How much does it cost to stay at Tomkins Farm?

From £30 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.

Tomkins Farm

View prices & book Last booked one day ago 9.2 134 reviews

Plenty of space (added by manager 15 Aug 2022)

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Grassy pitches (added by manager 15 aug 2022)

Sitting around the firepit (added by philip_o643275 02 aug 2021)

Guests on site (added by philip_o643275 02 aug 2021)

Dog-friendly East Sussex farm site with alpacas, sheep and camels
A 15-minute drive from Barcombe Mills and half an hour from Brighton
Firepits provided; several pubs within walking distance; trails nearby

From wild swimming, hiking and mountain biking to touring castles and museums, Tomkins Farm is well situated for a pretty chirpy rural break in East Sussex. Your headquarters will be a farm site with grasslands (occupied by alpacas, sheep, Jeffrey and Batu the camels) and spacious pitches that are nicely set up for families, large groups or whoever else you’re bringing along, including dogs. There’s a lot of scope for blood-pumping activities from here, whether that’s following miles of footpaths, mountain biking down the South Downs Way (the national park is 10 minutes’ drive away) or swimming and paddleboarding at Barcombe Mills (15 minutes). You can also hire a rowing boat from the Anchor Inn pub (15 minutes) and go looking for herons and cormorants on the River Ouse. On site, relaxation comes in the form of fresh air, open spaces and regular starry skies, thanks to the low light pollution. Each pitch has its own firepit and space enough for on-pitch parking. Although basic, the facilities are functional, with full flushing toilets, hot showers and a washing-up area with hot water. Craving something to eat from a classic country pub? The closest pub is just 10 minutes’ walk away, with several others in Newick (40 minutes’ walk or a five-minute drive). As for local produce, you’ll be able to sniff that out at a farm shop five minutes’ drive away.

Site type

Open now

Please note

Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
The site does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act (i.e. Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro).
No hen/stag parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
The site caters for families (immediate members) and couples only - bookings from all other forms of groups are not accepted.
This is a quiet site: no music is allowed.
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 site are unlit.
No naked flames are allowed inside the hired accommodation units.
Please note that the toilet/shower facilities are unisex.
Swimming in the lake is not allowed.
There are no bins onsite: all rubbish will need to be taken home with you.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Fri, 5 Apr to Mon, 30 Sept 2024

Pitch types & availability

Reviews

would recommend this site to a friend

would stay here again

73%
10
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9
17%
8
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7
5%
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5
2%
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1

Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

Cheap and cheerful

Overall	4/10
Location	8
Value for money	6
Accommodation	4
Facilities / Activities	4
Customer service	8
Child friendliness	8
Cleanliness	4
Wifi	4

Adam C. Jul 2024

Non-electric grass tent, campervan or trailer tent pitch

Liked: Cheap

Disliked: Defo a family site and not one for a quiet stop. 8pm curfew went unnoticed by all. Facilities commensurate with cost of stay but rather crude (pallets and tin sheet ) shower and toilets inadequate for size of site imho. Owners seem to be genuinely keen to make it work though.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for your rating. Sadly we can not be everything to everyone. We make no bones about the facilities being basic and clearly state that in the description. Basic they ma may be but they are clean, functional and where hot water is needed there is hot water.

Really nice campsite super helpful friendly staff & good facilities.

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	10
Accommodation	8
Facilities / Activities	8
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	No rating
Cleanliness	6
Wifi	6

Anonymous Jul 2024

Non-electric grass tent, campervan or trailer tent pitch

Liked: The pitches are spacious & being able to park at them super helpful! The logs, ice and pizzas were all great and added bonus of being delivered to ur pitch! Loved the animals, farm and showering under the sky!

Disliked: Women's only loo could have been a little cleaner when I arrived and at one point the lights didn't come on so had to keep the door open to see! Not a deal breaker but just to feedback.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Open space, good basics, friendly staff…

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	10
Accommodation	10
Facilities / Activities	8
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	10
Cleanliness	No rating
Wifi	No rating

David W. Jul 2024

Non-electric grass tent, campervan or trailer tent pitch

Liked: Open space, good basics, friendly staff

Recommend to friends Visit again

The perfect escape

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	8
Accommodation	10
Facilities / Activities	8
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	6
Cleanliness	8
Wifi	2

Anonymous Jul 2024

Non-electric grass tent, campervan or trailer tent pitch

Liked: Peaceful - we stayed during the week, which is not as busy than at the weekends. But we met lovely, friendly people staying there too. Fire pits - the perfect accompaniment to any evening. No music - I wasn't sure I would like this to start off with, but no music made perfect sense once you are here. The showers with no roof! You just need to try them. Trust me. The lamas, alpacas and camels. Yes, they have camels in the fields near the campsite. And last but not least, the hosts. Friendly without being intrusive and always an interesting and insightful chat. Can't wait to return to enjoy another escape, and see how Geoffrey the camel is getting on.

Disliked: Nothing.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Amazing farm campsite

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	10
Accommodation	10
Facilities / Activities	10
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	10
Cleanliness	10
Wifi	10

Laura S. Jul 2024

Non-electric grass tent, campervan or trailer tent pitch

Liked: What a lively camping site, on the side of farm from camels to alpacas, friendly staff, fire pit and pizzas huge the bonus.

Disliked: Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Enjoyable stay. Would return

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	8
Accommodation	8
Facilities / Activities	8
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	10
Cleanliness	8
Wifi	10

Lee J. Jul 2024

Non-electric grass tent, campervan or trailer tent pitch

Liked: We were the only campers on a rainy Tuesday. Enjoyed a hot shower (no roof) in the rain: next morning managed a partially sunny one, too. Enough loos (5) plus 4 washing up stations. Two showers. Geese wandering about. Locals walked dogs in field. Philip was very friendly. Would suit thise who love back to nature camping (hence our 5 stars), as no frills here, although it seems there are some visiting food vans at weekends

Disliked: Would prefer a little cover over the clothes hooks in showers, so clothes do not get wet when it rains! Quite a bumpy entrance to camp site Great for outdoor camping experience. Do not go if you want luxury.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Large toilet block…

Overall	6/10
Location	10
Value for money	6
Accommodation	6
Facilities / Activities	6
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	10
Cleanliness	10
Wifi	No rating

Ian G. Jul 2024

Non-electric grass tent, campervan or trailer tent pitch

Liked: Large toilet block

Disliked: Open air showers

Recommend to friends Visit again

The campsite was lovely with clean facilities. The person who runs the…

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	10
Accommodation	8
Facilities / Activities	10
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	8
Cleanliness	10
Wifi	No rating

Anonymous Jul 2024

Non-electric grass tent, campervan or trailer tent pitch

Liked: The campsite was lovely with clean facilities. The person who runs the campsite was nice and very helpful! Loved having the fire pit!

Recommend to friends Visit again

So quiet and peaceful, lovely setting, firepits on every pitch. The…

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	10
Accommodation	10
Facilities / Activities	10
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	10
Cleanliness	10
Wifi	10

Ellen w. Jun 2024

Non-electric grass tent, campervan or trailer tent pitch

Liked: So quiet and peaceful, lovely setting, firepits on every pitch. The camels were great entertainment.

Disliked: The facilities are basic and dated but, not an issue if you know what to expect.

Recommend to friends Visit again

A back to basics but welcoming site, with stunning countryside views.

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	10
Accommodation	10
Facilities / Activities	8
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	10
Cleanliness	8
Wifi	No rating

Abigail H. Jun 2024

Non-electric grass tent, campervan or trailer tent pitch

Liked: Spacious well kept pitches, with stunning views of the East Sussex countryside. Convenient for Eastbourne/Lewes. Facilities basic but clean. Roof tent friendly. Alpacas and sheep in the next field gave it a very rural feel. When I visited they served pizza, which was bought to the pitch and delicious. They also served breakfast but I’d bought my own (but it appeared to go down very well!)

Disliked: Nil

Recommend to friends Visit again

Features

Portable toilet

Dogs 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

Amenities on site

Bath available Car parking by pitch/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Launderette 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 Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

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

Camping 2.0

Jumbo tent pitches

Themes

Budget/backpacker Peaceful Remote location

Utilities

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

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Public transport nearby Shop nearby

Type

Farm Medium (26-50 pitches)

Accessibility

Disabled facilities

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby Watersports nearby

Location

Tomkins Farm

Cinder Hill

North Chailey

East Sussex

England

BN8 4HP

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

50.95755°N
-0.00851°W

Route directions

The What3Words code for the entrance is lawfully.shorthand.alas

Nearest transport

Coach

4.6 mi Bus Station

5.9 mi School Lane

Rail

3 mi Plumpton Rail Station

3.7 mi Cooksbridge Rail Station

4.6 mi Uckfield Rail Station

Ferry

11.9 mi Newhaven Harbour Ferry Terminal

Airport

15 mi Shoreham Brighton City Airport

15.3 mi London Gatwick Airport South Terminal

15.3 mi London Gatwick Airport

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

Run by the National Trust, Sheffield Park and Garden (10 minutes’ drive) has a large landscaped area spreading around four lakes, plus swathes of parkland. The kids might want to spend some time exploring the woodland play trail, with den-building materials, wood carvings and, of course, a bunch of trees to climb. Speaking of the kids: if they’re into Winnie the Pooh, they might feel right in their element at Ashdown Forest (15 minutes), where children’s author A.A. Milne set his stories. They can go hunting for favourite places like Pooh Sticks Bridge and the Heffalump Trap, while the adults take in the glorious High Weald landscape. Whatever the weather, the seaside city of Brighton (half an hour) has plenty to keep you busy. On sunny days, you can unfurl a towel on the pebbly beach or check out the rides and arcades at Brighton Palace Pier. If you’d rather be indoors, you can visit the spectacular Royal Pavilion or the SEA LIFE Brighton aquarium.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name	Distance	Type	2020	2019	2018	2017
Brighton Kemptown	11 mi	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Good
Saltdean	11 mi	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Brighton Central	11.2 mi	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Hove	11.6 mi	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Southwick	13.3 mi	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Sheffield Park Garden 3 mi

Bluebell Railway 3.1 mi

Wakehurst Place 8.4 mi

Preston Manor 10.1 mi

Standen 10.1 mi

National Trust

Sheffield Park Garden 3 mi

Wakehurst Place 8.3 mi

Monk's House 8.3 mi

Standen 10 mi

Nymans 10.5 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

NEWICK PARK 1.5 mi

SHEFFIELD PARK 2.9 mi

North to South over the South Downs 3 mi

Anchor Inn - Barcombe Mills - Anchor Inn 3.4 mi

PLUMPTON PLACE 4.4 mi

Local events

Glyndebourne Festival (Thursday 16 May 2024 – Thursday 16 May 2024)
Lewes, East Sussex 6.3 mi
Wick Street Festival (Thursday 29 August 2024 – Thursday 29 August 2024)
Polegate, East Sussex 10.4 mi
Arundel Festival (Saturday 17 August 2024 – Saturday 17 August 2024)
Arundel, West Sussex 24.9 mi

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.

Policies

Booking terms and conditions

Admission

Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.

Arrivals and departures

Late arrivals must notify the park as soon as possible. Your booking will be held for 24 hours. After this period the management reserves the right to relet your unit.
No refunds/discounts for inclement weather, late arrivals or early departures.
The site will send you further check-in information 1 day(s) before your arrival.
Units will be allocated on arrival.

Changes to your holiday

Bookings cannot be amended within 30 day(s) of arrival.
Modifications are subject to a £10.00 fee.

Dogs

Dogs must be kept on leads and supervised at all times.
The site does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act (i.e. Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro).

General

Bookings are nominative and non-transferable.
In the event of a complaint, please speak to reception immediately. Complaints which are not brought to the management's attention during your stay cannot be dealt with once you have left the site.
Please note that the toilet/shower facilities are unisex.
Quiet hours must be respected between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m..
Refunds within the indicated cancellation period are only possible if the site is able to relet your unit/pitch.
The management reserves the right to deny access or terminate the stay of those guests whose behaviour is deemed unsuitable. No refunds will be offered.
There are no bins onsite: all rubbish will need to be taken home with you.
The site is not liable for any refund in the event of force majeure.
This is a quiet site: no music is allowed.

Hired accommodation

No naked flames are allowed inside the hired accommodation units.
Your unit must be left clean and tidy; a fine of £10.00 will be charged for unclean units upon departure.

Occupancy

No hen/stag parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
The site caters for families (immediate members) and couples only - bookings from all other forms of groups are not accepted.

Pitches

Please note, pup tents are to be used for storage purposes only. Guests may not use them for sleeping.
Units should not be left unoccupied unless previously agreed with the management. Please speak to reception when the need arises, a fee may be charged for unsupervised units.
You must follow the management directives when pitching your tent/unit and related equipment.

Safety

Barbecues are permitted but must be raised off the ground and attended by an adult at all times.
Firearms are not permitted.
Guests are advised to bring a good quality torch with them as parts of the site are unlit.
If making a fire, the fuel, logs and coal have to be purchased on site.
Please do not touch or feed the animals.
Swimming in the lake is not allowed.

Vehicles

No vehicle movement between 8:30 p.m. and 8 a.m..
Only one car is to be parked by the pitch. Extra vehicles must be parked in the designated area.

Visitors

Visitors are not permitted on site.

Payment terms

Nearest sites

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Does Tomkins Farm have a swimming pool? No View all features
Is Tomkins Farm dog friendly? Yes View all features
What attractions are near Tomkins Farm? Run by the National Trust, Sheffield Park and Garden (10 minutes’ drive) has a large landscaped area spreading around four lakes, plus swathes of parkland. The kids might want to spend some … Read more