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

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  • 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).

Campground type

Tent sites 32
RV sites 3
Camper sites 3
Opens

Languages spoken

English

Nearby parks that are bookable on Pitchup.com

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable campgrounds.

Want to know more about camping in West Sussex?

Features

Portable toilet

Pop-up campground

Dogs allowed

Leisure on park

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Playground Recreation room/arcade TV room Takeout Tennis Watersports

Amenities on park

Bath available Car parking by site/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Free wifi Grocery store Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundromat Parent & baby washroom Payphone Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Restrooms Shower available Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Scouts welcome Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue grills allowed Barbecue provided Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Camping 2.0

Jumbo tent sites

Themes

Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Dump station Electric car charging point(s) No hot water Propane/gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Convenience store nearby Dog walk nearby

Type

Farm Medium (26-50 sites) Pop-up campground

Accessibility

Accessible parking at site

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Cycling nearby Golf nearby Horseback 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

Bus
7.7 mi Crossroads
7.7 mi Crossroads
13.4 mi Tesco
Rail
6.3 mi Haslemere Rail Station
6.4 mi Witley Rail Station
6.5 mi Billingshurst Rail Station
Ferry
20.1 mi Bosham Hoe Ferry Landing
20.5 mi West Itchenor Ferry Landing
23.9 mi Weybridge Ferry Landing
Airport
19.6 mi London Gatwick Airport North Terminal
19.8 mi Shoreham Brighton City Airport
20.1 mi 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 17.1 mi Sea N/AGoodGoodGood
Middleton-On-Sea 17.8 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Felpham 18.2 mi Sea N/AGoodGoodN/A
Bognor Regis East 18.6 mi Sea N/AGoodGoodGood
Worthing 18.8 mi Sea N/AN/AN/AN/A

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

Petworth House & Park 4.1 mi

Fishers Adventure Farm Park 4.4 mi

Parham House & Gardens 9.8 mi

Weald & Downland Open Air Museum 12.1 mi

West Dean Gardens 12.9 mi

National Trust

Petworth House and Park 4.2 mi

Oakhurst Cottage 6.1 mi

Hindhead Commons and The Devil's Punch Bowl Caf� 7.7 mi

Winkworth Arboretum 7.8 mi

Shalford Mill 11.9 mi

Cycle routes

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

Other

Northchapel and the Sussex Border Path 2.4 mi

PETWORTH HOUSE 3.9 mi

BLACKDOWN PARK 4.2 mi

Tillington - Lodsworth - Upperton 4.3 mi

PITSHILL AND THE MANOR OF DEAN 4.3 mi

Local events

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

    Arundel, England 13.4 mi

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

    Farnborough, England 17.2 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.

Reviews

10

Overall rating from 7 Pitchup.com customers

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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 campground 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.

Primitive grass and earth travel trailer campsite

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
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Wifi
 10
Tracy R.

Primitive grass and earth travel trailer campsite

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.

Primitive grass and earth travel trailer campsite

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.

Primitive grass and earth travel trailer campsite

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

Primitive grass and earth tent campsite

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.

Primitive grass and earth travel trailer campsite

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.

Primitive grass and earth travel trailer campsite

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?
    RV, travel trailer and tent sites
    Arrive:  9 a.m. –  10 p.m.
    Depart by:  12:30 p.m.
    Read more