The UK holiday resort with an indoor swimming pool and golden beach that costs just £15 a night
STROLLING through ancient woodland, we finally reached what looked like the perfect picnic spot.
It was a pretty patch of grass in the shade of a large tree, near a group of grazing wild ponies.
While munching on sandwiches from our spread of local goodies, we watched in fascination as the horses plodded about.
This is the real beauty of the New Forest.
Everything comes alive at this time of year, with birds singing from the shrubs and the warmer weather drawing happy faces to pub gardens that overlook Dorset’s rolling hills.
My family and I were staying in St Leonards, near Bournemouth’s coastline, and our modern caravan at the family friendly Oakdene Forest Park was the perfect base for exploring.
Book a lodge with a hot tub if you fancy soaking up the views in private.
But kids will probably prefer the indoor swimming pool, which features a water flume, as well as a sauna and steam room for the adults.
All of the on-site activities offered, from archery to sea scooters, could easily keep a family entertained.
But it would be a waste not to make the 30-minute drive to Sandbanks, a peninsula in Poole boasting a golden beach and pretty harbour.
The weather was good on the day we visited and our morning was spent building sandcastles, paddling in the cold water and strolling along the seafront, relishing the gentle breeze.
The area is not short of excellent cafes and restaurants either.
Grab a table at Rick Stein, owned by the TV chef, which has a weekday, three-course set menu for less than £30.
Expect delicious fish dishes, including grilled sardines with tomato and garlic or fish cakes with aioli and rocket, followed by peanut butter cheesecake or panna cotta with poached pears.
Sandbanks is renowned for its opulent surroundings, often referred to as Millionaire Row thanks to the luxurious waterfront properties.
It soon turned into a bit of a game among our family as we tried to guess who lived inside each glamorous home.
If beaches are not your thing, then history buffs will love Hurst Castle artillery.
It is a short boat ride from the coastal town of Lymington and crammed full of fun exhibits.
The fortress walls were built by Henry VIII and once held Charles I captive in 1648, before he was led to his execution in London.
The kids loved darting through the stone building, although the journey there seemed to be the most exciting part for them.
Both gasped in awe at the panoramic views from our little boat and squealed with excitement when they spotted the lighthouse overlooking the Solent.
Back on the lounger at St Leonards, we treated ourselves to an ice cream outside our caravan.
When the weather is as glorious as this, few places in Europe can beat the British coast.
And when it costs less than £300 for a family, it is a complete no-brainer.
GO: Dorset
STAYING THERE: Four nights’ self-catering in a Sensation Caravan at Oakdene Forest Parks costs from £230, based on a family of four sharing.
See shorefield.co.uk.