Wimbles Farm

If you fancy the freedom of wild camping but the thought of no shower or toilet for a few days makes your blood run cold, then you may find yourself in a camping quandary. However, here at Cool Camping we think we’ve found the solution in the form of the wonderfully secluded Wimbles Farm. With room for only five or six pitches, this self-sustained campsite in the heart of rural Sussex is as close to wild camping as you get, but with basic ablution facilities to ease you through the experience.

The family-run Wimbles Farm feels incredibly rural. Nestled by a meandering stream in a secluded flower meadow are two well maintained pitching areas, each with their own fire-pit, compost toilet and access to a shower tent. As mentioned, there’s only room for half a dozen or so tents, so there’s no danger of feeling crammed in here. As well as farming and camping, a recently renovated shepherds hut can be found in a quite corner of the field, and comes kitted-out with a double bed, pillows, furniture and rugs.

As for things to see and do, you can start right on the farm. Coarse fishing is available from the site's private, spring-fed lake where campers can enjoy peaceful days amongst the ancient natural woodland. Bike hire and guided cycling tours are also available – perhaps the the perfect way to explore the many secrets of East Sussex. Qualified tour leader Mark tailors outings to your particular interests, with the South Downs National Park and Pevensey Levels (exploring its ancient dykes and castles) proving to be fabulous days out.

Wimbles Farm isn’t so much a campsite, but more a place to camp. If you’re squeamish about compost toilets (we did say basic!), or loathe the idea of unzipping your tent at first light to find yourself face-to-face with a nosey donkey, then best you look elsewhere. Wimbles Farm is all about reacquainting yourself with the great outdoors and blending in with the local surroundings, which just so happens to be a playground of stunning natural beauty.