As the spring months and warmer weather approach, the urge to get out with your campervan, start exploring the beautiful countryside and soak up some Vitamin D starts to take over. For avid campers, West Sussex is the perfect place for a short break; with its diverse landscape encompassing coast, countryside, rural village life and even cityscapes, it’s ideal for plotting out a route and heading out on an adventure.
We’ve listed some of the best spots for campervans and caravans around the county to help you get started.
Locations: Petworth, Chichester, Angmering, Henfield, Horsham
The Graffham Club campsite offers a peaceful and secluded retreat in the very heart of the South Downs National Park. Close to Petworth and Midhurst, it makes a great base to explore some of their historic attractions, Petworth House and the Cowdray ruins. If you’re looking to get back to nature, you’ll be surrounded by woodland, commons and nature reserves, with streams interweaving across the landscape.
Why not visit: Independent craft brewery, Langham Brewery, can host you for a tour and tasting experience, or head over to the Cowdray Farm Shop and Café for a hearty local breakfast, made with their very own produce.
Stubcroft Campsite is based on a working sheep farm in a sheltered area close to Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Chichester Harbour, and some of the UK’s most beautiful beaches. Here you are surrounded by local wildlife and perfectly placed for enjoying country walks and cycling the Salterns Way. Plus, with East Wittering and Bracklesham Bay just about a 20-minute stroll away, you can explore the local village cafes, tea rooms and pubs on foot.
Eat like a local: Head eastwards to Selsey, where you can purchase famous local Selsey crab, either straight from a stall at the beach or at one of the nearby pubs and restaurants. Potters is one of our favourites, serving fresh crab and lobster, right on the beach.
Fox Wood is a picturesque woodland camping site nestled within the South Downs National Park in between Arundel and Worthing. This spacious campsite in 35 acres of private woodland is dog-friendly and even close to two dog-friendly pubs – so it’s the perfect retreat for escaping with your four-legged friend.
Whilst you’re there: Visit Roundstone Farm – open at the end of May, you can spend hours picking your own fruit and vegetables fresh from the earth! Alternatively, why not stop by Highdown Vineyard for a tour and tasting experience complete with canapes or a light lunch?
Set close to the village of Henfield, Blacklands Farm has a tranquil lakeside location where you can even spend a while fishing. The onsite country shop offers a variety of fresh, local produce including eggs, bacon, sausages, cakes and preserves, so you can enjoy some of the best of West Sussex on your barbecue. With several pubs within a 30-40 minute walk, you can head out onto some of the bridleways to explore the area and reward yourself with lunch after.
Hidden gem: The beautiful dog-friendly Sussex Prairie Gardens reopens for the summer on 1st June, hosting a variety of sculptures and artwork alongside the stunning collections of plants and flowers.
Sumners Ponds is a stunning camping area based around a working farm, comprised of four different park areas and featuring fishing lakes, an onsite café, a restaurant and bar, and picturesque walking routes right from the farm. With excellent camping facilities and the option to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at the café, you’re in for a camping experience with a slightly more luxurious feel.
Also: For a truly unique experience, the Knepp Estate is just 15 minutes away by car, offering walking or vehicle wildlife safaris across 3,500 acres of natural habitat.
Sunmers Pond
Wildlife at Knepp Safaris
We would love to see photos, posts or reviews from your West Sussex camping trip, as well as any recommendations of your favourite places to visit or things to do during your stay. Tag us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to tell us more about what makes #YourWestSussex.
