Camping in Barcombe

Barcombe sits right on the River Ouse where the water meadows meet the northern edge of the South Downs, and this gentle, low-lying landscape makes for a different kind of camping trip to the chalk downland further south. As with the rest of England, wild camping is not legal here without the landowner's permission, so pitching up in the reserve, along the river or on farmland requires booking a proper site rather than finding a quiet corner for the night. The good news is that Barcombe and its immediate surroundings have a genuine cluster of well-regarded small campsites, from simple grassy pitches within walking distance of the Anchor Inn and the reservoir to glamping bell tents and yurts on nearby farms towards Ringmer and Lewes.

The terrain around Barcombe Mills is flat and often damp, criss-crossed by the river, its old mill leats and the reservoir, so a site with reasonable drainage and solid pitches matters more here than it might on higher ground. The reward for camping in the valley is easy access to riverside walks straight from your tent, the chance of a wild swim in permitted stretches of the Ouse, and a short walk or cycle to a proper pub rather than a drive. Head a little further south and the ground begins to rise into the South Downs proper, opening up the option of combining a valley-bottom camp with day walks up onto the open downland above Lewes.

Late spring to early autumn is the best window for camping here, when the meadows have dried out from winter flooding and the long evenings suit a walk along the river before dark. Many of the sites in this area lean towards a quiet, family-friendly, low-key style of camping rather than large-scale facilities, and several offer glamping options such as bell tents, shepherd's huts or yurts for anyone who wants the setting without bringing their own tent, making Barcombe an appealing, easy-to-reach alternative to the more crowded coastal campsites further south.