The Oaks Poultry Farm is a fantastic choice for family camping in East Sussex. It has a children’s farm, a farm shop, and a cafe on site – amenities which make it easy to enjoy a holiday with kids in tow. But despite the long list of on-site fun and facilities, this is not a big commercial enterprise but a family-run farm that’s branched out. The campsite is small and simple, popping up in a field for a few weeks in the summer. Its location, within the South Downs National Park, a few miles north of Brighton and the beach, makes this a good choice, and not just for families, but for pretty much everyone.
Tents and campervans are equally welcome in the two-acre camping field. There’s no formality here. You simply make yourself known to farmer Ed, who’s never too far away, then pick your spot in the field. It has no set pitches, just plenty of room for the 10 or so tents that are allowed at a time. Toilets and showers are in a converted trailer, there’s an open-air washing-up sink and the whole place is off grid as you’d expect from a pop-up site. Campfires are allowed in off-ground fire pits and you can hire one from Ed if you don’t have your own. Firewood and fodder for campfire cooking are available in the farm shop and, if you don’t fancy cooking at breakfast or lunch, you can always make use of the cafe. But the real boon for families is a per-pitch pricing structure that makes family camping particularly good value – with access to the children’s farm included. There are animals to meet and an undercover playbarn too.
For a meal out, there are plenty of nice pubs to choose from starting in nearby Ditchling. Head further in that direction and you’ll find yourself up on the top of the Downs at Ditchling Beacon where there are views of everything in the near vicinity. There’s Brighton and Hove to the south with all the fun of the seaside and the city. To the east and west, the South Downs Way National Trail provides a route for hiking and biking. And to the north it’s countryside all the way punctuated with villages, vineyards and farms. If you’re lucky, you might just spot your tent.
The campsite has access to onsite toilet and showers, split into male and female. Along with washing up facilities.
On site Farm Shop selling our quality fresh meat off the farm, eggs, logs and camping essentials, including baked beans, milk and bacon. Please note the farm shop is closed on Sundays, but we take orders which can be collected on a Sunday.
On site cafe/tea room selling excellent tea, coffee, home made cakes and ice creams.
If it's wet, we have a small indoor children's farm and play area including seating area for parents along with giant sand pit, mud kitchens and small petting animals. This is free to all campers and included in the pitch fee. (We charge £5 per child to visit).