West Sussex has over 120 campsites and glamping spots, spread from the sandy beaches of the Witterings to the rolling hills of the South Downs and the ancient woodlands of the High Weald. Whether you're after a proper back-to-basics camping trip with campfires under the stars or a glamping getaway with a real bed and a wood burner, there's something here for every family.
We've picked the 9 best sites across the county, covering traditional camping, bell tents, safari tents, shepherd's huts and glamping pods. Every site on this list is family-friendly, well-reviewed by real campers, and somewhere we'd genuinely recommend.
1. Stubcroft Farm Campsite, East Wittering
If you only try one campsite in West Sussex, make it this one. Stubcroft Farm is a multi-award-winning, family-run site close to some of the best sandy beaches on the south coast. It sits in level paddocks surrounded by farmland and hedgerows, with an abundance of wildlife including dozens of bird species, deer, hedgehogs and rare butterflies.
The facilities are outstanding. The amenity block has modern showers, family rooms with baby changing, hairdryers, a laundry, phone charging lockers, a camper's fridge/freezer, and a well-stocked shop selling local sausages, bacon, bread, milk and barbecue supplies. They hire out fire pits with logs, marshmallows and toasting sticks for the full campfire experience.
The location is hard to beat. Bracklesham Bay and East Wittering beaches are within walking distance down the farm lanes, and Chichester Harbour, West Wittering and the South Downs are all a short drive away. The site is in an area known since medieval times as "God's Pocket" for its warm, sheltered microclimate and unusually high sunshine hours.
Location: Stubcroft Lane, East Wittering, Chichester, PO20 8PJ
When: Open all year
Cost: From around £25 per night for a tent pitch; electric hook-ups available
Dogs: Welcome
Top tip: Hire a fire pit and grab a bag of logs and marshmallows from the shop. Sitting around the fire while the kids toast marshmallows is the highlight of any stay here.
2. Sumners Ponds Fishery and Campsite, Barns Green
Sumners Ponds is one of the most versatile camping spots in West Sussex. Set in 100 acres of countryside near Horsham, it combines traditional camping with a huge range of glamping options, fishing lakes, a licensed restaurant and bar, and a cafe by the lake.
The camping side has 90 touring pitches (mix of grass and hardstanding) with electric hook-ups, plus a non-electric tent field at weekends. But the real appeal is the glamping: safari tents sleeping up to 6 on the banks of the lake, shepherd's huts on a B&B basis with breakfast at the cafe included, bell tents, camping pods, and a mini lodge called Robin's Nest. There's also a dedicated Family Field for families wanting their own private camping area.
The fishing lakes are a big draw. Four coarse fishing lakes are stocked with carp to over 36lb, plus perch, tench, roach and pike. Even if you're not a keen angler, the lakeside setting is beautiful.
Location: Chapel Road, Barns Green, Horsham, RH13 0PR
When: Open all year
Cost: Camping from around £25 per night; pods from around £50; safari tents from around £120 per night
Dogs: Welcome (dog meadow on site)
Top tip: The safari tents overlooking the lake are spectacular. Book Willow's Hide for up to 6 guests, or Swallow's Hide for a smaller family of 4. Both come fully equipped.
3. Blacklands Farm, Henfield
Blacklands Farm is a proper family campsite done well. Set in oak-enclosed meadows in the heart of West Sussex, it's around 12 miles from Brighton and close to the South Downs National Park.
The standout feature for families is the large ring-fenced playground area in the centre of the site, which becomes a social hub for kids making friends and running free while parents relax. The number of pitches is deliberately limited to stop things feeling crowded, and the site is safely enclosed, so little ones can explore on foot or by bike.
There are excellent walking routes directly from the grounds, with public footpaths through peaceful countryside. The site even has custom-made Google Maps walking routes on their website. Fire pit hire is available for evening marshmallow sessions.
Location: Wheatsheaf Road, Henfield, BN5 9AT
When: Caravans/motorhomes year-round (hardstanding); tents May to September
Cost: From around £25 per night
Dogs: Welcome
Top tip: The site is gently sloping, so choose your pitch carefully. For families, the playground field is the best option, with non-electric pitches available from 9am and electric from 11am.
4. Wild Boar Wood Campsite, Horsted Keynes
This is glamping at its most atmospheric. Wild Boar Wood is a five-acre bluebell wood in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, where nine fully equipped bell tents sit among the trees. It's off-grid, back-to-nature camping, but with the comfort of a proper bed, cooking equipment and a campfire right outside your tent.
Each bell tent comes with beds, cooking gear, an open-fire BBQ grill and a firewood allocation. The two "faraway tents" are tucked deeper into the wood for extra privacy. The site has a permanent warden, compost loos, and an emphasis on peace, quiet and reconnecting with nature.
The Bluebell Railway occasionally steams past the edge of the woodland, which is a magical touch. Three good local pubs are within a mile or two, and the River Ouse runs through the surrounding countryside offering lovely walks.
Location: Wild Boar Wood, Horsted Keynes, Haywards Heath, RH17 7EA
When: April to October
Cost: From £92.50 per night midweek; from £120 per night weekends (for 2 people, includes firewood)
Ages: Families and couples welcome
Top tip: If you hear a steam train whistle through the trees, that's the Bluebell Railway. Sheffield Park station is a 10-minute drive away and well worth a visit, combined with the stunning Sheffield Park Garden (National Trust) next door.
5. Red House Farm Camping, Earnley
Red House Farm is a proper rural campsite that's been in the same family for over 50 years. It sits on level, grassy grounds adjacent to the family's working farm, about a mile from the beach at Bracklesham Bay and under 3 miles from the famous West Wittering Beach. It's 8 miles south of Goodwood, making it a good base for race days and car events too.
There's plenty of space for children to play, fly kites and ride bikes. The site accommodates tents, touring caravans and motorhomes, plus newer glamping pods that sleep up to 2 adults and 2 children each, with a double bed, TV, fridge and heater.
The RSPB Medmerry Nature Reserve is just half a mile away, and there's horse riding, cycling and sailing nearby. It's a quiet, unpretentious spot that families return to summer after summer.
Location: Bookers Lane, Earnley, Chichester, PO20 7JG
When: March to October
Cost: Camping from £18 per night; pods from £60 per night
Dogs: Welcome
Top tip: The pods are great value for families who want a step up from tent camping without the glamping price tag. Each one sleeps 4 and has heating, so they work in cooler weather too.
6. Scotts Farm Camping, West Wittering
If beach access is your top priority, Scotts Farm is hard to beat. It's right at West Wittering, with the stunning beach and sand dunes practically on the doorstep. The site has large, open camping fields spread across 40 acres of level grassland with hundreds of pitches across multiple paddocks, making it one of the bigger sites in the county.
Scotts Farm is a classic seaside campsite. It's not fancy, but the location makes up for it. You can walk to the beach, the village has cafes and shops, and on a sunny day there's genuinely nowhere better in West Sussex.
Location: Cakeham Road, West Wittering, Chichester, PO20 8ED
When: March to October
Cost: Check website for current rates
Top tip: West Wittering Beach has a car park charge of around £10-15 in summer, but if you're camping at Scotts Farm you can walk there in minutes and save yourself the parking fee.
7. Acorns Campsite, Angmering
Acorns is a small, peaceful campsite set within 12 acres of natural woodland at the foot of the South Downs National Park. With just 13 touring pitches plus tent spaces, it's deliberately kept small. The emphasis is on quiet enjoyment of the countryside, which makes it a good choice for families who prefer calm over chaos.
The shower and toilet block is centrally heated with free hot water. Local shops, pubs and restaurants are within walking distance, and the local bus route is just 5 minutes from the site. Arundel Castle, the WWT Wetland Centre, Worthing seafront and the South Downs are all close by.
Location: Arundel Road, Angmering, BN16 4ET
When: Late May to early September
Cost: From £30 per night
Dogs: One dog per unit, on leads
Top tip: The site is surrounded by woodland and very sheltered. It's a proper nature escape, but mobile signal and TV reception can be patchy because of the trees. Embrace it.
8. Concierge Camping, West Ashling
If you want camping with a touch of luxury, Concierge Camping on the Ratham Estate near Chichester is something special. The land is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086); the current estate buildings date from the 15th century, and there are three Grade II listed buildings on site including a thatched chapel and the original water mill.
This is primarily a touring site with 15 spacious, fully serviced hardstanding pitches featuring 16 or 32 amp power, free WiFi, TV and satellite connections. It can accommodate everything from campervans to American RVs. The luxury toilet and shower block is brand new, there's a laundry, and electric car charging is available.
The location is excellent, between the South Downs National Park and Chichester Harbour, with easy access to Chichester, Goodwood and the coast.
Location: Ratham Lane, West Ashling, Chichester, PO18 8DL
When: Open all year
Cost: Check website for current rates
Dogs: Welcome (off-road dog walk on site)
Top tip: If you're heading to a Goodwood event (racing, Festival of Speed, Revival), this is a brilliant base. Book early for event weekends as they fill up months in advance.
9. Hook Farm Campsite, West Hoathly
Hook Farm is a consistently well-reviewed site surrounded by woodland in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It's a back-to-basics option: spacious fields, compost loos, hot showers, fire pits at every pitch, and a strong emphasis on being outdoors.
The site is popular with families and couples who want simple, proper camping without the noise and regimentation of bigger sites. Nearby, the Missing Link Brewery does great burgers, the Cat Inn is a short walk for a pint, and there are fantastic woodland walks in every direction. The Weir Wood Reservoir is nearby for longer hikes.
Location: Hook Lane, West Hoathly, RH19 4PT
When: Weekends, seasonal
Cost: Check website for current rates
Dogs: Welcome
Top tip: The site isn't the flattest, so pick your pitch carefully and bring a sleeping mat with good insulation. The woodland areas have the most character but the open sections are more level.
Camping vs Glamping: Quick Comparison
| Site | Type | Open | Campfires | Beach Nearby | Price From | |------|------|------|-----------|--------------|------------| | Stubcroft Farm | Camping | All year | Fire pits for hire | Walking distance | ~£25/night | | Sumners Ponds | Camping + glamping | All year | No | 30 min drive | ~£25/night | | Blacklands Farm | Camping | Year-round* | Fire pits for hire | 30 min to Brighton | ~£25/night | | Wild Boar Wood | Glamping (bell tents) | Apr-Oct | Included | No | ~£92.50/night | | Red House Farm | Camping + pods | Mar-Oct | No | 1 mile | ~£18/night | | Scotts Farm | Camping | Mar-Oct | Check with site | Walking distance | Check site | | Acorns | Camping | May-Sep | No | 5 miles | ~£30/night | | Concierge Camping | Luxury touring | All year | No | 5 miles | Check site | | Hook Farm | Camping | Weekends | Yes | No | Check site |
*Blacklands Farm: hardstanding only in winter; tents May-Sep
What to Pack for Camping in West Sussex
Even in summer, West Sussex evenings can be cool and the weather is unpredictable. Here's what we'd recommend:
- Layers. Warm fleece or hoodie for evenings, even in July
- Waterproofs. For everyone. It's England.
- Wellies or sturdy boots. Fields get muddy, even in summer
- Torch or head torch. Essential for late-night loo trips
- Fire-starting kit. If your site allows campfires (matches, firelighters, a good attitude towards smoke)
- Mallet. For tent pegs. The chalk and clay soils in West Sussex can be tough going
- Sun cream. The coastal sites (Stubcroft, Red House Farm, Scotts Farm) get surprisingly sunny
When to Book
Summer school holidays (mid-July to early September) are the busiest period across all sites. The best pitches and glamping units sell out months in advance, particularly for:
- Bank holiday weekends (Easter, May, August)
- Goodwood events (Members Meeting in April, Festival of Speed in July, Revival in September)
- School half-terms (February, May, October)
For the best availability and lower prices, try midweek stays or shoulder season visits in May, June and September when the weather is often still good but the crowds thin out.
All information was correct at the time of writing (February 2026). Prices are approximate and vary by season, pitch type and length of stay. We recommend checking directly with each site for current rates and availability before booking.