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Housedean Farm Campsite

98%
·
· Lewes, East Sussex, England
1 acre hosted by Nick T.
6 tent pitches
Best in South East England: 3rd place
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.
Best all-around: Finalist
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.
Nick is a Star Host
Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
Epic views of the South Downs, and a walker’s paradise, hidden sweetly on the South Downs Way

Slap, bang in the heart of the peaceful, undulating East Sussex Downs lies Housedean Farm, a 900-acre family-run farm. Being right on the doorstep of some of rural England's loveliest scenery, this is a walker's Disneyland, but if you don't come here specifically for a jaunty stroll, Hipcamp advises (especially on a bright blue summers day) you do surrender to the irresistible draw of the South Downs Way, and get walking. You won't regret it.

With 25 or so spacious, well-kept pitches, three wooden camping pods and one shepherd's hut, Housedean campsite caters for well-schooled campers and novices alike. The recently-installed bathroom facilities (5 toilets and 4 showers) are also worth mentioning; a modern yet simple block, always immaculately kept, with the open-air hot shower a real highlight. Campers can lather, rinse and repeat whilst gazing up at the fluffy Sussex clouds.

One of Housedean's plus points has to be its close proximity to the public transport-friendly A27, allowing visitors to easily explore the local and wider area (including bohemian Brighton & the charming hillside town of Lewes) without the prerequisite of a car. There is, in fact, a bus stop right outside the campsite, so car-less campers could make the trip from Brighton train station relatively easily. However, that juxtaposition may also be classed as a disadvantage for those wanting to completely ‘get away from it all.’ The background hum of the road can be heard, and while it's not too intrusive (the camping fields are located at the rear of the farm), it is definitely noticeable. In any case, the campers here don't ever seem bothered by it; there's too much else to be distracted by.

After an exhilarating day exploring the winding trails, river valleys and Saxon churches of the South Downs Way you will not doubt be looking for a serene setting to watch the world go by. And as luck would have it the rolling Down-land vistas at Housedean Farm fit the bill. The sites welcoming owners have stuck to their roots and created a campsite that doesn’t pretend to be anything it's not; it’s a genuine, traditional working farm, and that’s just how we like it.

Pitches: Each pitch is large enough for up to 8 people and it is possible to book 2 or more pitches so that groups of friends or families can all pitch next to each other. We are happy to accept small campervans (VW type size – no motorhomes or caravans), but we don’t have any electric hook up available. Pitches are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. If you would like a specific pitch, let us know when you book and we will do our best. Please note that some pitches are further from the facilities than others (maximum 200m).Facilities: We have modern camping facilities on-site that include: 5 flushing loos, 2 outdoor basins and 4 hot showers in wooden enclosures (one of which is open-air). Taking a hot shower outdoors is surely one of life’s most simple pleasures! We aim to keep our facilities scrupulously clean at all times. We also have a  washing up shelter with hot water, a communal fridge and freezer,power points for charging phones and a brand new area with wash basins.Campfires: Each of our pitches has a designated fire pit. We encourage their use as we believe camping is all about having a roaring campfire and we can supply logs throughout your stay. Occasionally, during droughts or particularly hot periods, there is the risk of crops catching fire, so we may ask you to refrain from having campfires on some pitches.
Activities
Biking
Hiking
Natural features
Beach
Farm
98%
79 Ratings · 98 reviews
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Paul M.recommends
September 1, 2024
Grass Pitch
Great couple of days, well maintained and organised site with clean facilities. Access straight onto South Downs path, Brighton 15 mins away.
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Mark F.recommends
August 11, 2024
Grass Pitch
We enjoyed our stay in the campervan. We did struggle to find a level surface to park but the facilities were very good. The shop, fresh coffee was very welcome too.
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Mischa I.recommends
July 19, 2024
Grass Pitch
It was a nice place. Beautiful location. showers and toilet vert clean. Busstop super close. We would come back!
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Ashley H.recommends
July 7, 2024
Grass Pitch
Beautiful site in a perfect spot!
This is an amazing, well maintained site with exceptional facilities. I booked this site in a bit of a whim but boy did that whim pay off spectacularly. Whilst I initially missed the turning into the campsite due to my own lack of observational skills. (Seriously this site is very well sign posted) when I did arrive the hosts were very welcoming, informative and most of all friendly. The pitches are easily identified & absolutely massive, being a solo camper I had a lot more space than I knew what to do with, allowing me to park my car on my pitch & not feel like I was pitching my tent right next to it. The onsite shop is full of amazing produce, well stocked with bits & pieces you might have forgotten to pack (which I did) Oh & you have to try the freshly ground/brewed coffee… some of the best I have tried! The site itself is perfectly located! Situated on the South Downs way (perfect for me as I loved just wandering out & walking without much of an agenda) and with easy access to bus stops that go to Brighton in one direction or Royal Tunbridge Wells in the other. At £2 each way, regardless of journey, I would recommend staying at Housedean Farm if you are looking to explore the surrounding & frankly beautiful area! I am already looking at when I can come back again to see some of the things I might have missed my first time around.
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Gareth D.recommends
June 28, 2024
Grass Pitch
I really enjoyed camping at Nicks. The farm was great. Awesome having campfires every night.
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Neil R.recommends
April 8, 2024
Grass Pitch
Camping on a slope
I had a great camp at House Dean campsite. The loos were great, so we're the views. Friendly staff
Location
Lewes, East Sussex, England, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Hosted by Nick T.

Joined in February 2017
From the host
Housedean Farm Campsite is located on a working farm, within the South Downs National Park between Lewes and Brighton in East Sussex. The campsite is a great base from which to explore the National Park and is easily accessible by bus from Brighton and Lewes. The farm and campsite are also situated directly on the South Downs Way so we are perfectly located for walkers and cyclists. While we offer a traditional, basic camping experience, we want you to be comfortable throughout your stay and therefore provide modern facilities with rustic open air hot showers. There is a bus stop immediately outside the farm with regular services into Lewes and Brighton. Additional pitches are also available to book via our website www.housedean.co.uk so please check there too.
Nearby attractions

A lengthy walk along the South Downs Way is certainly a must, seeing as you're already pitched on it. If you're feeling the need for some city life, Brighton and Lewes are only a couple of miles away and can be reached by local bus. Lewes, a beautiful market town, boasts quaint antique shops, lots of cafes and restaurants and Harveys Brewery, for a delicious pint of ale. The site is also within easy driving distance of the iconic Seven Sisters Country Park and many other popular attractions in the South Downs National Park.

Food and drink

The Half Moon in Plumpton (01273 890253) is a charming 200 year old country pub with a pleasant beer garden and a cellar full of local ales from Harveys of Lewes. The varied menu changes with the seasons and its award winning head-chef only uses the finest locally sourced produce. Recommendations from the bar include the Oxtail Tortellini for starters, and the Roast Monkfish Steak for mains. Picturesque Ditchling (7 miles away) has a few decent pubs including: The Bull (01273 843147) with its timber beams and open fires, or The White Horse (01273 842 006) which serves affordable, tasty pub grub, showcasing the very best of Sussex produce.

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