New Forest Centenary Site.

Arriving mid afternoon on a March Monday, there’s a nip in the air but the sun is out – just.

Ironically the sign leading into the entrance of the Centenary Site was being changed to reflect their new Caravan and Motorhome Club logo and signage (pictured pre-change).

The driveway to reception skirts a path to the road and the smaller of two dog walks, which as we arrive has a couple of dogs sniffing around as their owners chat. Reception is typical Caravan and Motorhome Club from the outside, this one however is in full bloom as well planted pots overflow with flowers. With an extremely well stocked shop of various food stuffs and caravan bits and pieces. The site has 275 pitches, a mix of hard standing, grass and service pitches. All pitches are good sizes and level.

On entry we are pleasantly surprised to see that we are expected.

We are met by the lovely assistant wardens who happily chat and talk us through the necessities. We must add at this point we had the pleasure of meeting these lovely people last season at their previous site. After a bit of a catch up, barrier lifted, time to find a pitch.

The site, at this point has only been open for 3 days and is relatively quiet with a sprinkling of caravans and Motorhomes dotted around.

The site occupies a section of a Second World War (Holmsley South) airfield that was operational from 1942 until closure in 1946, although there are a number of stories of pilots landing during the 1950s and then asking locals for directions to the nearby RAF Hurn (now Bournemouth Airport). The runways have been gone since the 60s but you will see in the pictures that the entrance roadway to the caravan site follows the line of one of the original runways. In keeping with the airfield theme the site is split into 5 sections, Mustang, Liberator, Spitfire, Mosquito and Typhoon.

Picture taken from http://www.hampshireairfields.co.uk and credited to (MoD)

We choose Typhoon near one of two toilet blocks. The toilet blocks are heated and extremely clean, minus  the music that Brighton play throughout their facilities. I quite liked that about Brighton. Takes away the clinical silence as you go about your business. Something to sing to whilst in the shower or washing up. 

With a large enclosed dog walking area and play area with playing field for the younger generation of caravanners. There is also a wildlife sanctuary, a sizeable piece of land left for nature to enjoy with benches carefully placed for us to enjoy the peace, quiet and birdsong. They have Club wifi which was a blessing as data and phone signal were very poor.

The site is also home to the beautiful, well tendered Centenary Gardens. Complete with benches, a perfect place to sit for a quiet moment or sit and chat with other caravanners.

Beaches are just a short drive away. Cycle routes and dog walks are plentiful direct from the site, a wealth of wildlife and eateries, we recommend The Station House, Holmsley only 3 miles up the A35, plenty of peace and quiet, rest and encouraged relaxation. The closest village is Bransgore, just less than three miles away complete with three pubs, The Three Tuns, The Crown and The Carpenters, rated by us in that order, but all well worth a visit for food and drink. All welcoming muddy boots and dirty paws. Bransgore has a small but well stocked Co-op, chippy, chemist, butchers, newsagents and bakers. With a vets and a doctors if the need arises.

Would we come again? Definitely.