Campsites for Camp
Fires
The Nights Are Drawing in, So It’s the Perfect Season for Gathering Around a Camp Fire, Toasting Chestnuts and Marshmallows, Sharing Stories, Exchanging Banter and Singing Songs. Here’s Our Selection of Top Campsites for Camp Fires.
Lane House, Eynsham Rd, Farmoor, Cumnor, Oxford OX2 9NL
07803 891631 or 07767 402944
Nightly fee (2 adults): £28.00
Open: All year
“Firepits and barbecues are allowed at Valley Farm and you can pre-order wood-fired pizzas on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. We loved seeing the donkeys, Nelson and Wellington, and the beautiful Bengal cat Tiger Lily, who checks on all the campers. The facilities are good and it’s only a short walk to the village shop.” Anna
Pizza nights at Valley Farm are a highlight of any holiday
82 Hill Road, Watlington, Oxfordshire OX49 5AF
01491 612 295
Nightly fee (2 adults): £16 club members, £20 guests
Open: 1 March – 30 Nov
“Part of the site is a rally field, but we stayed in the quiet CL field, where there were only 5 vans allowed, and some tents. The farm has seven toilets with hand bains and three hot showers, plus a communal dishwashing area, fridge, microwave, kettle and chemical disposal point. There are no electric hook-ups, but the owners will charge up your laptop or mobile for 50p or £1 per item. The site shop sells eggs, milk, Calor Gas, charcoal and logs, and you can hire a fire basket. We walked the Ridgeway Trail and spotted red kites overhead. It made a quiet and peaceful break.” Sue
Shenington, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX15 6NS
01295 680367 or 07977 092052
Nightly fee (2 adults) from £10, club members
Open: All year
“This is a very simple, spacious grass and hardstanding campsite with no electric hook-ups. It’s licensed for 5 vans at a time and is ideal if you want the wild camping experience, but with water and a chemical disposal point. The owner sells honey from her own bees. On a clear day you can see Stratford-on-Avon. This peaceful former airfield costs £5 per night in 2021; £10 per night in 2022. “ Frank
Newchapel Road, Lingfield, Surrey, RH7 6LE
01342 833205
Nightly fee (2 adults, EHU): £25
Open: All year
“The toilet block has under-floor heating, and rain head showers, which felt very luxurious. We hired a fire pit and bought logs for cosy evenings round the camp fire. It makes a good base if you want to take a ride on The Bluebell Steam Railway, or visit Hever Castle, or Wakehurst Place. There are hardstandings and grass pitches with electric hook-ups.” Jeff
Long Acres firepits for hire
Wheatsheaf Road, Henfield, West Sussex, BN5 9AT
01273 493 528
Nightly fee: from £22
Open: All year
“This is a really family-friendly campsite where you can hire fire pits or take your own BBQ or pit. There’s a play park on-site for the children and nice hot showers in the wash block. It’s such a peaceful rural spot, yet only 12 miles from bustling seaside city of Brighton. You can buy most things you may need in Henfield village shops and pub. “ Emma
Fishing at Blacklands Farm
London Road, Washington, Pulborough, West Sussex, RH20 4AJ
Tel: 07746 698 206 / 01903 892 869
Nightly fee (2 adults) from £27.00
Open: All year
“We walked to The Frankland Arms pub for a meal on the first night, but the weather was good, so we made camp fires after that and cooked our own food. There are some good dog walks all around here, and a separate dog walking field on-site.” Ian
Washington Caravan & Camping Park near Pulborough
Lower Pennington Lane, New Forest, Lymington, Hampshire, SO41 8AL
01590 671 648
Nightly fee (2 people): £25
Open: All Year
“Hurst View is a peaceful family-run camping ground for campervans, tents, tourers and lodges. It’s set in the New Forest, between Lymington and Milford-on-Sea. You can hire bikes, pitch where you like, and really unwind. It’s a wonderful ‘dark skies’ location for star gazing. Take a firepit or BBQ and buy your logs and marshmallows in reception.” Mark
Hurst View has New Forest Ponies
Hadlow Down Road, Crowborough, East Sussex, TN6 3SA
07787 945 667
Nightly fee (2 adults) from £23
Open: All year
“Just had an excellent break at Idle Hours Owlsbury Park, which is for adults only. Julie and Paul are friendly hosts. The portable shower was excellent and this is a tranquil non-electric campsite. It has coarse fishing ponds and views of the South Downs. Despite being a short drive from Tesco, there’s no light pollution, so it is fantastic for sitting around a camp fire in the evening watching the stars.” John
Junction Road, Bodiam, East Sussex, TN32 5XA
01580 831982 or 07788 427051
Nightly fee (2 adults): £16-£24
Open: 1st April to 31st Oct
“We went with two other families, so we chose Park Farm because it is so spacious and informal, and we could have a barbecue and camp fire together in the evenings. We liked the cafe, shop, playground and upgraded showers. Dogs are welcome and there’s free fishing in the river, in season. Don’t miss: riverside walk to Bodiam Castle, a steam train ride from Bodiam to Tenterden, Camber Sands beach, the picturesque hilltop town of Rye, and Battle Abbey.” Chris
Peel Cottage, Sayerslands Lane, Polegate, East Sussex, BN26 6QX
07736 957 893
Nightly fee (campervan + 5 people): £35-£40
Open Easter to 31st Oct
A small, quiet campsite in the heart of the Sussex countryside, this site offers plenty of facilities including hot showers, toilets and even an undercover games room! Contained fire pits are permitted and logs are available to buy from the on-site shop. There are many family attractions nearby making this the perfect base for a family holiday.
