Wildlife haven: Campgrounds in South East England

Ashburnham Place Camping

• Peaceful site with lake views on 220 acres of private land
• A 15-minute drive from Herstmonceux Castle; Bexhill-on-Sea 20 minutes
• Wild swimming, tea rooms, food shop and sports pitches

Kids Love Yurts

• Family-friendly site on a working farm on the Isle of Wight
• A 20-minute drive from the beaches of Ryde, Shanklin and Cowes
• Kids' play area; cot and high chair hire; Newport within five minutes

Southey Creek Glamping

• Cosy Essex glamping accommodation on an arable farm near Mundon
• A 10-minute drive to Maldon; 40 minutes to West Mersea beach
• Adults-only pods with private decking; vineyard and wildlife on site

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

Stay Wild at Westfield Farm

• Cosy, boho and family-friendly bell tents in the Sussex countryside
• Drusillas Park 15 minutes’ drive; 20 minutes’ drive from beaches
• Pop-up site with a pond; half an hour’s walk to the Cuckoo Trail

Little Church Farm Campsite

• Peaceful back-to-basics site on a riverside farm in Hampshire
• Basingstoke 20 minutes’ drive; New Forest National Park 50 minutes
• Dogs welcome; pub 10 minutes' walk away

Wakestone and Wild Glamping

• Small, family-oriented glamping site in the South Downs National Park
• A 20-minute drive to the South Downs Way; 35 minutes from the coast
• Free breakfast hamper, barbecue, firepit and a communal kitchen area

Kings Barn Camping

• Dog-friendly farm site on the edge of the South Downs National Park
• A 20-minute drive from Devil's Dyke; half an hour from Brighton beach
• Firepit and barbecue provided; access to the Downs Link route

Swallowtail Hill

Swanworth Farm

• Simple but scenic Surrey riverside field in the Mole Gap
• Located in the North Downs three miles north of Dorking
• Surrounded by organic sheep and cattle pastures

Thriftwood Country Park

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

Woodfire at Westerlands

• Family-friendly site in the South Downs National Park
• Direct access to the South Downs Way
• Daily woodfired breakfast and evening meals provided to guests

The Hidden Hillside

• Luxurious, handcrafted adults-only shepherd’s hut in rural East Sussex
• A 15-minute drive to Battle Abbey and 20 minutes to Hastings Castle
• Furnished glamping pod with walks from site; beach 20 minutes’ drive

Woodland Bell Tent

• Peaceful bell tent glamping on the edge of St Leonard’s Forest
• Horsham 10 minutes' drive; Brighton 45 minutes
• Kingsize bed, woodburning stove, firepit and free logs

The Lodge

• Smallholding a few miles from the M20
• Six miles from Port Lympne Wild Animal Park
• Local pub within a short walk

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