Barbecues allowed: Campsites in South East England

Stone House Farm

• Peaceful camping on an East Sussex farm meadow near Hailsham
• The Cuckoo Trail a five-minute walk; Drusillas Park a 15-minute drive
• Simple pitches with walks, a kids’ play area, pubs and shops close by

Spring Hill Wild Camping

• Family-friendly wild camping field in the village of St Mary Bourne
• On the Test Way footpath and a 35-minute drive from Stonehenge
• Firepits welcome; walk to the village shop, pubs and a PYO fruit farm

Essex Glamping

• Essex country park site with bike trails used for the 2012 Olympics
• A 25-minute drive from Southend-on-Sea; 45 minutes by rail from London
• Kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing and walks from site

Lake on the Farm Camping

• A stay on a dog-friendly farm site next to a lake with rural surrounds
• A 10-minute drive from Compton Beach and 20 minutes from The Needles
• Pub 20 minutes’ walk away, with woodland and beach walks locally

West House Farm

• Pop-up riverside site on a farm, easily accessed from the A12
• A half-hour walk to central Colchester; half-hour drive to beaches
• Next to a family-friendly golf course; footpath from site to town

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.

Grove Fields Camping

• Family-friendly, back to basics farm site in the Kent countryside
• A 25-minute drive to Royal Tunbridge Wells and Hever Castle & Gardens
• Barbecues and firepits permitted; pubs a short drive away; woodlands

Ramblers Stables

• Small pop-up campsite on pony fields in peaceful Essex countryside
• A 30-minute drive to Dedham Vale and 40 minutes to the beach
• Grass pitches located on the Essex Way, close to shops and pubs

Swift Farm

• Small and simple campsite deep in the Kent countryside
• Deal 15 minutes' drive; Broadstairs 25 minutes
• On an eco-friendly smallholding; families/solo travellers welcome

Thriftwood Country Park

Essex Outdoors Mersea

• Mersea Island site right on the coast two miles from West Mersea
• Five minutes' drive/bike ride to Cudmore Grove Country Park
• Activity centre on site; watersports lake next door

Knight's Glamping at Leeds Castle

• Glamping stays in the grounds of one of Kent's top attractions
• Includes free access to Leeds Castle and grounds for your entire stay
• Four-poster beds, woodburning stoves and firepit with cooking griddle

Dragons Den Camping

• Peaceful glamping site in the grounds of a New Forest pub
• In Brook, a 10-minute drive from Lyndhurst; Lymington 25 minutes
• Furnished bell tents with internet access; pub food and drinks served

Downs View Campsite

• Spacious South Downs pitches with vineyard views and handy amenities
• Five minutes' drive to Bluebell Railway; 10 minutes to Ashdown Forest
• Part of a wine estate with tours and tastings available to book

Plumpton College

• In the South Downs National Park, with fab views over local hills
• A 10-minute drive from Lewes and 25 from central Brighton
• Surrounded by several walking trails, including the South Downs Way

Beauport Park Holiday Park