David Lloyd Centre

The David Lloyd Centre near Ashurst is a full-service sports facility that covers pretty much everything - tennis courts, swimming pools, a gym, and various group exercise classes. It's the sort of place you'd go if you're serious about working out or want the kids to burn off energy in the pool rather than driving you up the wall in a caravan.

Families will find the most value here, particularly if you're staying at Ashurst Campsite or Matley Wood Campsite for a week. A rainy afternoon when the New Forest walk plans fall through becomes infinitely more bearable with access to a decent pool. Tennis players and gym regulars will appreciate having proper facilities, though you'll need to check whether day passes or hourly rates apply - it's likely membership-focused but worth ringing ahead.

Allow a couple of hours minimum if you're bringing kids to the pool, longer if adults want to use the gym. The real draw here isn't the building itself - it's functional rather than flashy - but rather having somewhere reliable to tire everyone out without leaving the immediate area. The location between Ashurst and the broader New Forest means you could reasonably slot it into a morning before heading out for an afternoon walk, or use it as your backup plan when weather turns.

Best suited to families with younger children or anyone who genuinely wants to maintain fitness on holiday. Solo walkers or people purely after scenery would find their time better spent elsewhere in the forest.