We’ve hand-picked three of our favourite campsites in East Sussex, each offering something a little different. There’s a touch of back-to-basics camping at all three, but that’s part of the fun! All are family-friendly, with an abundance of activities, beautiful surroundings and some lovely places to eat and drink nearby, should you want to venture away from your comfy camp chair.
We’ve chosen these campsites because they’re all perfect for experiencing the beauty of Sussex during the warmer months. Having enjoyed happy camping trips at each of them, we hope you’ll love them as much as we do.
All are family-friendly, with an abundance of activities, beautiful surroundings and some lovely places to eat and drink nearby, should you want to venture away from your comfy camp chair.
We’ve chosen these campsites because they’re all perfect for experiencing the beauty of Sussex during the warmer months. Having enjoyed happy camping trips at each of them, we hope you’ll love them as much as we do.
Ouse Meadow Campsite: Sheffield Park, Uckfield
Ouse Meadow is a stunning campsite set in a glorious part of the Sussex countryside. What we love most about this place is the openness and space it offers. The pitches are generously spread out, so you never feel too close to your neighbours, although not so far apart that you can’t say hello!
It’s a wonderful campsite for children of all ages. Under fives have plenty of open field space to tackle the day’s adventures, while still being easy to keep an eye on. Older children can saunter about in little feral gangs, making the most of the tree swings, badminton and field sports.
It’s also the perfect place for the ever popular class camping trip or a gathering of friends and families. What makes Ouse Meadow particularly special is how well the site is managed. It’s so spacious that even larger groups are unlikely to disturb other campers, while those visiting as a couple, a smaller family or on their own can still enjoy the peace and quiet of camping in the countryside.
The campsite is surrounded by wildlife, with the River Ouse meandering its way through the landscape. In the background, you’ll often hear the steam train chugging along on its journey from Sheffield Park, which is just a five minute walk away and well worth a visit.
The outdoor showers are beautifully refreshing after a night around the campfire and a cosy sleep in the tent. And despite this being a popular campsite, we’ve never had to queue for too long for the showers or washing-up sinks.
If you fancy venturing a little further afield, there’s a perfect spot for craft beer and delicious pizza at 360 Degree Brewing. Be sure to visit on a Friday or Saturday for what we think is some of the best pizza in Sussex. We’ve also enjoyed trips to Heaven Farm for ice cream, where the children had a blast in the indoor soft play.
Ouse Meadow is also a wonderful place for stargazing and wildlife spotting. We’re told there’s even a resident owl, although unfortunately we’ve yet to spot it! We’ve been coming here as a family for the past three years and will most likely be back again next year for our fourth adventure, this time with an eight-year-old in tow.
Stoneywish, Ditchling
A lovely small campsite, close to Brighton, but far enough that you feel immersed to nature. There’s a family feel about the place and the staff, who are friendly and welcoming.
Everything is easy and if you’re travelling from Brighton you can be packed, pitched and sipping your favourite campsite beverage within a couple of hours leaving your home. You can also nip back if you’ve forgotten anything essential!
There are beautiful walks in the area and you are not far from the village of Ditchling with it’s pubs and cafes. There’s also Notcutts Garden Center a short drive or walk down the road, which is nice for a cream tea or hot lunch. We’ve spent many an hour ambling through Ditchling Common, which is a great place for a longer trek or a short circular walk with interesting features such as lake and climbable trees.
If the temperature ever dips, there’s in the Butterfly Garden at Middleton Common Lane nearby which is a wonderful place where you can enjoy the sport of butterfly spotting step and experience a different a time. The temperature needs to be tropical level so it’s always a nice place if you need to warm up.
The campsite itself is back to basics, there are no showers, and limited facilities but that’s part of the charm of it. It’s a nature reserve, so really idealic for spring camp, which is when we visited in 2025.
The farm animals are a popular and delightful addition, particularly for younger children, and there’s also a little play area and rope swing to enjoy.
Everything about Stoneywish feels intimate and close to nature. It’s not a large campsite, but it’s big on charm.
Boathouse Farm, Isfield
Boathouse Farm is a fairly well kept secret (at the time of writing). They even mention this on their website, and we have to agree. It’s such a great spot that you almost feel reluctant to tell too many people about it!
The campsite is made up of a series of interconnected fields stretching alongside the River Ouse, just south of Isfield. It’s a peaceful setting that makes you feel as though you’re right in the heart of the East Sussex countryside.
If you’re lucky, you can pitch right alongside the river and soak up everything this lovely location has to offer. The fields are long and wide, so there’s plenty of space to spread out and make yourself at home, although this does mean you might have a little walk to the nearest toilet facilities.
We received a wonderfully cheery welcome from the hosts, which immediately made us feel at ease and ready to settle into a few days of camping.
One of the absolute must do activities while staying here is a visit to the much loved Anchor Inn and Boating. It’s one of our absolute favourite spots in East Sussex, with a gorgeous riverside pub serving delicious food and boating hire.
Hiring one of their row boats is a fun and relaxing pastime. Gently making your way along the river, surrounded by greenery and wildlife, you could almost imagine yourself stepping into a scene from The Wind in the Willows.
It’s these simple pleasures that make camping in Sussex so special, and Boathouse Farm is a wonderful place to enjoy them.