An open heathland in muted shades of green, yellow and brown, set against a pale blue sky, stretched out before us, as we approached Away Resorts Sandy Balls for a four night stay over the Easter holidays.
Along the way, we'd already spotted the New Forest's famous free-roaming ponies. 'There's one!' 'There's another!' my sons Odhran 10, and Reuben, 8, shouted from the back seat, pressing their faces against the windows for a closer look.
Arriving at reception, it was lovely to see the space decorated for Easter with pastel coloured streamers and bunting. A member of staff in an inflatable egg costume, stood waving and ready to greet young visitors. Our check in was at 2.30pm and we arrived an hour early. Our lodge wasn't ready. So, we headed to one of the site's playgrounds.
The equipment was wooden and in keeping with the surroundings. The boys loved scrambling through the net bridge, playing Floor is Lava on the balancing beams, and seeing who could go highest on the swings. After enough time had passed, we returned to reception, checked in and head to our lodge.
We stayed in the exclusive Heartwood lodge, which was located in the Bluebells area of the resort. On the site map, this looked to be right at the back of the holiday village and away from the main entertainment area. But in reality, Sandy Balls is quite a small resort, and our lodge was only about a 10 minute walk from the central hub.
Our area was a no car zone. You are allowed to pull up outside your lodge to unpack your car and pack up on leaving. But aside from that, you must park in your nearby allocated bay. This worked well with the exception of one night when we returned late and found someone parked in our space. Reception was closed, and although there is an out of hours number, it was late and we didn't want to be waiting around when the kids were ready for bed. So, we left a note politely asking the driver to abide by the allocated space rule. On another note, we don't drive an electric car but for those who do, there seemed to be plenty of charging spots.
Anyway, back to our first impressions of the lodge! We were delighted to see that it was large and had a stylish, modern exterior. Inside was a spacious living room and kitchen area, with a round four seater table. The kitchen came equipped with everything you might need - a large fridge freezer, gas oven and grill, microwave, dishwasher, and plenty of glasses, crockery and utensils. I had all the pots and pans I needed to cook an Easter Sunday roast dinner.
There was a little pack with a tea towel, cloth, sponge, and a small bottle of washing up liquid provided, alongside a few dishwasher tablets (though I could have done with bringing one or two more from home). I'd also recommend bringing another dishcloth and tea towel, as I brought these from home and ended up using alongside the ones provided. There wasn't a washing machine, but there is a launderette on site, if needed.
The boys stayed in a room with bunk beds and a separated single bed. There was also a pull-out sofa in the living area. So, this lodge can sleep up to seven people. There was plenty of storage space (with wooden hangers) and a smart TV in every room, which you could connect to your home Netflix and Disney account. But the best feature was the king-sized master bedroom. I've stayed in a Eurocamp lodge where you can barely squeeze between the furniture and the bed, so having so much space felt luxurious, though I have to say the lodge didn't meet the same high-spec as our accommodation at Blenheim Palace Lodge Retreat.
There was a main bathroom in the lodge with a shower. But the master bedroom had its own en-suite toilet and sink, and there was a freestanding bath with a mirror TV. I found I had to boil a couple of kettles of water to get the bathwater to the right temperature. But once filled, Reuben was quick to hop in. During our stay, he enjoyed a couple of relaxing baths, chilling out in front of The Simpsons and the Easter appropriate movie Hop, while asking me to bring him a hot dog to snack on while he soaked. This was a definite highlight of the accommodation.
I also enjoyed having a dressing table to sit at and dry my hair. I brought a hair dryer not realising there was one provided. Towels were also provided, though I packed a couple extra for the swimming pool. Despite the blue sky on arrival, it was quite a chilly spring weekend, and it wasn't until a couple of days into our stay that I realised the boiler to turn up the heating in the lodge was located in the cupboard next to the front door of the lodge. If you're staying outside of summer, it's also worth checking the radiators are turned up to the appropriate setting.
When it came to WiFi, it was confusing as our phones brought up our site name - Bluebells - alongside our lodge number. But our information booklet informed us that there was no WiFi in the lodge and we hadn't been provided with a code. Anyway, we had good enough signal on our phones to get by without it.
If I was to grumble about anything it would be the untidiness of the decking area. There was lots of tree debris, which is to be expected giving the woodland location. But beyond a good sweep, the decking was in need of a power wash, and the cushions for the rattan furniture needed a good soaping down. They were too dirty to sit on, but this didn't really bother us during our spring stay, as it was a bit too chilly to sit outdoors anyway.
After relaxing in our comfortable lodge for a couple of hours, we headed out to wander around and explore the holiday park. The boys found another playground (for the rest of our stay they couldn't walk past this without them asking to pop in 'just for 10 minutes'). But they loved the zip line and playing chase around the wooden climbing structures. There was birdsong and squirrels climbing the surrounding trees.
We ventured down to the Woodside Suite for the Kids House Party but this was for younger kids and the boys didn't want to hang around. Outside in the courtyard, Reuben was delighted to find a group of kids playing football, who were happy for him to join in.
Later, we ordered a takeaway pizza from the little kiosk at the back of the site's Aubrey's Forest Kitchen. It was delicious and I'd highly recommend. But during our visit it closed around 8.30pm. There was seating outdoors, but it was too cold. We were allowed to take our pizza into the Woodside Suite, where we waited for the entertainment to begin.
We weren't sure what to expect from the Live & Wild Show but it turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip to Sandy Balls. Next day, Odhran said, 'These entertainers always say they're going to be funny and they never are, but this guy was actually hilarious.' We all agreed. While Reuben is the reptile lover, it was Odhran who was delighted to be pulled up on stage, after an adorably spirited little girl whose dance moves were almost as impressive as her dad's (who gamely climbed on stage). Odhran gave the entrance dance socks too, and bravely held a corn snake round his neck. But his poor dad, who'd left us earlier in the day to perform in the BFG at Chichester Festival Theatre, happened to return at the point when Odhran was on stage, and ended up being hauled up to shoulder a giant albino python. Odhran and Reuben thought it was hilarious and took great joy in heckling their dad. 'Put it on his face,' Reuben shouted.
After the Live & Wild Show, the boys had their first go at karaoke. Ever the showman, Odhran was first up, for a beautiful rendition of Journey's Don't Stop Believin' and later, one of our favourites, A Million Dreams from The Greatest Showman. Reuben, usually shy, also braved the mic to sing Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush. My husband, as payback for me recording him on stage, put my name in for karaoke and I ended up torturing the crowd with my version of Patsy Cline's Crazy.
After a fantastic night's entertainment, we indulged in a lie-in the following morning, before heading out for a walk. On an open field up on a hill, it was quite windy. I felt cold in my light jacket. Odhran was wearing his padded winter coat, but Reuben was best prepared for the unpredictable spring weather in his Polarn O. Pyret Stormy Shell Jacket, which shielded him from the wind. The following day, we got caught in a sudden shower and I watched the rain run off his jacket like water off a duck's back, while I got soaked through! Another great thing about this jacket is you can add a fleece layer underneath for extra warmth during colder months. Remember to pack well for the weather to make the most of the outdoors.
After returning from our walk in the local Godshill area, we joined a guide and another group of visitors for a pond dipping activity. Away Resorts Sandy Balls offers a number of activities that are available to pre-book through the resorts really handy app - walk the resident alpacas, drive a mini jeep, test your aim at archery or axe throwing, or get creative with some crafting activities. Pond dipping cost £7.50 per person. I didn't have to pay as I was just supervising the boys.
Our guide Steven brought along retractable fishing nets, sample jars, and a stereo to play music on the short walk through the woods to the pond and back. The boys absolutely loved pond dipping. Odhran was thrilled to be the first to catch a newt, though I think all the kids managed to find one by the end. At one point, a frog hopped out of one of the kids' nets but it was on the wooden platform for a minute before Reuben pointed it out and one of the mums managed to catch it and we placed it in each of the kids hands before popping it back in the water.
Steven had a laminated chart showing the kids many of the creatures they might come across while pond dipping, including creatures such as dragonfly larvae. Obviously, it's never possible to tell exactly what you will find while pond dipping. We might have been lucky or have been visiting at the right time of year, but our little adventure was extremely fruitful. It was a fun and wonderfully wholesome activity that was another highlight of our holiday.
After pond dipping, we headed back to the lodge for lunch before popping back out later for Gel Blasters. This cost £13.50 per person, and was a great alternative to paint balling, as it doesn't hurt so much when you're shot. After a safety briefing, we pulled on our protection masks and separated into two different teams. There were different games and challenges and it was great fun and more exercise than I'd bargained for. Afterwards, we stopped off at the on-site Carte D'Or ice-cream truck and sat at one of the picnic tables to enjoy our cones.
Then, it was a quick stop back at the lodge to grab our swimming gear. The pool at Away Resorts Sandy Balls didn't in any way compare to the Splash Waterpark at Butlin's Bognor Regis or the indoor pool at Haven Devon Cliffs, and lacked a slide, but it was still a fun way to break up the evening and the boys loved that they were able to use the jacuzzi (ages 8+). We just turned up and didn't have to pre-book a time slot.
We had just enough time to return to the lodge for dinner before heading to Round the Campfire, which took place outdoors. There was a stage set up and a lovely singer on acoustic guitar played pop favourites to keep the crowd entertained. One of the things I appreciated about Sandy Balls was that when it came to buying a pint of Madri and fresh popcorn at the bar in the Woodside Suite or marshmallows for the campfire, everything was reasonably priced. I've previously visited attractions at Halloween and Christmas and been charged £6 for a couple of marshmallows on the stick. So, I was pleasantly surprised to be able to purchase a bag of marshmallows for £2 to toast over the fire pit.
The atmosphere was lovely with festoon lights and blankets provided, but it got a little too chilly and the rest of the night's entertainment was moved indoors to the Woodside Suite. We loved the silent disco but were too tired to stick around for the late night disco.
The following day was Easter Sunday, and we headed out on a lovely walking route around the holiday village and discovered the distinct, dome-shaped sand and gravel outcrops that give the site its funny name. The dome-shaped hills were formed millions of years ago, when the River Avon flowed over 100ft about the level we see today. As the river current slowed and deposited sand, it built up in layers to form these distinct formations, which first appeared on maps during Tudor times, as 'Sandy Ballas.'
After our walk, we visited the on-site shop to pick up cooking oil to make a Sunday roast, but there's a little cafe in the shop and we sat here to enjoy toasted wraps and ciabattas for lunch. The shop and deli is open 8am to 7pm seven days a week and it was well stocked with all the essentials including toiletries and dog food (Sandy Balls is a dog-friendly holiday village). There were plenty of food, snack and drinks supplies too, and the shop sold refrigerated family-sized meals, such as a large lasagne or moussaka, which was handy for taking back to cook in the lodge if you wanted a change from eating at one of three on-site dining options. But it's worth mentioning that there were special meal deals in the restaurants, and kids could get a main course for £1 with every adult main purchased.
Away Resorts put on free activities for special occasions (though you may need to secure your spot through the app). As it was Easter, the kids had fun decorating eggs and then competing in an egg rolling championship. There were other seasonal paid activities too, such as an egg hunt.
The evening entertainment was a Coldplay tribute act, which we really enjoyed. Odhran, a Coldplay fan, thought the singer sounded just like Chris Martin. It revealed my age though, as I was more familiar with the original hits that launched the band, whereas Odhran hadn't heard of a couple of these songs, but was singing along to all their more recent hits.
We then headed over to the arcade, where I enjoyed lobbing balls at clown skittles, and the boys spent all their pocket money on a 10p coin pusher. The manager was kind and after watching them continuously feed the machine in the hope of winning bundles of tickets, he informed them that as long as the tickets were touching the glass they'd won. So when the tickets didn't drop down, he opened the machine and handed them the bundles. The boys were thrilled to have their hands on more arcade tokens than they've probably held in their lives. They exchanged them for a plastic gun and a bow with suction cups arrows. But it wasn't so much about the prize as the novelty of winning lots of tickets!
The following morning, we took a 25-minute drive to Paultons Park (home of Peppa Pig World) for a fun and full day out enjoying the rides and rollercoasters. If you're staying at Sandy Balls with kids, I'd definitely recommend a trip to Paultons. But there are lots of kid-friendly attractions under an hour's drive away, including Go Ape Moors Valley, New Forest Water Park, New Forest Reptile Centre, and Oceanarium Bournemouth, to name a few.
Back at the holiday village, there was music by candlelight later in the evening. But we were all tired from a busy day at Paultons Park and had to leave early the following morning. So we decided to stay in the lodge and play a couple of board games we'd brought along. The boys loved playing Dobble, a fast-paced card game, where you each take a card and then put another from the pile down in the middle. The first person to spot a matching symbol between their card and the card from the pile and to shout it out, wins that card. It continues until all the cards have been drawn and the person with the most wins. This game comes in a handy little tin that I've taken to popping in my handbag, so I can pull it out to keep the boys occupied if we're in a situation where we're waiting around. And it's a great size to take on travels. The following morning, we set off from Sandy Balls, and Reuben was pleading to stay 'just one more day.'
Take a Break's verdict
Families might be reluctant to opt for a forest holiday over a beach stay, but we were really happy we chose Sandy Balls. The New Forest is such a unique location and we loved seeing the free-roaming ponies and the charming thatched roof properties. Away Resorts Sandy Balls is a really nice sized holiday village and the atmosphere felt so relaxed. We didn't have to queue up to grab a table for the evening entertainment and felt we could take things at our own leisurely pace. There were plenty of activities and evening entertainment to keep everyone occupied, and you can bring your own bikes or hire them on-site to explore one of the cycle paths. There were several times during our visit that Odhran and Reuben turned to me and said 'I really like it here.' The peaceful surroundings and the laid-back nature of this holiday village gave them a real sense of relaxation. This was our first time at an Away Resort holiday village and we would definitely return to Sandy Balls or check out one of the holiday park operators other 20+ sites across the UK. Find out more here