If you are reading this Campsites South Downs Way directory, my guess is you are about to head off on an adventure on this beautiful trail! Make sure you first read this Walking the South Downs Way guide, which covers everything you need to know to make your journey as comfortable as possible.
These South Downs Way camping options list both camping, glamping and caravan options. To make this directory as helpful as possible, I’ve noted ‘Distance from the trail’. In miles, this states how far away the campsite is from the South Downs Way path. ‘Close’ means less than 500 metres!
Note that a lot of the campsites are seasonal, open Apr-Oct. Do contact the sites ahead of time to confirm opening times and availability.
Thinking of wild camping? Read more about my thoughts on wild camping and if it is possible in my guide to hiking the South Downs Way!
Before we start….
If you are new to this blog, I’m Bex Band – a full-time UK adventurer and founder of the women’s adventure community Love Her Wild. I’m on a mission to make getting outdoors and going on adventures as easy as possible. You can read more about me here.
If you have any questions, please use the comments box below. And for ongoing tips and inspiration on camping and adventure, make sure you follow me on Facebook and Instagram. I’d appreciate it 🙂
Campsites South Downs Way: Winchester – Amberley
Assuming you complete the trail in the more popular East to West direction, these campsites sit in the first half of the trail starting from the start (Winchester) all the way to Amberley.
Morn Hill Caravan Site (website)
*Camping & caravan*
Alresford Rd, Winchester, Hants, SO21 1HL.
Tel: 01962 869877
Distance from the trail: 1 mile
Holdean Farm (website)
*Camping*
Cheriton, Nr Alresford, hants, So24 0NX.
Tel: 07599553740
Distance from the trail: close
Meon Springs (website)
*Glamping and yurts*
Whitewool Farm, East Meon, Petersfield, Hants,
GU32 1HW. Glamping and yurt.
Tel: 01730 823794 Email: [email protected]
Distance from the trail: close
Cedar Valley (website)
*Glamping*
Bereleigh Estate, East Meon, Petersfield, Hants, GU32 1PH
Tel: 07557 798857 Email: [email protected]
Distance from the trail: 2 miles
Wetherdown Lodge & Camping (website)
*Camping*
Droxford Rd, East Meon, Petersfield, Hants, GU32 1HR.
Tel: 01730 823549 Email: [email protected]
Distance from the trail: close
Oxenbourne Farm (website)
*Camping*
East Meon, Hants, GU32 1QL.
Tel: 01730 823239
Distance from the trail: 2 miles
New House Farm
*Camping*
New House Lane, East Dean, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0NJ.
Tel: 01243 811685 Email: [email protected]
Distance from the trail: 2 miles
Graffham Camping and Caravanning Club Site (website)
*Camping & caravan*
Great Bury, Graffham, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0QF
Tel: 01798 867476
Distance from the trail: 2 miles
Gumber Bothy Camping Barn
*Camping*
National Trust Slindon Estate, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 0RG.
Tel: 01243 814484 Email: [email protected]
Distance from the trail: 1 mile
Slindon Camping Site (website)
*Camping*
Slindon Park, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 0RG.
Tel: 01243 814387
Distance from the trail: 3 miles
Houghton Farm
*Camping*
Nr Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9LW.
Tel: 01798 831142 Email: [email protected]
Distance from the trail: close
High Tittern
*Camping – wild camping spot, no facilities*
High Tittern Lane, Amberley, grid ref. TQ032123.
Distance from the trail: close
Campsites South Downs Way: Amberley – Eastbourne
Washington Caravan and Camping Park (website)
*Camping & caravan*
London Road, Washington, West Sussex, RH20 4AJ.
Tel: 01903 892869 Email: [email protected]
Distance from the trail: 1 mile
Buncton Manor Farm
*Camping*
Steyning Rd (A283), Wiston, Steyning, West Sussex, BN44 3DD.
Tel: 01903 812736 Email: [email protected]
Distance from the trail: 1 mile
White House Caravan Site
*Camping & caravan*
Sheep Pen Lane/Newham Lane, Steyning, West Sussex, BN44 3LR
Tel: 01903 813737
Distance from the trail: 1 mile
Farmhouse Caravan and Camp Site (website)
*Camping & caravan*
Tottington Drive, Small Dole, Henfield, West Sussex, BN5 9XZ.
Tel: 01273 493157
Distance from the trail: 2 mile
Saddlescombe Farm (website)
*Camping*
Saddlescombe Road, Poynings, BN45 7DE
Tel: 01273 857712 Email: [email protected]
Distance from the trail: close
Wanbarrow Farm
*Camping barn*
Bullfinch Lane, Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex, BN6 9ER
Tel: 01273 834110 Email: [email protected]
Distance from the trail: 3 miles
Southdown Way Caravan and Camping Site (website)
*Camping & caravan*
Southdown Farm, Lodge Lane, Keymer, Hassocks, West Sussex, BN6 8LX.
Tel: 01273 841877 Email: [email protected]
Distance from the trail: 1 mile
Stonewish Nature Reserve (website)
*Camping*
Spatham Lane, Ditchling, BN6 8XH.
Tel: 01273 843498
Distance from the trail: 1 mile
BlackberryWoods (website)
*Camping & glamping*
Streat Lane, Streat, Nr Ditchling, Sussex, BN6 8RS.
Tel: 01273 890035
Distance from the trail: 1 mile
Hackmans Farm
*Camping*
Plumpton Lane, Plumpton, East Sussex, BN7 3AJ
Tel: 01273 890348
Distance from the trail: 1 mile
Housedean Farm (website)
*Camping*
Brighton Road, Lewes, BN7 3JW.
Tel: 07919 668816 or 07748 930737 Email: [email protected]
Distance from the trail: close
**CLOSED** Spring Barn Farm
*Camping*
Kingston Rd, Lewes, BN7 3ND.
Tel: 01273 488450 Email: [email protected]
Distance from the trail: 1 mile
Pleasant Rise Farm (website)
*Camping*
Cuckmere Rd, Alfriston, East Sussex, BN26 5TN.
Tel: 01323 734265 Email: [email protected]
Distance from the trail: close
Ash Farm
*Camping*
Filching, Jevington, Polegate, East Sussex, BN26 5QA.
Tel: 01323 487335
Distance from the trail: 1 mile
Foxhole campsite & Camping Barn (website)
*Camping but only for large groups*
Seven Sisters Country Park, Exceat, Seaford, East Sussex, BN25 4AG
Tel: 01323 870280
Distance from the trail: close
South Downs Way camping Itinerary
Here is a suggested itinerary for anyone wanting to do the South Downs Way camping en route. The daily milage is very relaxed with this itinerary giving you lots of time for ice cream breaks and stopping to take in the views.
If you are looking for more of a challenge, simply combine days. Ie, Day 1 and 2 can be combined to start in Winchester and finished in Petersfield, creating a total daily milage of 18 miles.
Day 1: Winchester to Cheriton – 6 mile
Camping at Holdean Farm (Cheriton, Nr Alresford, hants, So24 0NX) close to the trail.
Day 2: Cheriton to Petersfield – 13 miles
Camping at Wetherdown Camping (Droxford Rd, East Meon, Petersfield, Hants, GU32 1HR) close to the trail.
Day 3: Petersfield to Chichester – 19 miles
Camping at New House Farm (New House Lane, East Dean, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0NJ). It’s about a 2 mile hike to reach the campsite from the trail or you can arrange a taxi pickup.
Day 4: Chichester to Amberley – 13 miles (Camping wild camp spot)
Camping at High Tittern (High Tittern Lane, Amberley, grid ref. TQ032123) which is a wild camping space right on the trail. There are no facilities.
Day 5: Amberley to Poynings – 18 miles
Camping at Saddlescombe Farm (Saddlescombe Road, Poynings, BN45 7DE) close to the trail.
Day 6: Poynings to Lewes – 13 miles
Camping at Spring Barn Farm (Kingston Rd, Lewes, BN7 3ND)
***Note that Spring Barn Farm has now closed. There are other accommodation options in Lewes from B&B to Airbnb rooms or I’d recommend wild camping this night***
Day 7: Lewes to Seaford – 18 miles
Camping at Foxhole campsite (Seven Sisters Country Park, Exceat, Seaford, East Sussex, BN25 4AG) close to the trail.
Day 8: Seaford to Eastbourne – 12 miles
South Downs Way camping
I hope you’ve found this Campsites South Downs Way guide helpful. If you are planning a hike on the downs make sure you also check out:
- Long distance walking tips
- Top tips for Staying warm in a tent
- How to pack a hiking backpack like a pro
- Expedition and camping food ideas
And of course my Walking the South Downs Way guide.
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Really useful! I didn’t know there were so many farm campsites! I only wish I’d discovered your blog before lockdown as we live full time in our motorhome & had to return to the UK from roaming Europe because of the pandemic! We arrived back just after all campsites had closed with nowhere to pitch up & all “waste” facilities not open to permanent vanabonds like ourselves not on a site pre-lockdown! So life has been a little unusual. Roll on July & back to roaming & availing of your recommendations!
It’s a shame you had to cut that short. I can imagine this has been a really challenging time making it work with all the restrictions.
Glad the recommendations will help. Bring on July! 🙂
Hi Bex,
Thanks for this!
How easy is it to wild camp on the South Downs?
It’s not the easiest place to wild camp as it’s not remote and is a popular hike – but it’s not impossible if done respectfully. You can read more about my thoughts on wild camping on the SDW in this blog: https://www.theordinaryadventurer.com/adventure/walking-the-south-downs-way-a-guide/
Hi,
Just want to inform all that High Titten is currently closed.
Apparently there is a new owner and they want to make some improvements to that place, that’s why it’s closed at the moment.
Stay safe!;)
Thanks Lukas for the update – that’s really helpful 🙂
Do these campsites have a general policy of NOT turning away backpackers.
You’ll need to check with the campsites directly as I don’t know.
Thanks. Spent ages looking for a map of the SDW with campsites on it. Ended up using your guide to mark them on the map myself.
Glad it was helpful David!
Hi Bex
Great list of campsites.. thank you!
I am doing the South Downs Way with friends in August. Would we need to book campsites un advance or would we be OK to get spaces on the day do you think?
Thanks for your help un advance!
Ross.
Many thanks for your guide. Unfortunately the campsite at Poynings Saddlescombe Farm is now closed for the forseable future due to Covid (Contacted them today).
Thank you for the update Brett!