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The Oaks Poultry Farm

100%

· Ditchling, England

1 acre hosted by Edward P.

10 motorhome/tent pitches

Family-friendly summer camping on an East Sussex farm

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).

Activities

Biking

Swimming

Natural features

Farm

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100%

4 Ratings · 2 reviews

Harry H.recommends

August 27, 2023

Grass pitches

Camping the old fashioned way

Edward and Katie made me feel welcome from the very first moment of my arrival as they are both old school in terms of courtesy, friendliness and professionalism. The setting is idyllic and the guests too were very friendly and helped me unload my motorbike out onto the field! I can't recommend this slice of olde worlde courtesy enough!!

Matt C.recommends

August 1, 2023

Grass pitches

Wow, what a brilliant experience. We started our trip by setting up camp to the amazing noise of the farm animals in the background. The campsite is on the farm which was a special highlight for my partner. We had to be in Brighton town within the hour and with the train strikes, going from the campsite to the train station on foot would of meant we missed the train and in turn our gig. However, the host, with the kindness of his own heart, gave us a lift to the train station which meant we got there on time. We are so so grateful for this. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. The facilities were perfect and exactly what is needed from a 'basic camping trip'. We will 100% be returning soon.

Location

Ditchling, England, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Hosted by Edward P.Joined in July 2023

From the host

We welcome you to stay at our straight forward and informal campsite situated on our farm within picturesque Sussex countryside and in the South Downs National Park. Our campsite is open from 14th July to 29th August. The site is basic and one simple field on our farm. Pitches will be marked out around the field, but we do not allocate pitches so you can choose your perfect spot. To complete your camping experience you are able to have your own small campfire. Logs are available at our onsite shop, or feel free to bring your own. Whilst we are surrounded by woodland, it is owned by the South Downs National Park who carefully manage it to promote wildlife. Therefore, however tempting, we ask you not to remove any wood from any woodland. Our Facilities 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).

Nearby attractions

The Oaks Poultry Farm is not far from the village of Ditchling and just inside the South Downs National Park. Kids are well entertained on site with access to the children’s farm included in your stay with the chance to meet animals and an indoor play barn with a giant sandpit, hay bales and more. For adults, The Ridgeview Wine Estate is less than half a mile along the road, one of several nearby, which offers tours and tastings. The area is great for walking with footpaths and bridleways nearby including the well-signposted Sussex Border Path. Ditchling Beacon, the highest point in East Sussex, is three miles away offering fantastic views of the High Weald to the north and down to Brighton and the sea to the south. This 248-metre hill is on the South Downs Way National Trail, which offers another great place for a walk and good mountain biking and horse riding too. Brighton’s suburbs are just the other side of the South Downs with the centre of the city, the pier, the seafront and all its attractions just nine miles from site. The market town of Lewes is a similar distance and offers an open air pool along with a high street of independent traders, great book and antique shops. In Ditchling village itself (under two miles from site) you’ll find the Ditchling Museum of Art and Crafts. The National Trust’s Sheffield Park and Gardens is nine miles from the site with a station on the restored Bluebell Railway nearby.

Food and drink

There’s a farm shop on site where you can buy produce from The Oaks and other nearby producers. There’s a cafe too, The Marshmallow Cow Cafe, serving up good coffee, tea, cakes and light lunches – but do note that neither cafe or shop open on Sundays. If you don’t fancy cooking on the campsite, you can head to Ridgeview Wine Estate, just along the road, which has an on-site restaurant or into Ditchling where you can eat at cosy and well-to-do pub, The Bull, or at The White Horse Inn which has a menu of pub grub.

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