Camping in Bedgebury Forest

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Just southeast of Tunbridge Wells, in Kent’s southern folds, this forest takes in one of the most important conifer-tree collections in the world. Within bird-rich Bedgebury National Pinetum’s 350 acres—a Grade II listed landscape—glinting lakes sit among 12,000 trees with sweeping valley views, including 400-year-old English oak trees and towering California redwoods. As autumn takes hold, the forest turns a beautiful rusty red. Explore the walking, running, mountain biking, and cycling trails, head out on horseback, or tackle the kid-friendly treetop rope course before retreating to a nearby riverside campsite, a stylish glamping yurt, or a bell tent farmstay.

97% (2.1K) 2,150 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in Bedgebury Forest

The Barn KT9

1. The Barn KT9

97%
(279)
Chessington, England · 16 units · Tents, Glamping
A unique rural campsite in Surrey, a stone's throw from London's Zone 6
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Oak Valley Lodges & Camping

2. Oak Valley Lodges & Camping

100%
(17)
England · 32 units
At Oak Valley Campsite, simplicity and space are part of the charm. Tucked among ancient oaks in the gentle countryside of Pett, East Sussex, this peaceful spot is all about traditional camping. Pitches are generous, grassy, and flat – ideal for tents and campers who like room to breathe. There are hot showers, proper loos, and fresh water on tap. At night, toast marshmallows around a hired fire pit, watch the stars, and enjoy the quiet. Explore local walks, pop down to Winchelsea Beach, or lose a few hours in the pretty streets of Rye, just 15 minutes away. Need to know: - No electric hook-up - Family-friendly & dog-friendly - Fire pits and logs available - Check-in from 2 pm
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Housedean Farm Campsite

3. Housedean Farm Campsite

98%
(105)
Lewes, England · 4 units
Epic views of the South Downs, and a walker’s paradise, hidden sweetly on the South Downs Way
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Beech Farm Camping

4. Beech Farm Camping

England · 99 units · Tents, Motorhomes
A rural getaway doesn’t have to involve a long drive or lots of winding lanes to negotiate – and an excellent example of this is Beech Farm, in the West Sussex countryside about five minutes’ drive from Billingshurst. This site is about a mile and a half from the nearest A road, half an hour’s drive from the A3 and M23, and about 45 minutes from Junction 9 of the M25. All of that adds up to a quick-to-reach destination for residents of London and most of the South East, as well as easy access for those coming from further afield. This is a fairly simple site with just essential facilities (toilet block, rubbish area and chemical disposal point), but it’s all well maintained. It’s a laidback place where families, dogs and groups are all welcome, but please note that campfires and barbecues are not allowed for safety reasons. Bed down here and you’ll be in an excellent spot for all sorts of days out – the site is just outside the South Downs National Park for scenic walks and bike rides, and within easy reach of Chichester (40 minutes), the Goodwood Estate (35 minutes) and the beaches of the south coast (half an hour). Billingshurst has a good selection of shops and places to eat, plus a railway station for days out by train. - Simple but well-kept site five minutes’ drive from Billingshurst - Just outside South Downs National Park; farm park two minutes' drive - Rural location with easy access from main roads and motorways
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Potable water
Far and Away Camping

5. Far and Away Camping

100%
(26)
England · 21 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!
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The Meadow @ Waples Mill

6. The Meadow @ Waples Mill

95%
(42)
Dunmow, England · 12 units
Spacious grass pitches in the green Essex countryside A 15-minute drive to Chelmsford; 40 minutes to Audley End Tractor rides on site; firepits provided for campfires. Rural walks, How about proper farm activities like tractor rides (ask site staff for details)? The place to find all this is The Meadow at Waples Mill, an Essex farm site between Chelmsford and Dunmow (and about 15 minutes’ drive from both). This family-friendly site is handy for walks on the Essex Way and other local footpaths, and tractor and trailer rides around the farm are organised on alternate days to give guests a glimpse into agricultural life. Activities complete for the day, it's time to chill out, and that should be easy here – all pitches have access to toilets and hot showers in a trailer close by, and firepits are provided so you can have a safe campfire (with wood available to buy on site and a great farm shop 10 minutes’ drive away for fireside snacks). Pitches themselves are large (please note only one tent per pitch is allowed), well kept and well spaced within a meadow that backs onto the River Roding. Dogs are welcome, and there are plenty of places to take them for a walk nearby. London folk looking for a quick escape to the countryside, this is a place to bear in mind – it’s only about an hour and quarter by road from the city.
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Fleets Paddock Glamping & Camping

7. Fleets Paddock Glamping & Camping

96%
(112)
Canterbury, England · 21 units · Tents, Glamping
Pitches, bell tents and a gypsy caravan on the outskirts of Canterbury
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Hook Farm Campsite

8. Hook Farm Campsite

98%
(210)
East Grinstead, England · 13 units
Blissfully back-to-basics camping in the heart of the West Sussex High Weald
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Chalky Downs

9. Chalky Downs

96%
(605)
Brighton, England · 10 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Traditional tent camping in a stunningly-located South Downs farm, just down the road from buzzing Brighton
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Tomkins Farm

10. Tomkins Farm

96%
(167)
North Chailey, England · 41 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Relaxed camping beside a lake on an East Sussex farm, with alpacas, llamas, and camels
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Campfires
Showers
Alciston Court Farm

11. Alciston Court Farm

95%
(44)
Alfriston, England · 5 units
A back-to-basics campsite that’s well located at the foot of the South Downs
Pets
Campfires
Hill Top Farm Wild Camping

12. Hill Top Farm Wild Camping

93%
(15)
England · 2 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Hill Top Farm Wild Camping has just a few tiny pitches but the folk here keep the grass trimmed for easy pitching and you can park right next to the pitch. It's a tiny Wild Camping site with no running water, toilets or showers. What Noakes Meadow does have is plenty of space for you to enjoy and camp fires are definitely allowed. A wheelbarrow of fire wood can be purchased for £10 Cash/Paypal/Bank Transfer on arrival. This site is far away from the madding crowds though close to the M20 and A20 for easy access. A mere 10-minute stroll along the road is a fab 16th-century country inn for food and pints. On the other hand you could always fire up a barbie and sizzle some sausages or grab a take away from the chippie 7 minutes away in the nearby village of Lenham. This wild camping site operates a leave no trace policy so be prepared to bag up and take everything with you when you leave.
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Campfires
Small Meadow Campsite, Fairlight

13. Small Meadow Campsite, Fairlight

100%
(19)
Fairlight, England · 3 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Reconnect with nature, gently. Welcome to our low-impact, off-grid campsite nestled within a working permaculture fruit and herb farm. Here, a small flock of sheep graze as part of an ongoing project to restore a wildflower meadow. The land is alive with colour, birdsong and butterflies—and you’re invited to experience it at your own peaceful pace. 🌿 Space to breathe Only two pitches are available at any time (up to 8 people per pitch). Each pitch has: Private fire pit overlooking wide countryside views Camping area (with views) on the lower slope near the shower and main compost toilet Retreat into the woodland strip at the top of the field—perfect for hammocks, hammock tents, shade in summer, quiet chats and listening to the wind through the trees. 🏕️ Extra comfort if the weather turns Add the large group tent, ideal for gatherings, sleeping or simply escaping the heat. It includes a yoga deck / flat outdoor space, perfect for truly unwinding. Looking for a secure field kitchen? We can open the horsebox on the top field (small extra cost). It’s ideal for food storage, camp stoves and gear while you explore beaches and trails. 🌟 Special Exclusive Rental Hire the entire campsite area for your group £250 for up to 10 people up to 10 additional guests at £20 pppn Make the farm yours..... 🌄 Views worth waking up for: From the fire pits you’ll see far-reaching countryside views, and just a short walk away on Mountain Field or at The Balehouse (Hastings Country Park café) you’ll find truly breathtaking scenes over Rye Bay. Nature is the heartbeat here—bluebells in May, orchard blossoms, butterflies drifting through the herbs, and birdsong that wraps around the woodland. At night, the skies open up to the stars; in the morning, you’ll wake to dew-kissed grass and the first rays of sun. 🧘‍♀️ A slower kind of camping Bring a yoga mat, greet the day on the deck, cook outdoors, walk the cliffs, or unwind under the trees. Gather friends and family for a fire, BBQ, or a giant picnic—this field was made for simple, shared moments. 📌 Practical Notes Working farm: the farmer and WWOOFers are on site in areas separate from camping facilities. Exclusive use refers to the campsite areas, not the entire farm. Please bring your own drinking water.
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Littleton Farm Campsite

14. Littleton Farm Campsite

94%
(27)
Upwaltham, England · 20 units
Nestled in a valley on the South Downs Way, Littleton Farm Campsite offers a secluded spot for enjoying the countryside. Welcoming tent campers only, the site offers non electric pitches with plenty of space for everyone to have some peace and quiet. Grab breakfast from the onsite Cadence Cafe, spend days exploring picturesque walking routes and evenings by the campfire. Arundel and Chichester are within 20 minutes drive. A great base for exploring the South Downs and all that West Sussex has to offer. For events at Goodwood or for walkers and cyclists on the South Downs Way, the site is also an ideal spot for escaping the crowds. There are 20 non electric grass pitches onsite, each welcoming tents only. Each pitch allows up to six guests, with plenty of space for tents and gazebos with no extra charges other than on a per-person basis. Unloading is allowed by the pitches with parking in the designated car park. Wake up to fantastic rural views and grab a bite to eat from the onsite cafe, which also serves a delicious cup of coffee. Days can be spent enjoying long walks in beautiful open countryside, exploring the charming nearby towns and villages, or down by the coast, only 25 minutes away. In the evenings, guests can cook up a BBQ or relax by the campfire. Please note, the site is dog free.
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Potable water
Glassenbury Camping

15. Glassenbury Camping

99%
(67)
Cranbrook, England · 33 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Eco camping in the heart of the High Weald and Kent's castle country
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Peacocks Farm Campsite

16. Peacocks Farm Campsite

100%
(3)
England · 19 units · Tents, Motorhomes
A private nature reserve with secluded wild pitches for both tents and campervans. Flushing toilets, hot showers, campfires and a nature rich experience
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Coxhill Camping

17. Coxhill Camping

100%
(51)
Dover, England · 20 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Relaxed camping in a field close to Dover and Canterbury
Pets
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Ditchling Boutique Camping

18. Ditchling Boutique Camping

86%
(22)
Ditchling, England · 100 units
Hunker down in a historic village, surrounded by vineyards, hilly countryside and some rather spectacular views. With Ditchling Camping as your base, you’ll be on track for rural bike rides or visiting Brighton and its busy coast 25 minutes’ drive away. That’s because this dog-friendly site is in Ditchling – a village in the splendid South Downs National Park and a rather excellent location for all sorts of days out. Good news if the whole family is tagging along: there’s plenty to play with around the site, including an adventure trail through the woodlands, a swing tree and places for kids to fashion their own little dens. The site is only a five-minute drive (or a 30-minute walk) from the traditional Jack and Jill windmills and the neighbouring family-run pub, which serves both grub and good ales. A vineyard is 15 minutes’ walk away from the site if you'd like to include a wine-tasting tour on your break. Otherwise, simply pedal along country lanes on the surrounding cycling routes (it’s easy enough to hire a bike locally). On your route, you might want to stop by in characterful Ditchling, home to local craftspeople and winemakers. There’s a nice selection of independent shops here, plus cosy cafés and pubs that will serve you a good spread of Sussex food, all within a 5-minute walk. Back on site, end the day with a cosy evening beside the fire-pits. The site facilities are nicely straightforward otherwise and include warm showers and a separate dishwashing area and of course our newly installed Composting Toilets.
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Otter Channel Campsite

19. Otter Channel Campsite

95%
(160)
East Sussex, England · 15 units
Spacious, nature-friendly camping with campfires on the banks of the River Rother
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Cattlestone Farm Adult Only

20. Cattlestone Farm Adult Only

97%
(122)
Pulborough, England · 55 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Friendly camping and glamping on a Sussex farm, with animals to meet, a pond to swim in, and the South Downs nearby.
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Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

Bedgebury Forest camping guide

Where to go

High Weald AONB

White-chalk cliffs, medieval villages, ancient forests, snaking valleys, and windswept heathlands are just some of the many charms of the High Weald AONB, England’s fourth-biggest. This area extends for almost 580 square miles across Kent, Sussex, and Surrey, offering outstanding hiking, cycling, mountain biking, and horse riding opportunities. Pitch up at a low-key farm, a riverside park, or a beach-view caravan camp—otherwise, hunt down glamping yurts, safari tents, and shepherds’ huts in the hills.

Kent Downs AONB

From fragrant lavender fields to precariously perched escarpments, this swathe of back-to-nature Kent is all about dramatic views, and makes up one of the southeast’s major wildlife conservation spaces. Its 340 square miles of delightfully varied landscapes stretch from Dover’s white sea cliffs all the way to the Surrey border. The 164-mile-long North Downs Way is a highlight among its endlessly rewarding rambling paths.

The Kent Coast

Stretching from just north of lovely Rye (in East Sussex) to bohemian Margate, then west past Whitstable almost to London, Kent’s dazzling coastline is a favourite warm-weather playground—book well ahead! Hikers can tackle part of the long-distance England Coast Path where water sports abound, from sea kayaking around Ramsgate to tidal-pool swimming in Margate. Make a beeline for the wonderfully scenic Kent coastal campsites.

South Downs

While exploring the High Weald, don’t miss its spectacularly scenic neighbour, the 615-square-mile South Downs National Park, whose 1,864 miles of walking trails sweep across green-clad hills to chalk-dusted cliffs overlooking the English Channel. Hike along the South Downs Way, go paragliding, horse riding, or mountain-biking, and spot wildlife such as otters, owls, and skylarks.

Frequently Asked Questions

In Bedgebury Forest, you can enjoy hiking, cycling, mountain biking, and horse riding. There are also kid-friendly treetop rope courses available for families to enjoy. You can also explore different options for camping near Bedgebury Forest on Hipcamp.

The High Weald AONB region offers attractions such as white-chalk cliffs, medieval villages, ancient forests, snaking valleys, and windswept heathlands. It is a great place for hiking, cycling, mountain biking, and horse riding. You can also explore different options for camping near Bedgebury Forest on Hipcamp.

While exploring Bedgebury Forest, don’t miss its spectacularly scenic neighbour, the 615-square-mile South Downs National Park, whose 1,864 miles of walking trails sweep across green-clad hills to chalk-dusted cliffs overlooking the English Channel. Hike along the South Downs Way, go paragliding, horse riding, or mountain-biking, and spot wildlife such as otters, owls, and skylarks. You can also explore different options for camping near Bedgebury Forest on Hipcamp.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Popular Bedgebury Forest holidays