Best camping, glamping, and outdoor stays in Eastbourne

Just to the east of Beachy Head, the highest chalk cliffs in Britain, the vibrant seaside town of Eastbourne is often overlooked in favour of its more well-known neighbour, Brighton.

97% (1703 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Eastbourne

Community favorites near Eastbourne

Stories from the community

Esme

2 weeks ago

Weekend Trip to The Nut Plat Retreat

We had such a lovely stay in the nut plat. The bedroom cabin was clean and cosy and we loved just relaxing, cooking and jumping in the hot tub as soon as the sun went down. We found the hot tub very easy to use with Duncan providing unlimited wood. The first time we lit it, it took a few hours to heat up but it retains its heat well and on the following days needed much less time to be ready. Duncan mostly left us alone but was very welcoming and even posted my speaker back to me which I left in the cabin. Would definitely recommend :)

Weekend Trip to Spring Hill Wild Camping

Farm wild camping with water available and bonus points for having Alpacas right next to it

Weekend Trip to Penn Meadow Farm

Lovely location on a hill, very helpful and accommodating team, and great facilities. We’ll be back!

Weekend Trip to Penn Meadow Farm

The campsite is set in beautiful surroundings, right in the middle of nowhere! The area is stunning and has lots of great walks nearby that our dogs loved. The campsite is in a quiet area, great for when you want to escape for a tranquil weekend! The hill is a little steep, which may be tricky for people with mobility issues, but otherwise it is wonderful. The farm has a few animals which our kids loved visiting, and several red kites were proudly flying over throughout the day; this is a great place for nature lovers. The toilet and shower facilities need a little TLC, but everything works fine. I avoided the portaloos though, not my cup of tea. We will definitely visit again, it is such a lovely spot hidden away in a truly beautiful spot.

Weekend Trip to Daisy May’s Farm

Good site. Lovely animals. Coffee. Food. Fires allowed. Terrible shower.

4 nights at Woodlands Camping

Amazingly relaxing break. Lovely site with wonderful walks through the woods and across the nearby fields. Very peaceful and quiet site. The night sky was mesmerising. Compost toilets were clean, though a little cramped. Two portable toilet pods arrived on the second day and we're much appreciated. Cold water washing up facilities were very handy. Host was very friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend the site for a relaxing get away.

Weekend Trip to The Barn KT9

Thank you Charlie for a lovely stay. The plot was very well located, and amenities excellent. We enjoyed a lovely walk and coffee before heading home. There is a pub nearby, which was walkable and good. The only thing we weren’t so keen on was the sound from the clay pigeon shooting next door in the morning! But would definitely come back!

1 night at Alciston Court Farm

I didn't stay into the main field but in one right at the foothills of the South Downs Way accessible by a gravel road. The directions on hipcamp weren't the best but Miles kindly came out and met me. I wish it was possible to add a photo to the review as the views were really stunning. Ideal if your set up for wild camping with a rooftop tent.

Weekend Trip to Frittenden Orchard

I had a very scenic little spot near the apple orchard. Diane was very helpful with local knowledge of walks to pubs and castles. Very low light pollution for the star gazers out there! I really enjoyed my stay, nice and casual.

Weekend Trip to The Hop Farm

Lovely site can't wait to return. Staff very friendly and helpful. Site has good facilities.

Weekend Trip to Frittenden Orchard

Great stay, was beautiful waking up to the church bells and all different types of birds. The host was fantastic at making sure I knew where to go and where everything was.

Weekend Trip to Stockbridge View Campsite

Fantastic campsite, the host is really friendly and helpful, he gave us a warm welcome and was lovely with our dogs. The shower block is clean and well kept, and the washing up block is well maintained too. The site is tidy and clean, while not huge I felt we had plenty of space. We parked our small campervan on a hard standing site, and the rest of the site wasn’t particularly muddy. There were several other campers with dogs, everyone we encountered was friendly and clearly enjoying the wonderful quiet site! The site is a short walk or drive to Stockbridge, so if you need anything from the town it isn’t a hassle to get to. The town is worth a visit, so having a campsite in such close vicinity is a treat. I would highly recommend this site, I camp regularly throughout the year and this is one of the nicest sites I’ve visited.

Weekend Trip to The Nut Plat Retreat

Super space Fabulous hot tub Quiet Great pub a stones throw away means you don’t have to cook if you don’t want to All very organised by Duncan, the flexible owner who really let us be

Weekend Trip to Woodlands Camping

Very welcoming. Low key. No mod cons. Beautiful land and surrounding area. Easy to find. Perfect if you just want some time out!

Fabrice

February 2025

Weekend Trip to The Nut Plat Retreat

A fantastic cosy, quiet and romantic cabin, perfect for a little weekend getaway. The hosts are super accommodating and responsive but are also very respectful of your privacy. We arrived with both the fireplace inside and the hot tub fire already roaring. A fantastic experience overall would recommend to anyone! And easy enough to access by just public transport if you don't want to drive :))

3 nights at The Nut Plat Retreat

Came for a short break away from work and degree stress. Planned to go on some nice walks with the dog but the weather was awful. So ended up staying in by the log burner, reading our books and crochet. I did also manage to get the hot tub HOT ♨️ one day, took a few rounds of restocking the fire but once we got there, it then got so hot I had to add some cold! So worth it! There is good WiFi available so manged to watch a few films in the evening. Might be back for one of my reading weeks when I need minimal distractions! 😂

Jason

January 2025

Weekend Trip to Cattlestone Farm Adult Only

The farm was very easy to get to, and Donna and her husband were extremely communicative and welcoming. The cabin itself was an utter delight and more than I would've expected, both in terms of amenities available, and the quality therein. Very easy to both cook on site and enjoy the farm itself, and to head out into the countryside. Plus the cows were such a special treat to see!

Weekend Trip to Spring Hill Wild Camping

Great, basic camping within 10min walk of a pub, and open in winter. No showers, but compost loos. No running water in January as it is powered by solar, but luckily we brought some water. Firewood was supplied for £5 a bucket, and the pitches are equipped with fire pits. Alpacas are very cute!

Weekend Trip to Stockbridge View Campsite

Very nice location and close to the beautiful little town. We had a good time and will definitely come back soon! Thank you David for hosting us!

2 nights at Stockbridge View Campsite

We had a great time camping on David’s land, lots of space between campers and the toilet facilities were exceptional! Close to the town where there’s pubs and shops etc, thanks for the great stay David, we’ll be back again for sure. Dave and Josie

Star Hosts in Eastbourne

99%

(84)

The Secret Campsite

21 units · Glamping, Tents8 acres · Lewes, East Sussex, South East England

A not so secret campsite in East Sussex with camping and glamping – and campfires encouraged

98%

(24)

Painters Farm Campsite

46 units · Motorhomes, Tents3 acres · 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.

99%

(140)

Teddy's Farm

95 units · Glamping, Tents18 acres · Hampshire, South East England

Family-friendly pop-up camping in the heart of the New Forest.

98%

(79)

Housedean Farm Campsite

7 units · Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Lewes, East Sussex, South East England

Epic views of the South Downs, and a walker’s paradise, hidden sweetly on the South Downs Way

97%

(170)

Beech Estate Campsite

55 units · Glamping, Tents25 acres · Battle, England

Tent pitch camping and wild glamping in a Sussex woodland hideaway

Top camping destinations

Available this weekend

Booked 1 time

Laleham Camping Club

100 units · Motorhomes, Tents7 acres · England

Our 100 pitch campsite is located in the protected Green Belt area to the west of London. With the River Thames on one side and Laleham Park on all others, the beautiful surroundings are hard to beat given the proximity to the capital. The campsite is run voluntarily by its members, with day-to-day matters being handled by an elected committee and wardens.

Booked 5 times

Secluded Woodland Camp

20 units · Glamping, Tents10 acres · England

Glamp or pitch up here in our secluded and peaceful mini off-grid site combining both field and forest. We have a shared under cover space and also an outdoor fire-pit to gather more than 20 people comfortably. There is a simple compost loo for your use with hand-washing and dish washing area outside. And the rest is all Mother nature! There is no running water or drinking water. You will need to bring your own. No electricity points or WIFI are in the campsite and no masts nearby so enjoy the EMF cleanse. Whether you chose to stay in the ancient woodland or the herbal pasture, you will feel the benefits of reconnecting with yourself in nature, breathing the clean air and hearing the birds singing. The parking is 800m away and there is minimal tractor use so you can imagine yourself roaming the fields and forest of England in days gone by. Fitness required. It's a long walk from the car park to the campsite. Trolleys provided.

94%

(33)

The Meadow @ Waples Mill

12 units · Tents8 acres · Dunmow, England

Spacious grass pitches in the green Essex countryside A 15-minute drive to Chelmsford; 40 minutes to Audley End Tractor rides on site; firepits provided for campfires. Rural walks, How about proper farm activities like tractor rides (ask site staff for details)? The place to find all this is The Meadow at Waples Mill, an Essex farm site between Chelmsford and Dunmow (and about 15 minutes’ drive from both). This family-friendly site is handy for walks on the Essex Way and other local footpaths, and tractor and trailer rides around the farm are organised on alternate days to give guests a glimpse into agricultural life. Activities complete for the day, it's time to chill out, and that should be easy here – all pitches have access to toilets and hot showers in a trailer close by, and firepits are provided so you can have a safe campfire (with wood available to buy on site and a great farm shop 10 minutes’ drive away for fireside snacks). Pitches themselves are large, well kept and well spaced within a meadow that backs onto the River Roding. Dogs are welcome, and there are plenty of places to take them for a walk nearby. London folk looking for a quick escape to the countryside, this is a place to bear in mind – it’s only about an hour and quarter by road from the city.

98%

(48)

Fox Wood Campsite - under the oaks

21 units · Glamping, Tents35 acres · West Sussex, South East England

Woodland camping with campfires in the South Downs National Park

96%

(150)

Tomkins Farm

42 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents15 acres · North Chailey, England

Relaxed camping beside a lake on an East Sussex farm, with alpacas, llamas, and camels

12 top campsites near Eastbourne

89%

(161)

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.

96%

(91)

Cattlestone Farm Adult Only

36 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents60 acres · 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.

The Barn KT9

22 units · Glamping, Tents3 acres · Greater London, South East England

A unique rural campsite in Surrey, a stone's throw from London's Zone 6

97%

(75)

Woodlands Camping

10 units · Motorhomes, Tents200 acres · Ropley, England

A back-to-basics campsite in the South Downs National Park

83%

(21)

The Hop Farm

50 units · Motorhomes, Tents500 acres · Brenchley, England

The Hop Farm is set in 500 acres of unspoilt Kent countryside, known as the Garden of England. Flat grass fields and surrounded by private woodland and also fields abut the River Medway, ideal for paddleboarding and kayaking. Campers have access to newly refurbished facilities, state of the art showers, toilets and washing facilities. Raised BBQ's and raised firepits are permitted. It's the ideal location for a peaceful escape with endless skies providing memorable sunsets and stars unhindered by artificial light.

93%

(61)

Fleets Paddock Glamping & Camping

40 units · Glamping, Tents5 acres · Canterbury, Kent, South East England

Pitches, bell tents and a gypsy caravan on the outskirts of Canterbury

87%

(149)

Daisy May’s Farm

10 units · Motorhomes, Tents20 acres · Bishop's Stortford, England

Our pop up campsite is set in 20 acres on a not for profit community farm. Come and join us in the great outdoors! Help collect the eggs, feed the chickens and milk the goat! There is always lots going on at Daisy May’s Farm! Children’s play areas, paddle stream, woodland walks and lots more! PITCH FEE INCLUDES ENTRY TO THE FARM & ALL ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS! Open 7 days a week. Coffee Cabin and Ollie’s Food Hut also serving hot food (Weekends & school holiday 10-3pm) Local pub - 5 mins walk Golf Course (crazy golf, top golf, 9 hole course, bar and food) - 5 mins walk Shop/post office/chip shop - 10 mins walk Toilets & shower ; hot gas shower available but we are a basic wild, mostly off grid site. No concrete heated toilet blocks I’m afraid! (Showers unavailable in Winter months) There will be mud. Bring your wellies! Drinking water and bins available. Bring a torch for walking around the site at night. The site is off grid and the toilet lights are solar operated! CARAVANS - ONLY BOOKABLE MAY - SEPTEMBERTENTS - CAMPER VANS - MOTORHOMES WELCOME ALL YEAR (all pitches are the same. No need to specify which type of unit you are booking) We look forwards to welcoming you soon!

98%

(148)

Hook Farm Campsite

18 units · Tents10 acres · West Sussex, South East England

Blissfully back-to-basics camping in the heart of the West Sussex High Weald

98%

(23)

Alciston Court Farm

5 units · Tents10 acres · Alfriston, East Sussex, South East England

A back-to-basics campsite that’s well located at the foot of the South Downs

98%

(62)

Spring Hill Wild Camping

15 units · Tents13 acres · Andover, England

Spring Hill Wild Camping is a camping site set in the beautiful Hampshire village of St Mary Bourne. Within easy walking distance of the two local pubs, the well stocked village shop and a pick-your-own fruit farm with cafe and play areas. The campsite aims to be a low impact, environmentally friendly site, providing only the basic necessities for camping; well maintained toilets and clean water. If you are looking for hot showers and a pool, this is not the campsite for you. If you are looking for beautiful views, countryside walks and open fires Spring Hill Wild Camping is the campsite for you.

89%

(14)

Dogwood Cottage Campsite

8 units · Motorhomes, Tents3 acres · Rye, England

Come and meet the chickens and ducks, friendly pygmy goats and miniature shetland pony Dino at Dogwood Camping, a gem in the heart of the East Sussex countryside. We are a small, family-run campsite set in the High Weald area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a perfect base from which to explore the beaches, castles, ancient woodlands and towns like Rye, Battle and Hastings. Dogwood is in the small village of Brede, and is walking distance from two fine country pubs. We are surrounded by stunning countryside where you can take your dog for a short stroll across the fields or go for a long romp through the fields and valleys. Or just sit and relax, listen to the birds and soak up the peace and quiet. We are fortunate to be in a dark skies area, perfect for long, relaxing summer nights around the campfie, sipping hot chocolate, toasting marshmallows and spotting shooting stars! During the summer our site is a popular spot for families and campers visiting nearby Camber Sands sandy beach and year round we welcome all differnt types of campervan, motorhome and caravan. We look forward to welcome you to our little slice of paradise. Wet weather and winter – please note in the off-season, and if very wet, the camping field is closed to vehicles, replaced instead by semi-hardstanding areas or our summer car-park area. Facilities are open but please be prepared for the vagaries of the weather, leaves, puddles and mud. To change pitch please let us know asap so that we can try if possible to find you another. Apart from the car-park, pitches can get very muddy in prolonged, heavy rain. If you are not prepared for these eventualities please do not book.

91%

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Chigborough Farm

48 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents130 acres · Essex, East Anglia

Boating, biking and bell tent glamping on a farm near the Blackwater Estuary, where good food and walkable pubs are also on the menu.

Under £50

97%

(31)

Lovebrook

8 units · Tents33 acres · Lewes, England

We offer peaceful, back to basics camping on 33 acres of land in the beautiful South Downs village of Kingston. Get back to nature and take in the simple pleasures of the wide-open fields and South Downs views. There is a great country pub a few steps down the lane. We have an onsite wood-fired sauna and an honesty shop filled with delicious Lovebrook Produce, as well as Direct access to the South Downs Way, for amazing hiking and biking. The 8 grassy tent pitches are spread over a large field with composting loo's, a warm shower and a sink with running water, so there’s a firm back-to-basics vibe. We also offer firepits and wood buddles, Perfect for sizzling sausages or roasting marshmallows! Things to do... Wood-fired Sauna Join us for a sauna session and enjoy some real TLC with facemasks, salt scrubs and if you are feeling brave cold plunge pool and an outdoor shower that will leave you feeling invigorated. Check out our website to book: www.lovebrook.org Events Join us for a sauna special or yoga retreat while camping at Lovebrook See our full calendar via the website The local pub The Juggs is our local village pub on The Street, perfect for a bite to eat and a drink in the beer garden – We recommend booking a table, just give them a call 01273 472523 The South Downs Way Keep walking up The Street and the lane turns into a public footpath that steeply ascends to join the stunning South Downs Way. We love the app Komoot for findng the perfect trail. Lewes Lewes is lovely for shopping, cafes and mooching about. Take a scenic walk or call a taxi. The standing stone You may have spotted the standing stone on our top field. Feel free to wander up for a panoramic view, and ask us about its story. Get involved... We run a quarter acres market garden with regular volunteer days and wellbeing activities, so you may well see us out on the land, and are welcome to join us. Kingston is a peaceful village, so it’s well-suited to quiet, family-friendly breaks with plenty of birdsong and wildlife. check out our website or Instagram for more information Lovebrook is an ecological community project, so all profits from camping go towards running activities on the land, for underserved or vulnerable groups.

98%

(28)

Old Litten

1 unit · Tent8 acres · 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.

85%

(123)

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

Teddy's Farm

95 units · Glamping, Tents18 acres · Hampshire, South East England

Family-friendly pop-up camping in the heart of the New Forest.

Housedean Farm Campsite

7 units · Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Lewes, East Sussex, South East England

Epic views of the South Downs, and a walker’s paradise, hidden sweetly on the South Downs Way

Dog-friendly getaways

81%

(8)

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

94%

(88)

The Sunnyfield Campsite

28 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents8 acres · Canterbury, Kent, South East England

Looking for a place where you can camp, glamp and campervan together with friends? The Sunnyfield is the place.

96%

(581)

Chalky Downs

10 units · Motorhomes, Tents12 acres · Brighton, East Sussex, South East England

Traditional tent camping in a stunningly-located South Downs farm, just down the road from buzzing Brighton

77%

(81)

Lagnersh camping

75 units · Motorhomes, Tents6 acres · Bognor Regis, England

Dog-friendly camping near Chichester and the West Sussex coast

90%

(24)

Rushbanks Farm Caravan and Camping

7 units · Motorhomes, Tents4 acres · Suffolk, East Anglia

Riverside camping and bell tents in Constable's countryside, right in the heart of Suffolk's Dedham Vale

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

With access to the Seven Sisters clifftops, however, and with beautiful walking routes across the South Downs National Park, the area around Eastbourne is fantastic for camping – and the town itself has all the fun and games of a traditional seaside resort. Discover our pick of the best local campsites and book your holiday under canvas today.

Best camping, glamping, and outdoor stays in Eastbourne guide

Overview

Campsites in Eastbourne

If you’re looking for a south coast seaside getaway – how about camping in Eastbourne? Like so many seaside hotspots, it had its heyday in Victorian times and the central seafront reflects that with elegant buildings, gardens and a pier. And it’s still a great spot if you’re looking for fish and chips, buckets and spades and sticks of rock. There are funfair rides, crazy golf and amusements – not to mention the beach itself. It’s much like Brighton – but much less busy. The modern town sprawls away from the seaside and while it’s not all picturesque, it offers all the modern conveniences you could wish for. It’s beyond all this that you’ll find the glorious countryside that surrounds Eastbourne which adds to its appeal as a destination for camping and glamping holidays. The town sits just east of the Seven Sisters White Cliffs. These towering chalky cliffs mark the end of the South Downs – the boundary of the South Downs National Park and the end of the South Downs Way National Trail. It’s classic camping country.

Things to do in Eastbourne

Camping in Eastbourne is all about the coast. Whether you have come to walk on the South Downs Way or to enjoy days of swimming and sunbathing on the beach – it’s all about the sea. You might want to get in it with a spot of swimming, paddleboarding or sailing, or perhaps you’ll be content to gaze at it from the high clifftops of the Seven Sisters Country Park and the South Downs National Park. In town, you can take a stroll down the pier and amuse yourself at the amusements or rock out at the town’s unusual 1930s bandstand concert hall. The town is at its busiest during the annual airshow which usually takes place in August. If you fancy a trip to other south coast seaside resorts, bustling Brighton and artsy Hastings are about 20 miles either side of town. For more information on things to do in Eastbourne check out the Visit Eastbourne website.

About

Just to the east of Beachy Head, the highest chalk cliffs in Britain, the vibrant seaside town of Eastbourne is a fantastic focal point for any camping holiday, with plenty of great campsites in the surrounding countryside. As always, only the very best make it into our collection.