The Secret Campsite
The Secret Campsite
4.88 /5
The Secret Campsite is focused on nature, peace and space. Surrounded by ancient woodland, enjoy the natural world, campfires and an invigorating dawn chorus from your tent. Encounter wildlife, marvel at the stars and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. The site provides great facilities including EV charging and plenty of solar powered hot water for showers. Three unique glamping shelters are available too - the Tree Tent, Gridshell and Okra.
Landscaped for privacy and for wildlife, the perfect escape for nature lovers
A peaceful location close to the South Downs AONB, with friendly staff too
Sustainably built wash house with solar showers, rainwater flushed toilets, and EV charging points
About The Secret Campsite
With nature, peace and space at the core, this family friendly campsite is great for exploring Lewes, Brighton and the South Downs National Park. Despite the nearby attractions, this is actually a sparsely populated part of East Sussex, where you'll find both private and public nature sites on all sides. The site is surrounded by ancient woodland and a dismantled railway that is now a site of nature conservation interest. There are a total of 18 camping pitches most of which allow up to seven people each and are located within differemt parts of the campsite - the Meadow, Orchard and Bank. They are all tent-only and are very large with plenty of privacy, with campfires allowed. It's kept car and dog free so that you're even more likely to meet stunning wildlife, and little ones can feel free to play, climb trees and explore. Visitors often see kestrels, owls and deer, and many other species, including glow worms in July and August. There are also three secret glamping shelters, The Tree Tent, The Gridshell and The Okra. These are all fantastic quirky accommodation options for your stay and were designed by local inventor and designer Jason Thawley. As featured on George Clarke's Amazing Spaces on Channel 4, The Tree Tent offers a mesmerising experience. It is suspended between three sturdy oak trees on the edge of the ancient woodland surrounding the camping meadow, looking out over the South Downs National Park. Head up via wooden stairs, and inside you will find three single beds with a mattress where you can take in the view whilst gently moving with the sway of the trees. You'll also have your grass pitch where you can enjoy a campfire and relax at ground level during the day. It is designed to sleep two adults and accommodates a child on the third bed. The Gridshell is made from ash wood, combined with a heavy-duty canvas that provides excellent protection from the elements for up to five people. It is located in the orchard part of the campsite with its fire pit and a grass area for you to relax on and enjoy the sunshine. Finally, Okra provides a comfortable and quirky alternative in its five-sided shell. The simple yet cosy interior sleeps up to three people (max two adults) in two double bunk beds. There is a sofa day bed, and the fire pit is located outside. Please note that this is a peaceful family site, and it does not allow groups.
The Secret Campsite is open from 22/03 to 01/11.
The site offers hot showers, flushing toilets and covered washing-up facilities. Trolleys are provided to transport your belongings into the camping field, just a couple of minutes from the car park.
There is a great farm shop five minutes away on foot - Holmans Bridge - as well as a couple of pubs within a five minute drive including Royal Oak Barncombe, The Crown Inn and The Bull.
Adult only
Allow commercial vans
Allow pets
Bike hire
Café / restaurant
Communal BBQ
Disabled facilities
Drinking water
Electric hookups
Entertainment
Family friendly
Fires allowed
Fishing
Games room
Glamping
Golf
Horse riding
Hot tub
Internet access
Kids club
Kids playground
Laundry
Near beach
Near pub
Open year round
Peaceful
RV pitches
Shop
Showers
Swimming pool
Toilets
TV room
Vineyard
Water hookups
Watersports
W.C. disposal
There are 22 accommodation options on-site
Bookable pitches and accommodation options
13 x Non Electric Meadow Pitches
Max 7 people
Non electric grass pitches in the meadow, flanked by trees that provide dappled shade and screening. Suitable for tents only.
Other accommodation
3 x Non Electric Orchard Pitches
Max 7 people
Spacious grass pitches set in the orchard, without electric. At least 15m in between pitches. Dappled shade provided by trees. tents only.
3 x Non Electric Bank Pitches
Max 7 people
Secluded grass pitches without electric, surrounded by wildlife. Suitable for tents only.
The Tree Tent
Max 5 people
This secret shelter sleeps two adults and one child suspended between oak trees and offering stunning views - the first one of its kind in England. You'll find comfy beds and mattresses inside. Extra people can stay in their own tents below the tree tent.
The Gridshell
Max 5 people
Two double beds with mattresses and two extra mattresses are provided. There are free hot showers and toilets at the campsite. The Gridshell has its own fire pit with two chairs for you to relax in front of the fire.
The Okra
Max 3 people
Sleeping up to two adults and one child in two double beds in a bunk bed style with mattresses. Outside fire pit along with logs and bench. Kettle, camping stove, cooking utensils and cutlery included.
4.88 /5
80%
Recommend
Bird song bonanza
Recommends site
Helen S
0
0
We stayed for one night as part of a dawn chorus bird song event. It was our first time at The Secret Campsite and for three seasoned campers, we were very impressed. The washhouse was pristine, spacious and sympathetically crafted with recycled wood and a rustic feel. The pitches are spacious and spread out, so there is a feeling of privacy. We backed onto the woods which were filled with bluebells; it's always worth camping in early spring! Tim and Tallulah were very welcoming and friendly, whilst also giving us space to relax. We will definitely be returning. Thank you for a great time immersed in nature.
Site's response
Hello Helen, thanks so much for taking the time to post us a review, we really appreciate it. I'm glad you got to hear the nightingales, amongst so many other birds, and that you enjoyed the space and our new Wash House. I look forward to our next encounter. Thanks again - Tim.
Wonderful campsite
Recommends site
Mark S
0
0
This is an absolutely fabulous campsite. So peaceful, set amidst beautiful surroundings in the South Downs. We were made very welcome by Tim, the owner, and his daughter, who went out of their way to help. The facilities are fantastic - hot showers, rain water-flushed loos, all immaculately clean and tidy. Lewes, with its great pubs and restaurants, is only a 10 minute drive. Brighton is also easily accessible by train from Lewes. We will definitely be coming back!
Site's response
Hi Mark, thanks for taking the time to post a review. We really appreciate it. I'm glad you had a great trip and we enjoyed meeting you both and I'm glad Lewes delivered for your meal at the Thai restaurant. All the best, Tim.
Shh, keep it a secret!
Recommends site
Richard B
0
0
Nestled in deepest Sussex but surprisingly close to everything, The Secret Campsite was a great find for us. Friendly, helpful welcome, easy to find our pitch (Walnut) and great to be car-free (plenty of wheelbarrows to carry your stuff). Each of the pitches has plenty of space for tents, campfire and games. Lovely and dark around here so you can see plenty of stars. Facilities were fairly new and very clean with plenty of room for families to get changed etc. Decent pubs nearby - Laughing Fish in Isfield was great. New cafe at the farm shop was good value too. It does cost a bit more than other nearby sites but still seems good value for money. Hope to return!
Site's response
Hi Mark, thanks for taking the time to post a review of the campsite, we really appreciate it. I'm glad you enjoyed your stay with us and look forward to seeing you again at some point. Enjoy the autumn, the nights here are now filled with the sounds of owls and the haunting noise of the deer rut. Tim.
Site tariff
Things to do on site and in the Lewes area
Barcombe is a small village and is just a 20 minute walk away along the course of the old railway, or 5 minutes in the car.
The vibrant city of Brighton with its eclectic Lanes filled with quirky shops and lovely pebbled beach is just a 30-45 minute drive away. The nearest town is Lewes (10 minutes), which is a delightful 5 mile walk across farmland and alongside the River Ouse.
Visit Devil's Dyke (30 minutes) in the South Downs National Park and cycle, walk, bird/sheep watch or picnic in the sunshine with unbelievable views to the sea. The Ashdown Forest (20 minutes) is somewhere you can enjoy Pooh sticks on Winnie the Pooh's own bridge.
Middle Farm is an exciting open farm on the A27 near Firle, and Drusillas Zoo Park (30 minutes) is a little further on towards Eastbourne and has lemurs, meerkats, monkeys, reptiles, and birds. En route you could stop off for a quick tour at Charleston (25 minutes), the Sussex home of the Bloomsbury set.
Other nearby attractions:
- Lewes Castle and Museum (10 minutes)
- Butterfly Gardens at Middleton (10 minutes)
- National Trust Ditchling Beacon (20 minutes)
- Oldland Windmill (20 minutes)
- Knockhatch Adventure Park (30 minutes)
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