Little Thakeham Farm

There's not much to see at Little Thakeham Farm for most of the year. That's if you notice it at all. At the end of a long concrete track, the field, dotted with oaks and elms, is a wonderfully hidden spot, perfectly situated a mile from the edge of the South Downs. And, to be honest, come summer there's not a vast amount that changes. There are no showers, no big wash blocks and certainly no WiFi. But when the dairy herd is moved into a different field and campers are welcomed here instead, the place transforms into a bona fide campsite and a wonderful one at that.

A mile from Storrington and just over 10 miles from the South Coast, Little Thakeham Farm is best for those looking for the back-to-basics camping experience and good walking opportunities. There are portable toilets, drinking water taps and logs are sold for campfires but otherwise things are fairly laid back and fun comes from revelling in the open space provided. Children will love making friends and exploring the shady borders of the campsite, while parents prep a barbecue spread from local farm shops, like The Village Larder, three miles away.

While Worthing, the south coast and attractions like Arundel Castle are all within 10 miles or so, its the countryside on the doorstep that's really the main draw. A stroll through a few fields behind the farm and you’ll end up on Strawberry Lane, a delightful path running through a long, narrow copse, or walk north into Thakeham village, where there's a Normal church and a 16th-century pub with occasional live music. The South Downs Way, meanwhile, is just over a mile away, as is the National Trust's Warren Hill park and woodland – a popular picnicking spot. The result is that you needn't go far to have a good time here. Indeed, you might just sit and enjoy the atmosphere of the meadow without really going anywhere at all.