Reasons to visit West Sussex
Camping in West Sussex places you close to a huge variety of activities and sites, from shopping in Chichester and exploring castles to outdoor pursuits in the South Downs.
Castles and stately homes
Perched on a hill and overlooking the River Arun and South Downs, Arundel Castle is almost 1,000 years old, with many original Norman features still standing. A host of interactive exhibits, games and costumes make it fun for the whole family to explore: kids can try to lift a shield, dress as a knight and meet characters from the past while adults can admire the private chapel, the magnificent Barons’ Hall and the beautiful gardens. If you’ve got the energy, don’t miss the climb to the top of the Keep, where you can look out over the stunning landscape.
Petworth House also has a lot for visitors of all ages, and makes for a great summer day out when you’re staying at a West Sussex campsite. Inspired by Europe’s Baroque palaces and with an extensive, landscaped deer park, it has both space to stretch your legs and a variety of rooms to discover. Children can create their own play or spot the toy spaniels hiding in the state rooms as they go round the house, and have free rein to run about, play games and see the deer in the surrounding park. As a National Trust property, Petworth also has family activities during school holidays.
Outdoor activities
If you’ve got a taste for activity and adventure, you won’t be short of outdoor pursuits to try when you’re camping at the West Sussex coast. With both water and rolling countryside close by, you can try your hand at something new or simply explore in your favourite way. Divers can discover the coastal wrecks and reefs, while local schools teach a range of surface water sports. Head to Worthing if you want to wakeboard or water ski, or visit West Wittering to try windsurfing and paddle boarding.
A family-friendly and fun way to explore the South Downs is geocaching, a high tech treasure hunt that leads you to hidden caches via your smartphone or navigation device. Hop on a bike or follow the trail on foot to find the 30 hidden geocaches on the specially-designed tour – and don’t forget to log your finds online.
Animal encounters
An hour or two with some furry friends is always welcome, and there’s plenty of animal magic to be found near the campsites in West Sussex. At Earnley Butterflies, Birds and Beasts, you can walk among tropical butterflies and exotic birds, as well as meet iguanas, miniature donkeys, chipmunks and more. Little children can scour the plants for caterpillars and take photos of the delicate butterflies, get close to parakeets, lovebirds and cockatiels in the free-flying aviary and search the maze of themed gardens for pictures of animals to complete their competition card. There’s even a crazy golf course to test your putting skills.
Birds of prey have a majesty of their own, and at Huxley Birds of Prey Centre the whole family can admire their graceful flight and fierce hunting skills. The Meet an Owl sessions introduce you to the world of these secretive birds and enable kids to get close to them without feeling nervous, while the afternoon displays showcase a range of raptors from Harris Hawks and Russian Steppe Eagles to Kestrels and Tawny Owls.
Why choose Experience Freedom?
Conveniently located to offer the best of the county’s coast and countryside, our Experience Freedom camping sites in West Sussex are a great base from with to explore. With well-maintained facilities and a warm welcome, they’re the ideal home from home, while their proximity to local transport links makes them great for getting out and about. Select a campsite for full details or book a stay through our Search and Book function.