Riverside Camping in West Sussex

West Sussex offers over 30 camping spots by the river, where you can set up your tent and wake up to the sound of water and birds. Expect sites with toilets, showers, and campfires allowed—essentials for a proper countryside escape. You’ll find pitches tucked among willows, with easy access to fishing and wild swimming. Wildlife-watching here isn’t just a bonus; it’s part of the daily routine. Prices start at £25 a night, with an average around £170. Locals swear by The Slips (50 reviews) for riverbank camping, while The Sunset Tree (12 reviews) and Wonderland Festival Retreat (4 reviews) are favourites for their secluded pitches and relaxed vibe. If you’re after riverside tranquillity without losing the basics, West Sussex delivers.

97% (75)

Top-rated campgrounds

West Sussex offers over 30 camping spots by the river, where you can set up your tent and wake up to the sound of water and birds. Expect sites with toilets, showers, and campfires allowed—essentials for a proper countryside escape. You’ll find pitches tucked among willows, with easy access to fishing and wild swimming. Wildlife-watching here isn’t just a bonus; it’s part of the daily routine. Prices start at £25 a night, with an average around £170. Locals swear by The Slips (50 reviews) for riverbank camping, while The Sunset Tree (12 reviews) and Wonderland Festival Retreat (4 reviews) are favourites for their secluded pitches and relaxed vibe. If you’re after riverside tranquillity without losing the basics, West Sussex delivers.

97% (75)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. The Slips

91%

(85)

39 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Henfield, England

A relaxed, back-to-basics campsite in the West Sussex countryside

2. Wonderland Festival Retreat

100%

(6)

2 units · Glamping · Henfield, England

Glamping by the lake with an optional sauna and hot tub

3. The Sunset Tree

96%

(34)

30 units · Tents, Glamping · West Sussex, South East England

A sociable, tents-only, pop-up campsite, with a good village pub and playground on the doorstep

4. The Baker's Hut

100%

(1)

1 unit · Glamping · Ashurst, England

A shepherd’s hut hideaway for two in rural Sussex

5. Skoolie Stays

100%

(5)

1 unit · Glamping · East Sussex, South East England

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

Stories from the community

E

Elspeth

August 2025

7 m Class A

Weekend Trip to The Slips

This is a beautiful area and we have stayed at The Slips before.

M

Maria

August 2025

7 m Class B

With pets

Weekend Trip to The Slips

Very relaxed campsite, lots of space and good facilities as advertised! Thanks for a lovely stay!

P

Puk

July 2025

4 m Class B

With kids

1 night at The Slips

The camping was very nice, it had for its price what you would expect. Also was it very calm and you didnt hear lots and lots of cars coming past. I do recommand it if your planning to stay there for a very short period of time. Futher the minus was that the toilet was extremely dirty. It also stinks a lot and doesnt get cleaned enough.

H

Harvey

July 2025

1 m Class A

Weekend Trip to The Slips

Fantastic stay, absolutely spotless. Local shops, pubs and take aways within walking distance

D

Damian

July 2025

Tent

With pets

2 nights at The Slips

Really nice and quiet place 🤩 Definitely we will come back there !

S

Sue

June 2025

7 nights at The Slips

Hook up and running water was great. We managed ok because we had trailer tent with hot water.. One toilet was ok as we were the only ones on site! Beautiful and peaceful.. birds singing and close to The Railway pub and little village. Walks too were good! a great getaway. We did a week so yes would recommend it.

L

Lucy

June 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Wonderland Festival Retreat

Lovely location. Comfortable and host easy to contact.

A

Angie

May 2025

Weekend Trip to Wonderland Festival Retreat

Idealic, country retreat . Our dome had all the comforts of home, and we loved the hot tub. Katherine was delightful and offered to cook our pizzas when we said we we're going to try and cook them on the BBQ. It was just what my sister in law and I needed.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

We’ve picked a selection of well-run camping and glamping sites and skipped the holiday parks to reveal only the very best camping hideaways. Whether you want to explore the High Weald or the South Downs, to build dens in the woods or skim stones on the beach, you’ll find a good base to pitch your tent or a place to rest your head in our collection.