarded meals wrappers within the again. A few of it’s taped collectively and patched.
There was an arcade, the place Reggie discovered this prepare at £2 every. He completely cherished it. Sunday night time Ben met little Alex Horn from Taskmaster right here, acquired a photograph and all.
There have been actions, however all of them value cash and had been a bit of superior for Reggie. Think about a workshop for £12 or an alpaca stroll for £25.
We really needed to lease bikes at some point, nevertheless it began raining and Reggie was NOT joyful once we tried the bike, so we quickly gave up on that concept.
Actions close to Sandy Balls
I really feel I ought to level out that it was raining at Sandy Balls the weekend we went. Additionally, my expertise was the meat within the sandwich of a time out at Butlin’s the week earlier than and staying on the Parkdean resort on the Isle of Wight every week or two after. Comparisons had been inevitable. I’ll write about these experiences quickly to check them.
You might have all of the delights of the New Forest in your doorstep in Sandy Balls and it is also near Dorset. Good place.
Peppa Pig World is just not removed from Sandy Balls in any respect, about 25 minutes by automotive.
Longdown Exercise Farm is a superb close by cease for those who’re coming from the east. It is excellent for little ones. We have been just a few instances – Reggie likes to drive diggers and tractors there as effectively quick go to the animals.
Sand balls evaluate
So what’s my evaluate of Sandy Balls after this 1500 phrase dialog?
Negatives Sandballs
I believed the frequent areas had been uncared for, just like the pool, playground and restaurant. The pool altering rooms had been worse than these at my native leisure facilities within the 90’s (good previous Burton Meadowside). If you pay greater than ordinary for a house or camp, you anticipate higher than ordinary facilities. This actually disenchanted me, particularly since we would have liked it due to our wet Might weekend.
They really want to spend money on new delicate play gear (at the very least even clear it and patch it with duct tape), and spend fairly a bit on that pool.
I stated all I wanted to in regards to the eating places, however they may positively be improved.
Oh, I simply remembered – the place was my entrance furnishings? I’d love to sit down exterior and take heed to the rain among the many bushes. As a substitute, I needed to sit on the ground.
Constructive sand balls
The house was significantly better than I believed it might be, particularly since we booked the most cost effective one obtainable. A lot of area for the three of us and two loos is at all times appreciated.
The check-in was welcome – though I confused issues by reserving it below the title Vicky FlipFlop, which *SHOCK* is not really my final title.
I want to point out the kindness of the person on the bike store, who understood when my son crashed and clearly it isn’t he desires to go biking he was so excited two minutes in the past.
Sandy Balls is in a wonderful location, which is its major promoting level.
I’d positively return to Sandy Balls, however possibly in a 12 months or two, when Reggie can experience a motorcycle and we will discover the native space extra with out being tied to his dream.
I hope they replace these frequent areas by then too!
- When? Might 2024
- How lengthy? 3 nights
- Paid? £412 (on Agoda)
- WHO? Me, boyfriend and small little one
- Briefly? Nice location, cherished the pure environment amongst the facilities. It might be higher suited to a barely older little one who likes to stroll and experience a motorcycle. He would come again once we could be collectively extra.