Tomkins Farm is the sort of place you can pitch up with your friends, family and dog in tow for a weekend of good old-fashioned camping. Campfires are allowed, groups are welcome and you can park up next to your pitch. Kids can roam the little on-site woodland to climb trees, build dens, get muddy and generally have a good time. This is the epitome of laid-back camping in the Sussex countryside – with the added bonus of some rather unusual farm animals in the surrounding fields. Tomkins Farm is home to alpacas, llamas and camels, alongside its flock of sheep.
This 40-pitch campsite (formerly known as Alpaca Camp) is spread over two neighbouring fields with generously-sized grass pitches for tents and small campervans only. Situated centre-stage at each pitch is an off-ground fire pit made from an old washing machine drum. And as the sun starts to set, owner Philip does the rounds to see if you’d like some logs for a campfire under the stars. This is your chance to ask him for tips on the local area too.
If you’re after a walk, he’ll likely point you in the direction of The Anchor Inn. It’s a walk of four miles through lovely countryside which culminates at a pub with a riverside setting and boats for hire to add to the appeal. Or he might suggest you drive in that direction instead, to launch into the water for a swim or paddleboard at nearby Barcombe Mills. There’s plenty more to do within easy reach (Lewes, Brighton, the steam trains of the Bluebell Railway and so on) but this is the kind of campsite where kicking back by the campfire and letting the kids run wild is the best adventure of all.