Watercress Lodges Campsite
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- Family-run site by the Watercress Line: see the trains from your pitch
- A minute's walk from steam engine events of Ropley station
- Spotless amenities and friendly vibe 20 minutes from Winchester
Site type
30
2
6
Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.- Reception is unmanned after 6 p.m.. Please inform the site while on your way there should you expect to arrive after this time, so that the team can provide information about your unit/pitch.
- At least one of the party members must be aged 18 or over.
Languages spoken
English
Pitch types & availability
9.3/10
Reviews
97% would recommend this site to a friend
96% would stay here again
What customers say
Great facilities, spotless site, and close to the Watercress Line steam railway – a hit with families! Peaceful vibes and neat pitches noted. Shower temps and on-site shop were minor quibbles. Many keen to come back.
Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews
Was a great stay!
Non-electric grass tent pitch
Liked The facilities available and the quiet camp was great for us away from the families as we did not have children with us.
Disliked Would be good to be able to pick this option when booking
Recommend to friends Visit again
Wonderful stay, will definitely visit again!
Bell tent
Liked The bell tent was a great size, we comfortably stayed as 2 adults with 4 children and there was still plenty of room.
The sink and freezer block also had mains electricity plugs and the lights were on a sensor so you had no issues even if you visited in the dark.
The proximity to Ropley station meant you were able to watch trains come and go frequently. Also, a great little park for kids.
The peacefulness of the location (with the exception of the station!); lots of lovely countryside surrounding the campsite.
The option to have open flames as bricks were provided all over the site for fires or bbqs.
The toilet and shower facilities were large and very clean (even saw the cleaners twice during a 24 hour stay) with plenty of loo rolls provided.
Disliked Although very little through traffic as the road was only for access to the lodges, we did have to be mindful of passing cars with children as the pitch area for the bell and personal tents isn't massive.
Recommend to friends Visit again
Good thanks. Nice next to steam…
Non-electric grass tent pitch
Liked Good thanks. Nice next to steam railway.
Recommend to friends Visit again
We would definitely return but not when Boom Town is on
Non-electric grass tent pitch
Liked I liked that we were free to choose where we pitch and that there were no vehicles on the camping fields. It was nice to be right next to Ropley station and the watercress line with its heritage steam and diesel locomotives and rolling stock. The site itself is nicely kept and we found both the wash up, the wc’s and showers to be perfectly adequate. There are plenty of water standpipes as well as bins for recycling and waste. There are also some brick built barbecue’s but we didn’t try these as we had our own off the ground BBQ.
Disliked The nearby BoomTown Festival was on the weekend we visited and we were kept awake by rave music till about 4 am on the Friday night, we didn’t hear it on the Saturday night but that may be due to the copious amount of snore juice consumed in an attempt to force some sleep 💤
Recommend to friends Visit again
We'd definitely book again
Non-electric grass tent pitch
Liked Everything! Lovely flat pitches, great shower & loo block, the freezer and barbeques are a lovely bonus. Good value for what's provided. Quiet at night, great communication from the owner.
We were there when the Watercress line was open so we used the cafes/ice cream van at the railway station
Disliked Not a problem for us, but be aware that you need to move your equipment up steps/a slope when you set up/take down
Recommend to friends Visit again
Nice sits, ruined by guests and not dealt with.
Bell tent
Liked Clean and fairly small site.
Next to train station where they had a day out with Thomas.
Decent toilet facilities.
Disliked Showers were freezing on our first day, although addressed after raising awareness.
I complained about awful noise from campers next to us, swearing, drinking and playing music until early hours of the morning. Unfortunately, nothing was done until the following day when we left anyway. Completely ruined our final night and went home with very tired and grumpy children, who’d heard all manner of expletives throughout the night.
Recommend to friends Visit again
Great family friendly place
Non-electric grass tent pitch
Liked Lovely flat pitches with very clean facilities. Perfect place to take the children as they can watch the trains go by.
Disliked N/A
Recommend to friends Visit again
Great little site. Hot showers , great…
Bell tent
Liked Great little site.
Hot showers , great facilities.
They have a shared freezer which i thought was excellent.
10 minute walk to the bus stop which is great.
We had a bell tent which was perfect, tonnes of space for 2 adults and 2 kids.
Would definitely come back.
Recommend to friends Visit again
Great facilities for young children with…
Non-electric grass tent pitch
Liked Great facilities for young children with the play park and attractions at the watercressline
Disliked The trains still running into the night
Recommend to friends Visit again
We loved the quiet campsite, the…
Non-electric grass tent pitch
Liked We loved the quiet campsite, the proximity of the steam railway and the number of showers- hot water was great and no waiting.
Disliked Nothing- loved our stay!
Recommend to friends Visit again
Features
No dogs allowed
Campfires allowed
Leisure on site
Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Games room Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Play area TV room Take away Tennis WatersportsAmenities on site
Bath available Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Launderette Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area WifiGroups welcome
D. of E. welcome Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Rallies welcome Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcomeRules
Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed No dogs allowed No pets allowedThemes
Budget/backpacker Peaceful Spectacular sceneryUtilities
Charging facilities Chemical disposal Communal freezer Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energyNearby amenities
Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Nearby farmers' market Public transport nearbyType
Medium (26-50 pitches)Nearby leisure
Fishing nearby Golf nearby Indoor pool nearby Leisure/theme park nearby Restaurant nearbyLocation
Watercress Lodges Campsite
Dean Farm
Bighton Hill
Ropley
Alresford
Hampshire
England
SO24 9SQ
Directions Timezone
Europe/London +0100 (GMT+01:00)
GPS
51.08875°N
1.10031°W
Route directions
Nearest transport
Coach
Rail
Ferry
AirportPlease note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.
Local attractions
Water quality at nearby bathing waters
| Name | Distance | Type | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillhead | 31.8 km | Sea | N/A | Good | Good | Good |
| Lee-On-Solent | 32.8 km | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Eastney | 34 km | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Southsea East | 34.5 km | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Calshot | 34.6 km | Sea | N/A | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Data source: European Environment Agency
Must see
Mid-Hants Railway 'Watercress Line' 4.3 km
Jane Austen's House 9.2 km
INTECH Science Centre & Planetarium 11.9 km
Winchester Cathedral 15.2 km
Birdworld 20.9 km
National Trust
Hinton Ampner 6.2 km
Winchester City Mill 14.8 km
Uppark House and Garden 21 km
The Vyne 24 km
Hindhead Commons and The Devil's Punch Bowl Caf� 25.8 km
Cycle routes
Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.
Other
OLD ALRESFORD HOUSE 4.1 km
Battle of Cheriton, 1644 4.6 km
BRAMDEAN HOUSE 4.8 km
Abbotstone Down - Abbotstone - Old Alresford - Abbotstone Down 5.8 km
Cheriton and the Civil War Battlefields 6.7 km
Local events
- Farnborough International Airshow (Monday, 20 July 2026 – Monday, 20 July 2026)
Farnborough, England 30.9 km
- Arundel Festival (Saturday, 16 August 2025 – Saturday, 16 August 2025)
Arundel, England 46.2 km
Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.
Want to know more about camping in Hampshire?
Frequently asked questions
- Does Watercress Lodges Campsite have a swimming pool? No View all features
- Is Watercress Lodges Campsite dog friendly? No View all features
- What attractions are near Watercress Lodges Campsite? Puff along on the Watercress Line or walk along the River Itchen to sightsee at Georgian New Alresford, or go in the other direction along the 10-mile route to its other terminus … Read more
- When can I check in and check out of Watercress Lodges Campsite?
Read moreCamping and touring Arrive: noon – 6 p.m. Depart by: noon On-site accommodation Arrive: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Depart by: 10 a.m. - How much does it cost to stay at Watercress Lodges Campsite? From R615,94 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.