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

Landscaped for privacy and for wildlife, the perfect escape 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 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 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 offer 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 is open from 27/03 to 31/10. Pitches from £52/night for 2 people.

"It's a ten out of ten"

Chris F

"The perfect getaway"

Luke T

"This is an absolutely fabulous campsite"

Mark S

"Nestled in deepest Sussex but surprisingly close to everything"

Richard B

"This is the best campsite that I have ever stayed at. So peaceful"

Jacky E

Campsite map

What facilities are at The Secret Campsite?

Accessible facilities

Allow commercial vans

Allow pets on site

Café / restaurant / takeaway

Drinking water

Family friendly

Shop

Showers

Toilets

W.C. disposal

WiFi

Fires allowed

Glamping

Near pub

Peaceful

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.

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

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.

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 Secret Campsite reviews

4.95 /5

20 reviews

90%

would recommend

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Latest

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Showing the most recent reviews from guests

Fantastic, stay in a wonderful campsite

Recommends site

Maureen M

Medium Tent - Non Electric Meadow PitchesJul 2026

We cannot recommend this campsite highly enough. We stayed for two nights and felt like we had a total detox from the outside world. The owners show a real commitment to maintaining a respect for the environment as well as offering a really tranquil getaway for anyone who wants to be at one with nature. The facilities were excellent and the owners could not have been more helpful. We would thoroughly recommend and definitely will go back again.

Site's response

Hello Maureen Thanks so much for taking the time to post a review for The Secret Campsite. It is really appreciated. We’re glad you enjoyed your stay with us and look forward to welcoming you back to our little oasis of wildlife and nature! Thanks again, Tim, Chloe & Esther

The best environment and facilities

Recommends site

Phillippa D

Large Tent - Non Electric Meadow PitchesMay 2026

A superb campsite - pitches are extremely well spaced affording plenty of privacy. The facilities are second to none - wonderful shower/loo and washing up areas. Very impressed with the recycling. There is also a shop. Fires are allowed and they sell kindling & firewood. It couldn’t be a better set up, We met Chloe who was very friendly & helpful,

Site's response

Dear Phillippa Thanks so much for taking the time to post a review of The Secret Campsite. It is really appreciated. We’re so glad that you loved our site and look forward to welcoming you back to our little oasis of wildlife and nature. Chloe's a star isn't she! Thanks again, Esther

Great place

Recommends site

Tom N

Small Tent - Non Electric Meadow PitchesApr 2026

Had a great time here, peaceful and clean facilities. Friendly team.

Site's response

Dear Tom Thanks so much for taking the time to post a review of The Secret Campsite. It is really appreciated. We’re glad you had a fun trip and look forward to welcoming you back to our little oasis of wildlife and nature. Thanks again, Esther

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Need to know

Frequently asked questions about The Secret Campsite

Quick filters

Site rules

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

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

Is The Secret Campsite dog-friendly?

No sorry, to minimise the impact on the local environment this is a pet free site.

Does The Secret Campsite allow BBQs and campfires?

Yes, both are welcomed here and even sell firewood onsite.

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.

Pitches

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

No sorry, these are not allowed.

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 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: