Nearly wild camping in South East England

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

Berry Camping

• Peaceful family-run farm site 15 minutes' drive from Chichester
• West Wittering and Medmerry beaches within walking/cycling distance
• Farm eggs and fresh produce for sale; communal campfire area

Bottom Pond

• Family-friendly site in the South Downs National Park
• A 10-minute drive from Winchester and the Watercress Line
• Access to a private woodland with a bridleway to the South Downs Way

Port Lympne Reserve

Pre-Pitched at Vine Cross

• A digital detox on a family-run farm
• Near a walking route leading to two local pubs
• Mini concierge service: order wine, chocolates and barbecue meat

Nightingale Camping

• Spacious family-friendly and dog-friendly village site in Kent
• Walking distance from watersports, fishing lakes and off-road cycling
• Five pubs, tearooms and shop a short walk away; walking trails nearby

Yamp Camp Bluebell

• Sheltered back to basics pitches near the village of Horsted Keynes
• Ashdown Forest and Ouse Valley Viaduct 10 minutes' drive away
• A short walk from the Bluebell Railway station and village pubs

Harry's Meadow

• Wild-style camping pitches at a scenic 50-acre site in the New Forest
• Direct New Forest access; 15 minutes’ drive to New Forest Water Park
• Pop-up coffee truck, pizza oven and cocktail bar; pub 25 minutes’ walk

Nature's Haven

• Small, peaceful site in the Isle of Wight Conservation Harmony Project
• A 10-minute drive from Ryde; 15 minutes from Isle of Wight Festival
• Nature trails and birdwatching on site; pub within walking distance

The Real Restival

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

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

Happy Valley Wild Glamping

• Bell tent glamping in quiet woodland

Hundred Acres Woodland Camping

• Well-kept woodland campsite in a West Sussex wildlife haven
• A 20-minute drive to Chichester; Portsmouth city centre half an hour
• Campfires allowed; a mile from Compton village shop and tea rooms

Constance Farm Camping

• Quiet, simple farm site with uninterrupted country views
• A 15-minute drive to Tunbridge Wells or to Hever Castle and Gardens
• Home-reared beef, lamb and pork available on request

Harbour Lodge

• Adults-only waterside site on the edge of a peaceful Essex village
• A mile and a half from the coast; 25 minutes' drive from Colchester
• Direct access to a lake; 10 minutes' walk from pubs and takeaways

Willows Rustic Camping and Caravanning

Mackley Farm

• Quiet dog-friendly site on a small farm on the edge of Stone
• A 10-minute drive from Rye and 15 minutes from Camber Sands
• Pubs within five minutes’ drive of the site; barbecues are permitted