The Secret Campsite is surrounded by ancient woodland, within a 15 minute drive of the South Downs. Guests can encounter wildlife, marvel at the stars and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. The site provides great facilities including EV charging in the award winning, sustainable Wash House. They also have a unique glamping shelter - The Okra. It is also just a ten minute walk to a farm shop!

Why choose The Secret Campsite

Eco site with meadow pitches, landscaped for privacy and for wildlife, ideal for nature lovers

Just a 15 minute drive to the South Downs, and a ten minute walk to a farm shop

Sustainably built wash house with solar showers, rainwater flushed toilets, and EV charging points

About the site

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 a site of nature conservation interest. There are a total of 20 camping pitches, most of which allow up to seven people each and are located within different parts of the campsite - the Meadow, Orchard and Bank. They are all spacious tent-only pitches with plenty of privacy. Campfires are allowed there too. 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, deer, and many other species, including glow worms in July and August or nightingales in spring. The site offers a secret glamping shelter, The Okra. It is a quirky accommodation option for your stay, designed by local inventor and designer Jason Thawley. The 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's 2026 season finished in October. Sign up to alerts and we'll let you know when bookings re-open.

"Perfect for nature lovers and the curious"

Rich H

"The owners show a real commitment to maintaining respect for the environment"

Maureen M

"It's a ten out of ten"

Chris F

"This is an absolutely fabulous campsite"

Mark S

"Nestled in deepest Sussex but surprisingly close to everything"

Richard B

Campsite map

Wildlife festival sample schedule

What facilities are at The Secret Campsite?

Accessible facilities

Allow commercial vans

Allow pets on site

Café / restaurant / takeaway

Drinking water

Family friendly

Grey waste point

Shop

Showers

Toilets

W.C. disposal

WiFi

EV charging

(At car park)

Fires allowed

Freezer

Glamping

Near pub

Peaceful

Wash up area

The site offers solar powered hot showers, flushing toilets, covered washing-up facilities, and two chest freezers. Trolleys are provided to transport your belongings into the camping field, just a couple of minutes from the car park. Solar-powered EV chargers are available onsite. You can also hire local, sustainably sourced firewood, kindling, and charcoal.

There's also a cafe serving hot drinks from 9:30am to 11am (opening times vary). The site also offers a range of interactive nature packages where you can spot wildlife, find glowworms, explore woodlands, listen to deer, as well as host an annual wildlife festival.

There is a great farm shop ten minutes away on foot - Holmansbridge - as well as a couple of pubs within a five minute drive, including Royal Oak Barncombe, The Crown Inn and The Bull.

Great for everyone

Well-spaced pitches and small groups of families welcome. Spot wildlife, enjoy well-maintained facilities and take trips to nearby Lewes!

There are 21 accommodation options on-site

Bookable pitches and accommodation options

Meadow pitches without electric hook ups

Small Non Electric Meadow Pitch

Max 3 people

Non electric grass pitches in the meadow, flanked by trees that provide dappled shade and screening. Suitable for tents only.

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.

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 Secret Campsite reviews

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Need to know

Frequently asked questions about The Secret Campsite

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Site rules

What time is check-in and check out at The Secret Campsite?

Check-in at The Secret Campsite is from 3pm until 6:30pm and 7pm on Fridays. Please vacate by 11am on departure day.

Is The Secret Campsite dog-friendly?

No, The Secret Campsite is a pet free site, so dogs are not allowed to minimise the impact on the local environment.

Does The Secret Campsite allow BBQs and campfires?

Yes, BBQs, fire pits and ground campfires are welcome at The Secret Campsite. The site also sells locally sourced firewood bits, should you need them.

Does The Secret Campsite allow group bookings?

Groups of more than three families and single-sex groups of more than three adults are not permitted. Each pitch is also limited to a maximum of four adults and six people in total.

Does The Secret Campsite have a quiet time or noise policy?

Yes, The Secret Campsite does operate a quiet policy between after 10pm. All electronic music and percussion instruments are not permitted.

Does The Secret Campsite allow groups or pitches being booked together?

No, The Secret Campsite does not allow group bookings as the site is aimed at couples and families.

Does The Secret Campsite allow day guests to visit those staying onsite?

No, The Secret Campsite does not allow day visitors/guests but the site can suggest many great local spots to meet up with friends and family.

Pitches

Does The Secret Campsite allow awnings, gazebos or pup tents?

No, awnings, gazebos and pup tents are not permitted on the pitches at The Secret Campsite.

Are bedding and towels included at The Secret Campsite?

No, the glamping units at The Secret Campsite do not include bedding or towels, so please be sure to bring your own!

Where can I find The Secret Campsite's map?

You can find a copy of The Secret Campsite's map here.

Can I park next to my pitch at The Secret Campsite?

No, at The Secret Campsite you are not able to park on your pitch. Guests will need to park in a car park just a short walk from the pitches, but wheelbarrows will be supplied for transporting your things.

Facilities

Is there WiFi at The Secret Campsite?

No, The Secret Campsite does not offer WiFi.

Does The Secret Campsite have a shop onsite?

No, there is not a shop at The Secret Campsite. For picking up essentials, there is Holmansbridge Farm Shop, a ten minute stroll away.

Is there a restaurant or cafe at The Secret Campsite?

Yes, there is an onsite cafe at The Secret Campsite. It serves hot drinks from 9:30am to 11am, most days.

Does The Secret Campsite have electric vehicle charging?

Yes, EV charging is available at The Secret Campsite.

Does The Secret Campsite have a communal fridge and freezer?

The Secret Campsite offers a shared freezer for ice packs. There is not a communal fridge, so bringing a cool box is recommended.

What is phone signal like at The Secret Campsite?

Most phone service providers should be able to access a phone and 4G signal at The Secret Campsite.

Getting there

Are there any local taxi service companies to The Secret Campsite?

Local taxi companies to The Secret Campsite include Lewes Taxis Ltd (01273 483232) and Lewes District Taxis (01273 803232).

What is the nearest bus stop to The Secret Campsite?

The nearest bus stop to The Secret Campsite is Galleybird Hall, a half an hour walk away and offers a handful of services to Lewes.

What are the nearest public transport links to The Secret Campsite?

The nearest train station to The Secret Campsite is Cooksbridge, a short five minute drive away. The closest bus stop is Galleybird Hall, a half an hour walk away and offers a handful of services to Lewes.

What's nearby

What are the nearest pubs to The Secret Campsite?

The nearest pubs to The Secret Campsite are Royal Oak Barncombe, The Crown Inn and The Bull, a five minute drive away.

What are the nearest beaches to The Secret Campsite?

The nearest beaches to The Secret Campsite are Brighton Beach and Seaford Beach, 30 minutes away by car.

What walking routes are close to The Secret Campsite?

Local walking routes to The Secret Campsite include those around the South Downs National Park, a 15 minute drive away. From here, wander through the Malling Down Nature Reserve and spot local wildlife, tackle the South Downs Way, or visit the popular Seven Sisters, offering sweeping coastal views and free roaming animals.

What is within walking distance of The Secret Campsite?

Within a 15 minute walk of The Secret Campsite, there is a local farm shop, Holmansbridge, where you can grab meat, dairy products, veggies and fruit, along with Springles Farm Organic Eggs.

Other

Where can you recharge devices such as a phone or battery pack at The Secret Campsite?

You are welcome to leave any devices at reception to charge. The Secret Campsite cannot accept responsibility for any devices left in reception.

A note from the site themselves...

The campsite is focused on creating space for wildlife and giving campers the chance to encounter a wide range of species as they stay in our peaceful camping meadow.

See the likes of snakes, glow worms, lizards, numerous butterflies, hedgehogs and deer. Or listen to nightingales, owls, the dawn chorus and the deer rut in autumn. It truly is a haven for wildlife.

There are numerous local walks to the river as well as opportunities to explore Lewes and the South Downs

The Secret Campsite is ideal for...

Older children (13+)

Peace and quiet

Young children

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 five 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: