Campgrounds for backpackers in South East England

South Downs Youth Hostel

• Glamping in the grounds of a rural hostel five miles from Lewes
• Just off the South Downs Way; half an hour from Brighton by train
• Café on site for breakfast, supper and all-day snacks

The Merry Camper

• A peaceful pop-up campsite with pub access, scenic walks, and direct links to London – all set in the heart of rural Essex.

Broadlands Lake Campsite

• Camping on an 82-acre estate between the New Forest and river Test
• A 10-minute drive from Romsey town centre and Paultons Park
• Well-stocked fishing lakes and clubhouse serving hot meals or snacks

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

Whitehouse Farm Campsite

• Pop-up site for guests aged over 25 and families in Essex countryside
• Free kids’ zorbing on site; Tropical Wings Zoo 10 minutes’ drive
• Free live music and crafting activities for Essex Farm Family Festival

Little Switzerland Caravan Site

Abbotstone Wood Camping

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

Perching Manor Farm Wild Camping

• Dog-friendly wild camping site on a South Downs working farm
• A 15-minute drive from Shoreham-by-Sea; half an hour from Brighton
• Walking and cycle paths directly accessible from the site

Walnut Grove Camping

• Well-maintained campsite on a Hampshire walnut farm
• Half a mile from Over Wallop village; Stonehenge 20 minutes' drive
• Two local pubs and a village shop 15 minutes away on foot

Top Corner Camping

• Pop-up wild camping site on the edge of the New Forest in Hampshire
• A 10-minute drive to Peppa Pig World, and 25 minutes to Marwell Zoo
• Next-door to Petlake Alpaca Farm; pub with food 20 minutes’ walk

Cobbs Hill Farm Caravan & Camping Park

Jemima Hut at the Farm

• Cosy shepherd's hut on a family farm in the Kent Downs
• A 25-minute drive to Canterbury; 35 minutes to Dover and the coast
• Private garden, toilet and kitchenette; pub 10 minutes' walk

Vann Farm Camping

• Rural and informal Ockley camping field in the Surrey Hills
• A 20-minute drive to Horsham; 45 minutes to the beach
• Walking or biking distance from pubs