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Chalky Downs

97%
·
· Brighton, England
12 acres
36 units
36 Motorhome/tent
Traditional tent camping in a stunningly-located South Downs farm, just down the road from buzzing Brighton

Not many campsites can boast a peerless location within a National Park, beautiful beaches within reach and the delights of arguably Britain’s most fun-filled seaside city just a walk away. But then again, not many campsites are Chalky Downs.

Set on Sharen and Stuart's Bevendean Farm, Chalky Downs, as the name suggests, sits atop the rolling hills of the South Downs National Park. There’s a refreshingly laid-back vibe to proceedings here – pitches are unregimented so it’s a case of finding a suitable spot amidst the undulating slopes. The site itself is a car-free zone, with complimentary parking at the farmyard on approach. Campfires are welcome in the firepits for hire and there’s acres of space for kids to roam free or groups to plot out their own pocket of the site.

Tents and small campervans are welcome (there’s also a cluster of bell tent bases if you have your own) but the caravan contingent are not, meaning there’s no unsightly wagons blotting the landscape of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In fact, the only white shapes on the horizon are likely to be the grazing sheep in the surrounding fields who, along with the resident cattle, comprise the residents of this working arable farm.

Facilities are simple but more than ample with hot showers and plenty of toilets provided. Sharen and Stuart also serve up cracking breakfast baps daily (including locally-reared sausage, bacon and egg), while for larger groups evening dinner menus can be pre-arranged.

Besides the splendour of the South Downs and the nearest beach a handy two miles away, one of the site's many draws is undoubtedly its close proximity to Brighton. And, as the uninitiated will soon discover, Brighton doesn't do boring. There’s always something unexpected to discover; be it a bargain from a bohemian flea market in the North Laines’, stumbling across a truly oddball museum (the Booth Museum of Natural History springs to mind), or watching a skateboarding Yorkshire Terrier on Brighton Pier whilst devouring your 99 ice-cream (sauce and sprinkles optional – unlike the town itself). The secret of Brighton is to stroll leisurely, keep your eyes peeled and take in the cool, carefree seaside atmosphere.

Activities
Biking
Hiking
Natural features
Beach
Field
Farm
Available pitches
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Location
Brighton, England, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Sharen C.Joined in January 2018
97%
264 Ratings · 257 reviews
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Sarah W.recommends
September 27, 2022
Grass pitch
The campsite was in a beautiful location with gorgeous views and sunsets and well situated for Brighton. The pinnacle was Sharon delivering a delicious breakfast basket to our van door. Highly recommended!
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Linzi B.recommends
September 26, 2022
Grass pitch
Last days of summer!
Sharen was super helpful and friendly. Site is in a great location. Amazing views and lovely clean facilities Warning it is a bit steep you will likely need chocks for a camper to level up but this is not a complaint!! We had them and we’re all good. We’ll definitely come back.
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Paul A.recommends
September 26, 2022
Grass pitch
Uni drop off
Lovely position with an open view, pretty level which helped with the van. Showers and toilets were clean, a chemical disposal point would be a bonus. Would use again.
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Harry D.recommends
September 26, 2022
Grass pitch
Lovely Rolling Hills
Lovely campsite, lovely people that run it! Will be going back next year for a third year running!
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Sarah S.recommends
September 19, 2022
Grass pitch
Beautiful site, 360 views of the downs and lovely view down into Brighton...great for sunsets! Cute goats. Facilities were good, toilet and shower clean and tidy and warm. Very hilly!
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Courtney T.recommends
September 12, 2022
Grass pitch
Really enjoyed our time
The camp site was great with ample space. Great service from the owners. The only thing I would have liked is continue hot showers, as the wooden bathroom showers got really cold if anyone was washing dishes. Also if you're at the bottom of the hill the bathroom is quite the journey to get to. Loved letting the goats!
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Rachelbirch72 ?.recommends
September 7, 2022
Grass pitch
Incredible views
Beautiful site, incredible views
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Dawn G.recommends
September 5, 2022
Grass pitch
Low key camping
Low key camping with great views across the Downs and very quiet at night. Good quality facilities with electric showers. A short walk to the bus stop with buses into Brighton every 20mins. The option of having Sharen cook breakfast for you and deliver it to the tent was a real treat.
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Robert N.recommends
September 5, 2022
Grass pitch
Superb campsite
Lovely picturesque surroundings and a great, warm welcome to the campsite and thoroughly enjoyed my stay there. The only downside is if the campsite is full there is a real shortage of toilets and showers which leads to queues, especially in the mornings but would highly recommend staying here!
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Lizabeth S.recommends
September 4, 2022
Grass pitch
Amazing views
Great location would recommend to everyone. Host was lovely x
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Mat H.recommends
September 4, 2022
Grass pitch
Brilliant, really nice spot. Relaxed everything you need. Hot shower. Chip shop just down road. Breakfast if you want too. About 3 mile walk to Brighton. Good access, loads of parking.
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Ophelia O.recommends
September 3, 2022
Grass pitch
Camping
Sharon was very friendly and I had a lovely experience camping there. Goats were entertaining to watch.
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Max B.recommends
September 1, 2022
Grass pitch
We loved the campsite, my daughter and I had a great time, the showers and facilities were great, the campsite is really beautiful and my daughter loved spending time with the goats. It is also really convenient for getting into Brighton on the bus. We'll definitely come back. Thank you
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John R.recommends
August 30, 2022
Grass pitch
Would recommend
Lovely site and lovely people running it
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Lara D.recommends
August 30, 2022
Grass pitch
Beautiful view. Very nice sunsets. Everything is clean. Cute goats. Very good service :).
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Darren R.recommends
August 30, 2022
Grass pitch
a fantastically friendly site, the ladys could not have been more helpful, loved every minuet at the site, the view was great and so quiet considering you are so close to two main roads, easy to get into Brighton. the site is basic and clean, but your camping, if you want big shower blocks, hardstanding pitches and club houses go some were els, im coming back here.
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Claire J.doesn't recommend
August 28, 2022
Grass pitch
Too noisy to sleep on Friday night.
We booked for 3nights from Thursday over the August bank holiday weekend. Our first evening was lovely, the host was helpful and we ordered a breakfast for the following morning. A great start. However, by the time we returned from a day out on Friday (about 11pm), a lot more people had arrived. Rules are clearly displayed on a board near reception for everyone to keep noise to minimum after dark. However, there was loads of noise, music playing, groups chatting and laughing around fires, a group singing at the tops of their voices. We thought it would gradually quieten but it didn't. I texted the owner/ campsite manager at 12.10am and again at 1am asking her to come and speak to the groups making the noise - there were at least four near to us. There was no reply. At 2.30am, the last group eventually became quiet but at 4.30am they started again!! I went to ask them to be quiet as I'd only had 2 hours sleep- thankfully they did. Whilst I know how much fun it is to get together, laugh and chat with friends, it really wasn't acceptable to go on for so long. If no action is taken when rules are broken, there's no point in having the rules in the first place and the website should accurately state the type of campsite it is. Perhaps it was just because of the bank holiday and we were unlucky, I don't know. It's a lovely spot - the toilets and showers we're well looked after and breakfast delivered to your tent is an amazingly good idea but we didn't stay another night.
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H S.recommends
August 28, 2022
Grass pitch
Back again for a 3rd time
This was our third time visiting Chalky Downs Campsite and I am looking at 2023 dates now. Facilities are well kept and the views are unspoilt. It can be windy, so would recommend bringing a jacket (no matter what time of year). The ability to hire a fire pit is great, especially if you are travelling light. Thank you Chalky Downs for another wonderful weekend.
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Amber G.recommends
August 28, 2022
Grass pitch
Lovely views and Sharen was very helpful. Toilet and showers very clean. Plenty of space given. Camping is at the bottom of a hill to the toilets which can be a little far in the night however it is well worth it for the amazing views. The site has great access to local transport and gives a real countryside feel whilst still being very close to local amenities and to Brighton centre
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Robert E.recommends
August 28, 2022
Grass pitch
Great site and host
Lovely site, clean showers and loos. Great host.
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Hayley C.recommends
August 27, 2022
Grass pitch
Sharen was the perfect host. She provided everything a camper needed! Great views of rolling fields, hot showers, goats and an array of other delights on her working farm. In particular was her delicious breakfast delivered to your tent!!!
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Loretta L.recommends
August 25, 2022
Grass pitch
Excellent camping
Loved it here! Wow what an amazing place. Clean. Hot showers. Plenty of toilets. Spacious plots. Absolutely loved Sharen who runs it. She’s totally fab. Will def come back
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Rachel C.recommends
August 25, 2022
Grass pitch
Beautiful campsite in wonderful loc
Stunning location, felt like we were in the middle of nowhere but easy access to Brighton centre. Lots of space, gorgeous breakfast delivered to tent and clean and ample washing facilities. The goats were adored by my daughter. Would happily to back.
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Ej J.recommends
August 24, 2022
Grass pitch
Fantastic campsite!
Fantastic location! The rolling hillside view is a gorgeous way to start your day, the location is a great distance from travelling into Brighton on foot or by bus. The showers are super, all unisex too which is a great step forward and cleaned immaculately every day. There’s very cute goats in site too. The owners were really lovely too, happy to help and you can either have a very remote camping trip or be more on the glamping side. A perfect campsite for all :)
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Kathryn D.recommends
August 23, 2022
Grass pitch
Sunsets and Shooting Stars
Sharen is a lovely host, helpful, friendly and fun. The site is in a beautiful spot, the facilities are all you need, we really enjoyed the rustic showers in the camping field. Lots of space around the tents and the site has a chilled, relaxed vibe. We camped for the weekend, in a heatwave which curtailed our walking plans a bit, but the easy access to local buses didn't stop us from exploring nearby Brighton. Fabulous sunsets and evenings lying on the grass watching the meteor showers was the best entertainment of all.
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Trish S.recommends
August 22, 2022
Grass pitch
Chalky Downs is a beautiful little campsite with stunning views and clean facilities. Sharen is a terrific host and her welcome arrival in the mornings with fresh coffee and breakfast baps is a definite highlight (pre order the night before).
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Paul H.recommends
August 22, 2022
Grass pitch
Old school, cool campsite
Second visit this is and old school campsite just a field .. bit by the reception is a great shower block and Toilets , the in the field is two extra showers with the best sunrise views ever, these a wooden shed showers in the middle of the field I loved them , This is not a site for those that prefer Glamping this is a camping site , however Sharen does a five start breakfast thats delivered to your tent, now thats cool . I have visited here before and will be going back next year . On Bikes your 20mins from Brighton sea front , its is downhill so the journey back is tad longer . Personally I loved it great camping site and brilliant friendly people, who are always willing to assist you ..
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Kelly G.recommends
August 21, 2022
Grass pitch
Peaceful yet close to Brighton
Such a special place. So peaceful and amazing views. Really helpful and friendly site manager. Perfect for a quick bus into Brighton and surroundings. Yet feels like it is the middle of no where.
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Jack W.recommends
August 21, 2022
Grass pitch
Brilliant location and facilities, loved camping here
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Paul H.recommends
August 21, 2022
Grass pitch
Rolling hills and country side
Sharen's farm camping has beautiful views of rolling hills and country side. It actually is part of it. Very relaxing. Nevertheless a busstop that takes you to lively downtown Brighton is nearby. It has basic but very clean fascilities. You can order a lovely breakfast with Sharen.
From the host
Chalky Downs campsite is located at Bevendean Farm on top of the beautiful South Downs. We offer self-serve pitches for tents with free parking. The site is within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with views of rolling hills across the Downs, only 2 miles away from the sea, and the centre of Brighton & Hove. This family run working farm consists of arable land growing wheat, and barley and oil seed rape. There are also cattle and sheep grazing in fields close to the campsite. This relaxed campsite offers an escape to the countryside but within a short trip to the city if you feel the need.
Nearby attractions

A lengthy walk through the South Downs (England’s newest National Park) is certainly a must do given that you're already pitched in it. The park offers a host of walks with stunning views (the scenery over the flood plains of the River Ouse are particularly scenic). Cycle or walk the path that stretches all the way to Lewes (6 miles away). The town is rich in history, with its enchanting castle (01273 486290) built during the days of William the Conqueror, and the historic Anne of Cleves House (01273 474610). Continuing the history theme, the fully restored Jack & Jill Windmills in Clayton are open Sunday afternoons throughout the summer, while just down the road from the campsite is the lovely little village of Rottingdean (once home to Rudyard Kipling) which also boasts a striking windmill and pretty flint cottages. Brighton boasts an almost endless list of activities to keep you busy. The town centre is just a short bus or taxi ride away – be sure to visit the famous beach, Brighton Pier and British Airways i360 viewing tower. For football fans, the Brighton and Hove Albion American Express Stadium is within walking distance. Walk a little further and you will discover Stanmer Park, a large open park with beautiful woodland walks, picnic areas and the stunning Grade I-listed ‘Proud Country House’ (01273 680400). Built in 1722 and stunningly restored, the house serves breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner daily.

Food and drink

The farmhouse serves up home-cooked breakfast baps every morning between 08:30–10:30.  Fresh orange juice and a choice of tea or coffee are included and vegan/vegetarian options are available - all for just £8. Just up the track from the campsite is the lovely family run Circa Deli (01273 694111) serving freshly roasted local coffee, lunch and cakes which are all prepared daily using local produce. Just along from the Amex Stadium in Falmer village you'll find The Swan Inn (01273 681842) serving traditional pub food, and hosting regular quiz nights. In the nearby village of Rottingdean there is a great choice of pubs such as The Plough Inn (01273 390635), The Black Horse (01273 300491) and The White Horse (01273 300301) as well as several restaurants – a favourite being the delicious Ros Thai (01273 302067). The Jugg's Arms (01273 472523) in Kingston is also a great stopping point on the beautiful South Downs walk to Lewes.

Video
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