1 / 10

Alciston Court Farm

100%

· Alfriston, England

10 acres hosted by Miles W.

5 tent pitches

Miles is a Star Host

Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.

A back-to-basics campsite that’s well located at the foot of the South Downs

Alciston Court Farm is just a mile off the South Downs Way and a couple of miles from Sussex attractions Charleston Farmhouse and Drusillas Zoo. It’s a campsite that’s well located within the South Downs National Park whether you’re here for a grown-up getaway or a family camping trip. It’ll suit almost everyone – just as long as you don’t mind getting back to basics. The site is simply a place to pitch your tent or park up in your campervan; somewhere to enjoy the great outdoors with little more than permission to stay in a scenic spot included for your camping fee. But what a scenic spot it is: a 10-acre wildflower meadow that’s tucked down country lanes and part of an organic farm with views of the rolling South Downs.

The site will suit self-sufficient campers as it’s almost-wild camping here with just a single compost loo and a tank of water for washing your hands. You’ll need to bring drinking water, torches and a sense of adventure and make sure you leave no trace of your stay. Those who will like it here most will be well-versed in this Hipcamp-approved, wild-camping etiquette. The pay-off for your efforts is one of just a handful of pitches in this secret spot. It’s somewhere you might spot pheasants and deer, see spectacular sunsets and enjoy dark night skies. There’s little to distract you from nature.

The campsite is a walkable mile or so from the top of the South Downs and the South Downs Way – making a good spot for anyone tackling the national trail. Use this as an overnight base for your hike or your bike and you’ll have a choice of pubs and a shop another mile away. Those are handy even if you’re not arriving under your own steam. Also handy are the range of attractions nearby and the proximity of the A27, which provides a quick route to all of them. To the east there’s Drusilla’s Zoo Park, a favourite with younger campers. To the west there’s the radical art of Charleston Farmhouse and the restrained grandeur of Firle Place. To the south, the seaside is just the other side of the Downs, less than 10 miles away.

Pitch up in a lovely 10 acre flower meadow in the foothills of the South Downs. Vehicle access for cars off a quiet lane. Local pubs (Barley Mow, Selmeston and Cricketers Arms, Berwick) as well as a convenience store in walking distance. South Downs Way on your doorstep and accessible by foot, car and bike. Cycle lane/walkway running from Eastbourne to Brighton very close by with easy access to local villages such as Firle, Charleston and Alfriston. Lots to see, do and experience.

Select a unit

Filter by

Loading units...

100%

9 Ratings · 5 reviews

Marisha B.recommends

May 13, 2024

Roselands

Amazing location in the South Down national park, big fields, nice views & close to a petrol station that has everything you could need

James S.recommends

October 23, 2023

Roselands

What a Sunrise

Arrived at the farm, meet Miles, he gave very clear instructions on where we needed to go. Weather hadn’t been the best! So was a bit worried the camper wouldn’t make it into the field but it did. Settled in, lovely pubs nearby, and morning sun didn’t disappoint, sitting high on the downs it was amazing. Would definitely go back in the summer.

Natasha G.recommends

September 24, 2023

Roselands

Lovely site for some peace and quiet. Miles was very helpful and we really enjoyed the space and solitude. Lots of pheasants and even saw a deer! Looking forward to going back in the future.

Archie M.recommends

August 20, 2023

Roselands

My friends and I loved our short stay at Roselands! The host was welcoming, friendly, and gave us lots of great recommendations. The campsite was a lovely field with lots of great views of the surrounding countryside. Perfect if you want a quick getaway to get closer to nature!

Lisa D.recommends

June 4, 2023

Roselands

We loved our night camping at Alciston. Such a beautiful spot, nestled in the grass, watching the moon rise over the hills. All the pitches were very well spaced out so, whist the site was super quiet, even at full occupancy each pitch would still be very private. Very

Location

Alfriston, England, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Hosted by Miles W.Joined in January 2023

From the host

Based at the foot of the South Downs, Alciston Court Farm is an organic arable farm. The camping area is set in a 10 acre flower meadow, with easy access to the field and walking distance to a local pub and convenience store. The South Downs way is a short 20 minutes walk or 10 minutes cycle ride. There is access to a cycleway which runs to local villages and towns including Lewes, Firle, Charleston and Alfriston.

Nearby attractions

Alciston Court Farm campsite is at the foot of the South Downs and within the national park. It’s a great place for walking and cycling with The South Downs Way a great route for both. Firle Beacon (three miles) is a view-tastic spot to head for if you don’t mind a steep climb. If you prefer more gentle undulations, you could stick to the old coach road, a mostly traffic-free route linking Alciston with the villages of Alfriston (two miles) and Firle (three miles). Both are a little further if you go by car via the A27. Drusillas Zoo Park is less than two miles from the campsite and a great day out – especially for families with younger kids with animals, rides and play areas. Middle Farm (three miles) offers an opportunity to meet less exotic animals in a farm setting and Knockhatch Adventure Park (eight miles) is home to more thrills and spills. For grown ups, there’s Charleston Farmhouse (two miles), once the home of the Bloomsbury Group of artists and writers. You can tour the house to see the art they left behind and also for visiting exhibitions. Firle Place, a stately home, just a little further away (five miles from the campsite) is another place to see great art and architecture and beyond that is Glyndebourne (six miles), home of English opera with a full summer programme. The charming town of Lewes is eight miles from the campsite and it’s a similar distance to the seaside at Seaford or the Seven Sisters Country Park on the outskirts of Eastbourne. Brighton is 15 miles away.

Food and drink

The campsite is in a field at the foot of the South Downs in the village of Alciston. There are pubs in two of the neighbouring villages, both only about a mile away. The Barley Mow is a family-run freehouse in Selmeston and The Cricketers Arms in Berwick which is a country pub with homemade food and local Harvey’s ales. Selmeston also has a petrol station with a shop. Middle Farm is a good place to pick up local produce for the barbecue and picnic lunches. It’s less than three miles up the road and also has a tea room. Alfriston has more options for eating out and stocking up with a couple of cafes, a couple of good pubs and a couple of shops on its small and pretty high street.

Things to do nearby

More camping spots nearby

Campers also viewed...

Safety at Hipcamp

Learn More

Learn More

Learn More

Safety partners

Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future.