Sandy Balls Holiday Village

Sandy Balls Holiday Village is a large, facility-packed holiday park set in the New Forest near Fordingbridge in Hampshire, and it is a genuinely dog-friendly choice for an active family holiday where the dog comes along too. With woodland on the doorstep and plenty to keep everyone busy, it suits people who want a lively, all-in-one base rather than a quiet retreat.

Dogs are made welcome in designated pet-friendly lodges, and guests travelling with pets appreciate the little touches, such as a doggy welcome bag on arrival, along with lodges positioned to suit a more nervous or reactive dog. The New Forest setting is the real draw for pet owners: forest walks start more or less at the door, with wildlife and open heath close by, while the resort itself has pools, bars, a shop and activities that make it easy to fill a family week.

There are two things worth planning around. The first is the pet policy, which is more involved than at most places: dogs must be requested and approved in advance, there is a fee of 45 pounds per dog for stays up to six nights (60 pounds for longer stays), a maximum of two dogs, and only certain lodges accept pets. A couple of guests were caught out by the fee not being obvious when they booked, so factor it in. The second is that lodge quality varies noticeably - some are modern and lovely, but others have been described as tired, and a few pet-lodge guests found their accommodation less clean than hoped, with a lingering doggy or damp smell. Booking a higher-grade pet-friendly lodge and checking recent feedback on that specific type is well worth the effort.

Sandy Balls is best suited to active families with a dog who want a big New Forest holiday village with lots to do and superb forest walks, and who are happy to pay a pet fee and choose their lodge carefully.