Campsites On The South Downs Way: Places To Stay Along The Trail

If you’re planning to hike the South Downs Way, finding the right place to pitch your tent can make all the difference at the end of a long day’s walk. This list of campsites and hostels includes sites right on the trail, with a few reviews of places I stayed.

Interactive map: Zoom and pan to explore the route. View the South Downs Way route in OS Maps for an interactive elevation profile, 3D planning and full Explorer mapping.

Paper Maps

• OS Maps — Browse the Explorer map range if you need to buy copies. Several maps cover the area: filter ‘National Parks’, South Downs to find them.
• Harvey Map — XT40 South Downs Way recommended. The entire route is on one map.

The Directory

The Reviews

YHA Truleigh Hill

When I was 17, my first backpacking experience was youth hostelling on the South Downs, and, 39 years later, I planned to stay here for sentimental reasons and to see what it was like after all these decades.

The camping field isn’t level, but it has great views out to sea. You can also enjoy them from the large windows in the communal room and café/restaurant, which is accessible at any time.

There’s a good range of meals you can order, including breakfast and evening meals, as well as coffee and cake. It’s also where I found one or two sockets to charge up.

The shower I had was in a tiny cubicle — and disappointingly cold.

Overall, it was a lovely, nostalgic stay, but the sloping pitch and not very modern facilities were a disappointment.

• Grass pitch. Great views, but sadly it was on a slope
• Toilets and showers
• Self-catering kitchen
• Drying room
• Comfortable dining room and lounge with Wi-Fi, but limited charging points (there are some, but they might be difficult to access during busy times)
• Cafe, breakfast, evening meals and bar – great coffee and cake!
• Tap on outside wall
• Late arrivals

Housedean Farm Campsite, Lewes

Housedean Farm Campsite offers a peaceful experience on attractive camping fields, although they weren’t the most level.

The toilets and showers are pretty basic, with one fully outdoor so that you can “shower under the stars”. (I got the same experience by sticking my head out of the tent — it was pouring!) The toilet cubicles reminded me of temporary loos, but along with all the other facilities on the campsite, they were spotlessly clean. If you want a simple wash, you do that in a three-sided shelter, which is open to the elements (and the view of other campers).

Another three-sided shelter, with a freezer, a kettle, and a socket to charge your phone, is where you head to wash your pots. Sadly, there was nowhere to sit and wait while your phone charged, so you’d have to leave it unattended.

When I stayed in 2021, it cost £16 — significantly more than other campsites I used, despite having fewer facilities.

• Grass pitch
• Toilets and showers
• Sheltered washing-up area, with a fridge-freezer and kettle
• Socket
• Fire pit
• Tap on the wall outside the farm (for all walkers)

Alfriston Camping Park

Photo at the top of the page.

Despite the word ‘Park’ in the name, this site’s facilities were more like you’d find in a good gym than a campsite. It had the best showers of any campsite I stayed at on the South Downs Way!

The shower cubicles are huge with solid glass doors (no mouldy curtains that stick to you), and there’s none of that holding the tap down to keep yourself wet and warm. There was a hairdryer, large mirrors, a counter, and sinks too.

Similarly, there were large modern cubicles, sinks and mirrors in the toilet block.

There are traditional washing-up facilities outside the shower block.

The only con was that I didn’t find anywhere to charge my phone.

• Level, grass pitch (several fields to choose from)
• Excellent toilet and shower blocks
• Covered washing-up facilities
• Spotlessly clean
• Late arrivals
• Fire pits available
• The village centre is a short walk down the lane
• Quite a large site, but it was very peaceful in May
• Good value

Fairfields Farm Camping And Caravan Park

Eastbourne has lots of accommodation but no campsite, which makes nearby Fairfields Farm a useful option for a final stopover.

It’s a 10-minute train ride away on a regular service that runs direct from Eastbourne Station (in the town centre) to Pevensey and Westham Station, where it’s a short walk to the campsite. You could also walk there from Eastbourne.

The facilities are what you’d expect on a traditional site: a level pitch, toilet cubicles, an unheated shower block with the usual hand-push tap and fabric curtain (which you’re asked to sweep out yourself), plus washing-up facilities under a well-covered shelter. You can also take advantage of a good laundry room.

• Level, grass pitch
• Toilets and shower block
• Covered washing-up area
• Laundry room
• Well-stocked shop

Distances Between Campsites on the South Downs Way

These are approximate walking distances based on the route and the campsites listed above. Your actual distance may vary depending on your route and any diversions.

1. Winchester city centre to Holden Farm Campsite: 7.5 miles
2. Holden Farm Campsite to The Sustainability Centre: 12 miles
3. The Sustainability Centre to Manor Farm Campsite: 16 miles
4. Manor Farm Campsite to Littleton Farm Campsite: 5 miles
5. Littleton Farm Campsite to Washington Caravan and Camping Park: 13 miles
6. Washington Caravan and Camping Park to Truleigh Hill YHA: 9 miles
7. Truleigh Hill YHA to Housedean Farm Campsite: 13.5 miles
8. Housedean Farm Campsite to South Downs YHA (camping pods and hostel only): 7 miles
9. South Downs YHA to Alfriston Camping Park: 7.5 miles
10. Alfriston Camping Park to the end of the trail in Eastbourne: 11 miles (plus 2 more miles from the end of the trail to Eastbourne Railway Station – 13 in total)

Frequently Asked Questions About South Downs Way Campsites

1. Do you have to book campsites on the South Downs Way?
   • Some places, such as YHA South Downs, may require you to book ahead, so check their websites and give them a call. Generally, backpackers can turn up and book a pitch for the same evening, but I recommend calling ahead — especially during the high season.
2. Are campsites open all year?
   • Most are seasonal so check their websites. There are a few open throughout the year, though — notably the two YHAs.
3. Is it possible to complete the South Downs Way without wild camping?
   • Yes. You could stay at all the campsites listed above (including a stay at South Downs YHA) and complete the trail in 10 days. If you want a shorter hike overall, it’s easy to hike more daily miles between campsites – you could walk an average of 20 miles a day, say, and complete it in 5 days. But if that sounds too much, you can mix it up with some wild camping, which is exactly what I did. Find out more in the guide listed below.

I hope this answers any questions you might have, but feel free to leave any more in the comments — I’d love to help if I can.

More Guides To The South Downs Way

If you’re planning your hike, check out the main guide below — it covers everything from transport links and budgeting to where to find water taps and resupply.

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Happy hiking!