Camping in Graffham

Graffham sits right at the foot of the South Downs escarpment, which makes it a natural base for anyone wanting to camp within reach of the South Downs Way and the heath and woodland of Graffham Common. As with the rest of England, wild camping is not legal here without the landowner's permission, so a proper campsite or caravan pitch is the way to go rather than pitching up on the open downland itself. There are established camping and caravanning sites in the immediate area geared towards walkers and cyclists using the South Downs Way, with easy access onto the tracks and paths that lead up onto the ridge and across to Graffham Down.

The terrain here is proper chalk downland: steep in places where the escarpment rises above the village, with a mix of open grassland, old plantation woodland and restored heath at Graffham Common. That makes for varied, scenic walking close to any pitch, but it also means paths can turn heavy going after rain, so it is worth checking ground conditions and choosing a pitch with reasonable underfoot conditions if you are bringing a tent rather than a caravan or motorhome.

Late spring to early autumn is the best season for camping here, when evenings are long enough to make the most of the Downs, the reserve at Graffham Common is at its liveliest with butterflies and other insects, and the ground is at its driest. Midsummer weekends see more walkers and cyclists passing through on the South Downs Way, so it is worth booking ahead if you want to camp locally at that time of year. For a softer alternative to a tent, glamping options in the wider Petworth and Midhurst area offer yurts, pods and safari tents with a similar view onto the Downs but rather more comfort, which can suit families or anyone new to camping in the English countryside.