Here is our review of Shamba Holiday Park and as with all our reviews here at Travel with Rich, we only review the campsites we have stayed at, so you know you are getting an honest opinion from honest campers.
This is a review based on our experiences, totally independent and not sponsored or influenced by the campsite in any way.
Address
Shamba Holidays
East Moors Lane
St Leonards
Ringwood
Hampshire
BH24 2SB
Open Dates & Costs
Open All Year
£23 p/night in Jan / Low Season
£39 p/night in Aug / High Season
(Based on a Touring / Camping Pitch)
Plus Extra for Awning / Pets etc
Highlights
150 Pitches
Pool – Indoor / Outdoor
(Retractable Roof)
Kids Playground
Bar / Restaurant
Small Village Shop
Video of Shamba Holiday Park
Snapshot of Shamba Holiday Park
Although small, with not a great deal to do, we would recommend this site to campers. They are quite strict with the parking, ensuring the opening of your Camper is facing a certain way. This may be because they are a Camping & Caravan ‘Listed’ site. You are led to your pitch by a member of staff and who ensures you abide by this rule. This could be a pain if you were Campervaning with others, and wanted your openings to face each other to be social.
Location – 8 / 10
Customer Service – 9 / 10
Showers / Toilets – 6 / 10
Cleanliness – 8 / 10
Facilities – 7 / 10
Location of Shamba Holiday Park
Shamba Holidays is located just outside of the New Forest National Park, near Ringwood in the Southern part of the UK.
About 30 minutes away from the popular seaside town of Bournemouth, and a short drive to the New Forest National Park it is a good base for both a seaside and forest stay.
The New Forest is one of the most beautiful areas in the UK. With abundant wildlife, majestic views, and a plethora of things to do. The Beaulieu Motor Museum, Beaches within 30 minutes, Ringwood Brewery and Moors Valley Country Park are all within easy access.
There are plenty of free things to do nearby as well, with walks, small quaint villages and great cycle routes if you happen to bring your bikes
Location 8 / 10.
Customer Service and Staff
No real complaints here. The staff were pleasant enough on arrival, and checked us in efficiently. As mentioned we were led to our pitch and parked up with no problem.
Bar staff were friendly enough, and when Max was desperate for ice cream, and the bar/restaurant didn’t have any, they went to the closed shop next door to get in a little tub.
Score – 8 / 10
Showers and Toilets
Our review of Shamba Holiday Park and their showers and toilets is a tough one, as the showers were having maintenance done during our visit.
That meant that the ladies showers were not working, so the Gents became Unisex. The showers were the Push button type, which I am beginning to dislike.
You get 20 seconds of water, then you have to fumble around for the button. Showers with proper turn off and turn on taps are always going to get more of a thumbs up from us.
Having said that, we do understand the reasoning behind the push button ones, in that they can’t be left on (by accident or intentionally) and wastewater or flood the place.
I would imagine the push button ones use less water too. But still, we don’t have to like it….do we?
Score 8 / 10
Facilities
Our review of Shamba Holiday Park continues with another important part. The Facilities. It had a bar, albeit serving a limited menu while we were there.
The pool was decent enough, and in the summer months, I can imagine it being a very pleasant place to be, with the sliding roof open, the sun baking the pool and the nearby terrace.
A small room just off the bar area was made up as a games room. Pool table, Air Hockey and a few video games would give the kids an outlet on a rainy day.
The kiddies play park was decent enough. It felt a little dated, but hard to explain why. Perhaps because the weather was grey and gloomy when we were there, that feeling spread to the play park itself.
Max enjoyed himself, so I guess that is what is important.
While not vast, and sprawling like Sandy Balls or Sandford Holiday Park it was perfect if you want a quieter park, still with things to do.
Conclusion
So, after our review of Shamba Holiday Park, would we recommend this site to others?
I think we would go back if we wanted a one or two-night break, and I think we would probably stay longer if we didn’t live just down the road. If you are visiting from afar, it is a great base to see the New Forest, and not too far from the coast.
Shamba Holiday Park itself is perfect if you want things to do, but don’t like the full-on holiday park that has evening entertainment, arcades, and lots of hustle and bustle.
You can head for a swim, enjoy your favourite tipple in the bar and head back to your campervan without too much effort. Of course, it will be totally different during the peak months of July and August, but still nice enough I would imagine.
In any case, I hope reading about our experience here has helped a little bit.
Check out all our vlog, and scroll down to see some more photographs of the Park.
Happy Campervanning!!
