Campsites with swimming in South Downs National Park

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In South Downs National Park, campers keen on swimming have over 330 sites to choose from, spread across rolling chalk hills and tucked beside winding rivers. Average prices sit at £100 a night, but you’ll spot pitches for as little as £12 if you book ahead. Facilities like showers, toilets, and pet-friendly policies are common, so you won’t be roughing it unless you want to. Swim in clear streams, cast a line for local fish, or just watch red kites overhead. Favourites include Tomkins Farm (87 reviews), Little Thakeham Farm (38 reviews), and Small Trees Campsite (23 reviews). Don’t forget your swimmers—these spots are local favourites for a reason.

96% (338) 626 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in South Downs National Park

Tomkins Farm

1. Tomkins Farm

96%
(167)
North Chailey, England · 41 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Relaxed camping beside a lake on an East Sussex farm, with alpacas, llamas, and camels
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Earth Camp

2. Earth Camp

90%
(34)
Lewes, England · 32 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
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.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
The Secret Campsite

3. The Secret Campsite

99%
(91)
Lewes, England · 17 units · Tents, Glamping
A not so secret campsite in East Sussex with camping and glamping – and campfires encouraged
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
Secret Garden Glamping

4. Secret Garden Glamping

Lymington, England · 1 unit
A tucked-away bell tent within walking distance of Lymington railway station, near the coast and the New Forest.
Showers
Wifi
Potable water
Ninham Country Holidays

5. Ninham Country Holidays

100%
(38)
Shanklin, England · 16 units · Tents, Motorhomes
A stunning, family-friendly campsite on the stunning, family-friendly Isle of Wight
Pets
Electrical hookup
Showers
The Old Airfield

6. The Old Airfield

85%
(143)
Burley, England · 114 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
A New Forest airfield that's been overtaken by nature, less than 10 minutes' drive from the coast
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Harry's Field New Forest

7. Harry's Field New Forest

92%
(60)
Fordingbridge, England · 63 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Family-friendly, traditional New Forest camping with a pub next door and footpaths leading directly from the gateway
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Harry's Meadow

8. Harry's Meadow

97%
(73)
Fordingbridge, England · 51 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Back-to-basics camping with campfires in a spacious wildflower meadow, set on a beautiful New Forest estate
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Glamping Retreat & Campsite

9. Glamping Retreat & Campsite

95%
(10)
Ryde, England · 16 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Retro Staycations near Ryde on the Isle of Wight
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
Small Trees Campsite

10. Small Trees Campsite

97%
(38)
West Wellow, England · 33 units · Tents, Motorhomes
A small, campfire-friendly and dog-friendly campsite with approachable hosts
Pets
Campfires
Showers
Rolling Fields Glamping

11. Rolling Fields Glamping

100%
(35)
Moulsford, Near Wallingford, Oxfordshire, England · 6 units
Luxury farm glamping with epic views, a 10-minute walk from the Thames
Showers
Campfires
Potable water
The Field at Findon

12. The Field at Findon

100%
(33)
Findon, England · 4 units
Bell tent camping in the South Downs National Park
Showers
Campfires
Little Thakeham Farm

13. Little Thakeham Farm

97%
(57)
Storrington, England · 15 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Almost wild camping in rural Sussex, with campfires, good footpaths and a pub within 15 minutes' walk
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
Hastingford Fishery Glamping

14. Hastingford Fishery Glamping

100%
(9)
Uckfield, England · 4 units
Searching for a peaceful holiday/short break without kids underfoot? Ramble along to Hastingford Fishery, an adults-only shepherd's hut and fishing site set in a scenic lakeside setting less than five minutes’ drive from the East Sussex village of Hadlow Down and 20 minutes from Royal Tunbridge Wells. This site should suit couples or singles wanting to 'get away from it all' and also fishing fans down to the ground. It’s got several fishing lakes to choose from with lots of different species, so settle down on the banks with rod in hand and while away a few hours (or days) in quiet contemplation, waiting for something to bite. But please note, the site is not for 'competition anglers' although there are plenty of good sized carp around. and asks anyone fishing to only use barbless hooks, and for fish to be returned to the lake quickly after being caught.Not the fishing type? Chill out in and around your secluded hut, or there’s plenty to entertain in a leisurely fashion: paths wind around the lakes and through copses/shaws (as this is the High Weald) plus through the local countryside. There are spectacular views towards the South Downs National Park from the top lakes. A spring-fed lake is also on site to cool off in with some wild swimming. Lots of bird life around, with feeders outside each hut and waterfowl visitors to the lakes.When it comes to eats, pick up or have supplies delivered from supermarkets or takeaways in Uckfield, Heathfield or Crowborough or take a drive to Buxted Park for some posh food or pubs in Blackboys, Crowborough, Ringles Cross, 5 Ash Down, Rotherfield, or Buxted (it'll take about 10 minutes to drive to any of these). Lots of sample menus in huts.
Pets
Showers
Campfires
Fernwood Glamping (New Forest)

15. Fernwood Glamping (New Forest)

100%
(21)
New Forest, England · 2 units
Secluded, peaceful glamping on the edge of the New Forest
Showers
Campfires
Potable water
The Oaks Poultry Farm

16. The Oaks Poultry Farm

100%
(10)
Ditchling, England · 10 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Family-friendly summer camping on an East Sussex farm
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
Stud Farm

17. Stud Farm

100%
(4)
Brockenhurst, England · 1 unit
A shepherd’s hut on a traditional New Forest farm
Pets
Showers
Campfires
Luna Domes

18. Luna Domes

100%
(9)
East Grinstead, England · 5 units
High-end glamping with hot tubs in the Garden of England
Pets
Showers
Hot Tub
Skoolie Stays

19. 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
Wyldewood Retreat

20. Wyldewood Retreat

100%
(9)
Horam, England · 1 unit
An exclusive-hire glamping site for six people in a Sussex woodland
Pets
Showers
Campfires

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

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

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