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. On arrival, follow signs for the campsite. Read more

How much does it cost to stay at The Blue Ship?

From £18 (for 1 night, 5 people) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.

The Blue Ship

From £18 For 1 night, 5 adults Last booked one day ago 9.1 172 reviews

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1/8

Grassy pitches lined with trees (added by manager 21 sep 2022)

Plenty of space (added by manager 11 may 2022)

Turning up on the friday (added by visitor 19 sep 2022)

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

Opens 10 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. 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, 10 May to Mon, 30 Sept 2024

Pitch types & availability

Reviews

would recommend this site to a friend

would stay here again

68%
10
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1

Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

Perfect rural retreat with pub!

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

Anonymous Oct 2023

Non-electric grass touring pitch

Liked: Perfect field in a rural location surrounded by trees and birdsong. Clean and modern toilet block on site. The pub it sits behind is both unique and charming with delicious home made food. We loved the fact that home was less than a minutes walk after eating far too much! The couple who run both the pub and site are extremely pleasant and friendly. Great spot for a weekend away. Thank you!

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for taking the time to write a review. We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay with us and hope to welcome you again for the 2024 camping season. Best Wishes Sophie.

Excellent site. Great food and service in the pub.

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

Kathryn L. Oct 2023

Non-electric grass touring pitch

Liked: We loved the small, personal nature of the camping field and the great food and company at dinner.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Grabbed a last minute late break in October. So great to be…

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

Jenny C. Oct 2023

Non-electric grass touring pitch

Liked: Grabbed a last minute late break in October. So great to be able to stay in the 'back garden' of a beautiful old country pub! First visit here and I was really pleased. The field is lovely, surrounded by trees and therefore a haven for birds, wildlife, etc. Loved seeing the bats flit around at dusk and hear the owls at night. It was really quiet and properly dark at night, so a good nights sleep was thoroughly enjoyed. Liked being able to book online, read the site rules in advance, and then just turn up when you like, let yourself in, and find your own pitch. Added bonus was being able to have dinner in the cosy pub. The pie in particular was delicious - filling, hot and freshly home made. Everyone was really friendly. Good little toilet block perfectly adequate for one night or two. Can't wait to come back in the Spring and try a Sunday roast!

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for taking the time to write a review. We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay with us and look forward to welcoming you again for the 2024 camping season. Best Wishes Sophie.

Very basic great value for money site, very clean facilities

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

Alan B. Oct 2023

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked: Very basic site with just a clean toilet block, and a tap and sink for washing up, the absence of showers and more luxurious washing facilities is clearly indicated in the description when booking. The site is extremely quiet and peaceful and offers fantastic value for money. The pub offers excellent quality food with a very friendly welcome from the staff

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for taking the time to write a review. We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay with us and hope to welcome you again for the 2024 camping season. Best Wishes Sophie.

Lady who welcomed us at the pub was helpful, kind, friendly and…

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

Anonymous Oct 2023

Non-electric grass touring pitch

Liked: Lady who welcomed us at the pub was helpful, kind, friendly and accommodating. Food was really good standard and pitch had plenty of space. Didn't use the loos as we have one in our camper but looked nice. Quiet area with countryside walks.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for taking the time to write a review. We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay with us and your meals within the pub. We hope to welcome you again for the 2024 camping season. Best Wishes Sophie.

Nice basic quiet field. Toilets very clean, lovely friendly country pub with…

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 Oct 2023

Non-electric grass touring pitch

Liked: Nice basic quiet field. Toilets very clean, lovely friendly country pub with great food. We will be back :)

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for taking the time to write a review. We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay with us and hope to welcome you again for the 2024 camping season. Best Wishes Sophie.

Perfect site, well maintained & excellent pub with delicious food

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

Caroline D. Oct 2023

Non-electric grass touring pitch

Liked: Everything about this place - the site, the pub, the people who served us.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for visiting and for taking the time to write a review. We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay and we hope to welcome you again. Best Wishes Sophie.

Would recommend!

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 Sept 2023

Non-electric grass touring pitch

Liked: Lovely place for a getaway . Lots of space with a local pub next to site staff are helping and friendly. Facilities are kept nice and clean. Nice for a walking area aswell.

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for visiting and for taking the time to write a review. We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay and we hope to welcome you again. Best Wishes Sophie.

Toilets were clean, staff were lovely 👍…

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

Chris E. Sept 2023

Non-electric grass touring pitch

Liked: Toilets were clean, staff were lovely 👍

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for visiting and for taking the time to write a review. We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay and hope to welcome you back next season. Very Best Wishes Sophie.

Great site for no fuss fun

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

Anonymous Sept 2023

Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch

Liked: Pub next to site and great price for simple facilities ... toilets clean and Sophie was very accomodating

Recommend to friends Visit again

From the manager: Thank you for visiting and for taking the time to write a review. We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay and hope to welcome you back next season. Very Best Wishes Sophie.

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

Disabled facilities

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

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	2020	2019	2018	2017
Lancing, Beach Green	17.8 mi	Sea	N/A	Good	Good	Good
Worthing	17.9 mi	Sea	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Shoreham Beach	18.2 mi	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Good	Excellent
Littlehampton	18.4 mi	Sea	N/A	Good	Good	Good
Southwick	18.8 mi	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent

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 17 August 2024 – Saturday 17 August 2024)
Arundel, West Sussex 15.1 mi
Goodwood Festival of Speed (Thursday 11 July 2024 – Thursday 11 July 2024)
Chichester, West Sussex 18.2 mi
Farnborough International Airshow (Monday 22 July 2024 – Monday 22 July 2024)
Farnborough, Hampshire 19.8 mi
Hampton Court Palace Festival (Tuesday 11 June 2024 – Tuesday 11 June 2024)
Hampton, Surrey 24 mi
Glyndebourne Festival (Thursday 16 May 2024 – Thursday 16 May 2024)
Lewes, East Sussex 25.8 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.

Policies

Booking terms and conditions

Admission

At least one of the party members must be aged 21 or over.
Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.

Arrivals and departures

No refunds/discounts for inclement weather, late arrivals or early departures.
Please pick any available pitch on arrival.
The site will send you further check-in information 7 day(s) before your arrival.

Changes to your holiday

Changes cannot be made once you have booked.

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).

Extras

Motorbike(s) can be brought instead of the car(s) included.

General

Disposable barbecues are not permitted.
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.
Radio, music and TV players must be kept at a low volume. Car doors and boots must be closed quietly.
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.
This site has no on-site shower facilities.

Occupancy

No hen/stag parties permitted via Pitchup.com.

Pitches

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.
Fires, barbecues and/or firepits will not be permitted in dry, windy and/or hot weather conditions.
Guests are advised to bring a good quality torch with them as parts of the site are unlit.
Open fires are prohibited.
Please do not touch or feed the animals.

Vehicles

Commercial vehicles (vehicles used for work-related purposes, carrying goods or fare-paying passengers) and sign-written vehicles are not permitted on site.
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.
Visitors’ cars are not permitted on site.

Payment terms

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.

On arrival, follow signs for the campsite.
Read more
How much does it cost to stay at The Blue Ship? From £18 (for 1 night, 5 people) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.