Camping in East Sussex

High chalk cliffs, wide natural beaches and rolling hills characterise the south-east of England. East Sussex has many attractive destinations to offer and is perfect for a camping holiday by the sea. Picturesque seaside resorts such as Eastbourne and Hastings invite you to enjoy a relaxing holiday right on the coast. But the rolling green hills of the South Downs and the many sights inland also make for varied holidays close to nature.

Special features of camping in East Sussex

This southern region of England is particularly suitable for camping by the sea and is attractive to holidaymakers of all tastes: young families and senior citizens, sports enthusiasts and culture vultures will all find ideal conditions here. If you want to spend a pleasant holiday by the water, you are sure to find the right place at one of the many attractive campsites on the English Channel coast. If you are interested in lively seaside resorts with many attractions and activities, you will find what you are looking for in Eastbourne or Hastings. The natural beaches along these towns are perfect for swimming, but you don't have to miss out on shopping, culture and historical sites either. This is the perfect combination if you want to combine relaxation and adventure on a camping holiday.

Travelling

Travelling to the British Isles with a motorhome or caravan is done either by ferry or by train through the Eurotunnel. If you want to travel to the south of England, it makes the most sense to use the English Channel from Calais to Dover. You can reach the island within 90 minutes. From Dover, for example, it is around 80 kilometres to Hastings. A stopover in Dover itself is also worthwhile, for example at Dover Castle or the characteristic white chalk cliffs, which rise up to 106 metres. Alternatively, you can take the car train through the Eurotunnel from Calais. This option is quicker than travelling by boat and takes just over half an hour. As with the ferry, you also end up in Dover, England. 754 km is the distance holidaymakers have to travel from Hamburg to Calais. From Berlin, the 925 km journey takes travellers via the Ruhr region and Belgium to the coast. Travellers from Munich cover around 971 km via Stuttgart, Strasbourg and Reims to Calais. Small detours to idyllic towns such as Bruges or Ghent make the journey an additional experience.

Destinations in East Sussex

The region in the south-east of England offers very attractive holiday destinations and campsites, as East Sussex impresses with its natural beaches and high cliffs. Charming towns such as Hastings, Eastbourne and the internationally renowned Brighton also make the area attractive.

Attractions in Hastings

Hastings plays an important role from a historical perspective. It was here that the Battle of Hastings took place in 1066, heralding England's conquest by the Normans under Duke William I. Due to its important castle ruins and museums, as well as its picturesque streetscape, the town is a destination well worth visiting.

Eastbourne

The seaside resort of Eastbourne has been a popular holiday destination in England since the 19th century. If you would like to park your camper and spend your holiday here, there are many attractions waiting for you - such as the Towner Gallery art museum or the historic Eastbourne Redoubt fortress.

Between Eastbourne and Brighton

The chalk cliffs of Beachy Head are particularly characteristic of the southern English coast. Although camping is not permitted here, there are several charming villages with campsites between Eastbourne and Brighton beyond Beachy Head. Worthwhile excursions include Farley Farm House in Chiddingly with its sculpture garden or Drusillas Park, probably the smallest zoo in England for young visitors aged between 2 and 10.

Activities and excursions

East Sussex has a lot to offer - culture and history in the museums and castles in and around Hastings, picturesque landscapes with various natural beauties such as the Ashdown Forest inland and even vineyards where England's winemakers produce excellent wines.

Ashdown Forest

Just under 50 kilometres north of Eastbourne lies the Ashdown Forest inland. The legendary forest is surrounded by heathland and is said to have inspired the fairytale atmosphere of Winnie the Pooh's Hundred Acre Wood. The Vanguard Way is a wonderful place to go hiking or horse riding.

On the trail of history in Hastings

The imposing ruins of Hastings Castle are a reminder of the time of William the Conqueror. The old town centre is also an idyllic reminder of the town's history. Those less interested in history should not miss the Sea Life Centre aquarium.

Wine tour by bus

You can sample some fine wines on the Sussex Vineyard & Winery Bus Tour from Brighton. This takes you behind the scenes of some of the most beautiful vineyards and breweries in East Sussex, for example Bluebell Vineyard Estates and Bolney Wine Estates.

Gastronomy

English cuisine does not necessarily have the best reputation, but this is completely undeserved, as England's gastronomy has a lot to offer: from simple pub food to international restaurants. English pubs are so much more than just a pub, as they serve simple but good food. A particular favourite is the English breakfast with eggs, bacon, toast, mushrooms, baked beans and tomato. In the evening you should try the local beer specialities, and when camping in East Sussex you should of course also try the country's many fish specialities. The classic fish and chips, i.e. deep-fried fish fillet with chips, is a typical British dish.

Best time to visit

If you spend your camping holiday in East Sussex, you can look forward to a very mild and pleasant climate, as the English south coast is spoilt by many hours of sunshine and the warm influences of the Gulf Stream. In the summer months, the average temperature is around 20 degrees Celsius, and even in spring and autumn it is wonderful to spend time outdoors. Then you can enjoy the wind blowing through you on a walk along the canal or fly a kite. In August, the water temperature in East Sussex reaches an average of 16 to 18 degrees Celsius. A refreshing dip in the English Channel is a welcome way to cool off on sunny summer days.