Camping in South Downs National Park

Country hikes, coastal views, and cultural sites are all on the itinerary in the South Downs.

96% (1993 reviews)
  1. South Downs National Park
96% (1993 reviews)

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12 top campsites in South Downs National Park

90%
(179)

Penn Meadow Farm

50 units · Motorhomes, Tents145 acres · Beaconsfield, England
Penn Meadow Farm is a beautiful 145 acre, family farm, nestled perfectly into the Chiltern Hills area of outstanding natural beauty. We’re just a 5 minute walk across our grassy fields to the oldest free-house pub in England (The Royal Standard of England) Say hello to our resident alpacas, sheep, pigs, pigmy goats, flock of 250 sheep and of course our lovely boarder collies. We aim to be a very relaxed spot to be able to rest for a few nights and maybe enjoying a nice camp fire in the evening. The site includes; Showers and Toilet block with toilet paper stocked. Open family pitches for you to choose where you want to set up Running drinking water Shared open kitchen Fires allowed BBQ's allowed To ensure everyone’s enjoyment and safety, please follow these rules: Supervise children: Always supervise your children and ensure they do not wander off alone. Clean up after yourself: Dispose of all waste properly in the designated bins and leave no trace behind. Wash any items you use and return them to where you found them. Respect other campers: Be courteous to fellow campers and respect their privacy and space. Pets: If you bring pets, ensure they are well-behaved, kept on a leash or have impeccable recall, and cleaned up after. Do not allow your pet to enter another camper's space. Quiet time: Maintain quiet hours between 11pm and 7am. All music must stop by 10pm, and noise should be minimal after 11pm. Campfires: Penn Meadow Farm allows fires; please use existing scorched areas if possible rather than creating new ones. Never leave any fires unattended and ensure they are completely extinguished when finished. Wipe your feet prior to entering the Bell tents to remove any coal that may have become attached. Cars/vehicles: Cars and vehicles can be on the field but should move minimally and always under 5mph. Car stereos should not be used for music entertainment. Drugs and Alcohol: Drug use is prohibited, and violators will be asked to leave. Consume alcohol responsibly, and do not drive or move your vehicle after consuming alcohol. We do not typically book Large non-family groups unless they are seeking a calm and peaceful stay. These groups must have authorization prior to the visit.
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from 
£25
 / night
95%
(10)

Littleton Farm Campsite

20 units · Tents10 acres · Upwaltham, England
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.
Potable water
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£17
 / night
100%
(16)

Ditchling Boutique Camping

101 units · Tents6 acres · Ditchling, East Sussex, South East England
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.
Pets
Potable water
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from 
£13
 / night

Under £50

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

Camping in South Downs National Park guide

Overview

A green belt of farmlands, chalk hills, and ancient yew forests make up the South Downs National Park, which links some of the south of England’s most interesting destinations. Explore on foot, by bike, or on horseback along more than 2,000 miles of trails, or enjoy kayaking along the Cuckmere River. Up for a challenge? Hike the epic 101-mile South Downs Way national trail or try paragliding from the hilltops. Other must-sees include Arundel Castle and the white-chalk sea cliffs at Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters. After a day of discovery, pitch your tent at a backcountry campsite and turn your gaze upwards—this Dark Sky Reserve is stargazing heaven. Otherwise, camp along the South Downs Way, escape the city for a day or two, or settle in for a weeklong family camping trip in the South Downs. The park’s location only an hour from London and within easy reach of much of the south coast are added advantages that make weekend escapes a real possibility.

Exploring the South Downs Way

The South Downs Way is especially famous, stretching from Winchester to the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs at Eastbourne. By national trail standards, the route is relatively achievable at 100 miles in length. For average walkers, it’s the work of eight to nine days, while cyclists typically accomplish the feat in two or three days. Campsites line the entire route, meaning you can easily camp along the way. But, of course, you don’t need to take on the multi-day challenge of the entire South Downs Way to enjoy this waymarked trail. Even if you’re planning just a short walk or picnic, joining a section of the South Downs Way makes for easy planning. The route, signposted with the national trail’s acorn icon, goes through the heart of the park and along the ridgeline. Thanks to the elevation, it’s usually dry when other parts are boggy.

Romantic Retreats in the South Downs National Park

If you’re looking for a place to get away from it all—including the kids—the South Downs National Park is a top pick. A camping holiday here can make for a great romantic getaway—think countryside views, candlelight, campfires, and stargazing. Pitch your tent or choose a glamping pad that’s just right for two, and you can spend long days walking and exploring before nights by the fire. A two-person tent, cosy campervan, or traditional shepherd’s hut is a pared-down outpost away from the distractions of modern life. The Hipcamp collection features campsites out on their own for privacy and seclusion and adults-only campsites too. If it’s a quiet pitch you’re after, try booking your pitch for midweek and outside the school holidays.

Top Things to Do in the South Downs

  • If you’re looking for things to do when you’re on a camping holiday in the South Downs National Park, get out and enjoy the countryside. Grab an OS Map and plan a walk, run, or cycle along the South Downs Way, across the park’s open access land, or to the nearest picnic spot for a well-deserved spot of lunch. Black Down, the highest point on the Downs, and Ditchling Beacon, near Brighton, are popular places to set out from.
  • In terms of towns and villages to visit, there’s a wealth of choice from historic Winchester at the Hampshire end of the park to vibrant Brighton and Hove a few miles outside the park boundaries. Charming Petersfield, Midhurst, Arundel, and Lewes are all market towns within the park, each worth visiting for their independent shops and historic buildings like Arundel Castle and Lewes Castle. Lewes also has a cool lido, Pells Pool, which has been open to the public for more than 150 years.
  • The area is rich with manor houses and stately homes, many open to the public. The Goodwood Estate, known for its horse racing and motor racing events, is perhaps the best known, but there’s also Petworth House and Parham House.
  • The South Downs is increasingly known for its vineyards, tasting rooms, and wines.
  • Family-friendly animal parks can be found at either end of the South Downs: Marwell Zoo near Winchester in the west and Drusilla’s in the east. To see native flora and fauna, head for the Queen Elizabeth, Goodwood, or Seven Sisters country parks.
  • In the South Downs, you’re never too far from the south coast resorts—Brighton, Bognor Regis, and Eastbourne all offer plenty of family fun with buckets and spades, amusements, ice creams, and fun fair rides.

Notable campgrounds

  • Best for family campers: Fox Wood Campsite has family-focused tent camping with woodland walks and country pubs right on its doorstep.
  • Best for glamping fun in the forest: Blackberry Wood has tent and caravan pitches with fire pits, and glamping options that include a treehouse, gypsy caravan, and converted helicopter.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. South Downs campsites can book up quickly, especially in July and August, so advance reservations are always advised. Plan three to six months in advance for popular sites.  
  2. Some backcountry camping grounds along the South Downs Way have as little as six pitches, so bookings are essential. 
  3. Be sure to check seasonal opening and closing dates, which vary by campsite. Many campsites also operate high and low season rates, so budget campers might prefer an out-of-season stay.

When to go

Hiking and camping season in the South Downs runs from mid-March through early October. Many campsites close out of season, although heated glampsites and caravan parks provide some options for winter campers, and trails remain accessible year-round. Expect popular routes to get busy in July and August—make an early start to get a jump on the crowds.

Know before you go

  • South Downs National Park is set along England’s south coast, running from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in Sussex. Brighton, Portsmouth, and Chichester are the main access points, all within a 30-minute drive. Trains from London Waterloo and Victoria take between 1 and 1.5 hours to reach the park.
  • Buses link the villages and attractions within the park, and an unlimited 1-day Discovery Ticket is available. 
  • All land within the national park is privately owned, and wild camping is not permitted anywhere in the park.
  • Ticks are common on the heath, especially during the warmer months, so it’s a good idea to wear a long-sleeved shirt and trousers when hiking.
  • The South Downs have many wheelchair-accessible trails and attractions, and all park buses are accessible.

Top counties in and near South Downs National Park

Top towns in and near South Downs National Park