Campgrounds for backpackers in South East England

Eastfield Wild Camping

• Large, wild and natural woodland campsite close to London

Bury Hill Farm

• Wild camping on a Hampshire farm just outside the South Downs
• A 15-minute drive from Alice Holt Forest and Birdworld; golf nearby
• Pubs five minutes’ drive away; walking and cycling trails nearby

Little Leigh’s Campsite

• Simple but well-maintained Essex pitches in Little Leighs
• A 20-minute drive to Chelmsford or Stansted Airport
• Barbecue area on site; village shop and pub five minutes' drive

Little Switzerland Caravan Site

Glottenham

• Nearly wild pop-up site in a hay field with a woodland and wetland
• Surrounded by country walks and a 10-minute drive from Battle Abbey
• Quiet and back to basics, with village pubs 20 minutes’ walk away

Grange Farm

• Working farm with alpacas, sheep and goats
• Beach within 100 metres, with good sea fishing
• Free hot showers, launderette, playground and well-stocked shop

Lower Gages Farm

Meonvale Farm Camping

• Simple site on a working farm in the South Downs National Park
• A mile from Meonstoke; Winchester city centre 20 minutes' drive
• Easy pedestrian access to established trails

Merrion Farm

• Quiet, family-friendly site on a working dairy farm
• Half an hour's drive from Arundel Castle or Worthing beach
• Half a mile from Downs Link National Trail; fishing by arrangement

Mackley Farm

• Quiet dog-friendly site on a small farm on the edge of Stone
• A 10-minute drive from Rye and 15 minutes from Camber Sands
• Pubs within five minutes’ drive of the site; barbecues are permitted

Nymans Farm

• Spacious grass camping field on a West Sussex farm
• Under a mile from the Downs Link path; 30 minutes' drive from Brighton
• Opposite a pub and bus stop with direct services to the south coast

Hunts Farm

• Rural Surrey site over 35 acres, 10 minutes' drive from Guildford
• Thorpe Park and Chessington theme parks within a half-hour drive
• Pick your own pitch; pub 10 minutes' walk away

New Forest Youth Hostel

The Hare and Hounds

• Family-centric camping paddock at a country pub near Colchester, Essex
• Five minutes’ drive to Colchester Zoo; 20 minutes to West Mersea beach
• Bar and restaurant adjoining the site; shops 10 minutes’ drive

The Old Thorns Manor Hotel

• Luxury heated pods in the grounds of a South Downs manor hotel
• Fitness centre on site with gym, sauna, hot tub, pool and steam room
• Champagne and cocktail bar, sports bar and a Starbucks

Ashdown Forest Campsite - 100 Acre Wood

• Dog-friendly site surrounded by the Sussex countryside
• A five-minute drive from Ashdown Forest and Weir Wood Reservoir
• Access to a private woodland with ancient trees and a walking track