Sandy Balls Holiday Village

Overall, we had a decent stay. The sofa was broken and the shower hose split, but both got sorted fast, which was good. We asked for an iron but didn’t receive it. The oven was tricky to use without instructions, which would’ve helped.

Really enjoyed our stay overall. The facilities were top-notch, though waiting until 4:30 for the room was a bit of a pain.

Overall, our stay had quite a few issues. The charging point was broken, so we had to find somewhere else to top up the car, which was a bit of a hassle. The shower kept switching between hot and cold, very frustrating! The hot tub was pretty disappointing - no bubbles and just felt like sitting in a bath. Food prices seemed high for what we got and my takeaway was cold and overcooked. Also, the waiter’s answer about chicken wings was way off - only three instead of five. Not the best experience.

We had such a great time at the lodge! It was bright, airy and spotless, which made us feel right at home from the moment we arrived. The layout was perfect for us - two bedrooms with en-suites meant no fighting over the bathroom, plus an extra bathroom for the kids, which was a real bonus. Inside, there was plenty of storage for all our stuff and the kitchen was well-equipped, including a dishwasher and washing machine, which made life so much easier. We loved stepping out onto the patio doors to the balcony - such a lovely spot to relax with a cuppa. Honestly, we wish we had booked a lodge with a hot tub because the family atmosphere was so lively and we could see and hear everyone enjoying theirs all day long. The site itself had loads to offer, especially for families. The kids had a blast in the soft play area and during the tiny tots swimming hour - perfect for little ones. We also tried our hand at archery, which was fun and went swimming and used the sauna - all great ways to unwind. Sadly, the jacuzzi was out of order, which was a bit disappointing, but it didn’t spoil our stay. We also explored the beautiful forest nearby and it was such a treat - we saw wild ponies and even spotted some deer from afar. The locals warned us not to feed or pet the ponies, but you could get close enough to touch if you wanted. On-site facilities were really handy - there’s a tiny supermarket that stocks everything from bread and milk to board games and cards, so we never needed to go far for essentials or a bit of entertainment. The little arcade kept the kids happy and there were some lovely restaurants if we didn’t feel like cooking. We returned home genuinely relaxed and feeling grounded - honestly, we loved our stay and almost wished we could live there! Definitely a place we’ll be visiting again soon.

The outdoor boules game was unusable because it was poorly maintained and the table tennis setup was in the same sorry state. Very disappointing.

Very comfy stay, would recommend definitely.

Really loved the free-standing bath

Really pleased with it! Kept us cosy during the cold months and my dog loved hanging out too.

Lovely holiday overall, but the bathroom leak was a bit of a pain to deal with.

Could be much cleaner

We loved the space here, it’s really comfortable with proper beds that made us feel at home. All the rooms had TVs, which was handy. When one broke, the reception sent a cheerful handyman quickly - he sorted it out while entertaining a curious six-year-old and a nosy Labrador. Top service!

We loved the lodge! It was super tidy and spacious and the beds were really comfy. We did spot a tiny thing that wasn’t cleaned, but the friendly staff sorted it out quickly. Overall, a great stay and we'll definitely return!

We really enjoyed our stay at Esme! The decor was lovely and the layout worked well for us. There were a few spots that could do with a proper clean - stains and mould on the curtains and some strong smells - but overall, it was great. Location was spot on too!

Honestly, this cooker just doesn't cut it for us. It’s too small and not powerful enough to cook for ten people, which is a real letdown. We think an electric one might be better. The shelves are a bit tricky too - they expand but don’t stay that way, so they collapse when we try to get food out. Very dangerous indeed!

We stayed at this lodge and honestly, it exceeded our expectations. The two ensuites plus a third bathroom were super handy. Everything from washing up liquid to dishwasher tablets was provided, so no fuss. We’d definitely come back!

Honestly, the sofa bed wouldn’t even pull out, so we ended up sleeping on a mattress on the floor. There was dog hair everywhere and a really strong dog smell. Not worth the price at all.

We had a decent stay overall. The place was clean, which was great, but it’s a bit rough around the edges. The main bedroom radiator had a loose metal part and the shower door was a bit wobbly and didn’t feel very secure. The double bed was okay, but the others weren’t very comfy. There’s also not much hanging space, especially for wet towels-no hooks in the bedrooms or bathrooms, which was a bit of a pain. The kitchen could do with some basics like oven gloves, a bigger toaster and some salt, pepper and oil. That said, when we needed a new corkscrew, it was sorted quickly. Overall, a good trip!

Honestly, we’re pretty disappointed with our recent purchase. The boiler kept shutting off with fault codes, so no hot water most of the time. The cooker didn’t recognise our saucepans, which was frustrating. Plus, the long curtain was hanging off the woodling crescent. Not what we expected at all.

Honestly, this stay was pretty disappointing. The furniture looked quite tired and worn out, not what we expected. The toilet kept breaking despite two repair attempts and it still wasn’t working when we left. The pub restaurant was closed and the only other place was pasta and pizza, which was fully booked the first night, so we had to drive elsewhere for food. Takeaways weren’t even delivered to the site either. Not great.

The twin room was way too tight for adults, honestly. The sofas looked quite dirty and there were weeds everywhere around the lodge. Parking was a nightmare with overgrown bushes blocking the space. Not what we expected.

Great family trip, we’re definitely coming back soon!

The place was fantastic overall-super clean, really comfortable and it felt quite luxurious too. Definitely worth it if you're a group filling the beds, otherwise it’s a bit pricey.

We had a wet July weekend, but surprisingly, no one grumbled about rain.

Great stay, would recommend it!

We thought it’d be a relaxing getaway, but dinner options were limited and the food was pretty plain. The restaurant lacked any real vibe, which was a bit of a letdown for the evenings. Still, nice break overall.

We had an awesome time here! The kids loved it, especially our 14-year-old who usually isn’t that easy to please but actually said he enjoyed it. The staff were super friendly and always cheerful, which made a big difference. The facilities were spotless, with handy antibacterial handwash stations everywhere. Only tiny gripe was a loose tap in the bathroom, but overall, a fantastic stay!

Really enjoyed our stay, can't wait to visit again soon!

We had a fantastic stay! The place was really roomy and had everything we could ask for. Still can't get over the fact there were three TVs - the lounge TV was huge! The dishwasher was a real bonus and the bath in the main bedroom was such a treat, especially with a glass of prosecco. Loved the little touches like tea, coffee, chocolates - perfect after a long journey!

Great restaurants, helpful for coeliacs

We had a lovely holiday at Sandy Balls. Our Superior Lodge was very clean, well-equipped and welcoming.

Checking-in dealt with very efficiently. A nice relaxing week

Excellent location in beautiful surroundings.

We got upgraded which was a very pleasant surprise and it was lovely and clean all in all very pleased but was very upset that the outdoor pool was closed when asked to open and it was warm outside they staff was very rude and unhappy to do so

We had a truly wonderful time at Sandy Balls and the New Forest. Our lodge was lovely and clean, beds comfortable and the doggy welcome pack was a lovely thought. Lovely site , deep in the woods, gave a relaxing start to every day. I would definitely go back there. Staff in the shop were lovely.

Perfect place for families

This was my second visit because I loved it so much the first time. Stayed in a cabin this time. Slightly disappointed that there was no WiFi, considering the price but otherwise lovely. The site, facilities and staff (apart from one who was very unpleasant) are all excellent. However, I have Coeliac disease and although there is an acceptable gluten free menu, there is a misconception (not just by yourselves) that gluten free = vegan or vegetarian. We are neither! We eat all meats,eggs, cheeses etc, it is just conventional grains mostly that we have a problem with, so don't need vile vegan cheese included in our options. Vegan and Vegetarian are a lifestyle choice. Coeliac disease is an illness that can cause bowel cancer or worse. so we would like the same choice as others. It really isn't that hard nowadays!

The campsite is great. The children loved the activities, they did Archery Laser air rifle and walking the Alpaca's. We swam everyday and the pool was great. It was a bit difficult booking the outdoor pool and it was fully booked by the time we worked it out! The lodge we stayed in was very comfortable. Although more than one baking tray would have been good and sharper kitchen knives. The staff were fantastic from the restaurant, welcome staff to the rangers they could not be more helpful, they made the experience.

We’ll be back soon ?