The Secret Campsite
UK England South East England East Sussex Lewes
As far as secrets go, this is probably one of the worst kept ones in Britain – and quite rightly so because this campsite is one to shout to the hills about. As soon as you arrive, you're encouraged to grab a wheelbarrow, load your stuff and walk down past the beautiful disused railway bridge towards the main camping area. Accessing the site from the bridge makes it feel isolated, secluded – and just that little bit secret; plus you get a great view of the entire site along the way. The site itself consists of fifteen spacious pitches cut in to the long grass of a stunning secluded meadow, interspersed with a scattering of recently planted saplings, and all encircled with a backdrop of ancient oak and hornbeam trees. If you fancy more of a glamping experience, then you can take your pick from the three 'secret shelters' on offer – a tree tent, bell tent and an Arkette (a kind of shepherd's hut). Wild flowers scattered all over the place, gives the site a natural, hippy vibe, whereas the neighbouring woodlands (a Site of Nature Conservation Interest) are just begging to be explored. Owner Tim is a keen botanist and wants to turn this place into the UK’s first ‘edible campsite’ – a planting programme is underway, with an increasing array of berries, edible shrubs and flowers growing freely, ready for campers to pick fresh and add to the saucepan. Incidentally, if you happen to fall in love with any of the secret structures during your stay then, most unusually, you can buy them. Once Tim honours his commitments to other campers who have already booked, he will deliver the structure straight to your door. How novel indeed!
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The Owner Says
The Secret Campsite Lewes is focused on nature, peace and space.
The campsite is a peaceful, tents only campsite for nature lovers, real campers and their families, who are looking to explore Sussex, Brighton or Lewes. Our woodland meadow camping pitches are large and secluded and come with their own camp fire pit and free hot showers. We also have a number of unusual shelters where you can spend the night.
By keeping the meadow car and dog free we enable wildlife to flourish, and this increases the number of encounters that you and your family will enjoy. It also ensures that it is a safe place for children to roam freely and explore, and we have an area of woodland where dens can be built and trees climbed.
We are located in a beautiful and sparsely populated part of East Sussex, and our camping meadow is enclosed by both private and public nature sites. These include great stands of ancient and coppiced woodland, and a site of nature conservation interest, SNCI. This mosaic of habitats is incredibly rich in wildlife and The Secret Campsite Lewes is lightly managed to create an environment where wildlife can thrive. The surrounding ancient woodland has been encouraged to advance at the edges of the camping meadow, which ensures an ever changing diversity of animals and plants for you to watch, hear, eat, smell and touch. Catch glimpses of deer, hunt for slow worms, wake to the dawn chorus, build dens or simply enjoy the unique flavours of fresh and foraged produce at the end of a busy day.
We also have two secret shelters, The Tree Tent and Gridshell. These are both fantastic quirky accommodation options for your stay in our beautiful site. Both of these beautiful shelters have been designed by local inventor and designer Jason Thawley and the Tree Tent was even featured on George Clarke's Amazing Spaces.
Camp with us as you relax and explore Sussex, and you’ll leave wanting more.
Please note we are a peaceful family site and do not allow groups.
What’s special about our place?
Tents – yes. Caravans, campervans, big groups, young groups, dogs – no.
What’s special about our area?
There’s plenty to do in Brighton, 13 miles away, but don’t overlook the delights of Lewes, a pretty market town nestled in the South Downs just 5 miles from the site. There’s a farmer’s market on the first Saturday of the month and an outdoor lido for hotter days. You can walk there from the site – ask at reception for the route. Glyndebourne Opera House is just a few miles away and the South Downs National Park is a 3 mile stroll to Offham. Finally, Middle Farm and Drusillas Park are a great morning out for children which can be combined with walks around the Friston or Ashdown Forests to wear everyone out ready to collapse back at the campsite around a fire to tell stories and play cards.
Best local places to eat and drink
Tim, the owner, knows all the best places to get fresh, local produce, including the Holmansbridge Farm Shop (01273 401964) in Town Littleworth which is a 5 minute walk away. The Royal Oak (01273 400418) is a 30 minute walk away along the dismantled railway line that links the campsite to the village of Barcombe. The Five Bells (01825 722259) is a 40 minute walk through Balneath Woods and Markstakes Common and serves great beers and tradfitional pub food. If all country pubs could be as good as The Griffin at Fletchling (01825 722890) with its delightful garden and exceptional food, the world would be a happier place. Lewes is home to the wonderful Cafe du Jardin, which is located in a courtyard that it shares with an antiques business, and for the more adventurous Chaula's Indian Restaurant (01273 476707) is heaven for gourmets of Indian cuisine.
Why stay with us?
Campfires allowed. 12 pitches in the main camping meadow and a further 5 on the western side of the site near the showers. 2 of these are amongst the fruit and nut trees making up our disorganised orchard, and the other three are on a south facing bank nearer to the buildings with views to the South Downs or into the neighbouring woods. 3 showers occupy an old stable block along with toilets; compost-loo shacks are nearer the pitches. Trolleys are available to transport your gear to the main meadow. No shop as such, but you can buy firewood at reception.
Accommodation
15 pitches plus the Tree Tent and the Gridshell
Meadow Camping Pitch
Tree Tent
Orchard Camping Pitch
The Gridshell
The Bank Camping Pitch
Tree Tent wildlife
Spare Pitch
Spare Pitch
Price
Secret Shelters cost from £110 a night for 2-3 people. Otherwise prices are per person – £17 per adult, £8.50 per child.
Opening Times
Open all year round.
Location
Contact Website 01273 401 100 The Secret Campsite, Brickyard Farm, Town Littleworth, Cooksbridge, Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 4TD
Getting There
From the A275 between South Chailey and Cooksbridge, take the turning beside the Marco Pierre White-owned Rainbow Inn onto Deadmantree Hill. Follow the road for 2 miles to Holmansbridge Farm Shop. The campsite is the fourth turning on the right and shares a driveway with a house called ‘Woodside’.
There are limited means of public transport direct to the site, although you can catch the bus to Barcombe from Lewes or from Cooksbridge, and then walk down the old railway track to Town Littleworth. Alternatively, you can get off the bus at the bottom of Deadmantree Hill at the start of Town Littleworth road. This is a 25 minute walk along a quiet country road to the campsite.
Cooksbridge Train station is open during peak times on weekdays only. This is a 45 minute walk from the campsite or you can catch a bus from the site although they are very infrequent so worth planning in advance.
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