Camping in East Grinstead

Wild camping without the landowner's permission is illegal in England, including here in West Sussex, so any camping trip around East Grinstead needs to be booked at a licensed site rather than pitched informally on Ashdown Forest or the surrounding farmland. The good news is that the High Weald around the town is well suited to campers, with rolling countryside, ancient woodland and the open heath of Ashdown Forest all within a short drive, making it easy to combine a few nights under canvas with walking, cycling and horse riding straight from the tent flap.

The camping season here runs broadly from Easter through to late September, with the driest and warmest weather typically arriving in July and August, though the forest is arguably at its best in late summer when the heather is in bloom, and again in early autumn when the Weald's woodlands turn gold. Spring can be a lovely quieter option too, with bluebells carpeting many of the local woods. As with anywhere in the Sussex Weald, it is worth packing for changeable weather and a bit of mud, particularly outside the height of summer.

For those who would rather skip the tent-pitching altogether, glamping has taken off across this part of Sussex, with shepherd's huts, bell tents and safari-style lodges available on farms and small sites within easy reach of East Grinstead. These tend to offer a comfortable, family-friendly way to enjoy the countryside around Ashdown Forest without sacrificing a proper bed or a hot shower, and many sites make a good base for visiting Standen, the Bluebell Railway or simply walking straight out into the forest. Whether you are after a simple field pitch or a fully kitted-out glamping stay, booking ahead is recommended in peak summer months when the best-located sites near the forest fill up quickly.