Riverside glamping in Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve

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On the southern borders of the South Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve is one of the region’s most visited attractions. Explore 130 hectares of ancient woodlands, where the giant Yew trees and twisted branches create a fairy-tale backdrop. Look out for birds and butterflies as you follow the nature trails—the reserve is home to woodpeckers, buzzards, and many rare butterflies. North of the forest, climb up to the lookout point at Bow Hill for views across the Sussex countryside, and discover the Bronze age barrows (burial mounds) known as the Devil’s Humps.

98% (261) 75 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve

The Nut Plat Retreat

1. The Nut Plat Retreat

93%
(74)
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
from 
£88
 / night
Allington Lock Campsite

2. 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
from 
£34
 / night
The Sunset Tree

3. 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
Potable water
from 
£17
 / night
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
from 
£163
 / night
Wonderland Festival Retreat

5. Wonderland Festival Retreat

100%
(6)
Henfield, England · 2 units
Glamping by the lake with an optional sauna and hot tub
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£170
 / night
Stone Pit Meadows

6. 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
from 
£113
 / night
Skoolie Stays

7. 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
from 
£236
 / night

On the southern borders of the South Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve is one of the region’s most visited attractions. Explore 130 hectares of ancient woodlands, where the giant Yew trees and twisted branches create a fairy-tale backdrop. Look out for birds and butterflies as you follow the nature trails—the reserve is home to woodpeckers, buzzards, and many rare butterflies. North of the forest, climb up to the lookout point at Bow Hill for views across the Sussex countryside, and discover the Bronze age barrows (burial mounds) known as the Devil’s Humps.

98% (261) 75 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve

The Nut Plat Retreat

1. The Nut Plat Retreat

93%
(74)
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
from 
£88
 / night
Allington Lock Campsite

2. 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
from 
£34
 / night
The Sunset Tree

3. 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
Potable water
from 
£17
 / night
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
from 
£163
 / night
Wonderland Festival Retreat

5. Wonderland Festival Retreat

100%
(6)
Henfield, England · 2 units
Glamping by the lake with an optional sauna and hot tub
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£170
 / night
Stone Pit Meadows

6. 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
from 
£113
 / night
Skoolie Stays

7. 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
from 
£236
 / night

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Riverside glamping in Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve guide

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. South Downs campsites can book up quickly, especially in July and August, so reservations are always advised. Plan three to six months in advance for popular sites.
  2. If you do arrive without a reservation, it’s a good idea to secure a pitch first thing in the morning or call ahead, as available spots will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. 
  3. You will need to pay a deposit to secure your campsite reservation, and many sites ask for the full payment prior to arrival. 
  4. Hiking and camping season in the South Downs runs from mid-March through early October, and many campsites close out of season. However, campsites open year-round often offer lower rates in low season.

When to go

Kingley Vale is magnificent in autumn, when fall foliage transforms the forest into a kaleidoscope of colour, while summer visitors flock to see the butterflies. Crowds descend on the reserve in July and August, so get there early to secure a parking spot or choose a quiet weekday out of season if you want the forest to yourself. Allergy sufferers might want to avoid visiting in spring—Yew pollen is notoriously allergenic.

Know before you go

  • Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve is located within the South Downs National Park, about a 10-minute drive from Chichester. Direct trains run to Chichester from London Waterloo and take 1.5 hours.
  • Free parking is available at the West Stoke car park, at the south end of Kingley Vale.
  • Getting around the nature reserve is only possible on foot and uneven terrain means access for wheelchairs is very limited.
  • All land within the national reserve is privately owned and wild camping is not permitted anywhere.

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