Sandy Balls
Sandy Balls
An estate, set in extensive woodlands, near Fordingbridge, Hampshire, UK., bounded on the western edge by the river Avon. (IMAGE: Map) Now run as a Holiday Centre with accomodation consisting of log cabins and holiday homes, touring pitches and camping areas that fit in with the woodlands. Facilities include restaurants, swimming pools, a pub, supermarket, gym and spa. Sandy Balls is owned by the Westlake family.
The name
The unusual name has been traced as far back as the reign of Henry VII. It appeared on maps and other documents of the time as ‘Sandyballas’, which is the description given to the dome-shaped sand and gravel outcrops on the western boundary of the site. Many of these outcrops remain including Good Friday Hill and Giant’s Grave.
History of the site
In 1919 the estate came up for sale to pay for death duties which arose on the death of Sir Edward Hulse in the first World War. Ernest Westlake a keen anthropologist stimulated by the ideas and work of Ernest Thompson Seton bought the land as a site for his newly formed youth movement the Order of Woodcraft Chivalry. After the untimely early death of Ernest his son Aubrey Westlake carried on his ideas and the forerunner of Forest School Camps was established. The first Head master was Cuthbert Rutter, Aubrey’s cousin.
The estate also served as a home for Grith Fyrd during the 1930s.
Development into a holiday centre
In 1934, 12 simply furnished camping huts were built and next year the first brochure was produced, entitled ‘Sandy Balls for the Beauty Spot Holiday’ (include picture of logo). The original aim of Aubrey Westlake was to use the stunning location and spectacular views across the river to provide a simple, low cost holiday for discerning families so the original cabins were discreetly placed among the trees.
The war years
During the war the estate served as temporary accommodation for evacuees and for families whose main bread winner was on active service. A large air raid shelter was built and a Red Cross post established.
Through the 1950s and 1960s the Westlake family continued the development as a Holiday centre. The accommodation was improved and greatly extended, a restaurant and shop were added (the fruit and vegetables were grown on the estate for both places).
In the 1980s the holiday centre was extensively developed and modernised by Richard Westlake who had become MD. In this time the centre received many awards for excellence.
In 2007 a major redevelopment was carried out, making the central area into a piazza and adding the bistro restaurant and adding new retail spaces including the bike hire shop. A striking feature of the new Reception building is its roof covered with sedums and other plants.
Recently the centre has been a central location for the Man Iron man triathlons. In the winter months it also features ‘forest ice’ - an outdoor ice rink in the centre of the holiday centre.
Environment
A wide range of wildlife is found and approximately 75% of the site is covered with vegetation which has been very carefully managed to allow native species to flourish. Sandy Balls has won many awards for its conservation and management of the wooded areas and riverbank including The David Bellamy conservation gold award (13 times) and Green Tourism Gold Award.
References
70 Years A-Growing by Jean Westlake
The Story of Godshill by Jean Westlake