Campsites with swimming in Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve
Tangled forests and Bronze age ruins make a memorable backdrop for nature walks and wildlife-watching.
98% (269 reviews)
- Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve
98% (269 reviews)
Popular camping styles for Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve
Dog-friendly getaways
Available this weekend
12 top campsites in Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve with swimming
96%
(150)
Tomkins Farm
42 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents15 acres · North Chailey, England
Relaxed camping beside a lake on an East Sussex farm, with alpacas, llamas, and camels
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
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from
£18
/ night
100%
(14)
Elham Treehouse
2 units · Glamping170 acres · Folkestone, Kent, South East England
Rustic glamping in the Kent countryside between Folkestone and Canterbury
Potable water
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£110
/ night
99%
(83)
The Secret Campsite
21 units · Glamping, Tents8 acres · Lewes, East Sussex, South East England
A not so secret campsite in East Sussex with camping and glamping – and campfires encouraged
Potable water
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£26
/ night
93%
(30)
Earth Camp
33 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents4 acres · Lewes, East Sussex, South East England
We are a small, family run, eco-friendly campsite in Chailey, set in a peaceful pocket of Sussex countryside.
Our uniqueness includes therapies offered on site, including massage, reiki and pellowah; our classes run on site, including yoga, and gong baths; the wide range of outdoor games we can provide; and our commitment to making your camping experience as pleasurable as possible. We also have a fantastic wood-fired sauna all day on Saturdays, a delicious pizza oven on Saturday evenings, and a coffee truck on weekend mornings!
We allow campfires and dogs, and for those who seek a little luxury in camping, we have spacious hot showers. We also have a number of beautiful Bell Tents available to hire, which we will put up for you prior to your arrival (min 2 nights).
Look our for our special weekends, including Star Parties, Yoga Retreats, Singing Circles and Wellness Weekends. We also have delicious wood-fired pizzas on Saturday evenings, and an artisan coffee trucks with superb pastries on weekend mornings 8-10am.
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£15
/ night
96%
(56)
The View Camping
53 units · Tents14 acres · Poole, Dorset, South West England
Welcoming family camping with campfires and far-reaching views over Poole Harbour and the Purbeck Hills
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
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from
£10
/ night
93%
(30)
Wild Canvas Camping
32 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents25 acres · Bedfordshire, England
A pop-up campsite on the banks of the River Great Ouse, with workshops, music, good food and a festival vibe
Potable water
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£24
/ night
100%
(19)
Fernwood Glamping (New Forest)
2 units · Glamping1 acre · New Forest, England
Secluded, peaceful glamping on the edge of the New Forest
Potable water
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£80
/ night
100%
(3)
Hastingford Fishery Glamping
4 units · Glamping32 acres · Uckfield, England
Searching for a peaceful holiday/short break without kids underfoot? Ramble along to Hastingford Fishery, an adults-only shepherd's hut and fishing site set in a scenic lakeside setting less than five minutes’ drive from the East Sussex village of Hadlow Down and 20 minutes from Royal Tunbridge Wells. This site should suit couples or singles wanting to 'get away from it all' and also fishing fans down to the ground. It’s got several fishing lakes to choose from with lots of different species, so settle down on the banks with rod in hand and while away a few hours (or days) in quiet contemplation, waiting for something to bite. But please note, the site is not for 'competition anglers' although there are plenty of good sized carp around. and asks anyone fishing to only use barbless hooks, and for fish to be returned to the lake quickly after being caught.Not the fishing type? Chill out in and around your secluded hut, or there’s plenty to entertain in a leisurely fashion: paths wind around the lakes and through copses/shaws (as this is the High Weald) plus through the local countryside. There are spectacular views towards the South Downs National Park from the top lakes. A spring-fed lake is also on site to cool off in with some wild swimming. Lots of bird life around, with feeders outside each hut and waterfowl visitors to the lakes.When it comes to eats, pick up or have supplies delivered from supermarkets or takeaways in Uckfield, Heathfield or Crowborough or take a drive to Buxted Park for some posh food or pubs in Blackboys, Crowborough, Ringles Cross, 5 Ash Down, Rotherfield, or Buxted (it'll take about 10 minutes to drive to any of these). Lots of sample menus in huts.
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£99
/ night
95%
(10)
American Airstream Glamping
15 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents4 acres · Ryde, England
Retro Staycations near Ryde on the Isle of Wight
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£17
/ night
100%
(38)
Ninham Country Holidays
16 units · Motorhomes, Tents12 acres · Shanklin, England
A stunning, family-friendly campsite on the stunning, family-friendly Isle of Wight
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£13.25
/ night
92%
(59)
Harry's Field New Forest
63 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents5 acres · Fordingbridge, Hampshire, South East England
Family-friendly, traditional New Forest camping with a pub next door and footpaths leading directly from the gateway
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£32
/ night
97%
(39)
Pett Camping
50 units · Tents11 acres · Rye, East Sussex, South East England
Back-to-basics camping on an East Sussex farm less than a mile from the beach
Potable water
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£11
/ night
Under £50
Star Hosts in Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve
Campsites with swimming in Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve guide
Overview
On the southern borders of the South Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve is one of the region’s most visited attractions. Explore 130 hectares of ancient woodlands, where the giant Yew trees and twisted branches create a fairy-tale backdrop. Look out for birds and butterflies as you follow the nature trails—the reserve is home to woodpeckers, buzzards, and many rare butterflies. North of the forest, climb up to the lookout point at Bow Hill for views across the Sussex countryside, and discover the Bronze age barrows (burial mounds) known as the Devil’s Humps.
Tips for snagging a campsite
- South Downs campsites can book up quickly, especially in July and August, so reservations are always advised. Plan three to six months in advance for popular sites.
- If you do arrive without a reservation, it’s a good idea to secure a pitch first thing in the morning or call ahead, as available spots will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- You will need to pay a deposit to secure your campsite reservation, and many sites ask for the full payment prior to arrival.
- Hiking and camping season in the South Downs runs from mid-March through early October, and many campsites close out of season. However, campsites open year-round often offer lower rates in low season.
When to go
Kingley Vale is magnificent in autumn, when fall foliage transforms the forest into a kaleidoscope of colour, while summer visitors flock to see the butterflies. Crowds descend on the reserve in July and August, so get there early to secure a parking spot or choose a quiet weekday out of season if you want the forest to yourself. Allergy sufferers might want to avoid visiting in spring—Yew pollen is notoriously allergenic.
Know before you go
- Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve is located within the South Downs National Park, about a 10-minute drive from Chichester. Direct trains run to Chichester from London Waterloo and take 1.5 hours.
- Free parking is available at the West Stoke car park, at the south end of Kingley Vale.
- Getting around the nature reserve is only possible on foot and uneven terrain means access for wheelchairs is very limited.
- All land within the national reserve is privately owned and wild camping is not permitted anywhere.
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