Ok, so here’s the problem. I’m organising Benjie Gillam’s stag party and the consensus is that we should be going for paintball in the south of england. The problem is that:
- There’s a million paintball venues in Hampshire/Dorset
- Some of them are terrible… but which ones?
- The reviews online seem to disagree as to which are best/ok/crap
- I’m not able to travel down there and investigate them
So… is it possible to work this all out? I’m hoping so. Here’s a list of locations I’ve found… if you’ve any views on them, please leave a remark in the comments. Beer to the winner, or something 
SOUTHAMPTON AREA
SKIRMISH PAINTBALL GAMES
LOCATION: Address, Skirmish Lasham, Manor Farm Buildings, Lasham, Hampshire, GU34 5SL
COST: Ultimate Package = £49.95
INFO: Useful, well-designed site. Cool games. Heard some bad reviews though?
COMBAT SOUTH
Hard-core BB guns. Definitely NOT paintball, but looks like a hoot.
PAINTBALLING SOUTHAMPTON
SESSIONS (END TIMES ARE APPROX): 0915 – 1600HRS
COST: £14.99 per person entry: Paintballs £6.99 per 100, £5.99 per 100 if purchased in bulk (2000).
FOOD: BBQ, included I think
LOCATION: Rose Wood, Lee Lane, Romsey, Hampshire. SO16 0AD. Tel: 0800 849 4911
PAINTBALLING HAMPSHIRE
LOCATION: National Paintball Parks (Hants), Street End Copse, Hook Road, Rotherwick, Hook, Hants RG27
INFO: Very generic website
AMBUSH PAINTBALL
LOCATION: Shedfield, Southampton, Hampshire SO32 2HL
COST: £55 – to include all equipment, lunch, hot drinks and 700 paintballs – must be pre-booked/pre-paid.
INFO: Seems friendly. Not sure about how much the facility has to offer
CAMOUFLAGE PAINTBALL
COST: 1000 ball = £39.95
LOCATION: Woodside Farm, Gosport Road, Privett, Nr.Alton, Hampshire. GU34 3NJ
INFO: Very little on the website.
GO BALLISTIC
Also at fareham and portsmouth
PAINTBALL PARK
Not very professional looking – will check out reviews
DELTA FORCE
LOCATION: Lee Lane, Romsey, Hampshire SO16 0AD
COST: Doesn’t state on site, though balls not too much
URBAN PAINTBALL
LOCATION: Hilsea Industrial Estate, 2b Limberline Road, Portsmouth, PO3 5BJ, Portsmouth
COST: £50.00 = 800 balls
INFO: Seems a bit kiddyish and small?
BOURNEMOUTH AREA
CHALLENGE LEISURE
LOCATION: 248 Ringwood Road, St. Leonards, Ringwood, Hants. BH24 2SB
INFO: Not a great website. Nowhere near enough info. Not paintball-focussed.
SKIRMISH PAINTBALL DORSET
LOCATION: Skirmish Paintball Dorset, Oak Cottage, Bere Wood, Bere Regis. BH20 7JJ
INFO: Looks pretty decent… doesn’t have its own website as far as I can tell
BOURNEMOUTH PAINTBALLING
LOCATION: Skirmish Dorset, North Almer Barn, North Almer, Dorset. BH20
DORSET PAINTBALL
LOCATION: Skirmish Paintball Dorset, Oak Cottage, Bere Wood, Bere Regis. BH20 7JJ
DELTA FORCE
LOCATION: Wattons Ford Common, Wattons Lane, Matchams, Ringwood, BH24 2BS.
COST: Doesn’t state on site, though balls not too much
INFO: Is it still going? Heard they had planning permission prob?
MAX EVENTS
INFO: Very little indeed
CAMOUFLAGE PAINTBALL
LOCATION: Christchurch Road, Hurn, Christchurch, Dorset. BH23 6AE
INFO: Very little
NATIONWIDE PAINTBALL
LOCATION: Christchurch Road, Hurn, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 6AE
PAINTBALL NATION
LOCATION: Hurn
INFO: Very little
GO BALLISTIC
COST: 400 + 1 bomb = £34
LOCATION: Hurn Court Lane
INFO: 12 game zones in firing zone
PAINTBALL SAS
Doesn’t look great TBH
PAINTBALL WARRIORS
LOCATION: Paintball Warriors, Uddens Drive, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 7BQ
COST: £45 = 1000 balls
INFO: Lots of game zones. Simple but decent site
TIMING: Full Days Paintball : 9.15 am – 4.30 pm ( BBQ lunch included )
DORCESTER AREA
MEGA PAINTBALL
COST: £55 for 1000
INFO: Nice site. Indoor version at Poole. UKPSF
SALISBURY AREA
VIRTUAL WARFARE
LOCATION: Virtual Warfare, Units 3&4 Grimsdyke Granaries, Blandford Road, Salisbury, SP5 5RL
COST: 5 games for £30
INFO: Laser-based, but informative website. Looks pretty good
Any thoughts, leave them in the comments… let’s make this a kick-ass event for Benjie!
4 responses so far ↓
Scott // July 2, 2008 at 8:12 pm
I don’t know anything about paintballing, and unfortunately have never been I’m afraid! I would have thought it should be good wherever we go, so long as it is cheap enough for everyone to afford enough ammo, and has decent cover/trees/buildings or whatever! I can only go on what you have said above, but I’m guessing ones which give more info are probably better managed/better?
jofarnold // July 3, 2008 at 7:34 am
Me neither, but I’m getting there! Managed to get some good feedback from the paintballing forums.
I thought it was probably better I research it properly as I heard from a couple of people that some o the places in Hampshire aren’t very good at all.
We’ll find a good one – I’m sure of it
Dave // July 4, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Ive been a couple of times but only to the matchams one. It was ok but im sure there are other better places. Like scott said a key point is cost of ammo as you inevitably get through more than you expect. Should be super sweet though!
Paul Bursey // July 21, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Hi,
I am the manager of the MegaPaintball site in Dorchester, Dorset.
I can help you with your problem, having been invloved within the Paintball industry for many years we have desigend the new MegaPaintball site away from the Rambo image and have made it a game of Fun and sport. Really still paintball but with a few nice twists. We can assure you a great Stag day out, with loads of Fun and Action.
If you get in touch with myself through our website i will personally arrange a special deal for you and your party.
Or alternativley give me a call on 07920 065 321.
Paul