Campsites near Ashdown Forest

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Wedged between London and England’s southeast coast, peaceful Ashdown Forest  was founded back in Norman times as a hunting ground, and is famously the home of AA Milne’s beloved fictional bear Winnie the Pooh. Now it’s part of the magical, 580-square-mile High Weald AONB, with spectacular elevated views of the North and South Downs, making it one of the most rewarding pockets of southern England for outdoor adventurers. Though you can’t pitch up within the forest itself, there are plenty of nearby camping and glamping choices. With luck, you’ll spot deer and other wild creatures, and fragrant heather and rhododendrons burst into bloom in spring.

97% (2.1K) 815 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Ashdown Forest

1. Holistic Woods Wild Campsite

94%
(178)
146km from Ashdown Forest · 47 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
We are a WILD campsite with character and history. Our most popular pitch is our beautiful SSSI woodland. There are only 25 pitches available. We have a mid wild pitch on the outskirts of the woods, lovely grassed area between trees. Our top field is perfect for motorhomes & caravans. Plenty of space to breath and relax. Located on the stunning heathlands of the Sutton Heath. We are surrounded by beautiful woodland walks, including the Sandlings walk and just 10 minutes from the river Deben. We have a bus stop at the top of the track and Melton train station is a 20 minute walk or 5 minute drive. There are access points onto public footpaths, leading to Rendlesham Forest. A famous site for UFOs! Sutton Hoo is a stone's throw away. Bring your bikes and explore the area on wheels. There is water access and portaloos. We do not have showers yet. Blue/grey waste must be taken away. LEAVE NO TRACE
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
from 
£16
 / night

4. Rest and Retreats Shepherd Huts

119km from Ashdown Forest · 2 units · Glamping
Our shepherd huts are designed with indulgent luxury in mind, you will sleep well, in a king size bed with high thread count cotton sheets covering goose down filled pillows and duvet. “Freddie" hut will enhance your connection with the great outdoors with a gorgeous skylight above your bed. By day a cascade of natural light, by evening framing a view of the stars. For those wintery nights snuggle in and de-stress in front of the wood burning stove with a brew or glass of Prosecco on us. When you choose to rise listen to your Roberts radio in your fully equipped kitchen with premium appliances, enjoying breakfast on us with fresh milk, orange juice, cereals & a small loaf of local sourdough, fresh jams and of course a coffee made from your Nespresso. Located down an old Roman road in an ancient village you will have far reaching views of the Oxfordshire countryside, a few minutes stroll away a fantastic community owned pub awaits, local pint or well earned GnT? Let us host you here at Restandretreats for that romantic break or just to escape, unwind and clear your mind. Our location has the best of both worlds, your shepherd hut is located in an ancient Roman village in the Oxfordshire countryside, yet just 5 miles from the centre of Oxford with all its history and university colleges. If you choose you can compliment your stay with an indulgent shopping trip to Bicester Village premium outlet (11m) or Blenheim Palace (8m) with all its history and events on offer. Jeremy Clarksons Diddly squat farm (21m) and his new public house have also become popular with our guests. If walking or running is more your focus then why not explore the beautiful RSPB Otmoor bird reserve, a haven for wildlife with many visitor trials to enjoy, it’s merely a short walk away. Whatever your visit has in store our cosy pub, The Abingdon Arms, is waiting only 100metres walk away, offering fine ales and fine dining or perhaps just a take away pizza. We do welcome our furry 🐕 friends, but NOT in our “Freddy” hut, please check out our other listing for our dog friendly “Edie” shepherd hut listed on Airbnb. We can offer single nights Sunday through Thursday in the quieter months - please message us here or reach out to us at RestandRetreats and we will always see what we can do
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£150
 / night

9. Far and Away Camping

100%
(18)
43km from Ashdown Forest · 40 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Nestled within the heart of the Kent countryside, Far and Away allows you to escape into a rural, peaceful and wild campsite. The skies are full of song birds and birds of prey, hot air balloons dominate the still summer evenings and there is always a spitfire or biplane circling from the local aerodrome. With close to zero light pollution, the night skies are a stunning way to end the day not to mention Far and Away sunrise and sunsets are also worth staying up for! Immerse yourself in the heart of the beautiful Kent countryside and take advantage of the many public footpaths around the campsite. Far and Away is 1.2 miles away from Headcorn village where you can find a host of local amenities, shops, pubs and restaurants. There is also a host of National Trust sites within a short drive including Sissinghurst Castle and many wonderful villages to visit including medieval Biddenden and the magical market town of Tenterden. Next to junction 8 of the M20 there is also Leeds Castle, only a 20 minute drive from Far and Away and the Big Cat Sanctuary is only a few fields away. At night you can hear the roar of the wild cats really making it feel like you are Far and Away!
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£18
 / night

13. Dogwood Cottage Campsite

81%
(24)
39km from Ashdown Forest · 11 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Come and meet the chickens and ducks, friendly pygmy goats and miniature shetland pony Dino at Dogwood Camping, a gem in the heart of the East Sussex countryside. We are a small, friendly, family-run campsite set in the High Weald area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a perfect base from which to explore the beaches, castles, ancient woodlands and towns like Rye, Battle and Hastings. Dogwood is in the pretty village of Brede, and is walking distance from two fine country pubs. We are surrounded by stunning countryside where you can take your dog for a short stroll across the fields or go for a long romp through the woods and valleys. Or just sit and relax, listen to the birds and soak up the peace and quiet. We are fortunate to be in a 'dark sky' area, perfect for long, relaxing summer nights around the campfie, sipping hot chocolate, toasting marshmallows and spotting shooting stars! During the summer our site is a popular spot for families and campers visiting nearby Camber Sands sandy beach and year round we welcome all different types of campervan, motorhome and caravan. We look forward to welcome you to our little slice of paradise. Please note our strict 'no group' policy - we only accept single families, single couple and single campers. No more than 2 adults in any group, even on separate pitches. Please bring your acoustic guitar or similar but, as this is a quiet site, please no radios, stereos or videos unless you're using headphones. The birdsong here is incredible by the way! Very wet weather and winter – please note in the off-season, and if very wet, the camping field is closed to vehicles, replaced instead by semi-hardstanding areas or our summer car-park area. Facilities are open but please be prepared for the vagaries of the weather, leaves, puddles and mud. To change pitch please let us know asap so that we can try if possible to find you another. Apart from the car-park, pitches can get very muddy in prolonged, heavy rain. If you are not prepared for these eventualities please do not book.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£18
 / night

Wedged between London and England’s southeast coast, peaceful Ashdown Forest  was founded back in Norman times as a hunting ground, and is famously the home of AA Milne’s beloved fictional bear Winnie the Pooh. Now it’s part of the magical, 580-square-mile High Weald AONB, with spectacular elevated views of the North and South Downs, making it one of the most rewarding pockets of southern England for outdoor adventurers. Though you can’t pitch up within the forest itself, there are plenty of nearby camping and glamping choices. With luck, you’ll spot deer and other wild creatures, and fragrant heather and rhododendrons burst into bloom in spring.

97% (2.1K) 815 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Ashdown Forest

1. Holistic Woods Wild Campsite

94%
(178)
146km from Ashdown Forest · 47 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
We are a WILD campsite with character and history. Our most popular pitch is our beautiful SSSI woodland. There are only 25 pitches available. We have a mid wild pitch on the outskirts of the woods, lovely grassed area between trees. Our top field is perfect for motorhomes & caravans. Plenty of space to breath and relax. Located on the stunning heathlands of the Sutton Heath. We are surrounded by beautiful woodland walks, including the Sandlings walk and just 10 minutes from the river Deben. We have a bus stop at the top of the track and Melton train station is a 20 minute walk or 5 minute drive. There are access points onto public footpaths, leading to Rendlesham Forest. A famous site for UFOs! Sutton Hoo is a stone's throw away. Bring your bikes and explore the area on wheels. There is water access and portaloos. We do not have showers yet. Blue/grey waste must be taken away. LEAVE NO TRACE
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
from 
£16
 / night

4. Rest and Retreats Shepherd Huts

119km from Ashdown Forest · 2 units · Glamping
Our shepherd huts are designed with indulgent luxury in mind, you will sleep well, in a king size bed with high thread count cotton sheets covering goose down filled pillows and duvet. “Freddie" hut will enhance your connection with the great outdoors with a gorgeous skylight above your bed. By day a cascade of natural light, by evening framing a view of the stars. For those wintery nights snuggle in and de-stress in front of the wood burning stove with a brew or glass of Prosecco on us. When you choose to rise listen to your Roberts radio in your fully equipped kitchen with premium appliances, enjoying breakfast on us with fresh milk, orange juice, cereals & a small loaf of local sourdough, fresh jams and of course a coffee made from your Nespresso. Located down an old Roman road in an ancient village you will have far reaching views of the Oxfordshire countryside, a few minutes stroll away a fantastic community owned pub awaits, local pint or well earned GnT? Let us host you here at Restandretreats for that romantic break or just to escape, unwind and clear your mind. Our location has the best of both worlds, your shepherd hut is located in an ancient Roman village in the Oxfordshire countryside, yet just 5 miles from the centre of Oxford with all its history and university colleges. If you choose you can compliment your stay with an indulgent shopping trip to Bicester Village premium outlet (11m) or Blenheim Palace (8m) with all its history and events on offer. Jeremy Clarksons Diddly squat farm (21m) and his new public house have also become popular with our guests. If walking or running is more your focus then why not explore the beautiful RSPB Otmoor bird reserve, a haven for wildlife with many visitor trials to enjoy, it’s merely a short walk away. Whatever your visit has in store our cosy pub, The Abingdon Arms, is waiting only 100metres walk away, offering fine ales and fine dining or perhaps just a take away pizza. We do welcome our furry 🐕 friends, but NOT in our “Freddy” hut, please check out our other listing for our dog friendly “Edie” shepherd hut listed on Airbnb. We can offer single nights Sunday through Thursday in the quieter months - please message us here or reach out to us at RestandRetreats and we will always see what we can do
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£150
 / night

9. Far and Away Camping

100%
(18)
43km from Ashdown Forest · 40 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Nestled within the heart of the Kent countryside, Far and Away allows you to escape into a rural, peaceful and wild campsite. The skies are full of song birds and birds of prey, hot air balloons dominate the still summer evenings and there is always a spitfire or biplane circling from the local aerodrome. With close to zero light pollution, the night skies are a stunning way to end the day not to mention Far and Away sunrise and sunsets are also worth staying up for! Immerse yourself in the heart of the beautiful Kent countryside and take advantage of the many public footpaths around the campsite. Far and Away is 1.2 miles away from Headcorn village where you can find a host of local amenities, shops, pubs and restaurants. There is also a host of National Trust sites within a short drive including Sissinghurst Castle and many wonderful villages to visit including medieval Biddenden and the magical market town of Tenterden. Next to junction 8 of the M20 there is also Leeds Castle, only a 20 minute drive from Far and Away and the Big Cat Sanctuary is only a few fields away. At night you can hear the roar of the wild cats really making it feel like you are Far and Away!
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£18
 / night

13. Dogwood Cottage Campsite

81%
(24)
39km from Ashdown Forest · 11 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Come and meet the chickens and ducks, friendly pygmy goats and miniature shetland pony Dino at Dogwood Camping, a gem in the heart of the East Sussex countryside. We are a small, friendly, family-run campsite set in the High Weald area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a perfect base from which to explore the beaches, castles, ancient woodlands and towns like Rye, Battle and Hastings. Dogwood is in the pretty village of Brede, and is walking distance from two fine country pubs. We are surrounded by stunning countryside where you can take your dog for a short stroll across the fields or go for a long romp through the woods and valleys. Or just sit and relax, listen to the birds and soak up the peace and quiet. We are fortunate to be in a 'dark sky' area, perfect for long, relaxing summer nights around the campfie, sipping hot chocolate, toasting marshmallows and spotting shooting stars! During the summer our site is a popular spot for families and campers visiting nearby Camber Sands sandy beach and year round we welcome all different types of campervan, motorhome and caravan. We look forward to welcome you to our little slice of paradise. Please note our strict 'no group' policy - we only accept single families, single couple and single campers. No more than 2 adults in any group, even on separate pitches. Please bring your acoustic guitar or similar but, as this is a quiet site, please no radios, stereos or videos unless you're using headphones. The birdsong here is incredible by the way! Very wet weather and winter – please note in the off-season, and if very wet, the camping field is closed to vehicles, replaced instead by semi-hardstanding areas or our summer car-park area. Facilities are open but please be prepared for the vagaries of the weather, leaves, puddles and mud. To change pitch please let us know asap so that we can try if possible to find you another. Apart from the car-park, pitches can get very muddy in prolonged, heavy rain. If you are not prepared for these eventualities please do not book.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£18
 / night

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Campsites near Ashdown Forest guide

Where to go

Wych Cross & West Ashdown Forest

Whether you fancy cycling over the hills, tracking down Roman ruins, or a long hike with a country pub at the end, Ashdown Forest is a back-to-nature delight. The villages of Wych Cross and Crowborough mark its western and eastern flanks. The perfect place to start your explorations is the official Forest Centre near Wych Cross, which has the lowdown on the best woodland walking and archaeology routes, as well as paths weaving straight out into the heath with its dazzling North Downs views.

North Ashdown Forest

Renowned English author AA Milne once lived on the northern fringes of Ashdown Forest, near Hartfield and Forest Row, and campers will love following in his footsteps through its eerie wooded expanses. Some of Milne’s most popular “Winnie the Pooh” locations dot the area, including a bridge across the River Medway and the misty 500 Acre Wood, with walking trails meandering between them. In addition, local operators also offer horse rides, cycling routes run through beech forests, and delicious farm shops sit ready for stocking up on local treats.

South Ashdown Forest

Some of Ashdown Forest’s most thrilling hiking trails sprawl around the villages of Duddleswell and Nutley, on the southern fringes. History lovers will want to tackle the route to a World War II memorial, while photographers should take in the fabulous panoramas across the South Downs to the chalk-cliff coastline. The camping and glamping sites sprinkled near here are among the area’s best—set up camp on an organic farm or a cider orchard, or book into an off-grid yurt.

High Weald AONB

Beyond Ashdown Forest, the High Weald AONB sprawls from Winchester in Hampshire to Hastings on the East Sussex coast. It’s packed with adventure activities, whether you’re keen to hike around the heathlands, kayak across a lake, or try some SUP yoga.