The Real Restival

Tipis in the camping field (added by manager 17 Jul 2018)

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‘Strictly canvas’ event site five minutes from South Downs
Off-grid camping; festival feel without festival hassle
Top spot for walkers, cyclists and explorers

Go au naturel at The Real Restival, an event site five minutes from the small town of Steyning in West Sussex, South East England. Don’t worry, you won’t have to be in the nip – you’ll just be in a tent made from canvas or another natural material (bring your own or hire one on site). Unsurprisingly, given its focus on the natural, the Restival is a prime spot from which to explore this part of Sussex countryside. The site is less than five minutes’ drive from the edge of the South Downs National Park, and 10 minutes from picking up the South Downs Way – follow this scenic 100-mile long trail on foot, bike or in the saddle, stopping off at Roman villas and spectacular villages along the way. You won’t find anything back on site to bring you crashing back to the real world. The ‘strictly canvas’ rule isn’t just a jokey guideline – cars are relegated to a parking area, so when it comes time to relax, you’ll be kicking back away from the noise of modern machines. The Restival is also off-grid, so don’t expect to retreat to Netflix in the evenings. Instead, grill up something tasty on the barbecue – nab supplies at the shops in Steyning – then chill in the woodland glade or next to your campfire. If you fancy a break from cooking, venture back into the world and bag a table at one of the restaurants within 10 minutes.

Site type

Languages spoken

English

Features

Dogs allowed

Campfires 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 site/unit

Composting toilet

Disabled facilities

Dog park

Drying room

Food shop

Free wifi

Ice pack freezing

Internet access

Laundry

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

Wild camping

Utilities

Charging facilities

Dump point

Electric car charging point(s)

Gas cylinders available

Recycling available

Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby

Dog walk nearby

Type

Farm

Small (11-25 sites)

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby

Location

The Real Restival

Calcot Farmhouse

Farmhouse Drive

Horsham Road

Steyning

West Sussex

England

BN44 3AA

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London GMT (GMT+00:00)

GPS

50.91649°N
-0.32413°W

Nearest transport

Coach

9.9 km High Street

10.5 km Church

Rail

9.8 km Shoreham-by-Sea (Sussex) Rail Station

9.9 km Lancing Rail Station

10.8 km East Worthing Rail Station

Ferry

30.1 km Newhaven Harbour Ferry Terminal

39.8 km Bosham Hoe Ferry Landing

40.1 km West Itchenor Ferry Landing

Airport

9.6 km Shoreham Brighton City Airport

28.9 km London Gatwick Airport South Terminal

29 km London Gatwick Airport North 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

Keep that natural vibe going with a jaunt into South Downs National Park, less than five minutes’ drive from The Real Restival. As you might expect, it’s a top spot for walking, biking and riding trails, but it’s also home to Goodwood racecourse and motor circuit, stunning stately homes at Petworth, Parham Park, Arundel Castle and Goodwood House, and the scenic valley of Devil’s Dyke, all handily within 40 minutes’ drive of the site. There’s plenty to keep kids entertained within half an hour of the Restival: have a go at footgolf, get the adrenaline pumping at the Karting and Mini Moto circuit, watch an avian display at Huxleys Birds of Prey Centre, or spend an afternoon at Fishers Adventure Farm Park. If you’re seeking more of an urban feel, Brighton is a little more than 30 minutes from the site – make the journey for the Royal Pavilion, the Palace Pier, the marina and tons of shops, restaurants, museums and galleries.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name	Distance	Type	2020	2019	2018	2017
Shoreham Beach	10.7 km	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Good	Excellent
Lancing, Beach Green	10.7 km	Sea	N/A	Good	Good	Good
Southwick	11.6 km	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Worthing	12.9 km	Sea	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Hove	15.2 km	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Parham House & Gardens 11.9 km

Hove Museum & Art Gallery 13.9 km

Preston Manor 14.7 km

Brighton Fishing Museum 16.7 km

Brighton Museum & Art Gallery 16.8 km

National Trust

Nymans 17.2 km

Petworth House and Park 21.6 km

Wakehurst Place 23.7 km

Sheffield Park Garden 25.1 km

Monk's House 25.4 km

Cycle routes

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

Other

Beeding Hill - Monarch's Way - South Downs Way Circuit 5.5 km

Washington - Sullington - Kithurst Hill 6.2 km

LITTLE THAKEHAM 7 km

KNEPP CASTLE 7.7 km

Cissbury and Chanctonbury Rings 8.3 km

Local events

Arundel Festival (Saturday, 17 August 2024 – Saturday, 17 August 2024)
Arundel, England 17.6 km
Glyndebourne Festival (Thursday, 16 May 2024 – Thursday, 16 May 2024)
Lewes, England 27.5 km
Goodwood Festival of Speed (Thursday, 11 July 2024 – Thursday, 11 July 2024)
Chichester, England 29.6 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.

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Does The Real Restival have a swimming pool? No View all features
Is The Real Restival dog friendly? Yes View all features
What attractions are near The Real Restival? Keep that natural vibe going with a jaunt into South Downs National Park, less than five minutes’ drive from The Real Restival. As you might expect, it’s a top spot for walking, … Read more