Back to Basics Camping

10 7 reviews
Grass pitches
Grass pitches
Grass pitches
Grass pitches
Grass pitches
Hot-air ballon flying over the fields
Goodwood house
Tractor rides at fishers farm
Petworth house and park
1/20

This site does not currently take bookings here on Pitchup.com.

If you are the owner of this site, start taking bookings through Pitchup.com.
It's free, quick and easy!

Add your business details

  • No-frills pop-up site on the edge of South Downs National Park
  • Haslemere 20 minutes’ drive; Bignor Roman Villa 25 minutes
  • Dogs welcome; barbecues allowed; pubs within a five-minute drive
Gather your partner, your kids and your four-legged friends, and head on down to West Sussex for a holiday that’s all about going back to basics. Where? At Back to Basics Camping, of course. At this pop-up site, on a working farm on the eastern fringes of South Downs National Park, you and your family can explore splendid woodland trails, reconnect with nature and experience a gentler, slower way of life. Facilities here are limited to a portable toilet and recycling points. But that spartan approach is balanced by spacious lawns where you can set up and feel like you’re the only people within earshot. That’s not to say that you’re completely cut off from the world, of course: the village of Billingshurst, with a couple of supermarkets and pubs, is a 15-minute drive away. (Though the nearest watering holes are closer than that – only about five minutes’ drive away, in small villages and rural locations.) For more shopping and dining options, head to Haslemere (20 minutes’ drive), deep inside the South Downs. Between dog walks, pub visits and barbecue dinners (maybe accompanied by a spot of stargazing), there’s much exploring to be done around here, whether on the chalk hills of the Downs or along the coast (45 minutes).

Site type

Tent pitches 32
Motorhome pitches 3
Touring caravan pitches 3
Opens

Languages spoken

English

Nearby sites that are bookable on Pitchup.com

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Want to know more about camping in West Sussex?

Features

Portable toilet

Pop-up campsite

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

Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery 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 Shop nearby

Type

Farm Medium (26-50 pitches) Pop-up campsite

Accessibility

Accessible parking at pitch

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Cycling nearby Golf nearby Horse riding nearby Leisure/theme park nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby Tennis nearby

Location

Back to Basics Camping

Scratchings Farm

Petworth

West Sussex

England

GU28 9JY

Directions

Timezone

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

GPS

51.04698°N
0.59131°W

Route directions

The postcode will take you to the farm, but you’ll have to continue for another 150 metres west until you see the gate with the orange sign. Drive through the gate and through to the next field, where there is a blue ‘Camping’ sign.

Nearest transport

Coach
12.4 km Crossroads
12.4 km Crossroads
21.5 km Tesco
Rail
10.1 km Haslemere Rail Station
10.3 km Witley Rail Station
10.5 km Billingshurst Rail Station
Ferry
32.4 km Bosham Hoe Ferry Landing
33 km West Itchenor Ferry Landing
38.4 km Weybridge Ferry Landing
Airport
31.5 km London Gatwick Airport North Terminal
31.8 km Shoreham Brighton City Airport
32.3 km London Gatwick Airport South 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

Linger on the Capability Brown-designed grounds of National Trust - Petworth House and Park (10 minutes’ drive) when you first get there, to make friends with the resident herd of deer. The elegant 17th-century property is home to a superb art collection, including works by Turner and Gainsborough. Unearthed just over two centuries ago, Bignor Roman Villa (25 minutes) is renowned for its exquisite and remarkably preserved floor mosaics, which portray animals and gladiatorial battles, as well as intricate decorative patterns. During the summer months, the site also runs a sunflower maze. You’re in the middle of one of England’s most renowned sparkling wine areas here, said to rival France’s Champagne for quality. Make the most of it by visiting a couple of local wineries, such as Kinsbrook Vineyard (25 minutes) or Tinwood Estate (half an hour). Both run guided tours of the vineyards and the cellar, followed by tutored tastings.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Littlehampton 27.5 km Sea N/AGoodGoodGood
Middleton-On-Sea 28.6 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Felpham 29.3 km Sea N/AGoodGoodN/A
Bognor Regis East 29.9 km Sea N/AGoodGoodGood
Worthing 30.3 km Sea N/AN/AN/AN/A

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Petworth House & Park 6.6 km

Fishers Adventure Farm Park 7.1 km

Parham House & Gardens 15.9 km

Weald & Downland Open Air Museum 19.5 km

West Dean Gardens 20.7 km

National Trust

Petworth House and Park 6.8 km

Oakhurst Cottage 9.9 km

Hindhead Commons and The Devil's Punch Bowl Caf� 12.4 km

Winkworth Arboretum 12.5 km

Shalford Mill 19.2 km

Cycle routes

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

Other

Northchapel and the Sussex Border Path 3.8 km

PETWORTH HOUSE 6.2 km

BLACKDOWN PARK 6.8 km

Tillington - Lodsworth - Upperton 6.9 km

PITSHILL AND THE MANOR OF DEAN 7 km

Local events

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

    Arundel, England 21.6 km

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

    Farnborough, England 27.8 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.

Reviews

10

Overall rating from 7 Pitchup.com customers

  • 100%
    10
  • 0%
    9
  • 0%
    8
  • 0%
    7
  • 0%
    6
  • 0%
    5
  • 0%
    4
  • 0%
    3
  • 0%
    2
  • 0%
    1
Location
 10
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 9
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 8

100% would recommend this site to a friend

100% would stay here again
Reviews page 1 of 1
Arrival date (latest first)

Fabulous two nights in a quiet location with 180 degree views, glorious…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 No rating
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Josephine F.

Non-electric grass and earth touring pitch

Liked Fabulous two nights in a quiet location with 180 degree views, glorious sunsets and night time star-gazing. Cleanest porter jon toilet I have ever seen! Highlights were seeing giant mushrooms and hearing owls at night. Thanks for a wonderful stay!

Disliked Grass was almost too long

Recommend to friends Visit again

The peace and views. Its exactly what we wanted .…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 No rating
Customer service
 No rating
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 No rating
Wifi
 10
Tracy R.

Non-electric grass and earth touring pitch

Liked The peace and views.
Its exactly what we wanted .

Recommend to friends Visit again

We stayed for one night as a last minute adventure for the…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 8
Facilities / Activities
 6
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 8
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Ashley B.

Non-electric grass and earth touring pitch

Liked We stayed for one night as a last minute adventure for the end of the school holidays in our camper and we had a wonderful time. It is peaceful and with beautiful views, what a gem! We shared the whole site with one other tent so the kids had masses of space to play. The portaloo was clean and not smelly,even our loo fussy kids said it was nice! We will be back again.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent ! So much space . So much peace .

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 6
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 10
Rachael T.

Non-electric grass and earth touring pitch

Liked The space and peace. Water and compost loo( long way to walk from the camping field if you're in a hurry)
It is what it says on the tin . Back to basics.
Virginia the owner is lovely and very relaxed .
Gorgeous place to unwind.

Disliked Nothing !

Recommend to friends Visit again

Remote, beautiful countryside, plenty of space. It is basically a field but…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 8
Facilities / Activities
 6
Customer service
 6
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 No rating
Wifi
 2
Anonymous

Non-electric grass and earth tent pitch

Liked Remote, beautiful countryside, plenty of space. It is basically a field but that is what it says it is!

Disliked A long way from the loo!

Recommend to friends Visit again

What a wonderful experience we had! My wife & I stayed for…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 No rating
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 No rating
Wifi
 No rating
Pauline M.

Non-electric grass and earth touring pitch

Liked What a wonderful experience we had! My wife & I stayed for one night (wish it had been longer 😔) and had the best sleep. So quiet & peaceful, with plenty of space around us. The field is huge which meant we could choose a secluded spot.
Wild camping is not for everyone but this place is ideal if you can forego a shower for a few days! The owner introduced herself to us as we were packing up. She's lovely and totally invested in the wild camping experience. ☆☆☆☆☆

Disliked •Not Applicable

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great pop up site, felt a million miles from everywhere

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 6
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 8
Deborah H.

Non-electric grass and earth touring pitch

Liked Exactly as described. It's a big field. There were 2 other campers on the field, but wouldn't have known they were there. It was like having the place to ourselves.
1 x portal loo was kept clean. And a fresh water tap. was in the next field

Recommend to friends Visit again

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Back to Basics Camping have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Back to Basics Camping dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Back to Basics Camping? Linger on the Capability Brown-designed grounds of National Trust - Petworth House and Park (10 minutes’ drive) when you first get there, to make friends with the resident herd of deer. The … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Back to Basics Camping?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  9 a.m. –  10 p.m.
    Depart by:  12:30 p.m.
    Read more