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  1. United Kingdom
  2. England
  3. South East England
  4. East Sussex
  5. Lewes

The Secret Campsite

99%
·
249 reviews
 · Lewes, East Sussex, England
8 acres hosted by Tim B.
2 glamping pitches · 13 tent pitches
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Best in South East England: Finalist
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2023.
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Tim is a Star Host
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A not so secret campsite in East Sussex with camping and glamping – and campfires encouraged

The Secret Campsite Lewes is, of course, not really very secret at all. Nor does owner Tim want it to be. He wants people to know about it, to come and support his fledgling business and the rural economy nearby. The real secret is just how unique and special this campsite is.

After arriving and parking at the reception and amenities area, occupying the various nondescript buildings of the now defunct garden centre previously located here, visitors grab a wheelbarrow, load up their gear and follow the grassy path up and over an old brick railway bridge. (The railway underneath has long gone, leaving a beautifully overgrown pathway to explore). Accessing the site from the bridge makes it feel isolated, secluded – and just that little bit secret. From this vantage point, it’s easy to take in the features of this place: just 15 hugely spacious pitches cut in to the long grass of this secluded meadow, interspersed with a scattering of recently planted saplings and all encircled with a backdrop of ancient oak and hornbeam trees. Wild flowers are bursting to show off their colours, while the woods beyond are ripe for exploration. In fact, the plan is for plants to be a big part of this site. Tim is a botanist and wants to turn this place into the UK’s first ‘edible campsite’ – a planting programme is underway, with an increasing array of berries, edible shrubs and flowers growing freely, ready for campers to pick fresh and add to the saucepan.

In the meantime, there’s something else growing quickly – and that’s the reputation of the Secret Campsite. Secret? It won't be a secret for very long!

Activities
Biking
Boating
Hiking
Swimming
Natural features
Forest
Field

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Tent pitches

2 units
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Meadow Camping Pitch

98% (56)
Tent pitch · Sleeps 4
The Camping meadow is approached over an old bridge crossing the now redundant railway track that bisects the campsite. The meadow is surrounded by ancient woodland and a Site of Nature Conservation Interest. The pitches are large and well spaced and we allow camp fires. Firewood and charcoal are available for sale from reception. The Meadow is car and dog free and we have great shower, toilet and washing up facilities. The Meadow is alive with wildlife, from nightingales in spring, glow worms during the summer and owls and deer in the adjoining woods during the autumn. If you would like two adjoining pitches please contact us.
Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
No pets
Showers
No picnic table
from
£26
/ night
for NaN guests
12 dispersed sites
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Meadow Camping Pitch (small)

100% (1)
Tent pitch · Sleeps 3
The Camping meadow is approached over an old bridge crossing the now redundant railway track that bisects the campsite. The meadow is surrounded by ancient woodland and a Site of Nature Conservation Interest. The pitches are well spaced and we allow camp fires. Firewood and charcoal are available for sale from reception. The Meadow is car and dog free and we have great shower, toilet and washing up facilities. The Meadow is alive with wildlife, from nightingales in spring, glow worms during the summer and owls and deer in the adjoining woods during the autumn. If you would like two adjoining pitches please contact us.
Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
No pets
Showers
No picnic table
from
£26
/ night
for NaN guests

Glamping

2 units
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The Okra

100% (1)
Quirky · Sleeps 3
The Okra is a beautifully designed, light and spacious shelter created by local and on site designer Jason Thawley from Tree Tents. It is conveniently located in the orchard part of the campsite, near to the showers, toilets and washing up area. It is the first Okra that Jason has built. It was thoroughly tested during the summer of 2020 and now that we have planning permission, it is available to book. It will, very comfortably, sleep people in a double bunk bed format, as shown in the pictures. It has its own fire pit and a grass area for you to relax and enjoy the sunshine. In April and May you may even be treated to the sound of the Nightingales that nest in the neighbouring scrub areas. We provide 2 double beds with mattresses (but no sheets or pillows). There are free hot showers and toilets at the campsite. You will need to bring your own bedding, pillows, blankets and towels, plus any food you will need. We provide a camping stove, a kettle, mugs, plates and cutlery for your trip. Please note that you can’t cook inside The Okra, so you should bring along any cooking shelter that you require such as a small tent or a gazebo, but you may just prefer to eat at one of the local pubs or cafes.
Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
No pets
Showers
Picnic table
from
£140
/ night
for NaN guests
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Instant book

The Gridshell

Booked 9 times
Yurt · Sleeps 4
Built by local inventor Jason Thawley, The Gridshell is made from locally sourced wooden laths of ash, clad in a heavy duty cotton canvas and it will happily sleep up to 5 people. It is located in the orchard part of the campsite with its own fire pit and a grass area for you to relax on and enjoy the sunshine and Sussex wildlife here at The Secret Campsite. We provide 1 double bed 1 small double bed and up to 2 roll mats, plus showers and a washing up area. You will need to bring your own bedding, pillows, blankets and towels, plus any food you will need. We will provide a camping stove, a kettle, mugs, plates and cutlery for your trip. Please note that you can’t cook inside the The Gridshell, so you should bring along any cooking shelter that you require such as a small tent or a gazebo.
Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
No pets
Showers
No picnic table
from
£140
/ night
for NaN guests

Reviews

99% Recommend87 Ratings · 249 reviews
Recommends
· May 2025
Great site
Tent · With kids ·
Meadow Camping Pitch
Great host. Site very peaceful and provided everything I could ask for. No vehicles on site is bliss as are the dedicated plots with a fire pits. Thank you I hope to be back.
G
Graham S.
2 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· May 2025
Bank holiday Camping trip
Tent ·
Meadow Camping Pitch (small)
Beautifully arranged pitches, giving you privacy. Lots of space, wonderful walks to various pubs! Handy freezer for you ice blocks. Very safe for female solo travellers. Plenty of wildlife to hear and see. Spent the night bat watching from the campfire. All very wholesome! Suki was very friendly and informative, showers and washing up facilities where always clean, loo roll in stock, washing up liquid at the sinks. I will come again!
C
Charlotte A.
2 reviews
Recommends
· April 2025
Recommend
Tent ·
Meadow Camping Pitch
It’s a lovely site with quirky facilities and spacious and well spaced out pitches. Tim is a very personable chap.
M
Mark ?.
5 reviews
Recommends
· July 2024
Tent · With kids ·
Meadow Camping Pitch
Excellent campsite for families, free from cars (and dogs, which is appreciated). Harry was very helpful and polite and clearly works hard to keep the place nice. Would definitely stay here again.
W
Will D.
2 reviews
Recommends
· July 2024
Great campsite, will go again!
Tent · With kids ·
Meadow Camping Pitch
Really lovely campsite. Tim and the team were so helpful. The pitches and a really good size and very private. The campsite is nice and quiet and the facilities are great: nice big showers and Belfast sinks for washing up.
N
Natalie E.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· June 2024
Tent · With kids ·
Meadow Camping Pitch
Lovely campsite, very friendly staff. An amazing experience all round!
J
Julian S.
2 reviews
Recommends
· August 2023
Tent ·
Meadow Camping Pitch
There was loads of space between pitches, we never had to queue for showers or washing up and we loved sitting by the fire each night listening to the wildlife and looking up at the stars
J
Jennifer S.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2023
Tent ·
Meadow Camping Pitch
Perfect location for exploring the South Downs. The campsite was just what we wanted: plenty of space and sufficiently distant from neighbouring campers. Good fire pits on our site. Washing up, showering & loos were great too & clean. We’ll go again!
R
Rebecca S.
4 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2023
New camper!
Tent ·
Meadow Camping Pitch
My daughter and I decided to camp without the expertise of my family who are regular campers. So despite our appreciation Tim and the staff at reception were supportive, encouraging and helpful, nothing was too much trouble for them. The pitches are positioned well, they are big enough and spaced out enough for some privacy yet close enough to know you are not alone in the middle of the night! The washrooms were spectacular and provided everything you needed. Being a new camper I have the confidence I will return on my own for a weekend of solitude knowing if I need anything there is always Tim there to help and share advice and his experience. Thank you to all the staff at reception also.
N
Nita N.
2 years on Hipcamp
Mixed feelings
· August 2023
Not quiet or private, but enjoyed
Tent ·
Meadow Camping Pitch
Overall a good experience, but the pitches were closer than expected to each other. As an adult couple without kids, we were after more wild camping experience, but this wasn't the case. Evenings and mornings were spent listening to large family groups shouting. Screaming children running around the pitches. We took a risk, and sadly wouldn't stay here again unless... they planned an adults-only weekend or split the lovely meadow into families/couples to isolate the noise? This all being said, staff and facilities were perfect and clean. The whole reception was cute and ideal and made arriving and leaving a painless experience.
M
Max T.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2023
Brilliant secret camping spot
Tent · With kids ·
Meadow Camping Pitch
We absolutely adored this campsite. The team running it on the days we visited were amazing and welcoming and it's incredibly child friendly. We loved that it was arranged with limited pitches per area so it was peaceful and quiet at night without a party atmosphere. The toilet and bathroom facilities were brand new too. All in all, it was absolutely brilliant.
A
Angela P.
2 reviews
Recommends
· June 2023
Tent ·
Meadow Camping Pitch
Magical spot! Wonderful hosts extremely accommodating and understanding :) had an amazing couple days can't wait to come back with my son. Can't fault the place!
S
Stefie P.
2 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· May 2023
Perfect spot for a team offsite!
Tent · Group trip ·
Meadow Camping Pitch
We are a team of 7 product managers from Google and were looking to get out of the office for some 'blue sky' thinking about 'greenfield' opportunities. The Secret Campsite was the perfect spot for us and Tim the perfect host - I highly recommend this for corp teams looking for something a little different from the usual offsite.
S
Stuart M.
2 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· April 2023
Fab campsite and lovely host
Tent · With kids ·
Meadow Camping Pitch
We loved camping on Tim's camp site. It was my first time putting up a tent and just had my 2 children with me 7 and 11. Even though the weather wasn't great and therefore muddy we still had a great time. Tim was very accommodating and when we came a day late because of the terrible weather he let us add on a day at the end. The pitches are great with an area for a fire and logs to use as a table or seat! The lady in reception was super friendly and always smiling. There are lots of pre planned walks you can take with a qr code to scan which made it really easy. We walked to the anchor Inn which took us quite a while with a 7 year old in tow but we made it and it was definitely worth a visit. The pub food was lovely. We also spend a day in Lewes and the kids were entertained for hours at the castle and museum. So yes very happy with our stay. Definitely recommend!
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Rachel J.
3 reviews
Recommends
· March 2023
Great family camp
Tent ·
Meadow Camping Pitch
Really great space. Great facilities. No cars by the pitch really gives it more of a country/wild feel without being unmanageable with kids. Tim and Steffi were awesome hosts…
S
Simon M.
4 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2022
Tent ·
Meadow Camping Pitch
Really nice family environment but also great attention to detail if you're looking for a place for a smaller group.
R
Robert L.
2 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2022
Two nights away with young kids
Tent · With kids ·
Meadow Camping Pitch
Great site with a great host. Felt spacious but facilities are all close to hand. We had mixed weather but still saw plenty of frogs, bats, dragonflies and rabbits. Kids had a great time exploring and making friends and the hot shower was a relief after a muggy night.
T
Totallyradio ?.
5 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2022
Tent · With kids ·
Meadow Camping Pitch
We had a lovely weekend at The Secret Campsite. All the staff were so friendly and helpful. The facilities were very clean, and the pitches were some of the best we've seen - really big and actual grass rather than cut straw which can be painful under foot. We'll definitely visit again
K
Karen B.
2 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2022
Tent · With kids ·
Meadow Camping Pitch
Great campsite, we loved the way all the pitches are surrounded by trees and meadow plants. A proper campfire on the ground too. No cars make it feel really natural and peaceful. Look out for the baby rabbits.
J
John B.
4 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2022
60ish +11 +8
Tent · With kids ·
Meadow Camping Pitch
I took an 11 and a 8 year old whose first experience of a night under canvas couldn’t have been better. The pitch was lovely and though we could see other tents the natural barriers of plants made it still feel very sheltered and discrete. Very friendly welcome and as it was also my first UK night under canvas (and therefore I’m low on comparators) I thought the toilets, showers, and office facilities were great. We did a walk along the overgrown railway cutting to the private woodland reserve and saw deer, rabbits and an owl. It was magical and we all enjoyed it. I’m wondering if I could do it again this autumn. For me 10/10
D
Des H.
2 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2022
Camping in a tree
With kids ·
Tree Tent
Camping at the Secret Campsite was a great experience. The tree tent was special, waking up with the sun streaming through the leaves and the sound of birdsong around you was magical. The site is very natural and wild but with all the facilities you need. It has a really relaxed and friendly atmosphere. We’ll definitely be back.
C
Catrina H.
4 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2022
Peaceful and surrounded by nature
Tent ·
Meadow Camping Pitch
We booked for two nights and it had a great time. All the facilities you need and you're surrounded by all kinds of nature. We saw bats, glow worms, dragonflies and rabbits to name but a few. The location is wonderful and peaceful and I would recommend to all.
J
Jon M.
2 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2022
Tree-mendous!
With kids ·
Tree Tent
The tree house was awesome! My 9 year old son had been looking forward to staying in it for quite a while so we were hoping it would live up to expectations - and it definitely did. It was comfortable for two of us to sleep in, and the space underneath was great because we also put up a tent. The site is beautiful and staff are very helpful.
L
Lucy W.
5 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2022
Beautiful location to camp
With kids ·
Meadow Camping Pitch
The Secret campsite is one of our favourites as the location and scenery is beautiful. The pitches are huge and well laid out with more privacy than you usually get elsewhere. Cars are left a few minutes away whilst you wheel barrow your equipment to your pitch. It is therefore so staff for young children. Plenty of good walks/pub walks to do whether with friends or with family. The site shop has thought of all things to make your stay more comfortable whether that be ice creams, cold drinks or even coffee for the mornings! In the evenings you can sit back with a fire on your pitch and see the stars. I would say the only negative is the bathroom/shower block is looking quite tired now compared to many of the sites we go to. Whilst functional it is very basic. It doesn’t appear to be cleaned regularly especially after campers have used it in the morning and the floor in the showers or main bathroom dirty from shoes etc. On other sites we see staff in and out keeping floors clean etc but we did not see this or on previous visits here. Lots of cobwebs also. If investment was made to refurbish the shower/wc block this campsite would be absolutely perfect and you couldn’t fault it.
S
Sam H.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2022
Back to nature
Orchard Camping Pitch
Very nice, well kept campsite with its own atmosphere. Good and clean facilities too. The only thing that could elevate it more is a play area for the kids (which it doesn’t have at the moment). Most suitable for families.
A
Aniko K.
3 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2022
A truly special place
Meadow Camping Pitch
Our stay at the Secret Campsite was brilliant! The pitches are super spacious, with an abundance of wildlife! Beautiful butterflies, bats, birds and glow worms too! Simply magical. The on-site shop is fab as are the friendly folk who work there. A brilliant local farm shop is just down the road too. It was honestly one of our best camping experiences.
S
Sarah R.
3 reviews
Recommends
· July 2022
hipcamp made a hiccup
Tent ·
Orchard Camping Pitch (small)
The campsite is really nice, queiet and tranquil place. Back to nature, as you are surrounded by wild grass and all the pitches are spaced out so you feel you have your own area. My only complaint is HIPCAMP failed to sync the booking with the campsite, so when I turned up I was told that the pitch I had specifically selected, was double booked and I had been moved to a different pitch. Also the campsite were unaware I had paid for wood. I won’t be booking through hipcamp again for this reason.
L
Layla T.
3 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· June 2022
Tent ·
Meadow Camping Pitch
Peaceful site. Good conveniences. Abundant wild grasses dividing the sites.
P
Peter H.
3 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· June 2022
Meadow Camping Pitch
This was either our third or fourth trip to the secret campsite. We love it so much. Tim is very friendly and it is really well thought out. The kids love helping with the wheelbarrows emptying the car and washing up at the washblock. The pitches are spaced out and quiet so you really feel like you are immersed in nature! The wash block is rustic but I think adds to the natural charm of the place. We have already booked to go again next year. Perfect for families.
H
Helen M.
4 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· June 2022
What a totally fabulous stay
The Bank Camping Pitch
What a site! Our first camping trip alone and we survived putting our tent up! Tim was a legend, offering help if we had needed it but was also a wealth of knowledge not just on the local area but recent wildlife spottings. Very laid back place and Tim has set the tone perfectly here. It was a joy to wake to the sounds of the dawn chorus and to hear the owls after dark. Just what we needed to shift down a gear and would highly recommend to anyone else wanting the same. We shall definitely be back before the year is out
S
Sam L.
3 years on Hipcamp

Location

Lewes, East Sussex, England, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Tim B.

Joined in February 2016
From the host
The Secret Campsite is a small campsite focused on nature, peace and space. The campsite is a peaceful, campsite for nature lovers, real campers and their families, who are looking to explore Sussex, Brighton or Lewes. Our woodland meadow camping pitches are large and secluded and come with their own camp fire pit and free hot showers. We also have a number of unusual shelters where you can spend the night. We have 3 EV charging points and all hot water is produced by a large solar PV array. By keeping the meadow car and dog free we enable wildlife to flourish, and this increases the number of encounters that you and your family will enjoy. It also ensures that it is a safe place for children to roam freely and explore, and we have an area of woodland where dens can be built and trees climbed. We are located in a beautiful and sparsely populated part of East Sussex, and our camping meadow is enclosed by both private and public nature sites. These include great stands of ancient and coppiced woodland, and a site of nature conservation interest, SNCI. This mosaic of habitats is incredibly rich in wildlife and The Secret Campsite Lewes is lightly managed to create an environment where wildlife can thrive. The surrounding ancient woodland has been encouraged to advance at the edges of the camping meadow, which ensures an ever changing diversity of animals and plants for you to watch, hear, eat, smell and touch. Catch glimpses of deer, hunt for slow worms, wake to the dawn chorus, build dens or simply enjoy each others company at the end of a busy day. We also have three secret shelters, The Tree Tent The Okra and Gridshell. These are fantastic quirky accommodation options for your stay in our beautiful site. Each shelter was designed by local inventor and designer Jason Thawley and the Tree Tent appeared in an early episode of George Clarke's Amazing Spaces. Camp with us as you relax and explore Lewes, Brighton, the South Downs and the Sussex coast Please note we are a peaceful family site and do not allow groups or any cars in the camoing areas.
Nearby attractions
There’s plenty to do in Brighton, 13 miles away, but don’t overlook the delights of Lewes, a pretty market town nestled in the South Downs just 5 miles from the site. There’s a farmer’s market on the first Saturday of the month and an outdoor lido for hotter days. You can walk there from the site – ask at reception for the route. Glyndebourne Opera House is just a few miles away and the South Downs National Park is a 3 mile stroll to Offham. Finally, Middle Farm and Drusillas Park are a great morning out for children which can be combined with walks around the Friston or Ashdown Forests to wear everyone out ready to collapse back at the campsite around a fire to tell stories and play cards.
Food and drink

Tim, the owner, knows all the best places to get fresh, local produce, including the Holmansbridge Farm Shop (01273 401964) in Town Littleworth which is a 5 minute walk away. The Royal Oak (01273 400418) is a 30 minute walk away along the dismantled railway line that links the campsite to the village of Barcombe. The Five Bells (01825 722259) is a 40 minute walk through Balneath Woods and Markstakes Common and serves great beers and traditional pub food. If all country pubs could be as good as The Griffin at Fletchling (01825 722890) with its delightful garden and exceptional food, the world would be a happier place. Lewes is home to the wonderful Cafe du Jardin, which is located in a courtyard that it shares with an antiques business, and for the more adventurous Chaula's Indian Restaurant (01273 476707) is heaven for gourmets of Indian cuisine.

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