Four kids, loads of luggage and two bikes might leave some people stumped, but not so JOHN CARTER, who captained his team all the way to Oakdene — and the perfect spot to play cricket

For cricket fans, there's nothing better than an Ashes summer.

And if you're an England supporter, it's difficult to beat watching the Aussies take a battering as they lose their grip on the urn.

What's all this got to do with the New Forest, you might wonder?

Well, for five days at the start of the summer holidays, we played out our own version of the Ashes down there. And with stunning scenery stretching for 219 square miles, we were never going to be short of venues.

So for Cardiff, Edgbaston and Trent Bridge, imagine Whitefield Moor, Longslade Bottom and Avon Heath.

And the place to rest our weary bodies at the end of each energy-sapping day? Oakdene Forest Park.

Oakdene is located at St Leonards, near Ringwood, on the western edge of the forest. It is one of six parks owned Shorefield Holidays, which has been welcoming visitors to the south coast since 1958.

With four children, mountains of luggage and two bikes, it was with some trepidation I pitched up at our six-berth caravan following a lovely welcome at reception.

I needn't have worried. The caravan was almost sparkling it looked so new, it was plenty big enough and had an impressive widescreen TV to satisfy an 11-year-old son, 14-year-old daughter, 16-year-old daughter and her 17-year-old boyfriend.

But better than all that, it boasted complimentary wi-fi. A small thing to those of us into our 40s and beyond, but an absolute must for the Facebook, Instagram, YouTube generation.

With a crazy golf course, swimming pool and selection of activities all on site, it was not going to be quite the challenge I feared keeping the fab four entertained.

For anyone who's not visited the New Forest, I implore you to pack a picnic, jump in the car and explore some of the most breathtaking countryside imaginable.

Yes, there really are ponies and cows that meander across the road without a care in the world. But here you can cross the cattle grids, relax at 30 or 40 miles per hour and soak it all in without those stressed-out commuters driving up your backside desperate to make the next meeting or racing back weary from another exhausting day at the office.

Opening up the caravan door to see the sun shining the following morning, it was on to the bikes to explore some of the nine tracks leading from Oakdene into Hurn Forest.

I did my best to get lost in the magic of the forest with my son Austin, but each time we found a path that linked up with another and soon made our way back to wake the teen brigade whose day can't begin without the luxury of a lengthy lie-in.

At their age it's difficult to muster up the enthusiasm to do anything before lunch. But with the latest mind-numbing Jeremy Kyle digested, social media posts updated and some food in their belly, we were ready for the Carter Ashes to commence.

First to Whitefield Moor, just five minutes from Brockenhurst and a favourite destination of mine since I was a child.

You'll see heather and gorse wherever you turn in the forest, but at Whitefield there's plenty of flat grass to ensure games of football, cricket or Frisbee can be played out without upsetting the animals.

Ensuring our strip was free of cowpats, the action began, along with the squabbles and dropped catches, before a winner emerged without anybody storming back to the car complaining they'd been outfoxed by a pea-roller which should never be allowed on even the bumpiest of tracks.

And there it was. The theme for our week was set.

At Whitefield I just about cajoled them into a walk down to the stream for a daring go on the rope swing.

I even persuaded them to walk 400 metres with the promise of a soft drink at a beautiful pub in Burley on the way back to the caravan park.

But I was dealing with an 11-year-old and three teenagers here, and who wants to walk when you're at the age?

"W-A-L-K? Are you serious?

So guess what we did the next day? Yep. Exactly the same. A cycle ride for me (I was on my own just two days in), a late lunch, then cricket. Then back to the caravan park for more of dad's cooking.

And the next day? Exactly the same again, except we did mix it up with a session of Disc Golf as part of the park's GoActive timetable.

This involved designing our own courses and throwing Frisbees into a target. The enthusiasm of the session leader was to be admired and it proved an enjoyable hour.

Other activities in a packed programme include archery, jet skis, fencing and body zorbs, proving that caravan parks are moving with the times as staycations prove more and more of an attraction.

Oakdene also boasts a gym, supermarket, spa, launderette, restaurant and show bar, so you really don't need to leave the site if you've not got the inclination.

We didn't cram masses into our week, but did I enjoy it? Absolutely. And did the kids? Yes, against the odds. And isn't that what a family holiday is all about?

And when it was time for stumps in the final match at Avon Heath, everyone even shook hands, proving the spirit of cricket is alive and well.

Howzat for a winning five days?

TRAVEL FACTS

John Carter was a guest of Shorefield Holidays, staying at Oakdene Forest Park in St Leonards, near Ringwood.

His stay in a six-berth caravan in the first week of the summer holidays was priced at £609 for a week.

Last year Shorefield Holidays invested £1.5m in new accommodation at Oakdene and the park also offers luxury lodges which include decking and hot tubs. Pitches are also available for tents from Easter to the end of October.

John’s stay was also partly arranged by the New Forest Tourism Association. For where to stay, what to see and do in the New Forest, visit thenewforest.co.uk