Sandy Balls Vacation Park has a popularity as one of many fanciest lodge and tenting parks in Hampshire. Should you choose a extra elevated outside expertise whenever you enterprise into the nice open air, this may very well be the place for you. Try my sincere assessment earlier than you determine…
In my expertise, most individuals in Hampshire have heard of Sandy Balls Vacation Park, however it’s notoriety stops on the borders. It felt like anybody native I instructed that we have been going within the three week run up between reserving and arriving, had been or knew somebody that had however anybody else simply fixated on the title.
If it wasn’t ‘we’ve been there!’, it was ‘is that an actual place?! Why is it referred to as Sandy Balls?’ [laugh / giggle / snort]
So, simply in case you’re not from Hampshire – let me introduce you to Sandy Balls Vacation Park, simply on the sting of the New Forest.
In line with the web site I wanted to be ready to ‘escape into historical woodlands, open moors and wild heathland’. In line with my many mates who’ve been previous friends, I used to be in for an incredible time because of the nice location and household pleasant vibe.
So, off we went.
The New Forest is simply a 45-minute drive from our house in Southsea, and Sandy Balls is round an hour. This was a straightforward to achieve weekend, which given the proximity and low price of getting there, meant we might spend a little bit extra on the lodging.
However, was the £412 for a weekend at Sandy Balls value it?
Errr, why is it referred to as Sandy Balls?
In line with the Away Resorts web site, it’s title really dates again to the reign of King Henry VII when ‘sandyballas’ – domed sand and gravel outcrops on its western boundary – first appeared on historic maps.
Should you go to Sandy Balls, you may stroll as much as a viewpoint and lookout over these ‘sandyballas’ and see what they imply.
Overview: lodging at Sandy Balls
The three of us (me, boyfriend and toddler) stayed in a 6-person lodge at Sandy Balls. I wouldn’t really recommend staying there as a 6 although. We had a stunning room with a double mattress and en suite for the 2 of us (undoubtedly missed my SIMBA hybrid mattress at house although). Reggie’s room had a bunk mattress in it, and a single too. So, 5 beds, and a big lounge the place the couch might pull out to be a mattress.
To be truthful, our room was spacious and did have a TV so for those who had 4 youngsters, they’d be alright, however not 6 adults. As I stated, we had our ensuite with a shower (nice for toddler) however there was additionally one other bathe lavatory subsequent to Reggie’s room.
The kitchen / diner / lounge house was large enough for Reggie to experience round on his scooter, and for us to calm down in on the desk and on the couch.
Reggie wakened actually early one morning and it was very nice to simply cuddle up on the massive couch with a cover and watch some TV with the sound of the rain on the roof. We undoubtedly want a much bigger couch at house. Anyway, I digress, again to the Sandy Balls assessment.
Overview of the meals at Sandy Balls
Every lodge has a little bit kitchen so it’s simple to be self catered. We had all our breakfasts and lunches this manner – utilizing the nice stuff from the on web site store. The store is stocked with yummy regionally produced delicacies, from jams, to fruits to meats. You gained’t go hungry!
No complaints there.
I do, nevertheless, have complaints concerning the eating places at Sandy Balls.
There are two eating places at Sandy Balls, the Woodside Inn and Aubreys. I booked Aubreys for the primary night time, from house. I’d already been warned by mates that the eating places get actually busy and laborious to e book so I wished our spot secured.
We turned up and just a few tables have been occupied, though it was for a 5pm reserving. Toddlers hey?
In brief, the service was sluggish and the ready workers appeared harassed, although it wasn’t busy. The meals was overpriced, for what it was. And the entire place was so scorching.
It wasn’t the eating expertise I wished for £20 a meal. Or that I anticipated from a spot like Sandy Balls.
The following night time we met mates and went to the native pub xxxx.
After which, it was again at Aubreys for the ultimate night time. We didn’t significantly need to, however after wanting on the Uber Eats selections, and weighing up being late for Reggie’s mattress time, we determined to present it one other go. The Woodside Inn was apparently booked up, though didn’t appear it once we wandered previous.
Issues to do at Sandy Balls
I assumed it was going to be Centre Parcs vibes. I imagined a timetable of issues to go to, and an epic swimming pool for my cash. Sadly not. This, was the ‘toddler playground’.
I used to be additionally stunned at how primary the swimming pool was, particularly the altering rooms. As I say, I’d been at Butlin’s in Bognor the week earlier than, for the day, and the amenities there far outranked the pool at Sandy Balls.
I wasn’t anticipating the world, however a slide or two may’ve been good. Oh, and the water was actually chilly. So chilly, everybody within the pool (about 5 others) complained. There have been two smaller swimming pools on the high, and I imply small, like a paddling pool – and all the children stayed in there.
Not my Reggie although, he simply saved wanting to leap within the chilly pool so muggins right here to be there to catch him.
The mushy play was soiled. There was not less than half an inch of mud, together with discarded meals wrappers down the again of it. A few of it was held collectively and patched up with duct tape.
There was an arcade, the place Reggie discovered this practice at £2 a time. He completely liked it. On the Sunday night time Ben met Little Alex Horn off Taskmaster in right here, received a photograph and all the pieces.
There have been actions, however all of them price and have been a little bit superior for Reggie. Suppose, a slime workshop for £12, or strolling an alpaca for £25.
We did really need to hire bikes someday however it was beginning to rain and Reggie was NOT pleased once we trialled the bike, so we quickly ditched that concept.
Issues to do 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 day trip at Butlin’s the week earlier than, and staying at a Parkdean resort on the Isle of Wight every week or two after. The comparisons have been inevitable. I’ll write about these experiences quickly to match.
You’ve received all of the delights of the New Forest in your doorstep at Sandy Balls, and it’s near Dorset too. The right location.
Peppa Pig World isn’t far in any respect from Sandy Balls, about 25 minutes within the automobile.
Longdown Exercise Farm is a superb cease close by for those who’re coming from the east. It’s excellent for little ones. We’ve been a number of instances – Reggie loves a go on the diggers and tractors there, in addition to a fast go to to the animals.
Sandy Balls Overview
So, what’s my Sandy Balls assessment in any case this chat for 1500 phrases?
Negatives Sandy Balls
I assumed the shared areas have been run down, as in, the swimming pool, the mushy play and the eating places. The altering rooms for the swimming pool have been worse than my native leisure centre ones within the 90s (good outdated Burton Meadowside). While you’re paying greater than the same old for a lodge or campsite, you anticipate higher than the same old amenities. I used to be actually dissatisfied by this, particularly as we would have liked it because of our wet Could weekend.
They really want to spend money on new mushy play tools (not less than even, give it a clear and patch up the duct tape), and spend fairly a bit on that swimming pool.
I’ve stated all I have to on the eating places, however they might undoubtedly be improved.
Oh, simply remembered – the place was my lodge entrance furnishings? I might’ve liked to sit down out listening to the rain among the many bushes. As an alternative, I needed to sit on the ground.
Positives Sandy Balls
The lodge was a lot better than I assumed it was going to be, particularly as we’d booked the most affordable out there. Loads of house for us three and two bogs is all the time appreciated.
The verify in was welcoming – although I’d confused issues by reserving it beneath Vicky FlipFlop which *SHOCK* isn’t really my surname.
I’d like to say the kindness of the bike store man, who understood when my son had a meltdown and apparently didn’t need to go on the bike that he’d been so enthusiastic about two minutes earlier than.
Sandy Balls is in an ideal location, which is its predominant promoting level.
I might undoubtedly return to Sandy Balls, however perhaps in a 12 months or two, when Reggie can experience a motorbike and we will discover the native space extra, with out being tied to his nap.
I hope they’ll have up to date these shared areas by then too!
- When? Could 2024
- How lengthy? 3 nights
- Paid? £412 (on Agoda)
- Who? Me, boyfriend and toddler
- In brief? Nice location, liked the pure surroundings among the many amenities. Would swimsuit a barely older little one higher, who’s pleased to stroll and cycle. Would return, once we can do extra collectively.
