Sandy Balls Holiday Village

Liked The pool was warm.
The staff were friendly. The staff seamed to be a bit leaderless but coped very well given their relatively young age.

When was tried to go swimming we were told that we could not use the outside pool as the life guard ‘may’ only turn up, but not likely on time if at all. The staff seemed accustomed to having to make decisions on the fly. The site was clean and well maintained.

Disliked The pool was very sandy and the jacuzzi was broken.
The restaurant menu referenced a discounted children’s’ that stated a main, drink and dessert for £7.45. When our order was taken the computer did not recognise this as a meal deal and we were charged the full rate. When this was brought the attention of the staff they adjust the bill but stated this happens all the time but the management would not print out new menus. Had we selected a starter then the discount would have been applied. The cost was corrected, although we were never offered a starter. The food took an hour and the pizza was burnt.

We were camping in a field that we expected to be near the main site not 600 yards away down a muddy forest path. The distance was so great we could not allow the children to make this journey unescorted so they had little chance to explore the main site. This distance was not stated when booking.

The field is equipped with a good toilet block with warm water. Next to the block is the pot washing sinks that only had cold water. Not ideal for pots and pans. Providing hot water would be an easy fix rather than having to use a pan to fill the washing up bowl from the toilet sink.

The booking app said no BBQs. When we arrived we were told BBQs we permitted and welcomed. Unfortunately we had heeded the instructions on the booking app and left ours at home.

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Liked Relaxing and chilled family time. Campsite clean and friendly.

Disliked Mainly booked because of the pools onsite - outdoor is a splash pool not a swimming pool. Indoor is nice but on a first come first served not always guaranteed to get in. We were told not allowed to mix between the pools but we saw plenty did and nothing being said.
Outside pool closed for a day after half hour of being open the chemicals weren’t right. Is this not checked before opening to the public?

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Liked It was amazing. The staff was very friendly.

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Liked Pools were nice. Activities available were good. Food was nice in the pub.
Friendly staff. The main square was always quite busy with a big screen and other entertainment.

Disliked Terrible WiFi, not available very often. The Away Resorts App was awful, especially when trying to book food. It said things weren't available/couldn't be selected but they could be ordered when ordering from the bar.
The campsite is miles away from the main resort and is very basic and was really noisy until late. There is no lighting at all from the resort to the campsite. No WiFi available at the campsite.

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Liked Great pitches
Helpful staff
Good atmosphere
Good restaurants
Nice pool

Disliked Toilet facilities for camping could be cleaned more regularly or have more. Only 3 toilets and showers (per sex) for all them pitches meant they were often occupied or dirty.

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Liked The staff were so friendly and the site is well-manned. The facilities are regularly cleaned.

Disliked Washing up taps temperature was dodgy and mostly cold. The camp is very close the to the road and the signage to walk to the Away Resort was not great.

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Liked The site is clean and well managed. Short walk to the main site (maybe 8 mins or so). Personally quite liked the separation. Lots of activities. 15 min walk to be in heart of the New Forest itself.

Disliked Only observation is that the facilities at Sandy Balls seem to have been somewhat swamped by the expansion of the site itself. So it can be difficult to get into swimming, restaurants, clubhouse etc due to numbers.

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Liked Great site. Not too big , really good size pitches, clean shower & toilet block that are regularly cleaned. Friendly staff. We used the pool & shop at the other site which was helpful to have access to.

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Liked We recently stayed at Sandy Balls for a family camping trip with our two small children and had a fantastic time. The site is very family-friendly, with great facilities and a welcoming atmosphere. One of the highlights was when my 4-year-old daughter helped me with the washing up – she stood on a bench from our picnic table to reach the sink, and a lovely member of staff came over to compliment her effort and even gave her a little bag of chocolate as a reward. It was such a kind and thoughtful gesture that made her day (and mine!). We’ll definitely be coming back.

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Liked We loved the campsite, ease of access the the facilities a short walk away. We made use of the I door and outdoor pool and the arcades.
We ate at one food place on site, was as expected nothing fancy but was reasonably priced.
The fighting cocks a half a mile walk which served amazing food and you sit and see the horses and donkeys.
We ventured into Fordinbridge by car and had a lovely paddle in the river and walk around.
First night was lovely as not as many tents on site and pitches were a really good size.
Staff on site were very Friendly and made us feel welcome. Pitches were marked out well so you knew where you could put your tent and car.

Disliked Camping etiquette goes a long way, whilst quiet time not untill 2300, when a group are running around the camp screaming, swearing and running through people's pitches at 2230 it's a bit much. People had younger kids trying to sleep it was dark out and it was just rude and disrespectful to others. All, for having fun but there was no need for this.
The showers, only 3 and only 2 worked not great for first days open. Over all there was always toilet roll and they were clean enough, used worse.
Not everyone kept within there pitch and had guide ropes in walk ways/ driving areas or cars parked outside pitches again I the drive/wayways. Young staff on site who likely didn't want to ask people to move, this should be improved.

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Liked 10/10 - we absolutely loved our first time here and will be coming back again!

We made lots of lovely new friends, experienced most of what the site had to offer and the staff were so lovely and made everyone feel welcomed.

Highly recommend!

Disliked The swimming could implement a booking system at the start of each day but I appreciate this may have been the case and didn’t work well so they changed it to what it is now.

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