- Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve
The best star host campsites in Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve
99% (1.3K) • 207 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve
Hill Top Farm Wild Camping
1. Hill Top Farm Wild Camping
95%
(10)
1 unit · Tent · England
Hill Top Farm Wild Camping has just one pitch 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.
Campfires
from
£13
/ night
Alciston Court Farm
2. Alciston Court Farm
95%
(38)
5 units · Tents · Alfriston, East Sussex, South East England
A back-to-basics campsite that’s well located at the foot of the South Downs
Pets
Campfires
from
£30
/ night
Cattlestone Farm Adult Only
3. Cattlestone Farm Adult Only
97%
(122)
36 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · West Sussex, South East England
Friendly camping and glamping on a Sussex farm, with animals to meet, a pond to swim in, and the South Downs nearby.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from
£35
/ night
Painters Farm Campsite
4. Painters Farm Campsite
99%
(38)
46 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Whitstable, England
Nestled beside the village of Painters Forstal, Faversham, Kent.
Our two acre orchard site with grass pitches.
The campsite lies within seventeen acres on the slope of The Kent Downs, a designated area of natural beauty.
The Alma ale house at the edge of the farm serves Shepherds Neame and hot meals all year round.
Two acre quiet cherry orchard site based around a Tudor Manor house 1547 that gives its name to our village. Surrounded by orchards and open countryside but within easy reach of Faversham, Whitstable and Canterbury. Pitches for tents, campervans, motorhomes and touring caravans with or without electric hook up on a level grassy site. Pets are welcome and a crew member is always around the reception or farm to help out.
The Campsite is open from 1st march until 31st October.
The local area is awash with things to do. Faversham once the busiest port in 17th century England for its wool trade has the longest complete medieval street in the country. A wealth of little shops, cafes and pubs as well as the country’s oldest family owned brewery Shepherd Neame.
Whitstable sitting just along the coast, famed for its Oysters and Sunsets is a fun beachside community bustling in the summer months and hauntingly bleak in the winter ones. The World Heritage sites of Canterbury are just a fifteen minute trip away with all its well documented history and plentiful shops and eateries.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from
£26
/ night
Foot of the Downs
5. Foot of the Downs
100%
(25)
3 units · Glamping · West Sussex, South East England
Glamping on a family farm in Sussex, just off the South Downs Way and not far from Brighton
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from
£117
/ night
99% (1.3K) • 207 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve
Hill Top Farm Wild Camping
1. Hill Top Farm Wild Camping
95%
(10)
1 unit · Tent · England
Hill Top Farm Wild Camping has just one pitch 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.
Campfires
from
£13
/ night
Alciston Court Farm
2. Alciston Court Farm
95%
(38)
5 units · Tents · Alfriston, East Sussex, South East England
A back-to-basics campsite that’s well located at the foot of the South Downs
Pets
Campfires
from
£30
/ night
Cattlestone Farm Adult Only
3. Cattlestone Farm Adult Only
97%
(122)
36 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · West Sussex, South East England
Friendly camping and glamping on a Sussex farm, with animals to meet, a pond to swim in, and the South Downs nearby.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from
£35
/ night
Painters Farm Campsite
4. Painters Farm Campsite
99%
(38)
46 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Whitstable, England
Nestled beside the village of Painters Forstal, Faversham, Kent.
Our two acre orchard site with grass pitches.
The campsite lies within seventeen acres on the slope of The Kent Downs, a designated area of natural beauty.
The Alma ale house at the edge of the farm serves Shepherds Neame and hot meals all year round.
Two acre quiet cherry orchard site based around a Tudor Manor house 1547 that gives its name to our village. Surrounded by orchards and open countryside but within easy reach of Faversham, Whitstable and Canterbury. Pitches for tents, campervans, motorhomes and touring caravans with or without electric hook up on a level grassy site. Pets are welcome and a crew member is always around the reception or farm to help out.
The Campsite is open from 1st march until 31st October.
The local area is awash with things to do. Faversham once the busiest port in 17th century England for its wool trade has the longest complete medieval street in the country. A wealth of little shops, cafes and pubs as well as the country’s oldest family owned brewery Shepherd Neame.
Whitstable sitting just along the coast, famed for its Oysters and Sunsets is a fun beachside community bustling in the summer months and hauntingly bleak in the winter ones. The World Heritage sites of Canterbury are just a fifteen minute trip away with all its well documented history and plentiful shops and eateries.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from
£26
/ night
Foot of the Downs
5. Foot of the Downs
100%
(25)
3 units · Glamping · West Sussex, South East England
Glamping on a family farm in Sussex, just off the South Downs Way and not far from Brighton
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from
£117
/ night
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
B
Batman
December 2025
Weekend Trip to Foot of the Downs
Me and my partner stayed at Skylark pod and it was very nice, lovely scenic getaway for our anniversary. The bed was comfy and the shower was very good. The only issue was there was quite a lot of dust cobwebs around so it wasn’t as clean as we expected. The sofa is also very uncomfortable. Would recommend though.
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L
Lee
October 2025
5 m Class B
Great welcome and although the windiest weekend of the year so far a decent pitch with a little shelter.
Two walks over the weekend one directly from camp and the other from the Swale estuary car park, both worth it.
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R
Rosemarie
September 2025
Tent
We loved the setting, the camping field is surrounded by trees. We heard owls hooting at night. There is a small herd of fab Highland Cattle, a piggy wig and two cute goats.
Donna & Allen are very hospitable and the farm has been in Allen's family since the early 1800's.
We spent three days there in September...it was quiet and the perfect setting to relax and reset.
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L
Laurence
September 2025
5 m Class B
We had a wonderful time, the place is beautiful and quiet, away from roads and houses. Vans, campers and tents are well spaced from each other. Everybody very respectful. Facilities are great: shower and loos are immaculate, fire pits available to rent and wood to buy, pub in walking distance, and even home pizzas nights at the weekend. Location is great too, we will definitely be back!
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D
Daniel
September 2025
4 m Class B
What a lovely campsite! Very peaceful and great facilities.
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John
August 2025
Tent
Group trip
Beautiful little spot with plenty to do in the surrounding areas. Whether it’s walking trails, pubs, wineries or even a medieval town.
There’s no water on the block but the local morrison’s is happy for you to bring water from there to the camp.
Highly recommend and gorgeous spot to set up camp.
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D
Dominykas
August 2025
Tent
Lovely, quiet, secluded pitch. Great price, would recommend
See moreC
Clinton
August 2025
Tent
With kids
Loved the site and the attention from the owners.
The facilities were clean and well maintained. Even the WiFi was strong and easy to access.
Only stayed for three nights but would definitely book again.
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E
Ellie-Jane
August 2025
Weekend Trip to Cattlestone Farm Adult Only
Absolutely amazing ! Welcoming and had everything and more! Been multiple times and plan on going back next summer!
See moreL
Lucy
August 2025
Tent
Lovely campsite with nice walks and farm animals nearby. Everything you need in a great location, run by lovely people.
See moreB
Brent
August 2025
Tent
With pets
Very well organised and quiet spot. Highly recommend.
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R
Romanas
July 2025
3 nights at Foot of the Downs
If you want peace and quiet with nature, thats the spot. The "pod" was better than 5* hotel in bath. No seriously. Looked after, has everything you need. Enough space (for 2), possible 4 i would say. Needed more forewood, Angela replied within few minutes. Amazing host. If things will turn different will be coming back. Absolutely loved it.
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N
Nicola
July 2025
Tent
With kids
Absolutely lovely campsite - beautiful field with mature trees dotted around. Spacious beautifully kept bathroom facilities and very useful freezer and on site shop. We’ll be back!
See moreN
Naomi
July 2025
Tent
With kids
Clean, well equipped, great showers and toilets, washing up station was always clean and lit up at night, hosts so friendly and helpful, little shop stocked lots of great stuff, big chest freezer for communal use - I can’t fault the place. And the location is wonderful - we spent time in Whitstable, Tankerton and St Andrews Lake.
See moreM
Mandy
July 2025
Tent
Group trip
Lovely quiet site with plenty of space. Facilities were basic but nice and clean. Donna was very friendly and took us to see Gin and Tonic the Pygmy goats, Thelma and Louise the enormous pigs and the gorgeous Highland Cattle. We’d definitely go back.
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a
alan
July 2025
Tent
Great site tucked away just south of Faversham.
Karen and Simon are excellent hosts and always on site if needed.
Great pitches which are spacious and flat.
Great showers and washroom always clean plus laundry room and chest freezer.
Also WiFi and washing up area.
See moreJ
Jade
June 2025
Tent
Lovely easy to use campsite with clean and top quality facilities! Awesome to have a freezer on site - a couple more boma stands would be nice, as well as being able to purchase wood!
See morei
isaac
June 2025
5 m Class B
Nice flat field, lovely view and nice walks nearby. Had a really nice weekend
See moreS
Sally
June 2025
Tent
With pets
We had a wonderful stay at Roselands, with a fantastic view to wake up to!
The field was large, with four different groups pitching up on the level area, but more than space for everyone. Very convenient to find and access, and the A27 road noise wasn't too loud. Great location for a base to explore the many attractions in local area.
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D
Dan
June 2025
Tent
Nice little spot to camp.Easy to find and nice and quite.
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The best star host 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.