The Blue Ship

View prices & book 9.2 145 reviews
The pub
The pub
Plenty of spaces available
Level pitches and no designated spaces
Grassy pitches lined with trees
The beer garden
Plenty of space
Grass setting
Grassy space
1/48
Plenty of spaces available
Level pitches and no designated spaces
Grassy pitches lined with trees

  • Simple pitches behind a West Sussex country pub
  • A 15-minute drive from Horsham; half an hour to the South Downs
  • Friendly pub with homemade food, beer garden and play area
Country walk, nice pub dinner, couple of drinks, very short walk back to your bed… if that sounds like a top way to spend a day, get yourselves over to the pitches behind The Blue Ship, a rural West Sussex pub just under 10 minutes’ drive from Billingshurst. The pitches here are on the basic side (toilets are provided, but not showers) but they’re very well placed for rural walks and bike rides. Nearby trails run alongside rivers or canals and through little villages, and there’s easy access to the Downs Link route not far away too. Families and dogs are welcome on site, making it a splendid spot for a weekend away in the countryside, walks with the dog included and all. If you catch yourself in the mood for a bit of alfresco cooking, it's good to know that barbecues are permitted on the pitches (although please note that disposable foil barbecues are not permitted). Bilingshurst should have most of the supplies you need, and bigger Horsham is about 15 minutes’ drive away for the pickier eateries. That said, the prospect of an evening in the pub is likely to be enticing too – it’s got a good menu of homemade dishes (including desserts and weekly specials) and an equally tempting range of drinks including cask ales. All of this is rightly popular, so booking is essential if you want to dine in the pub for lunch or dinner. In sunny weather, the beer garden (with a play area) is the place to be for an alfresco drink or two.

Site type

Motorhome pitches 10
Touring caravan pitches 10
Tent pitches 15
Open now
Opens 2 May
Please note
  • This site has no on-site shower facilities.
  • 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. XL Bully, Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro).
  • No hen/stag parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • Commercial vehicles (vehicles used for work-related purposes, carrying goods or fare-paying passengers) and sign-written vehicles are not permitted on site.
  • At least one of the party members must be aged 21 or over.
  • Guests are advised to bring a good quality torch with them as parts of the site are unlit.
  • There are no bins onsite: all rubbish will need to be taken home with you.
  • Fires, barbecues and/or firepits will not be permitted in dry, windy and/or hot weather conditions.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Fri, 2 May to

Pitch types & availability

Accommodation

Tent pitchesTouring caravan pitchesMotorhome pitchesLodges, cabins, pods or hutsCaravans for hireRent a tent
Choose your dates
2 adults
0 children

Reviews

9.2

Overall rating from 145 Pitchup.com customers

  • 69%
    10
  • 1%
    9
  • 20%
    8
  • 0%
    7
  • 6%
    6
  • 0%
    5
  • 1%
    4
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    3
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    2
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    1
Location
 10
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 9
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 6
Peaceful

92% would recommend this site to a friend

90% would stay here again

Reviews page 1 of 15
Arrival date (latest first)

Back to basics camping at its best

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

Non-electric grass touring pitch

Liked Peaceful site. Lots of space. As described on website with decent toilet block and tap.

Disliked Nothing

There were only 4 other campers when I took an impromptu trip…

Overall 10/10

Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 1
Anonymous

Non-electric grass touring pitch

Liked There were only 4 other campers when I took an impromptu trip out after work on a Friday so lovely and quiet. Regardless, a spacious field. The loos are clean. The Blue Ship pub is a lovely old building, no music so good for a conversation with locals. Food was top notch and the staff warm and friendly. Lovely landlady. Seabrooks crisps!

Disliked You have to go through a metal field gate on arrival which swings back into place. As it opens towards your vehicle on arrival it was impossible to keep it open and drive in on your own. I had to take a heavy box out of my vehicle to prop the gate open, so a lot of faffing after a tiring drive. When I was leaving there was a road cone there but not on arrival.
Best to park on the left of the field as there's a road directly behind the hedge on the right.
If you're a screen hog be warned...there's practically zero internet reception.
Otherwise perfect :)

Would highly recommend.

Overall 9/10

Location
 9
Value for money
 7
Accommodation
 8
Facilities / Activities
 5
Customer service
 8
Child friendliness
 8
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 5
Anonymous

Non-electric grass tent pitch (family, large)

Liked Lovely spot, friendly site, great pub with the best macaroni cheese I’ve ever had.
Made very welcome.
Beautiful countryside.

Disliked Would ha appreciated rubbish bin as half our party came by bike so difficult for them to take away

Great site, no hassle, pretty level, very peaceful.

Overall 8/10

Location
 8
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 8
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 7
Anonymous

Non-electric grass touring pitch

Liked Easy access and choice of pitch. Well signed with rules etc.
Very good toilet block. And access to water for washing up outside.

Disliked The weather! But nothing can be done about that!😁
No EHU, but that was stated in the description. Just my personal thing..

Really liked the ease of just heading through to the pitch. The…

Overall 10/10

Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Becky W.

Non-electric grass touring pitch

Liked Really liked the ease of just heading through to the pitch. The grass area was very spacious and neatly cut. Plenty of space without being too close to other campers. Lovely walk starting opposite the pub. We arrived back at the pub late but Sophie went out of her way to pop in and get us a drink, very much appreciated. Toilet block clean and plenty of loo rolls and soap. Electric handryer too.

Disliked Loved it all!

Lovely site with clean toilet block, friendly staff in the pub.

Overall 9/10

Location
 9
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 8
Wifi
 1
Alex P.

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked Spaciousness of campsite.
Being next to pub.
Quiet location.
Friendly welcome in pub.
Clean toilet block.

Love this site. Basic but that's OK. It was very busy as…

Overall 8/10

Location
 9
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 9
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 4
Janet W.

Non-electric grass touring pitch

Liked Love this site. Basic but that's OK. It was very busy as bank Holiday weekend. Lovely old fashioned pub next door

Disliked Downside no wi fi and mobile reception not the best

Loved it. Friendly staff, nice pub next door.

Overall 8/10

Location
 10
Value for money
 7
Accommodation
 7
Facilities / Activities
 4
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 1
Catherine C.

Non-electric grass touring pitch

Liked Quiet simple campsite.

Disliked Lack of marked pitches made positioning tricky.

Atmosphere, service and food all great nice spot to stop.…

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
Joanne Y.

Non-electric grass touring pitch

Liked Atmosphere, service and food all great nice spot to stop.

Would recommend

Overall 8/10

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

Non-electric grass touring pitch

Liked Ease of booking quite site surrounded by nature close to Knepp value for money

Disliked No hot water but we knew this before booking

Features

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

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

Themes

Peaceful Remote location Walkers' paradise Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Chemical disposal Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available No hot water Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby

Type

Medium (26-50 pitches) Pub campsite

Nearby leisure

Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horse riding nearby Restaurant nearby

Location

The Blue Ship

The Haven

Billingshurst

West Sussex

England

RH14 9BS

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

51.06338°N
0.45288°W

Nearest transport

Coach
12.7 mi Crossroads
12.7 mi Crossroads
13 mi The Castle
Rail
3.3 mi Billingshurst Rail Station
4 mi Christs Hospital Rail Station
5.7 mi Warnham Rail Station
Ferry
22 mi Weybridge Ferry Landing
22.1 mi Shepperton Ferry Landing
23.4 mi Ditton Island Ferry Landing
Airport
13.7 mi London Gatwick Airport North Terminal
14.1 mi London Gatwick Airport South Terminal
14.2 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

With the South Downs National Park (half an hour’s drive) so straightforward to get to from The Blue Ship, your packing list might need to include hiking boots for trails like the South Downs Way and a camera to snap pics of the sloping hills and river valleys. To fuel those adventures in the South Downs, fill yourself up with a few tasty treats from the market town of Horsham (15 minutes). The energy will also come in handy for the walking and cycling trails that weave their way around Knepp Castle Estate (20 minutes), a gorgeous castle setting with an eco-friendly rewilding project. Or perhaps you’re keen to potter around more historical places. Loxwood Joust (15 minutes) is a medieval jousting festival that runs on select dates. Otherwise, get into the Victorian spirit around Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens (half an hour), a Grade I-listed building with a Victorian garden, a dollhouse museum and wine tastings. When it’s time for a few classic seaside activities like paddleboarding and strolls along the prom, Worthing (40 minutes) is a very worthy spot.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Lancing, Beach Green 17.8 mi Sea N/AGoodGoodGood
Worthing 17.9 mi Sea N/AN/AN/AN/A
Shoreham Beach 18.2 mi Sea N/AExcellentGoodExcellent
Littlehampton 18.4 mi Sea N/AGoodGoodGood
Southwick 18.8 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Fishers Adventure Farm Park 2.9 mi

Petworth House & Park 8.6 mi

Parham House & Gardens 10.2 mi

Nymans 11.2 mi

Denbies Wine Estate 13.8 mi

National Trust

Petworth House and Park 8.6 mi

Winkworth Arboretum 8.8 mi

Oakhurst Cottage 8.9 mi

Nymans 11 mi

Shalford Mill 11.8 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

WARNHAM COURT 4.9 mi

Shipley - Knepp Castle - River Adur Circular 6.4 mi

SEDGWICK PARK 6.6 mi

KNEPP CASTLE 7 mi

Nuthurst 7.2 mi

Local events

  • Arundel Festival (Saturday 16 August 2025 – Saturday 16 August 2025)

    Arundel, West Sussex 15.1 mi

  • Goodwood Festival of Speed (Thursday 10 July 2025 – Thursday 10 July 2025)

    Chichester, West Sussex 18.2 mi

  • Farnborough International Airshow (Monday 20 July 2026 – Monday 20 July 2026)

    Farnborough, Hampshire 19.8 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.

Nearest sites

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Want to know more about camping in West Sussex?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does The Blue Ship have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is The Blue Ship dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near The Blue Ship? With the South Downs National Park (half an hour’s drive) so straightforward to get to from The Blue Ship, your packing list might need to include hiking boots for trails like the … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of The Blue Ship?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  2 p.m. –  9 p.m.
    Depart by:  12 p.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at The Blue Ship? From £20 (for 1 night, 5 people) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.