Woodland camping in East Sussex

There are lots of incredible campsites in East Sussex and it’s easy to see why. Offering both coast and country between the city and the sea, it’s a great destination that’s easy to get to by road or rail. The most dramatic part of the South Downs, the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs, are in the south west while at the opposite end of the county, a huge area is designated as the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Woodland, farmland, rolling hills and heathland stretch for miles and there are some interesting market towns and places to visit from quirky Lewes to historic Battle, not to mention the big-name seaside resorts of Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings.

With lots of cool campsites, competition is high and, subsequently, so are standards. You can camp among the bluebells of the county’s ancient woodlands, pitch up in a sunny meadow on the South Downs or find a favourite spot on a farm site in East Sussex. There are lots of sites with campfires allowed and plenty of places with added attractions: a tree swing here, a pizza oven there, forest school, circus skills, bushcraft courses and more. You name it – East Sussex campsites have probably got it. But that’s not to say it’s all organised fun and sociable sites; there are also more traditional sites and places where you can pitch for peace and privacy as well as a huge variety of incredible glamping sites. If you’re looking for the very best campsites in East Sussex, our collection will not disappoint.

East Sussex is a great place to pitch up with your own tent. There are dozens of places to choose from and whether you prefer the dappled shade of a woodland campsite, the wide skies of a meadow location or a pitch with a view, there’s likely to be a spot to suit you. We’ve done our best to seek out campsites which offer something a little bit special: it might be an amazing location, a super-friendly host or a bit of flair in the facilities. It’s unlikely to be a bar and a clubhouse, hardstanding pitches and row upon row of identikit pitches where you’re wedged between motorhomes. We steer clear of the big holiday parks and only give the thumbs-up to places we’d like to camp ourselves.

Sometimes back-to-basics tent camping is at its best when it’s just that: basic. Without the distractions of modern life, you can kick back and enjoy the simple things; the view of East Sussex coast or country, the sound of birdsong and the crackle of a campfire – ahhh bliss. For a real digital detox, leave mobile phones and tablets at home, along with the temptation to use them, and pitch your tent in a site that’s deliberately off-grid. Classic camping is also great value and great fun in to the bargain – plus you can feel pretty smug that your camping staycation is having a limited effect on the environment; use public transport to get to your pitch and it’s probably the most eco-friendly way to go on holiday.

East Sussex seems to be particularly good at glamping offering everything from pre-pitched bell tents to some of the UK’s quirkiest accommodation. Fancy sleeping in a converted plane or a timber tree tent that’s suspended from the trees? You’ll find both among the glamping on offer here. There are glamping-only sites where you’ll be among like-minded people and campsites with a few glamping units where you’ll feel like you’re in first class. There are also a few secluded spots where there’s just a shepherd’s hut or two – perfect for a romantic weekend or private retreat.

Glamping is great for weekend getaways as you have less to take with you and more time to enjoy yourself. It also gives people without their own camping gear the chance to discover the joy of campsite life without investing in a lot of expensive equipment – for that reason it’s a great way for new campers to dip their toes in. You can choose from pre-pitched bell tents, yurts, tipis and safari tents if you fancy staying under canvas. These are great in summer and range from tents that are simply pitched for you to personalise to tents that have been completely kitted-out for you. Then there are romantic, retro and stylish gypsy wagons, shepherd’s huts and vintage caravans which hark back to simpler times and will have you reaching for the camera – no filter needed! East Sussex, along with the rest of the UK, has embraced glamping in the last decade and offers plenty of more elaborate glamping options too. There are treehouses, one-of-a-kind cabins, geodesic domes and converted vehicles and the list is always growing so we keep our eyes peeled and our collection updated with the latest developments in East Sussex glamping.

Family-friendly camping in East Sussex is easy to find. There are lots of sites that have special activities and facilities for children from communal marshmallow toasting around the campfire to nature trails and forest school activities. Farm-based sites always go down a treat with kids with the opportunity to see the animals up close – and sometimes even help with some of the farm chores like collecting eggs and feeding newborn lambs.

Even the most basic of campsites can be family-friendly though as camping is an adventure in itself that your kids are almost guaranteed to love. There are new friends to be made on site and depending on the lie of the land there might be endless games of football to be played, woodlands to explore, dens to be built and ponds to be dipped. Choose a site that’s got a car-free camping field and you may be content to let the kids run wild. Our experience is that it’s a taste of freedom that kids will love. Apart from all the on-site fun, there are new places to explore and some pretty cool family-friendly attractions in East Sussex from English Heritage sites like Battle Abbey to seaside funfairs in Hastings and Brighton and farm-based attractions out in the countryside. And after all the fresh air, it’s likely that your kids will be worn out and ready to bed down in their sleeping bags – and guess what? The novelty of sleeping under canvas might just mean they are happy to snuggle up and drift off to sleep while you enjoy the last embers of the campfire.

The South Downs is a ridge of chalky hills and downs stretching from Winchester in Hampshire, across neighbouring West Sussex and down to the sea near Eastbourne. Classified as a national park in 2010, it is Britain’s youngest. You can walk the length of the Downs on the 100-mile national trail, the South Downs Way and, of course, the most self-sufficient way to conquer it would be to carry your equipment and camp along the way. It’s also a great place to visit on a day out for shorter walks, mountain biking, horseriding, paragliding or simply to enjoy the far-reaching views over the Sussex countryside and down to the sea. Market towns and picturesque villages with country pubs punctuate the farmland and countryside of the Downs making great pitstops on walks in the area. There are plenty of campsites in and around the South Downs and some highly-recommended glamping sites too.

It’s only a few short miles from the South Downs to much-loved Brighton. The south-east coast’s most-popular and populated seaside resort embraces the alternative and is a fascinating place to visit with quirky shops and restaurants and plenty of attractions too. As a city, it may not seem like the obvious place for a camping holiday but there are some campsites within easy reach of its edges so it’s possible to camp and have an alternative city break. It’s also a great place for a day out. You can eat fish and chips from a deckchair on its famous pier, paddle in the sea and stroll through the maze-like Laines shopping area. Brighton blends seamlessly into Hove, where you can admire more elegant Victorian buildings and it’s not far to the market town of Lewes either. This historic town shares a fiercely independent streak with its bigger near neighbour and has its own fair share of quirky shops, cafes, attractions and historic buildings – albeit on a smaller scale.

The High Weald is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that’s characterised by yet more rolling hills with irregular-shaped fields, areas of woodland, farmsteads and ancient lanes which are a reminder of its medieval past. East Sussex claims most of the High Weald but its boundaries also include parts of Kent and West Sussex too. Instead of the chalk ridges of the South Downs and the parallel North Downs (in Surrey and Kent), the High Weald has sandstone ridges and quite a different feel. It’s a lovely place to camp if you like to be among peaceful, rural scenery and, as it’s in the north-east of the county, is one of the most easily accessible parts for people coming from London, West Sussex, Kent and parts of Surrey.

Among the High Weald’s boundaries in East Sussex and at the heart of the High Weald, is the open-access land of the Ashdown Forest. Despite the name, two thirds of the forest is heathland – an internationally important habitat for wildlife. Like the New Forest, you can wander freely through woodland and open heath and can sometimes see grazing animals here alongside the birds and butterflies. Parts of the Ashdown Forest are recognisable as places in the Winnie the Pooh stories by AA Milne, who had a house here. You can visit some of the locations on a visit to the Ashdown Forest, including Pooh Bridge where thousands of people visit each year for a game of Pooh sticks. Head to the Ashdown Forest Visitor Centre for more information.

You’re never too far from the sea in East Sussex, so unless you live by the sea, there’s no better time to take a dip in the cool waters of the Channel than on a camping holiday in East Sussex. Even if you’ve pitched your tent in the midst of rural bliss, it won’t take long to get to the seaside resorts of Brighton, Eastbourne or Hastings for a paddle and a stick of rock or an ice cream cone. But if the bright lights of the amusements arcades are too much, how about visiting the vast sands at Camber or taking a stroll in the unspoilt Seven Sisters Country Park where the South Downs meet the sea? In fact, the county has plenty of great walks and its well-signposted, long-distance footpaths are a good place to start. Grab your hiking boots and set out on a stretch of the South Downs Way, the Ouse Valley Way or the Sussex Border Path and you’ll feel like you really deserve your campsite dinner! If your type of stroll is one where you get to peruse the shops of the high street or the goods at a local farmers’ market try Rye, Lewes or Battle. Historic Battle was the scene of the 1066 Battle of Hastings and you can visit the English Heritage-protected battle field and nearby abbey too.

The National Trust also has a number of properties in East Sussex, including Sheffield Park and Gardens, with formal gardens that are great throughout the seasons and plenty of space for picnics and walks. There are plenty of grand houses and gardens scattered throughout the county too as well as farm-based attractions that are great for kids. Other family-friendly attractions include Drusilla’s Park, the Sealife Centre in Brighton and the Bluebell Railway which runs from East Grinstead to Sheffield Park. For more ideas on days out in East Sussex visit the Love Sussex website.

Have you ever been camping in East Sussex? If you haven’t you’re missing out. With an array of campsites you really are spoilt for choice. Luxury glamping, woodland camping, campsites that are child-friendly, group-friendly sites. Plus many more camping options.