Campsites in Sussex/Kent

[mcr]

Does anyone have any recommendations for campsites in southern Sussex and Kent - roughly in a band between Chichester and Ashford?

I've got the offer of a lift with my bike to the south coast at the end of July, so am thinking of doing a brief tour with the tent on my rack (4-5 days or so) as a change from my local patch.

Ideally small, hikers-type sites rather than caravan parks. And preferably not Camping and Caravan Club sites that require membership (fine if you're going to have a fortnight's holiday but the membership fee's a bit of a rip-off for the casual/occasional camper). Not too fussed about facilities, though a shower and closeness to a pub doing food are always appreciated

Matthew

 

[andym]

Hopefully someone will come along with a direct answer, but in the meantime www.ukcampsites.co.uk is very useful.

 

[mcr]

Thanks, Andy - I've used that site before, but am aware from experience that it misses some of the wilder, more basic places that I crave, as well as some of the more informal pub ones.

 

[mcr]

Bar stewards. There's the one decent campsite in the region that doesn't charge an arm and a leg (and recommended in Dixe Wills's 'Tiny Campsites' book) gone the same way as the YHA, it seems, restricting itself to 'educational' groups only. I know land is an expensive commodity in the southeast of England, but I've yet to find anywhere else charging less than a tenner for a site with nothing more than a portaloo for comfort.

 

[Brommyboy]

As a back-packer, the Camping and Caravanning Club sites are superb! When you register, sign in as a non-member backpacker (as long as you have arrived by laden bike) and the fee is around £6-8, depending on site and season. This includes the extra cost as a non-member which is less than £2.The sites can be found on the internet.

 

[andym]

As a back-packer, the Camping and Caravanning Club sites are superb! When you register, sign in as a non-member backpacker (as long as you have arrived by laden bike) and the fee is around £6-8, depending on site and season. This includes the extra cost as a non-member which is less than £2.The sites can be found on the internet.

Ooh that sounds like it could be a useful tip.

 

[funnymummy]

I live on the Sussex coast, there are LOADS of places to camp round here, lots of farmers have a small field/plot of land set aside where they'll let hikers/tourers pitch up for only a few quid & they often have a little shop selling fresh produce too.
And BrommyBoys suggestion is a good one - I've used CCC sites on many occacsions.
I'm off into towm tomorrow i'll have a look in the Tourist Info place see if they have a list of places that would suit

 

[mcr]

As a back-packer, the Camping and Caravanning Club sites are superb! When you register, sign in as a non-member backpacker (as long as you have arrived by laden bike) and the fee is around £6-8, depending on site and season. This includes the extra cost as a non-member which is less than £2.The sites can be found on the internet.

Yes, thanks for that - it's obviously not something they publicise on their website, where the implication is it's strictly members-only, but that if you turn up at a site as a non-member you can join on the spot.

And thanks, funnymummy, those sound more like it. I've also found these websites, if they're useful for anyone else:

Pub Campsites

Pub Camping

 

[funnymummy]

Hiya
Went into the Tourist Office at Worthing, not much help i'm afraid
They only have lists of 'official' type sites - They did recomned using this site... UK Camping
We're off to the Witterings this weekend, there's a choice of 2 sites on that link & a friends recomneded Scotts Farm
Wicks Farm list a cyclist/walkers rate of £15 a night, so think we're going to give that one a try
Referring back to the farmers option, I can't off the top of my head give any places, but i do know whilst cycling/driving round i've seen lots of signs by farm gates - I'll start noting down the actual address in future.

I looked up Park Resorts, we've stayed in their caravans a few times & I know lots of their sites have small camping areas - I was quite surprised at their rates for tents, they are similar to the basic camp sites i've found & the price includes 'facilities/entertainment'