Ouse Meadow Campsite

No availability at present on Pitchup.com 9.7 78 reviews
Peaceful setting (added by manager 10 Aug 2023)
Peaceful setting
Railway meadow wide
End of riverbank meadow
Railway meadow space
Railway meadow looking down
View across to national trust gardens
The oxbow area
Railway meadow looking south
1/172
Favourite
Railway meadow wide
End of riverbank meadow
Railway meadow space

  • Almost-wild camping on the banks of the Ouse river by Sheffield Park
  • Bluebell Railway station over the road; Ashdown Forest 10 mins' drive
  • Rope swings, hammocks and play area; firepits for hire on site
What an excellent spot for an East Sussex break – as the name suggests, Ouse Meadow Campsite is on the banks of the Ouse river, and it’s got views out over the lovely National Trust-owned scenery of Sheffield Park (which is free to wander around and can be accessed via a bridge and footpath from the site). Just across the road is another splendid attraction in the form of Sheffield Park station, a stop on the steam-powered Bluebell Railway line – you’ll be able to board trains here or just watch them puff past (a real treat for train fans of all ages…). The site is also just on the southern edge of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so there are walks galore to be had nearby – and handily there’s a brewery and taproom just over the road for a restorative drink when you get back. Shops for other supplies (and indeed more pubs) are 15 minutes’ drive away in Lewes. ‘Wild camping stays with a few little luxuries’ is how the owners describe their site – the emphasis is on maintaining a peaceful environment, but you will have access to basic amenities of drinking water, toilets and showers, and will be allowed to bring along off-ground barbecues (or hire firepits and buy logs on site if you’d like to have a campfire). There are no set pitches, so you can choose the spot you most like the look of and set it up how you wish (within reason…) with things like an awning or a gazebo. Free-range kids can play swingball and badminton or use the rope swings; there are also a few hammocks around for chillout time.

Campground type

Tent sites 50
Open now
Opens 26 April
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • No bachelor/bachelorette parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • If making a fire, the fuel, logs and coal have to be purchased on site.
  • Guests are advised to bring a good quality torch with them as parts of the campground/park are unlit.
  • This is a basic site so has no washing-up facilities. The team asks that all rubbish is taken home with you on departure. Please be aware that there is a river running along the boundary of the campsite so children must be monitored at all times.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Fri, 26 Apr to

Reviews

9.7

Overall rating based on 78 reviews View breakdown

Peaceful

Voted 75% of visitors View breakdown

100%

would recommend this campground to a friend

97%

would stay here again

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    1

Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

Beautiful spot by the river. Very clean toilets. There is a sink…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 2
Christel G. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Unpowered grass tent, campervan or trailer tent site

Liked: Beautiful spot by the river. Very clean toilets. There is a sink for cleaning the kitchen utensils and water connection. The campsite offers wood with a fire pit. Manager very friendly. Easy to find. The Brewery (10 min walk) offers very good pizzas and nice bear in a very beautiful spot

Recommend to friends Visit again

I would highly recommend this site.

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Unpowered grass tent, campervan or trailer tent site

Liked: Really lovely campsite with just enough rules but not too many! Several fields, all with plenty of flat ground for our group which consisted of both campers and campavanners. Lots of room so we had plenty of space around our site. Access to proper toilets, water and washing up facilities. Good showers with access to the elements. Easy walk into Sheffield Park and added bonus of Taproom down the road with lovely pizzas to order. Coffee van on site Sat and Sun mornings which we never got round to using but we did enjoy a turn on the outdoor table tennis tables! This is a well run and very friendly campsite, good for all ages.

Disliked: Nothing.

Recommend to friends Visit again

lovely simple camping experience

Overall 8/10
Location 8
Value for money 6
Accommodation 8
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 8
Child friendliness 8
Cleanliness 6
Wifi 2
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Unpowered grass tent, campervan or trailer tent site

Liked: outdoor clean showers . friendly management . beautiful meadow. brewery great nearby. spacious.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Pleasant Weekend

Overall 10/10
Location 8
Value for money 8
Accommodation 8
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 8
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 8
Wifi 8
Richard D. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Unpowered grass tent, campervan or trailer tent site

Liked: Everything: Plenty of space Good facilities as advertised (eg hot shower) Base for walks Brewery nearby for decent beer

Disliked: Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

The site is beautiful, wonderful location and loads of space for the…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Stephanie W. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Unpowered grass tent, campervan or trailer tent site

Liked: The site is beautiful, wonderful location and loads of space for the kids the run around. The facilities were clean and well maintained. The gentleman running the site was kind and helpful.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Amazing. Hidden gem

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Alexandria G. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Unpowered grass tent, campervan or trailer tent site

Liked: Love the place, clean and tidy everywhere. The gentleman who attended us was friendly and helpful. I'll be back 100%

Disliked: I dislike that is not open all year round 😂

Recommend to friends Visit again

We had a fabulous stay here over a hot few days. Great…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness No rating
Cleanliness 8
Wifi 4
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Unpowered grass tent, campervan or trailer tent site

Liked: We had a fabulous stay here over a hot few days. Great site, really well maintained and loads to do nearby. We especially liked the amazing showers and pop ice drive-bys by the manager!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Wonderful family campsite

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Unpowered grass tent, campervan or trailer tent site

Liked: Lovely field - with nice activities for kids. Rope swings, hammocks, badminton, table tennis, table football, and lots of trees to climb!!! Clean toilets, warm showers. And Neil came rounds with iced water and lollies on the really hot days. Amazing staff. Great access to beer (360 tap room), Sheffield Park, Bluebell railway, and walks along the river.

Disliked: Quite a large group in our field. A little noisy at times.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Loved the clean showers and toilet block and the wide open spaces…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness No rating
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Reza M. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Unpowered grass tent, campervan or trailer tent site

Liked: Loved the clean showers and toilet block and the wide open spaces where tents were spread wide and far from each other . Thanks Neil for accommodating us and hope to see you same time next year

Disliked: N/a

Recommend to friends Visit again

Really good experience.

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness No rating
Cleanliness 10
Wifi No rating
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Unpowered grass tent, campervan or trailer tent site

Liked: A really nice, clean site. Lots of space.

Disliked: Nothing.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Features

Dogs allowed

Campfires allowed

Leisure on site

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Games room Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Play area TV room Take away Tennis Watersports Wild swimming

Amenities on site

Bath available Car parking by site/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundry Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

D. of E. welcome Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Rallies welcome Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Themes

Leave the car at home Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Walkers' paradise Wild camping Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Dump point Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Nearby farmers' market Public transport nearby

Type

Farm Medium (26-50 sites)

Accessibility

Disabled facilities

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horse riding nearby Indoor pool nearby Outdoor pool nearby Sailing nearby Surf school nearby Watersports nearby

Location

Ouse Meadow Campsite

Sheffield Park

Lewes

East Sussex

England

TN22 3QL

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London +0100 (GMT+01:00)

GPS

50.9937°N
0.00247°W

Route directions

Look out for the site directly opposite the Bluebell Railway (Sheffield Park station)

Nearest transport

Coach
5.7 km School Lane
5.8 km School Lane
7 km Bus Station
Rail
7.2 km Uckfield Rail Station
7.7 km Haywards Heath Rail Station
8.5 km Plumpton Rail Station
Ferry
22.9 km Newhaven Harbour Ferry Terminal
Airport
21.5 km London Gatwick Airport South Terminal
21.5 km London Gatwick Airport
22.5 km London Gatwick Airport North Terminal

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

You’ll definitely want to pack your walking boots for a stay here, as there are lots of options for exploring on foot. A short 10-minute walk gets you to Ringwood Toll, which has a great natural woodland play trail for the kids, while a half-hour wander along the riverbank takes you to Newick for a butcher, a baker and three pubs. You’ll want to take a stroll around Sheffield Park (next door) as well – and quite possibly the lovely trails of Ashdown Forest (10 minutes’ drive), which inspired AA Milne and has various Winnie-the-Pooh-themed areas. The gorgeous gardens of Wakehurst (20 minutes) and Nymans (25 minutes) are well worth a visit too. Heading south, you’ll get to the South Downs National Park within about 15 minutes’ drive for lots more great walks. It’s also easy to get to places like Drusillas Park (35 minutes) for animal spotting, or Brighton (40 minutes) for a day at the beach.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020 2019 2018 2017
Brighton Kemptown 21.6 km Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Good
Saltdean 21.8 km Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent
Brighton Central 21.9 km Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent
Hove 22.4 km Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent
Southwick 24.8 km Sea N/A Excellent Excellent Excellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Sheffield Park Garden 0.8 km

Bluebell Railway 1 km

Wakehurst Place 10.4 km

Standen 12.3 km

Nymans 15.3 km

National Trust

Sheffield Park Garden 0.8 km

Wakehurst Place 10.2 km

Standen 12.2 km

Nymans 15.5 km

Monk's House 17.4 km

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

SHEFFIELD PARK 1 km

Danehill - Cumnor House - Newnhams - Buttocks Bank Wood 4.5 km

NEWICK PARK 4.7 km

Horsted Keynes - Sheffield Park 6.7 km

Fairwarp - Ashdown Forest - Fairwarp 6.7 km

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Nearest campgrounds

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Want to know more about camping in East Sussex?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Ouse Meadow Campsite have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Ouse Meadow Campsite dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Ouse Meadow Campsite? You’ll definitely want to pack your walking boots for a stay here, as there are lots of options for exploring on foot. A short 10-minute walk gets you to Ringwood Toll, which … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Ouse Meadow Campsite?
    Camping and caravan
    Arrive:  1 p.m. –  8 p.m.
    Depart by:  noon
    Read more