I visited Matley Wood in the summer of 2006. Subsequently I've been to three other Forest Holiday sites in the local area (which in itself shows how much I liked this first experience).

Matley Wood is the quietest and smallest of the four Forest Holidays New Forest sites I've experienced. It is densely wooded, with unmarked grass pitches, with the ambiance of a deeply peaceful 'back to nature' style of camping that you seldom attain these days.

There are no facilities to speak of - beyond water and bins. There isn't even a warden on site (they are based at Denny Wood, just up the road). When we went (June weekend, but not school holidays) there were few other units there, and it was wonderfully peaceful.

Wandering away from the site, one can find both deep, ancient woodland and open purple heath. For kids, this is a chance to build a camp from logs, bracken and rocks. To get close to ponies and cattle. To examine an extensive badger set. To roam. All rather Enid Blyton, but precious nonetheless. The local cycle paths do require a small trip up the main road to Denny Wood - but are still easily accessible and worth the effort.

One could easily visit a wide range of local attractions - the coast, the motor museum, the pubs. But I'd wager you'll find that you spend more time than you though possible just sitting in a chair, listening to the creaks, scratches and rustles of living woodland, and staring into space, whilst your kids adjust to life without artificial stimulation. Or maybe that's just me...