Camping in Wisborough Green

Wisborough Green and the High Weald around it are prime walking country, and the appeal of pitching a tent here is obvious to anyone who has seen the ancient woodland, sunken lanes and rolling farmland that surround the village. It is worth being clear from the outset, though, that wild camping without the landowner's permission is not legal in England outside a few specific areas such as Dartmoor, so any camping trip to this part of Sussex needs to be based at a proper campsite or with a farmer or landowner's explicit consent. The good news is that the wider Sussex Weald and Downland area has a healthy scattering of small, independent campsites and glamping sites, many on working farms, offering pitches for tents alongside bell tents, shepherd's huts or safari tents for those who prefer a softer landing. The clay-heavy Wealden ground can turn heavy after rain, so a site with reasonable drainage and hardstanding for vehicles is worth checking before booking, and the dense tree cover that makes the area so scenic also means some pitches can be shaded and slow to dry out. Late spring through early autumn is the most reliable window, when the ground has firmed up and the surrounding footpaths, including routes out towards Kirdford and Bedham, are at their best for walking straight from the tent. Facilities vary considerably between sites, from simple field camping with a standpipe and compost loo to fuller-service glamping with underfloor heating and private bathrooms, so it pays to match the site to the trip. Fires and barbecues should always follow the individual site's rules, since much of the surrounding land sits within the High Weald National Landscape and close to ancient semi-natural woodland that is easily damaged. For those new to camping in the area, a night or two near Wisborough Green pairs naturally with a longer weekend taking in Petworth House, Shipley Windmill and the network of paths that lace this quiet corner of Sussex together.