ALL ABOUT… Whitefield Forest Touring Park – Isle of Wight

Thinking of a camping or caravan holiday on the Isle of Wight? We have a beautiful 5 star rated touring park there, family owned and run and set among woodland. So, we’d like to tell you all about Whitefield Forest Touring Park and why we think it’s a fantastic place to go on holiday.

The park is set is 23 acres of land, with 90 pitches for caravans and motorhomes, and 90 tent pitches. They are close to the sandy beaches of Ryde and Sandown and well-located for visitors to explore any part of the island. There is a good bus route on the main road just outside the site for campers who want to leave their car or motorhome behind for the day. Coupled with excellent service from the owners, you’ll see why the park has won so many awards.

In fact, the team won the Top 100 Sites 2023 award for the best in South East England. So, hot off the press, this is a great site to visit!

1. A Stunning Location

We think this photo sums up the Isle of Wight. On a sunny blue sky day, the island takes on a tropical appearance and you could be anywhere. However, these white cliffs are a giveaway for where you are and Compton Bay is a particularly well loved spot for photographers. And while we often think of the coastline when we think about the Isle of Wight, villages like Shanklin are also well worth a visit. Chocolate box cottages and idyllic street scenes remind us of what life might have been like years ago on the island.

2. Fantastic Facilities

Whether you bring a caravan, motorhome or tent to the Isle of Wight, you have the option of a spacious all weather hardstanding or tradition grass pitched, all with electrical hook-ups and some fully serviced.

The modern amenities block is situated within the forest, heated and tiled and equipped with: privacy cubicles, hair dryers, razor points, baby change facilities disabled facilities and washing up facilities. The laundry room has washing machines, tumble dryers and free ironing facilities.

3. History and Heritage

The Isle of Wight has lots of offer if you like culture, history and heritage. One of the most recognisable spots is Osbourne House in East Cowes, Queen Victoria’s family home. It’s also one of the most popular places for tourists to visit. After first visiting Osborne, Queen Victoria wrote: ‘It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot’.

You’ll also find Carisbrooke Castle sitting on a hill overlooking Newport, the Island’s county town, which was home to Charles I days before his execution. Historic churches and fascinating architecture are abundant throughout the Island, from Brading’s medieval town hall to Quarr Abbey, a working monastery and home of the Islands Benedictine monks, where 12th century ruins mingle with the imposing towers of its more modern successor.

4. Wildlife Haven

At Whitefield Forest, all pitches are developed in sympathy with the surrounding woodland environment where local wildlife thrives. Take a walk around the woodland walk and visit the squirrel hide within the woodland to see red squirrels, bluebells, orchids, woodpeckers and much more. Many of the campers love to see the red squirrels in their natural environment during their stay, although the squirrels can be shy!

The squirrel hide has feeders and ropes around for the wildlife to climb and feed from. There are also feeders amongst the trees around the park and this year bags of nuts are available for campers to purchase at a small cost to put in the feeders near their pitches during their stay – any profits for this go to the Red Squirrel Project on the island. This year the team has made 50 bird boxes and 50 squirrel feeders using the wood from pine trees that have come down on the land in the winds through the winter. These are available for campers to buy for a donation to their chosen charity Lupus UK and can be taken home for their own gardens. Bird boxes are positioned around the park, particularly on the woodland walk, in order to provide shelter for birds, who also benefit from bird feeders situated around the park.

Since opening, Whitefield Forest has taken part in the David Bellamy Conservation Scheme, newly renamed David Bellamy’s Blooming Marvellous Pledge for Nature.

5. Passionate About The Environment

Since buying the land in 2005 with planning permission for a touring park, the team has worked hard to develop the park in sympathy with its ancient woodland environment. The reception and amenities blocks were designed so they were in keeping with their woodland surroundings.

The team worked with the Forestry Commission to develop a Woodland Management Plan in the first instance, the aim of which was and continues to be to reinstate the native species in the forest – this means slowly removing the pines planted in the 1970s to; a) allow the native birch, oak and ash trees space to breathe and grow and b) to replant native trees throughout the park.

All of the pitches at Whitefield Forest are well drained, level and sheltered, developed in sympathy with the surrounding woodland environment where local wildlife thrives. Take a walk around the woodland walk and visit the squirrel hide within the woodland to see red squirrels, bluebells, orchids, woodpeckers and much more. The park has evolved around its natural environment as this image illustrates.

6. A Family Friendly Holiday Park

Whitefield Forest Touring Park offers a quiet, relaxing setting for couples throughout the season, and in school holidays offers traditional camping for families too, with nature on hand to help keep the children occupied, there is also a play park and bush craft area for the children nestled in the woods.

Dogs are also very welcome at Whitefield Forest!

7. A Special Offer For The Ferry To The Isle Of Wight!

Whitefield Forest have special offer rates to the island withy Red Funnel Ferries and Wightlink, making your holiday more reasonable than if you booked everything separately. The Southampton to East Cowes route with Red Funnel is on offer (travel Sunday to Thursday), with prices starting at £155 for a car and caravan, or £100 return for a car or motorhome. Alternatively, the Portsmouth to Fishbourne or Lymington to Yarmouth routes are with Wightlink Ferries and you can travel any day. Prices start at £150 return for a car and caravan, £100 return for a car or £140 return for a motorhome. Speak to the team at Whitefield Forest direct to book.

8. Special Offer For Couples Over 50

Arrange your own ferry or choose the park’s ferry offer; book in advance and receive a special rate for 2 adults over 50. Available off peak, until the park closes in October. Contact the park for details.

We hope you have enjoyed our summary of what awaits on the Isle of Wight with one of the Best of British Holiday Parks! Whitefield Forest Touring Park is ready and waiting to welcome you until they close for the 2023 season in early October.