Riverside glamping in High Weald AONB

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Covering almost 1500 square kilometres of bucolic countryside across Sussex, Kent, and Surrey, the High Weald (England’s fourth largest AONB) is dotted with elegant manors, ancient castles, and National Trust gardens. It’s also packed with adventure, from lake swimming and kayaking to refreshing walks across wide-open heaths or through dense, ancient forests. May to October are the best months for outdoor wandering, whether you’re heading for a coastal campsite, a glamping tent on a family-friendly farm, or a secluded treehouse escape for switching right off.

96% (282) 61 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in High Weald AONB

Wonderland Festival Retreat

1. Wonderland Festival Retreat

100%
(6)
Henfield, England · 3 units
Glamping by the lake with an optional sauna and hot tub
Pets
Showers
Campfires
The Sunset Tree

2. The Sunset Tree

96%
(34)
Sussex, England · 29 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
A sociable, tents-only, pop-up campsite, with a good village pub and playground on the doorstep
Pets
Campfires
Showers
The Nut Plat Retreat

3. The Nut Plat Retreat

94%
(81)
Tonbridge, England · 3 units
Antique living wagons on the banks of the River Bourne, with a charming orchard setting, a pub down the lane and a history unlike anywhere else
Pets
Showers
Campfires
The Baker's Hut

4. The Baker's Hut

100%
(1)
Ashurst, England · 1 unit
A shepherd’s hut hideaway for two in rural Sussex
Showers
Campfires
Wifi
Woolton Farm

5. Woolton Farm

88%
(20)
Canterbury, England · 23 units · Tents, Glamping
Camping pitches and bell tents on an apple farm in Kent
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Allington Lock Campsite

6. Allington Lock Campsite

100%
(3)
England · 10 units · Tents, Glamping
Set beside a peaceful river, this family-friendly campsite offers a simple, nature-filled getaway. Pitch your own tent on one of our 8 non-electric grass pitches, or make yourself at home in one of our two cosy Scandinavian-style softwood cabins, each sleeping up to 4. Please note: guests staying in cabins will need to bring their own bed linen. Onsite facilities include: Riverside setting for a tranquil stay Hot showers and toilets Covered eating area with BBQs Cabins with electricity (for charging devices only) Parking for 1 car per booking (£5 per night) Dogs welcome Onsite CCTV and security barriers
Pets
Showers
Potable water
Stone Pit Meadows

7. Stone Pit Meadows

100%
(8)
Sandhurst, England · 5 units
Bell tent and shepherd's hut glamping in a wild and luscious space, 5 minutes from Bodiam Castle.
Pets
Showers
Campfires
Skoolie Stays

8. Skoolie Stays

100%
(5)
Pulborough, England · 1 unit
A converted, characterful and cool all-American yellow school bus parked up near the South Downs
Showers
Campfires
Potable water

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High Weald AONB camping guide

Where to go

East Sussex

The bulk of the High Weald AONB sits in East Sussex—a rolling southern landscape of mediaeval villages, chalk cliffs, mist-wrapped forests, and open heathland. Highlights include walking, cycling, and horse-riding in Ashdown Forest, known for inspiring AA Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh stories; dipping into lively south-coast towns such as Brighton and Eastbourne; and for climbers, tackling sandstone outcrops including Harrison’s Rocks. Pitch your tent by a gurgling river, overlooking moody woodlands, or by the sea near Camber Sands.

Kent

Southern Kent’s swathe of the AONB extends around the town of Royal Tunbridge Wells. There are miles of cycling trails and a scented pinetum to explore in Bedgebury Forest; gorgeous protected woodlands to wander such as Hargate Forest and Tudeley Woods; and all kinds of water sports on Bewl Water, from kayaking to paddle-boarding to wild swimming. Camping delights include off-grid farm sites, glamping tents in flower-filled meadows, and shepherds’ huts gazing out on undulating hills.

Surrey & West Sussex

The western part of the High Weald AONB is all about restful valleys and rippling hills that give way to the peaceful West Sussex coast. Chichester, Arundel, and Hever Castle (where Anne Boleyn grew up) are regional showstoppers, and birdwatchers adore Weir Wood reservoir. Across this go-slow region you can set up camp everywhere from a safari-style tent in a lakeside field to a glamping pod on the fringes of the South Downs.

South Downs

A hop south from the High Weald lies the view-drenched South Downs National Park, a 1600-square-km southeastern wonderland stretching from Beachy Head near coast-hugging Eastbourne to Winchester in Hampshire. Some 3000 km of delightful rambling trails crisscross its chalk hills, including the long-distance South Downs Way, and adventure opportunities are endless, from mountain biking to paragliding.

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

Popular High Weald AONB holidays

Popular High Weald AONB glamping styles

Top counties in and near High Weald AONB