A staycation now in the UK is the safest and most fun and exciting way to explore our beautiful country. We have it all, well almost, weather permitting.

When I was offered the wonderful opportunity to check out the Away Resorts Sandy Balls Park in the New Forest, it could not have come at a more opportune time. I was exhausted; I’m an athlete and train in the gym and on a tennis court six days out of seven. So I invited a good friend to join me, who was also in need of a break.

The New Forest is an escape destination, full of wonder, whether you need to just chill out or fancy getting that adrenaline pumping—it’s all there.

Arriving at Sandy Balls Holiday Village

As we approached the holiday village, we could already feel our shoulders easing, surrounded by ancient woodlands with glorious views. We checked in to our Zen Cabin, which included our own private jacuzzi. A jacuzzi! Perfect for my aching muscles and, believe me, we used it every day—what a treat!

The Zen Cabin is top-of-the-range accommodation in the park, but there are plenty of choices to fit all budgets, and we could see why families return time and again.

The cabin was huge, well appointed and designed with comfort in mind. With Scandi-style furniture throughout, two bedrooms, an en-suite and, most importantly, that jacuzzi.

Zen Cabin Features

• Hot tub options available
• King-size bed with posh Fogarty duvets & bounce-back pillows
• His-and-hers basins and a double shower
• Welcome pack with drinks & goodies
• Park information pack
• 55″ TV with Freeview & DVD player
• Sound bar with Bluetooth
• Decking or patio & outdoor furniture
• TVs in all bedrooms
• Complimentary toiletries & towels included
• Guaranteed allocated parking
• Heated and double glazing

Included as standard:

• Crockery, cutlery, glasses & utensils
• Microwave, kettle & toaster
• Oven & hob
• Fridge with freezer compartment
• Pillows & linen included
• Beds made on arrival
• Bathroom & en-suite

It really is a cliché, but it’s a home away from home—every conceivable comfort is included. It’s a stylish and comfortable cabin.

Facilities and Activities

The holiday park includes a state-of-the-art gym and spa, an indoor and outdoor pool, soft play areas, several great restaurants, a well-stocked village store, a cycle centre, private dining pods for that romantic experience and an arcade for fun and games.

The park also offers a variety of other activities such as pottery painting, making your own tie-dye T-shirt, resident alpacas, a bushcraft school and forest laser tag. If you feel the need to just relax, that’s not a problem, but when you’re fully rested and done enjoying the scenery, there is plenty to choose from.

Dining Experiences

Dining is great in the park; there are several eateries, ranging from casual dining to the real deal. We enjoyed a delicious meal in the gastro-style, dog-friendly Woodside Inn; we both chose a classic burger and a beer—superb, delicious, hot and served with fab service. Since we were only visiting for a short but really super three-night stay, we decided to treat ourselves to breakfast every morning. Aubrey’s Forest Kitchen served a stunning and hearty full English breakfast, which set us both up for the activities of the day ahead.

We did a lot of walking, eating and chilling, but we also used the gym and pool. We took some bikes out to explore a little further and found some great local pubs for lunch. The bikes were great quality and well looked after.

Exploring the New Forest Area

There is so much to do in the local area, from Peppa Pig World for the little ones and Adventure Wonderland to Hurst Castle, Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary, New Forest Water Park, Ringwood Brewery and Go Ape, to mention just a few. There are beautiful gardens and castles to visit, zoos and even an oceanarium. You could stay for a month and not see all that this stunning part of the country has to offer—no wonder guests return again and again.

Final Thoughts

We also will be back; the cabin was perfect, as were the restaurants. The little store was also handy, the grounds stunning and maintenance spot-on. Next time we come back, I will make sure we stay a little longer and try a Segway tour—we simply ran out of time. We both left the park feeling totally revived and refreshed.

Away Resorts have numerous locations in Lincolnshire, Essex, the New Forest, Hayling Island, Cornwall and North Wales. The parks all vary but offer all of the fantastic facilities we experienced at Sandy Balls, ensuring every member of the family enjoys the most exciting and exhilarating break.

W: Away Resorts
E: Enquiries
T: 0330 053 7000

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Facebook: @AwayResortsHolidays | @SandyBallsAwayResorts
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Twitter: @AwayResortsUK

Written by Joshua Aaron for Luxuria Lifestyle London and International