Wimbles Farm
UK England South East England East Sussex Heathfield
Nestled in the beautiful Sussex countryside, Wimbles Farm campsite and B&B is the perfect site for those who want to try a bit of wild camping but aren't sure if they can bear the potential discomforts. It's as close to wild camping as you can get, but with ablution facilities to ease you through the experience, with two well maintained pitching areas located by a meandering stream in a secluded flower meadow, and a standpipe for fresh water, fire-pits, compost toilets and access to a shower. There's only room for half a dozen or so tents, so there’s no danger of overcrowding. If you really can't face it there's a recently renovated shepherds hut with its own facilities in a quiet corner of the flower meadow with hot showers and bunks for the kids and its own fire-pit. As for things to see and do, you can start right on the farm. Coarse fishing is available from the site's own lake and bike hire and guided cycling tours are also available. It's also the only site we know where you can have your own pottery throw-down challenge! And if you can't hack the camping any longer, the B&B up at the house is the perfect refuge!
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Details
Facilities
2 well-maintained pitching areas, the larger suitable for 3-4 large tents, and the small section suited for 1 large or 2 small tents. Each pitch has a fire-pit (with grid) for cooking and boiling water, and includes a barrow of logs for your use each night. Both camping areas have their own compost toilets and access to a shower tent (using hot water heated on the fire or through the solar water heater). 2 stand pipes provide fresh water.
2 shepherds huts, one for couples and another sleeping 2 adults and 2 children. Proper beds, kitchenette and wood-burner provided in each hut. Dogs are not permitted in either of the huts.
Private, spring-fed, coarse fishing lake (next to the house) set amongst ancient natural woodland, home to: rudd, roach, perch, bream, tench, carp and pike.
Suitable For
Nearby
The nearby Cuckoo Trail is a great option for cycling or walks, weaving its way through woods, fields, and the best of the rolling Sussex countryside. Normans Bay, named after the Normans who landed here a thousand years ago, is 25 minutes away; or if its raining pop into The Observatory Science Centre (01323 832731) on selected evenings when you can look through impressive telescopes at events in the night sky. Brighton (45 minutes away) has a fabulous array of activities to keep you busy, whilst a lengthy walk along the South Downs National Park (England’s newest National park) is certainly a must do given its proximity. Lewes (17 miles) is a pretty little market town with great shops, thousands of flea markets and a number of decent pubs. Don’t leave without visiting its enchanting castle (01273 486290) built during the days of William the Conqueror, and continuing the history theme just south of the town centre lies the historic Anne of Cleves House (01273 474610).
Food & Drink
The recently reopened Brewers Arms (01435 812435) is within easy walking distance and treats visitors to a quintessentially British country pub experience. The menu is eclectic and the food always fresh and (whenever possible) locally sourced. Also within walking distance is the Black Duck (01435 830 636), a 15th Century freehouse, situated in the depths of the East Sussex countryside. The traditional pub grub has gained an excellent reputation so you are strongly advised to book ahead. Classics include: deep-fried Brie in breadcrumbs & cranberry, local pork sausages with mash & onion gravy and pork tenderloin wrapped in Parma ham with mash potato and cider sauce. Visit Hank who runs the local farm shop (again within easy walking distance) for sausages and home-cured bacon that taste delicious on the campfire. There’s also some great little shops and supermarkets in the local market town of Heathfield (4 miles), which also gives the option of takeaways and restaurants.
Open
Open all year.
Pricing
Shepherds Hut 3–4 night stays £180–£280, depending on season, £350–£490 a week again depending on season. Camping £10 a night for adults, £5 for children (and dogs!).
The Owner Says
Our bespoke Shepherd’s Hut provides an ideal romantic getaway for couples looking to escape to the countryside or for families that don’t quite do camping!
Our hand made Shepherds hut provides self-contained accommodation for 2 adults and 2 children with a double bed and separate bunk room, a kitchenette with gas cooker, dining area and a unique recycled woodstove, hot shower cubicle (bring towels). We provide the bed linen & duvet for the double bed but not sleeping bags/bedding for children (under 16). The hut has its own eco compost toilet nearby which comes with flower arrangements and country living mags!
We provide a welcome pack which usually includes fresh farm eggs, bread, butter, milk, cereal and some fire wood to get you started.
Social Distancing Measures
Accommodation
2 well-maintained pitching areas, the larger suitable for 3-4 large tents, and the small section suited for 1 large or 2 small tents. 2 shepherds huts, one for couples and another sleeping 2 adults and 2 children.
Anderida Shepherds Hut
Higler Hut
Cherry Tree Private Family Camping Pitch
Meadow Sweet Wild Camping Area, max 20
The Spinney, large Grass Pitch
Pear Tree Pitch
Sunny Side A sheltered pitch, evening sun.
Location
Contact Website 01435 810 390 Wimbles Farm, Wimbles, Foords Lane, Vines Cross, Heathfield, East Sussex TN21 9HA
Getting There
By train, Polegate station is about 15 minutes away by taxi.
By car, from London follow M25 south to M23, exit J10 to join A22 to Maresfield, Take A272 to Cross-in-Hand, turn onto A267 to Horam and follow signs to Vines Cross, we are 1 mile from village on left hand side (you cannot see lake from the road you will see the barn with 2 reflective posts in front).
Polegate and Uckfield serve as the sites nearest train station with taxis available outside. Buses run every hour to nearby Horam and Newhaven ferry port is a 35 minute drive.
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