The LandCruise Travellers’ Top 10 Favourite Campsites in Dorset, Hampshire and Sussex
Heaven Farm Caravan Club CLs Site, Uckfield, East Sussex – Visit Website
Set in 100 acres of beautiful parkland Heaven Farm is the perfect place to unwind at the beginning of your holiday. In the farm grounds are the Stable Tea Rooms, organic farm shop, Farm Museum and the Bluebell nature trail through woods and alongside streams. Just down the road is the Coach and Horses country pub and restaurant – one of the Michelin Guides Bib favourite establishments. Simply camping heaven. Open all year.
Stubcroft Farm Campsite, East Wittering, West Sussex – Visit Website
Stubcroft Farm is an environmentally friendly working sheep farm close to the sandy beaches & dunes, Chichester Harbour and the South Downs. The campsite is a small site across three secluded level paddocks that have been planted with wildlife conservation hedges and trees. The site has modern shower and toilet facilites as well as ecoloos. A great place to stay when visiting the Blue Flag West Wittering Beach. Open all year.
Downshay Farm, Swanage, Dorset – Visit Website
A terraced site on 3 levels with the most superb views of Corfe Castle and the Purbeck Hills. Since the best views are at the top of the sloping site, levelling blocks are a must-have. Just down the hill from Downshay is the local Harmans Cross station of the steam railway which will take you to Swanage or the Castle. Alternatively, for walkers the World Heritage Coastal Path is nearby. Open April to November.
Hidden Spring Vineyard, Horam, East Sussex – Visit Website
Hidden Spring Vineyard and Orchards is a 23 acre working smallholding and campsite in the Sussex countryside. They produce red, white and rose wines from their vines, plus juice and cider from their apples and pears. All are offered for tasting. The camping site is situated alongside orchards and a field of Jacob and Balwen sheep. It’s a short walk into Horam, the local village that provides all basic amenities as well as pubs and cafes. There is also a good pub the Brewers Arms at Vines Cross, which is within a short walk across the field footpath. For walkers and cyclists the Cuckoo trail follows a disused railway track. Open March to October.
Black Knowl Caravan Club Site, Brockenhurst, Hampshire – Visit Website
All of the camp sites clustered around the village of Brockenhurst are great, but this one has spotless facilities that one expects from the Caravan Club. It’s five minutes walk to the village shops, pubs and restaurants. Plus you can walk out of your Motorhome and explore 140 miles of track on foot, cycle or on horseback in the New Forest whilst never tiring of seeing the ponies and other animals. It is also worthwhile seeing if you can get in the Caravan Club Certificated Location site at Ford Farm Stables. Open March to November.
Burnbake, Corfe Castle, Dorset – Visit Website
Set in the heart of Purbeck, the 12 acre Burnbake site is a quiet secluded level site in the woodlands with a stream. Campers have a choice of pitches in the woods or on the grass field. The beauty of this site is the privacy the woodland and the new planting offers – there are always other paths to follow which lead to hidden nooks and crannies. The site shop stocks everything you need including freshly baked bread and cakes. In the summer there is the added bonus of the Yurt café for those do not want to cook themselves. Open March to September.
Graffham Camping & Caravan Site, West Sussex – Visit Website
In the heart of the South Downs is this peaceful 20 acre wooded site. The pitches are surrounded by trees and, in the spring, there is a carpet of bluebells around the Site. Rabbits, squirrels, foxes and if you are lucky badgers can all be seen regularly scurrying past your motorhome. Walkers and cyclists can follow the South Downs Way, but the highlight of this area is the food and drink at the local Foresters Arms. Open March to November.
Cookscroft, Earnley, Chichester – Visit Website
The Caravan Club Certificated Locations (CLs) are five pitch sites located in the heart of the countryside next to farms and smallholdings. Perfect for those who just want to experience a little bit of peace and quiet. There are about 2,500 to choose from all over the country. One of note close to Landcruise is Cookscroft – next to a five acre garden which is part of the National Gardens Scheme. Open April to October.
Tom’s Field, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset – Visit Website
A beautiful set of fields set in the Isle of Purbeck surrounded by old stone walling. Four acres of undulating grass just for tents and motorhomes – no caravans. Great views from the top of the bay and the sea – Swanage bay is about 3 miles away. There is a lovely walk to the Dancing Ledge. The onsite shop has a fresh bread and eggs. The local pub The Square and Compass has award winning beers and ciders and delicious pies and pasties. Open March to October.
Acorns, Angmering, West Sussex – Visit Website
Acorns is a small touring camp site, nestling within its own 12 acres of oak, ash and birch woodland. This is a well kept site and all the facilities are spotless. Acorns is a perfect base from which to explore the new South Downs National Park, the Sussex coast, the historic town of Arundel or a day trip to Brighton. Both the local village of Angmering and Arundel have some great places to eat and drink. Open April to October.
