THE Duchess of Cornwall is visiting Hampshire tomorrow to open a new £300,000 facility for servicemen and their families.

Hampshire County Council has built a “Poppy Pod” village in the New Forest where members of the armed forces can enjoy free camping holidays.

The duchess will unveil a poppy-shaped plaque and meet military families who are currently using the 20 timber pods.

Built at the Tile Barn Outdoor Centre in Brockenhurst they occupy the former site of a hospital where wounded servicemen were treated during the First World War.

The duchess will be greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson, the chairman of Hampshire County Council, Cllr Keith Chapman, and the leader of the authority, Cllr Roy Perry, when she arrives at the site.

Mr Atkinson said: “There are more than 20,000 military personnel based in Hampshire – more than any other county.

“I know Her Royal Highness and the people of Hampshire place enormous value on our long and close relationship with the Armed Forces.”

Cllr Perry added: “This project not only has links to the past but offers an important and welcome break for members of the armed services, many of whom have experienced conflict.

“The Poppy Pods are an important part of the county council’s legacy in recognising and remembering the sacrifices made by our Armed Forces personnel.”

The duchess will also visit nearby St Nicholas’ Church to view the graves of soldiers who were treated at Tile Barn during the First World War.

She will inspect a stained-glass window that was recently installed inside the church, honouring those who were connected to New Zealand No.1 General Hospital 100 years ago.

The solar-powered Poppy Pods have been funded by £250,000 from the Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant scheme and £50,000 from the Brockenhurst branch of the Royal British Legion.

Each pod is named after a battle and pine seeds from Gallipoli – scene of fierce fighting during the First World War – have been planted nearby.