Camping in Fernhurst

Fernhurst sits inside the South Downs National Park at the foot of Blackdown, the highest point in Sussex, and the surrounding landscape of heath, ancient woodland and rolling farmland makes it an appealing spot for a camping trip, provided you stick to recognised sites. Wild camping without the landowner's permission is illegal in England, including within the South Downs National Park, so pitching up on Blackdown, Marley Common or any other open access land here requires prior arrangement rather than simply finding a quiet corner for the night. Fortunately the wider area around Haslemere and Midhurst has a good spread of licensed campsites, from simple farm fields to more developed touring parks with facilities for tents, campervans and caravans.

The terrain around Fernhurst is classic Weald and Downs: sandy heathland underfoot on Blackdown and Marley Common, giving way to heavier clay soils and dense woodland lower down, so a pitch with decent drainage is worth seeking out if rain is forecast. The best camping season generally runs from late spring through to early autumn, when the heather on Blackdown's open heath is at its best in August and the surrounding beech and oak woodlands stay dry underfoot for walking back to camp after dark. Midsummer evenings are long enough to fit in a full circuit of Blackdown or Marley Common after pitching up, while a shoulder-season trip in May or September usually brings quieter sites and cooler nights for sleeping.

For those who prefer a roof over their heads without giving up the outdoor feel, glamping has taken hold across this part of Sussex and Surrey, with bell tents, shepherd's huts and safari-style lodges available on farms and small sites within a short drive of Fernhurst. These tend to suit visitors who want the woodland setting and dark skies of the Weald without the full commitment of pitching a tent, and many include their own fire pits or wood-burners for cooler evenings. Whichever style of camping is chosen, Fernhurst's location just off the A286 puts Blackdown, Marley Common, Haslemere and Midhurst all within easy reach, making it a practical base for a few days exploring this corner of the South Downs.