After dark you could hear a pin drop in the quiet and pleasant environment of Southland, one of the UK’s top rated camping parks. There are campsites and campsites but Southland is definitely among the elite, a five star park and winner of eight major awards including the David Bellamy Gold Conservation Award.

And no wonder. From the Love Bug, an old milk float painted by child visitors and used to collect rubbish, to the two acre picnic and conservation area overlooking Arreton Valley, that’s planted with wildflowers and 1,200 willows, this is a park that’s determined to be as green as it’s possible to be. Campers and caravanners are encouraged to collect seeds and scatter them in the meadow and to pour waste water on hedges and young plants. In the meadow logs have been placed for animals to live in and elsewhere shrubs have been planted that attract birds and butterflies. It’s a very caring environment.

In all Southland extends over nine acres on the top of a hill on the outskirts of Newchurch in the Isle of Wight’s rural heartland – with 120 generously-sized flat, sheltered pitches for campers. It’s also the only Island campsite accepted into Countryside Discovery, a group of parks that provide peaceful surroundings in some of Britain’s most beautiful locations.

Willows and wild flowers in a conservation meadow

On the door step
The famous sandy beaches of Sandown and Shanklin are just three miles down the road and the rainforest attraction Amazon World and Robin Hill Country Park are both close by.

Going Green

Electric vehicles are used on site for rubbish collection and to keep noise to a minimum. Low level lighting in all areas.