New Forest campsite and holiday centre, England
How New Forest campsite and holiday centre, England makes a difference
Environment
David Bellamy gold award
Sandy Balls is custodian to part of the New Forest National Park and it has invested £¼ million in conservation work. Environmental campaigner David Bellamy recently rewarded our efforts with a special presentation to mark a 15-year milestone in winning ‘gold’ in every one of those years for his Conservation Awards
We have worked with the Forestry Commission to implement a programme to remove pine trees which were killing the natural Sandy Balls wood and replace them through natural regeneration.
Water saving, recycling and anti-pollution lighting
In and around the Centre, water-saving devices have been introduced, recycling has risen to more than 80 per cent and special lighting has been installed to reduce light pollution in the environmentally sensitive New Forest.
Green Leaf
We were awarded the New Forest Tourism Association Green Leaf, the highest accolade for businesses playing their part in making the forest greener by encouraging car-free tourism, promoting local produce, supporting landscape conservation, encouraging good visitor stewardship, reducing waste and supporting local communities.
Local produce
We have initiated and host Famers’ Markets throughout the year for farmers and smallholders of the New Forest to sell the best of local produce to visitors.
Leave your car behind
We help promote the New Forest Tour visitors’ bus route and become a stop on its route to encourage holidaymakers to leave their car behind. An onsite Cycle Centre also offers bike hire and cycle routes to help minimise impact on the New Forest.
Community
We currently employ 200 local people. We are a sympathetic employer and embrace the need for flexible working patterns for our staff and provide on going training opportunities to ensure that they maximize their potential. Staff receive general and job specific training and additional opportunities for career progression if desired. They are engaged at all levels of our business to contribute to our collective future and departments are encouraged to create solutions and opportunities that will affect them. We undertake apprenticeships and also encourage day release study and will contribute to or cover training fees. We regularly provide long term university placement positions and work experience opportunities for pupils from local schools.
We have contributed £15,000 over five years to help establish Fordingbridge Museum and have contributed £1,000 to help establish Fordingbridge Community Tourism Group. We have contributed £1000 to Fordingbridge Jubilee monument and also donated a skateboard half-pipe to Fordingbridge town council to help with youth engagement problems in the town centre. We also give numerous small donations each year to local projects, schools and groups totalling circa £11,000. We also provide manual assistance and promotional support to Fordingbridge show and local Rotary Club Fireworks, are a leading contributor to Fordingbridge community action group and also provide many presentations to local schools and colleges to assist with tourism/leisure courses or career choices.
Landscape
The New Forest National Park is the home of Sandy Balls, set in 120 acres of natural glory, near Fordingbridge, bordered by the River Avon. This beautiful landscape evoking the idyllic image of New Forest ponies roaming over wild heathland and the shady glades of ancient woodland canopies is a truly integral part of the Sandy Balls ‘experience’.
We actively promote to our guests the wondrous walks, challenging hikes, relaxing family bike rides (you can hire everything you need from us!) or adrenaline-pumping mountain bike treks. When you explore the forest you will not only feel the benefits of the sheltered valley but a sense of calm and tranquility. The great outdoors is not only for fair weather visitors! Come rain or shine, the forest provides the perfect way to unwind, relax and de-stress.
Splash on the sun cream or enjoy the warmth of your cosy hat and scarf as you ramble through the fascinating terrain of this National Park, a true National Treasure, that all of us at Sandy Balls is proud to be part of Our Land!
New Forest campsite and holiday centre, England
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