Discover the best beach campsites near Ashdown Forest, East Sussex with fishing

United Kingdom
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England
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South East England
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East Sussex
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Ashdown Forest

99% (68 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Ashdown Forest

Under £50

11 top beach campsites near Ashdown Forest with fishing

96%

(114)

Otter Channel Campsite

18 units · Tents3 acres · East Sussex, South East England

Spacious, nature-friendly camping with campfires on the banks of the River Rother

Lepe Beach Campsite

20 units · Tents7 acres · New Forest, England

Traditional tent camping with views of the Solent and Isle of Wight. Oh and did we mention it's only 150 yards from the beach!?

Small Meadow Farm

3 units · Motorhomes, Tents4 acres · Fairlight, England

This low-impact, off-grid campsite is set within a working permaculture fruit and herb farm, with a small flock of sheep that are helping restore a wildflower meadow. There is a strip of woodland at the top of my field where you can escape summer heat under the trees and put up hammocks or hammock tents. I am offering only two pitches at any one time (up to 6 people per pitch). Each pitch has their own fire pit at the top of the field near the woodland, with camping lower on the slope nearer to shower unit and compost toilet. Each pitch also has its own compost toilet tent in the woodland, near the fire. Should the weather be uncertain there is the option of renting the group tent in addition to fire and camping areas, the group tent has a yoga deck/ flat outside area and can be used for sleeping or hanging out. Up on the top field we can open the horsebox as a field shelter/ field kitchen at a small extra cost, great for keeping food and camp cookers in when your are off exploring the beaches and surrounds. There are stunning far-reaching views form the fire pits and even more stunning views of Rye Bay, a short walk away on Mountain Field or at the Balehouse -which is the info centre and cafe of the Hastings Country park. Nature and the species I'm surrounded by are paramount, such as butterflies, wildflowers and birds. The whole site is full of birdsong, especially up near the woodland by the fire pits. At night you get clear views of the stars and my favourite thing is to wake up in the morning in the summer, seeing the dew on the grass, connecting with natural peacefulness and first rays of sun. In May the woodland and field are covered in bluebells and the blossom in the permaculture orchard is astounding. Do bring a yoga mat at stretch first thing on the yoga deck! Please Note: This is a working farm so farmer and woofer(s) are sometimes on site, in areas that are not part of the camping facilities. New option for 2024, exclusive rental of campsite, £250 for up to 10 people, 5 extras at extra £20 a night! Why not meet friends and family on the field and enjoy the scenery over a fire, BBQ or giant cook out/ picnic. It's a very peaceful and natural spot, yet only 10 minutes drive away from the Old Town in Hastings with all the music, people and festivals that go on. It really is the best of both worlds and I'm happy to share it!

The Old Airfield

114 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents30 acres · Hampshire, South East England

A New Forest airfield that's been overtaken by nature, less than 10 minutes' drive from the coast

100%

(1)

The Downs Stables Holidays

2 units · Glamping150 acres · Worthing, West Sussex, South East England

Modern glamping pods on a working racing stables in the South Downs

100%

(4)

Skoolie Stays

1 unit · Glamping10 acres · East Sussex, South East England

A converted, characterful and cool all-American yellow school bus parked up near the South Downs

Woodpecker Hill at Wayfaring Farm

2 units · Glamping10 acres · East Sussex, South East England

Host your own hill-top gathering. 10 acres of beautiful lower downland with flat glamping terraces in the South Downs National Park. Excellent beaches within 15 mins. drive, and the Seven Sisters are just 15 minutes from the campsite. We have 4 bell tents for our guests that are perfect for 16 people.

Farley Camping

41 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents12 acres · Wiltshire, South West England

Idyllic summer camping on a Wiltshire farm with weekend barbecues, close to the Test Valley, New Forest and Stonehenge

CAMP MELA

5 units · Glamping2 acres · Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, East Anglia

Child-free tipi glamping in a well-located Norfolk meadow

100%

(1)

Stud Farm

1 unit · Glamping25 acres · Brockenhurst, England

A shepherd’s hut on a traditional New Forest farm

100%

(21)

Unique Shepherds Huts on a Vineyard

2 units · Glamping60 acres · Essex, East Anglia

Luxury shepherds huts near the Essex coast, with beautiful, watery surroundings and a wonderfully private setting

Dog-friendly getaways

96%

(114)

Otter Channel Campsite

18 units · Tents3 acres · East Sussex, South East England

Spacious, nature-friendly camping with campfires on the banks of the River Rother

Farley Camping

41 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents12 acres · Wiltshire, South West England

Idyllic summer camping on a Wiltshire farm with weekend barbecues, close to the Test Valley, New Forest and Stonehenge

Stud Farm

1 unit · Glamping25 acres · Brockenhurst, England

A shepherd’s hut on a traditional New Forest farm

The Old Airfield

114 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents30 acres · Hampshire, South East England

A New Forest airfield that's been overtaken by nature, less than 10 minutes' drive from the coast

Beach campsites near Ashdown Forest with fishing guide

Overview

Wedged between London and England’s southeast coast, peaceful Ashdown Forest was founded back in Norman times as a hunting ground, and is famously the home of AA Milne’s beloved fictional bear Winnie the Pooh. Now it’s part of the magical, 580-square-mile High Weald AONB, with spectacular elevated views of the North and South Downs, making it one of the most rewarding pockets of southern England for outdoor adventurers. Though you can’t pitch up within the forest itself, there are plenty of nearby camping and glamping choices. With luck, you’ll spot deer and other wild creatures, and fragrant heather and rhododendrons burst into bloom in spring.

Where to go

Wych Cross & West Ashdown Forest

Whether you fancy cycling over the hills, tracking down Roman ruins, or a long hike with a country pub at the end, Ashdown Forest is a back-to-nature delight. The villages of Wych Cross and Crowborough mark its western and eastern flanks. The perfect place to start your explorations is the official Forest Centre near Wych Cross, which has the lowdown on the best woodland walking and archaeology routes, as well as paths weaving straight out into the heath with its dazzling North Downs views.

North Ashdown Forest

Renowned English author AA Milne once lived on the northern fringes of Ashdown Forest, near Hartfield and Forest Row, and campers will love following in his footsteps through its eerie wooded expanses. Some of Milne’s most popular “Winnie the Pooh” locations dot the area, including a bridge across the River Medway and the misty 500 Acre Wood, with walking trails meandering between them. In addition, local operators also offer horse rides, cycling routes run through beech forests, and delicious farm shops sit ready for stocking up on local treats.

South Ashdown Forest

Some of Ashdown Forest’s most thrilling hiking trails sprawl around the villages of Duddleswell and Nutley, on the southern fringes. History lovers will want to tackle the route to a World War II memorial, while photographers should take in the fabulous panoramas across the South Downs to the chalk-cliff coastline. The camping and glamping sites sprinkled near here are among the area’s best—set up camp on an organic farm or a cider orchard, or book into an off-grid yurt.

High Weald AONB

Beyond Ashdown Forest, the High Weald AONB sprawls from Winchester in Hampshire to Hastings on the East Sussex coast. It’s packed with adventure activities, whether you’re keen to hike around the heathlands, kayak across a lake, or try some SUP yoga.