The best pets off leash campsites in Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve

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% (90)

Top-rated campgrounds near Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve

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% (90)

Top-rated campgrounds near Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve

1. Old Litten

99%

(60)

1 unit · Tent · Steep, Hampshire, South East England

Nestled atop a serene hill, this idyllic field offers a perfect escape for campers. Blanketed in lush, green grass, the field stretches out under a vast, clear sky, providing panoramic views of the South Downs National Park. Wildflowers in vibrant hues dot the landscape. As the sun goes down, the sky transforms into a canvas of twinkling stars, untouched by city lights. This remote haven, far from the hustle and bustle, is a sanctuary for those seeking tranquility and a deep connection with nature.

2. Bellatent

100%

(3)

1 unit · Glamping · England

Newly open this year! Only between July and August! Our exclusive campsite offers a true escape from Wi-Fi and other distractions. Enjoy the lovely setting of this romantic spot in nature. Beautiful walks in surrounding areas include the South Downs link. 30 minutes from Gatwick and 2 -3 miles from the town of Horsham Our bell tent is about experiencing the simplicity and tranquility that only nature can provide. It’s a perfect blend of adventure and comfort in a rural and private location. A serene and private bell tent camping experience—a perfect retreat to reconnect with nature and your loved ones. This bell tent offers a double bed for a comfortable sleep, a double futon (on request) and small furnishings for a back to basics experience. We provide clean running water with a sink, a camp toilet, bbq, outside fire pit, wood, utensils however no shower and NO ELECTRIC. Wake up to the sight of lush greenery and the sounds of birds chirping. Our location provides a peaceful environment where you can unwind and soak in the beauty of the natural world. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a family adventure, or relaxing in front of the fire, our bell tent camping experience is designed for everyone. Create lasting memories in a beautiful setting. Parking is located just off the bridle way where you will find a wheelbarrow to load up and walk over to the bell tent. Walk down the field and you will find the orchard where the bell tent is situated in the corner of your own personal paddock. Padlock on gate and tent is 7415. No driving on the field.

3. Earth Camp

90%

(34)

33 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Lewes, East Sussex, South East England

We are a small, family run, eco-friendly campsite in Chailey, set in a peaceful pocket of Sussex countryside. Our uniqueness includes therapies offered on site, including massage, reiki and pellowah; our classes run on site, including yoga, and gong baths; the wide range of outdoor games we can provide; and our commitment to making your camping experience as pleasurable as possible. We also have a fantastic wood-fired sauna all day on Saturdays, a delicious pizza oven on Saturday evenings, and a coffee truck on weekend mornings! We allow campfires and dogs, and for those who seek a little luxury in camping, we have spacious hot showers. We also have a number of beautiful Bell Tents available to hire, which we will put up for you prior to your arrival (min 2 nights). Look our for our special weekends, including Star Parties, Yoga Retreats, Singing Circles and Wellness Weekends. We also have delicious wood-fired pizzas on Saturday evenings, and an artisan coffee trucks with superb pastries on weekend mornings 8-10am.

4. Hammonds Glamping

10 units · Glamping · England

A relaxing and fun family holiday! Stay in one of our 10 large furnished bell tents in the Surrey countryside, with loads to do on site and great family days out close by. Dogs are very welcome too so the whole family can come along. At Hammonds you can look forward to a well-deserved break from home life. We also welcome Exclusive Hire for the whole site, sleeping up to 50 people it's perfect for groups of friends, family gatherings or class trips. Enjoy our luxury furnished tents with comfortable beds, bedding and your own firepit. On site you can freshen up with our well-equipped toilet and shower facilities, play games or relax under the communal stretch tent, wake up to a delicious Surrey Hills coffee from our refreshments trailer, and explore acres of beautiful grounds in the National Trust Park and access to Hatchlands House and Park. Based in West Horsley, you will find pubs and local shops within walking distance, and lots of great days out within a 20 minute drive.

5. Stone Pit Meadows

100%

(8)

5 units · Glamping · Sandhurst, England

Bell tent and shepherd's hut glamping in a wild and luscious space, 5 minutes from Bodiam Castle.

6. Peacocks Farm Campsite

100%

(1)

20 units · Tents, Motorhomes · England

A private nature reserve with secluded wild pitches for both tents and campervans. Flushing toilets, hot showers, campfires and a nature rich experience

7. Secluded AONB group glamping

100%

(5)

1 unit · Glamping · Battle, England

Babylon Woods is made up of 90 acres of unspoilt countryside, most of which is ancient woodlands. Our glamping site is located in a 19 Acre field which is exclusively yours, not another soul (certainly no other campers) will disturb you apart from the odd rabbit or dear! The south coast is only 10 mins away with all kinds of water activities and hikes to enjoy. On site you have plenty of woodland walks to explore and if you are a fan of English Wine, we are slap bang in the middle of wine country with numerous vineyards to explore locally.

8. Wyldewood Retreat

100%

(9)

1 unit · Glamping · Horam, East Sussex, South East England

An exclusive-hire glamping site for six people in a Sussex woodland

9. Acacia Bay Woodlands

2 units · Glamping · England

A beautifully designed and curated set of cosy cabins located in a magical ancient woodland setting. Completely renovated for 2024, an ideal retreat for a group looking for a magical holiday surrounded by nature. Each cabin has private parking, secure gardens and private entrance. The cabins are not isolated as just off from the main road. This allows you to feel cocooned in The Woodlands yet have easy access to a Tescos superstore 5 minutes up the road.

Camper favorites in and near Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Hammonds Glamping

10 units · Glamping · England

A relaxing and fun family holiday! Stay in one of our 10 large furnished bell tents in the Surrey countryside, with loads to do on site and great family days out close by. Dogs are very welcome too so the whole family can come along. At Hammonds you can look forward to a well-deserved break from home life. We also welcome Exclusive Hire for the whole site, sleeping up to 50 people it's perfect for groups of friends, family gatherings or class trips. Enjoy our luxury furnished tents with comfortable beds, bedding and your own firepit. On site you can freshen up with our well-equipped toilet and shower facilities, play games or relax under the communal stretch tent, wake up to a delicious Surrey Hills coffee from our refreshments trailer, and explore acres of beautiful grounds in the National Trust Park and access to Hatchlands House and Park. Based in West Horsley, you will find pubs and local shops within walking distance, and lots of great days out within a 20 minute drive.

Stone Pit Meadows

100%

(8)

5 units · Glamping · Sandhurst, England

Bell tent and shepherd's hut glamping in a wild and luscious space, 5 minutes from Bodiam Castle.

Peacocks Farm Campsite

100%

(1)

20 units · Tents, Motorhomes · England

A private nature reserve with secluded wild pitches for both tents and campervans. Flushing toilets, hot showers, campfires and a nature rich experience

Secluded AONB group glamping

100%

(5)

1 unit · Glamping · Battle, England

Babylon Woods is made up of 90 acres of unspoilt countryside, most of which is ancient woodlands. Our glamping site is located in a 19 Acre field which is exclusively yours, not another soul (certainly no other campers) will disturb you apart from the odd rabbit or dear! The south coast is only 10 mins away with all kinds of water activities and hikes to enjoy. On site you have plenty of woodland walks to explore and if you are a fan of English Wine, we are slap bang in the middle of wine country with numerous vineyards to explore locally.

Wyldewood Retreat

100%

(9)

1 unit · Glamping · Horam, East Sussex, South East England

An exclusive-hire glamping site for six people in a Sussex woodland

Acacia Bay Woodlands

2 units · Glamping · England

A beautifully designed and curated set of cosy cabins located in a magical ancient woodland setting. Completely renovated for 2024, an ideal retreat for a group looking for a magical holiday surrounded by nature. Each cabin has private parking, secure gardens and private entrance. The cabins are not isolated as just off from the main road. This allows you to feel cocooned in The Woodlands yet have easy access to a Tescos superstore 5 minutes up the road.

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

O

Oscar

October 2025

Tent

Group trip

1 night at Old Litten

Charlotte’s land was a brilliant spot perfectly located with a beautiful view. Had everything we needed for our one night stay and we had a great time thanks to it.

I

Ian

October 2025

Tent

With pets

2 nights at Old Litten

What an incredible find! Lovely views, lovely people nearby and the host was so friendly and welcoming. We will absolutely be back!

G

Geert

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Old Litten

A truly beautiful place to stay – so charming and full of character. And then there’s Charlotte, the hostess: such a warm and welcoming person, with a genuine passion that shines through in her wonderful camper spot. The surrounding region is perfect for both walking and gravel riding. For food and drinks, head to the pub just around the corner (“The Pub with No Name” aka The White Horse). It’s incredibly authentic and serves excellent cuisine.

R

Ross

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Old Litten

Lovely site for nearly wild camping, had the place all to ourselves, and the view was incredible. Charlotte was a lovely and helpful host, would definitely recommend. If it helps anyone find the site in future, the what3words is ///deeper.perfumes.hiked

D

Demi

August 2025

3 m Class B

With pets

Weekend Trip to Earth Camp

really lovely welcome onto the site and friendly hroughout. facilities were nice and clean! loved the coffee van int he morning :)

Richard

August 2025

Tent

3 nights at Old Litten

Another superb stay. Charlotte's field is lovely with gorgeous views. There are some great walks nearby plus some good pubs on the way. Charlotte is super helpful and friendly,highly recommend this site.

E

Esther

August 2025

Tent

With pets

1 night at Old Litten

I had a perfect relaxing night with the dog in the field. Very quiet and peaceful with excellent views and walks in the beautiful countryside. Beautiful sunrise. Would happily return. There was water, camping toilet, free parking, no fires.

K

Katharine

August 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Peacocks Farm Campsite

Peaceful campsite with spacious pitches. Beautiful skies at night, birds singing in the morning, fire pits with grills supplied, clean showers and flushing toilets. The walk to the pub was lovely and the roast there was incredible. Paul's a hospitable and friendly host too. Many thanks for a memorable weekend.

D

David

August 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Earth Camp

Earth Camp was a great place to pitch a tent and relax for a lovely weekend outdoors. The facilities are solid and the pizzas on Saturdays are excellent value for money. Certain parts of the field are a bit sloped, so make sure to arrive early to get the best pick of the pitches!

T

Tessa

July 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Old Litten

One of the best places we have ever camped in the UK, unexpectedly spectacular location with beautiful walks, and wonderful to have the whole field to ourselves for kid and dog to run free in.

H

Harriet

July 2025

Tent

With kids

1 night at Old Litten

The most incredible camping spot - highly recommend! Stunning views and a really lovely helpful host. The perfect night with friends and kids! Great swing for the kids too. Thanks so much Charlotte

S

Stuart

July 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Old Litten

I love charlotte’s beautiful spot. Secluded, remote and thoughtfully looked after. The views from down the hill will never get old and the variety of wild flowers and plants are really nice. Nice pubs nearby and a supermarket is just a few minutes drive once you get off the track to the site. Thanks for hosting us Charlotte xx

A

Alex

July 2025

Weekend Trip to Bellatent

Loved our stay at Bellatent, good value and has all you need for a pleasant stay. Bit far from anything, but you can order in food etc relatively easily if needed

L

Laura

July 2025

With pets

2 nights at Bellatent

We loved staying at Julian’s land. Everything was prefect, the tent is fully equipped, clean and tidy, furnished with excellent taste and functionality As an enclosed land we enjoyed playing free with our furry loved. We enjoyed the privacy and peace and just nature around. We had the pleasure to meet Julian, extremely kind and welcoming, he was very supportive in everything we need and more. He also shows us walking paths and local village where we found a lovely pub. We definitely recommend Julian’s Bella Tent. Thank you Julian for let us stay! Hope to come back soon.

A

Anwen

July 2025

Weekend Trip to Stone Pit Meadows

We loved our stay in Southdown shepherd hut. Was extremely well equipped with everything you could possibly think of for a couple of nights. Including firewood, lighters and marshmallows! Thoroughly recommend the breakfast hamper add on - with delicious modifications as one of us is a veggie. The campsite is great - beautiful surroundings with a lovely little swimming hole (wild and a bit weedy but refreshing) You can see the other tents/ hut and kids playing etc but it didn’t feel noisy or crowded at all. The location is very peaceful and rural - a good 30+ minutes walk to the local pub, but there is off road paths to get there. And it’s close to lots of attractions by car - chapel down winery, the coast etc. There’s lots more exploring to do in this area and when we come back we’d love to stay at Stoneput meadows!

T

Thomas

July 2025

Weekend Trip to Bellatent

I love the tent and beds, slept better than in my own home. The site is clean, with ample privacy from the surrounding bushes and trees. The fire pit and wood supply made me feel like a little gatherer which is a plus. Has everything you need like gas stove, pans, cutlery, foil, boardgames and books.

A

Adam

June 2025

Tent

1 night at Old Litten

Lovely exclusive pitch with great views. The track leading to the site is quite bumpy and not suited to low cars but it is doable. Would recommend.

Emily

June 2025

Tent

1 night at Old Litten

Charlotte's stay was everything we needed to switch off. The view is amazing! thank you charlotte x

k

kara

June 2025

Tent

4 nights at Old Litten

Charlotte is a wonderful host and the campsite is excellent we definitely want to come back

C

Cherian

June 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Secluded AONB group glamping

I can’t recommend this camping site enough. Nestled within 90 acres of serene, open land, it offers a truly secluded escape from the noise and chaos of everyday life. The setting is stunning – peaceful, untouched, and expansive – with total freedom to roam and unwind. Georgina and Max are exceptional hosts. They’ve thought of absolutely everything, and their attention to detail shows in every corner of the site. From the moment we arrived, everything was smooth and clearly explained. They’ve created that perfect sweet spot between traditional camping and glamping – you get the authentic outdoorsy experience without compromising on convenience or comfort. From essentials to thoughtful extras, everything you could possibly need has been provided. It’s clear they’ve poured a lot of love and effort into making this a truly special place. There were zero issues – no noise, no disturbances – just nature, calm, and comfort. I’ll absolutely be coming back, and I recommend this place wholeheartedly to anyone looking for a proper, well-balanced camping getaway.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best pets off leash campsites in Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve guide

Tips for snagging a campsite

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.
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.
You will need to pay a deposit to secure your campsite reservation, and many sites ask for the full payment prior to arrival.
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.