Hi All,
Just wondering if anyone has some suggestions for camping locations around The Woods "Rat Run" route that are more along the 'field next to/attached to a pub' end of things rather than just sleeping in a ditch. Or regular campsites with some facilities are fine too, as long they're near a suitably good pub!
There are just the three of us, in two small tents but we're preferring to pack light and eat at cafes/pubs so would prefer somewhere close-ish to civilisation and looking to split the route into 3 fairly even days from a Lyndhurst start (not too worried about moving the stops a few miles one way or another though if it means a nice stopover).
We're loosely thinking somewhere near Corfe Castle/Wareham on the first night and between Blandford Forum and Salisbury (maybe Berwick St John area?) on the second night. Also open to some quiet non-campsite options if we can stop somewhere en route for a nice dinner and then make our way there!
Cheers,
James
Can't really help with pukka campsites along the way as we wild camped when we (me + adult son and daughter) did it last year. We did however stay in this Forestry England campsite at Ashurst the night before we started.
It was great, ponies wandering over the pitches, good showers etc. close to a couple of pubs and a short ride to the start at Woods Cyclery in Lyndhurst.
Added bonus, we parked our cars in the nearby train station car park for the duration of the trip for free. Not the overflow car park, which was expensive from memory, but the one behind the pub.
It's a great route, we had a ball.
Did it at the start of June last year so here just to say, it's a great route...even nettle alley wasn't as bad as i was expecting and rode through it.
Fwiw, did it over 2 days starting in Salisbury which landed me nicely in Bournemouth at end of day 1 for cheap premier inn accommodation
Can't really help with pukka campsites along the way as we wild camped when we (me + adult son and daughter) did it last year. We did however stay in this Forestry England campsite at Ashurst the night before we started.
It was great, ponies wandering over the pitches, good showers etc. close to a couple of pubs and a short ride to the start at Woods Cyclery in Lyndhurst.
Added bonus, we parked our cars in the nearby train station car park for the duration of the trip for free. Not the overflow car park, which was expensive from memory, but the one behind the pub.
It's a great route, we had a ball.
That's good to hear, we normally stay at Hollands Wood if we're just riding a single day loop and this sounds similar so might give it a try!
Did you find it easy enough to find camp spots out of the way? We've picked a Bank Holiday weekend inadvertently but I assume there are some fairly secluded spots on the route. I've only really ridden within the ~10-20 mile radius of Lyndhurst previously so not been out to the less busy areas.
Did it at the start of June last year so here just to say, it's a great route...even nettle alley wasn't as bad as i was expecting and rode through it.
Fwiw, did it over 2 days starting in Salisbury which landed me nicely in Bournemouth at end of day 1 for cheap premier inn accommodation
That's good to hear! I'm not sure we've got the legs for doing it in 2 days (and have time to burn anyway so planning to indulge in some faffing eating along the way!)
Did you find it easy enough to find camp spots out of the way? We've picked a Bank Holiday weekend inadvertently but I assume there are some fairly secluded spots on the route.
We did it over a leisurely 4 days. We had no problems at all finding secluded camping spots. We were obviously discreet, setting up late and leaving early but it was fine. Mostly woodland but we did camp in a field margin one night.
Have a look on cycle.travel, and click the "Near route" button, uncheck the hotel and chain boxes. There's a few campsites around Wareham
I did the route a couple of years ago, it's good. I started and finished in Lyndhurst as it's the closest point to where I live. I stayed on the Isle of Purbeck and then right at the top of the loop, bivvied out both nights.
The route passes Steeple Leaze campsite (I think that's the name) on the Isle of Purbeck. I used the tap to fill my water bottles there and it looked open then but was very quiet. Mind you I did it at the end of March. Would be a good spot for the first night. There are a few public campsites between Blandford Forum and Salisbury but they're all a little detour off the route. Although there's a caravan park en route you could ask about staying in? Coombe Caravan Park. Another place I used to fill my water bottles
Thanks both! We've found a small campsite just off route near Wareham which does £10/night for hikers & bikers which I think is worth it for a toilet and shower on one night. We might Bivvy the second night as depending on energy etc. we might press on and do a big day to leave us nearer the end for a short Day 3 - Will see how we get on!
