Camping on the South Downs Way: Planning Where to Stay
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Are you thinking about camping on the South Downs Way? This is my complete guide on how to get started planning your journey. I’ve walked the South Downs Way twice—in 2015 and in 2019—and it’s probably my favorite long-distance trail (at least for now!). I hope this guide helps you to plan your South Downs camping adventure.
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Camping on the South Downs Way
Camping on the South Downs Way is easy near the western end, and there are several places to camp along the way. There’s no campsite at the eastern end, but there is a YHA youth hostel there.
Near Winchester
Holden Farm, near Cheriton, is a good place to stay if you get a late start on the trail and can only walk a little bit on your first day. Camping is just £10 for South Downs Way walkers, but it’s £15 on their website, do do give them a call to book so you don’t pay full price.
They have flushing toilets, hot showers, and washing up facilities. They also provide alcohol -free soap in dispensers and paper towel dispensers. Bring your own shampoo and soap for the shower.
The washing up facilities are in a room with communal fridges and freezers, so you’ll be able to bring fresh food for your first night’s dinner and breakfast the next morning. There is also a communal kettle and ice machine and charging points available.
East Meon
The Sustainability Centre has a great campsite that I’ve stayed at in the past. Camping is £15 per adult per night (£10 in the off season). This includes compost toilets, showers, and washing up area. They also have taps for drinking water. If you want to have a fire, there is a fire bowl on every pitch and they sell logs sourced from sustainable British woodlands, which you can pre-order online when booking your pitch. There is also a cafe on site that serves breakfast from 8.30am and vegetarian/vegan lunches and cakes.
You can book directly online on their website. Note that there is one big field with open pitches (called the “main field” on their booking form) and also a couple of more private pitches that you might prefer (called “camping bays”). You can select whichever you prefer when booking.
Queen Elizabeth Country Park
Within the park, Coney Acres offers a basic campsite at the base of Butser Hill, with 21 pitches at £10 per night. There is also a visitor centre, shop, and cafe on site. Beechwood Kitchen is open until 5:30 pm (double check this if you’re going to rely on them for dinner).
To book camping, phone the park: 023 9259 5040.
Washington
The Washington Caravan and Camping Park is just off the South Downs Way. Their Hikers Rest Cabin offers vending for hot and cold drinks and snacks. They also provide a facility for campers to freeze ice blocks and charge electronic devices. The village pub, Frankland Arms, is a few minutes walk away from the campsite if you want a hot dinner.
They provide hot water, toilets, showers, and a hair dryer (50p charge for this last). There is a washer and dryer available should you need to do laundry. Fire pits are also available to hire at £7 per night, and you can purchase wood from reception for £7.
Camping is £8 per tent for walkers, plus £6 for each occupant. For bookings, email is preferred, but you can phone if you don’t have access to email: 07746698206.
Truleigh Hill
Camping on the South Downs Way is easy at the YHA at Truleigh Hill, which is located right on the trail and offers camping from £8. Hand soap is provided next to all sinks. Towels are not supplied, but can be rented or purchased from reception. They offer an unlimited breakfast for £9.95, and they have a full menu from 11:00 – 20:30 that includes sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, and more.
Ditchling
There are a few options near Ditchling. Just off the South Downs Way is Yamp Camp near Ditchling. Adults can pitch a tent from £15 per night, but note that there is a minimum 2-night fee on weekends. It’s a family-friendly site, but there are sections for adults only if you prefer. If you want a hot dinner, there are two pubs in Ditchling that are a 10 min walk away.
There is running water, showers and toilets which are located in a barn. The washing-up area is on the side of the barn. There is no electricity on site, but if you need to charge your phone, you can head into Ditchling and charge at one of the pubs.
The Half Moon pub in Plumpton, a quick walk down Plumpton Bostall from the South Downs Way, now offers shepherds huts and camping. They offer five non-electric grass camping pitches from 1st May to the end of September for £25 per pitch (Monday to Sunday). They have toilets and a shower, and offer phone charging in the pub.
The Mac’s Farm near Ditchling has camping fields available. They have toilets, showers, and a place to gather in an old chicken shed (presumably that’s more attractive than it sounds). You can also have a fire in your own fire pit.
Lewes
For something a little different, you can try champing at Tom Paine’s Chapel in Lewes. That’s church camping for the uninitiated. For £55 per night for an adult, champers have exclusive use of the building during their stay between 4 pm and 10 am each day. However, there are some days when chapel events may commence at 9 am, when Champers are asked to clear the chapel though they may relocate to the adjacent hall.
Learn more and book here.
Housedean Farm
Located right on the South Downs Way near Lewes, there are 25 pitches at £15 per adult. They offer 5 flushing toilets, a separate wash basin area, and 4 hot showers in wooden enclosures (one of which is open-air). They also have a washing up shelter with hot water, a communal fridge and freezer, and power point for charging phones.
There is a service station just down the road on the A27 if you need supplies and snacks.
Southease
Located right on the South Downs Way is the Southease YHA, which offers camping for £10 a night. They offer an unlimited breakfast for £9.95, and they have a full menu from 11:00 – 20:30 that includes sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, and more.
Firle
Beneath Firle Beacon you will find Firle Camp, also owned by Yamp Camp. As with Ditchling Camp, they offer washing up stations, compost toilets, and hot shower huts. If you want a hot meal, The Ram Inn is a 10-minute walk away. Book online using the link above.
Eastbourne
Camping on the South Downs Way is not so easy in Eastbourne. Sadly, there is no camping at this part of the trail, but YHA Eastbourne is quite close to one of the endpoints of the South Downs Way (the Jevington route). The YHA is a 2-mile walk along residential roads from the Seven Sisters route. It’s self catering, but you’re in Eastbourne so there are plenty of pubs, shops, and restaurants. Book online using the link above.
South Downs Way resources
There are three main resources I recommend:
- South Downs Way: Winchester to Eastbourne (Trailblazer Guide), by Jim Manthorpe and Daniel McCrohan
- South Downs Way Adventure Atlas
- Alone on the South Downs Way: A Tale of Two Journeys from Winchester to Eastbourne, by Holly Worton (me!)
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Related reading
Read about my two adventures along England’s most popular National Trail in this second edition of my book Alone on the South Downs Way. This book contains all the blisters, sweat, and tears from my first life-changing journey—and all the joy, presence, and magic of the second one.
More than just a walking travelogue or memoirs of a walking holiday, this book contains my reflections on walking the trail, including lessons learned and practical information to help you plan your hiking adventure. It includes a suggested packing list, gear recommendations, and other useful tips, such as when to walk the trail, where to stay, and how much you’ll need to budget.
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