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An aerial view of New Wharf Campsite in Sussex, just north of the South Downs National Park.

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New Wharf Campsite

UK England South East England West Sussex Horsham

Riverside camping and shepherd’s huts near the South Downs

Swimming in the river, cooking on campfires, and swinging from trees on tractor tyres… Move over Huck Finn; this is the story of New Wharf Campsite. You get to play the main character and the action will be set, not on the banks of the Mississippi, but down by the peaceful River Adur, instead. It’s in Sussex, in the shadow of the South Downs, just over half an hour from Brighton and an hour south of London.

This easy-to-reach but idyllic location has been welcoming campers for a few years, previously by a pop-up camping brand. Now farmer’s daughter Elle and her partner Ed are running the place. They’ll still be offering a mix of meadow and riverside camping and have five simple shepherd’s huts too. Apart from those it’s all off-grid, tents-only camping with campfires welcome. Cars are not allowed in the camping areas, which means footloose and fancy-free kids are. And there's plenty of space to play.

The shepherd’s huts are all different but most have log burners, and all bar one can sleep four people. Those family-sized huts are in the main camping field with the other, Ellena, which is just right for couples, tucked a little further away. It has its own loo and shower to boot. All have electricity, lighting, USB charging, and an outside cooking and eating area. Just don’t forget to bring your own bedding.

Whether you camp in your own tent or stay in a hut, it’s the rural and riverside location that makes New Wharf special. Make the most of it with the 45-minute riverside walk to the most-local pub or by taking the plunge to cool off. The water is tidal, so do take care, and, if swimming is not your thing, try a kayak or paddleboard to get your fix. Both are available for hire on the riverbank nearby. Walking or cycling in the nearby South Downs is almost as much of a must but other than that? Stick a blade of grass in your mouth, pull your straw hat over your eyes and simply relax by the river.

Our Coronavirus Booking Guarantee

Book with complete confidence at New Wharf Campsite with the Cool Camping Coronavirus Booking Guarantee. We guarantee the following clear policy for your booking:

A low deposit of 30% to secure your booking
Balance not due until 30 days before your holiday, in case of late changes to Coronavirus guidance
Complete flexibility to move bookings up to the end of 2021 in the event of Coronavirus restrictions
In the event of a lack of 2021 availability, switch your dates to 2022
Due to low deposit and late balance payment, no refunds are offered

Click here to read the full terms

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Details

Facilities

Toilet and shower cabins are dotted about around the site; there are ten toilets in total (a mixture of composting and flushing loos) and five showers. There are also drinking water taps and sinks for washing up. Campers are required to bring their own washing-up bowls. Campfires are allowed in off-ground fire pits and logs are for sale. Campers are asked not to collect firewood from around the site as this is left for wildlife. There are steps down into the River Adur and kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are available for hire from the site.

Suitable For

Just about everyone! Glampers, campers, families, children, groups and well-behaved dogs – yes. Campervans, motorhomes, caravans – no.

Nearby

You can go swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding in the River Adur from a private launching point by the campsite. Kayaks and paddleboards are usually available to hire from The Kayak Coach (07796 203870), on site, but do call ahead if you want to reserve one. There are lovely riverside and bluebell woodland walks from the campsite and, not far away, you can join the Downs Link cycle trail. For a longer route you could join the South Downs Way National Trail, which runs right through the South Downs National Park. The closest beach is just over the Downs, at Shoreham, eight miles away. Alternatively, head to bustling Brighton for a trip down its famous pier, a wander along The Lanes, a visit to the Brighton Pavilion or a day on its shingley shores.

Food & Drink

There’s a good pub The Fountain Inn, with roaring fires inside if the weather's bad and a very nice garden outside, just a walk away – it’s 45 minutes if you take the riverside route, 20 minutes along the road (but there’s no pavement). The closest shops are in the small town of Steyning about four miles away where there’s a butchers and a Co-op. For tea head to the Steyning Tea Rooms (01903 810103), The Sussex Produce Company (01903 815045) is a good spot for lunch with fresh locally-sourced ingredients, while Chez Joel (01903 813311) serves delicious food in a relaxed atmosphere most evenings.

Open

April–September.

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The Owner Says

Our family run farm and campsite is located on the outskirts of Ashurst in the middle of stunning West Sussex, situated on the river Adur. We are happy to boast about our generous sized tent pitches, vast playing areas, comfortable and cosy shepherd huts, a wide variety of areas where you can camp and never be too far from our facilities.

Accommodation

30 meadow camping pitches, 10 riverside camping pitches and five shepherd’s huts.

Main Site

Grass pitch Sleeps 6 30 Available

Main family site near the reception and play area.

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Riverside pitch

Grass pitch Sleeps 6 15 Available

A lovely field 60m from the entrance to the river

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Ellena

Shepherd’s hut Sleeps 2

Ellena Hut is our couples retreat, off from the main site its a lot more quite and peaceful.

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Molly

Shepherd’s hut Sleeps 4

Molly is our newest hut with a slightly different twist. She is placed in the middle of the open woodland.

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Matilda

Shepherd’s hut Sleeps 4

Matilda sits next to the campsite, while still being in the open woodland.

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Jane

Shepherd’s hut Sleeps 4

Jane is a family size shepherd hut at the bottom of the open woodland.

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Guinevere

Shepherd’s hut Sleeps 4

Guinevere hut is a family shepherd hut on top of a little hill with a view away from the campsite for more privacy. All of the 2 berth huts are placed in their own private open woodland, adjacent to the main site.

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Overflow

Grass pitch Sleeps 6 10 Available

Overflow pitch

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Location

Contact New Wharf Campsite, New Wharf Campsite, Horsebridge Common, Ashurst, West Sussex BN44 3AL

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Getting There

If coming from London, on the B2135, drive through Ashurst, past The Fountain pub on your left and follow the road around the bend. The road straightens, as the trees clear, take the next left (marked by a flag; the one before the New Wharf Farm entrance). Follow the straight track until you see reception. If coming from the south, head towards Steyning and Ashurst. Turn right onto the B2135 to Ashurst and Partridge Green. Drive along the wiggly country road. As the road straightens, keep an eye open for New Wharf Farm sign on your right. Take the next right after the farm onto a track marked by a flag.

Shoreham-by-Sea is the nearest railway station, eight miles away. From there, you would need a taxi to get to site. Expect to pay around £25.

Reviews

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Rated ★★★★★ over 15 reviews

★★★★★

Great Campsite - 5 Stars

This was my first time camping with a tent - and dog - and it was an absolute pleasure. Beautiful site, with river and open fields, so helpful and welcoming, great off-grid facilities. I can’t wait to go back.

Aug 2, 2021 by Louise Osmond Verified Review

★★★★★

Great owners helpful and friendly

Turned up and as soon as walked in helped and shown all we needed for week . Facilities clean and easy checked every day, walks in well maintained paths and fields , dogs welcome and helped to settle, local shop's not to far away with pub for great food nearby. River for swimming and kayaks with steps to get in and out but is tidal so need to know how to swim. I will rebook and recommend.

Aug 1, 2021 by David Pearce Verified Review

★★★★★

Great 1st camping experience

Really lovely and friendly campsite owners Ed is awesome was happy to drive us up to are camping area and assist us with any additions we needed. (@ an extra cost but all very reasonable) Campsite was clean covid safe with beautiful views. Really enjoyed are walks up near the river and the campsites very dog friendly my dog was living his best life. Nice warm outdoor shower to. I would definitely come back again when England makes up its mind about a “summer” Thank you

Aug 1, 2021 by Ashley Beason Verified Review

★★★★★

Fantastic weekend of sun and relaxation!

A beautiful campsite with thoughtful owners who are keen to make sure the site feels spacious and calm. The cabin toilets were clean and well tended, and enough dotted around that our party had our own. Loved the tyre swings dotted around, and the access to the river for kayaking - we had a gorgeous few hours frolicking on the water. Beautiful setting with enough space for the adults to attempt to thrash the children at rounders! Can’t recommend enough and already booked in with other friends!

Jul 18, 2021 by Joolz Verified Review

★★★★★

Great campsite

We had a lovely weekend at New Wharf Campsite. The facilities were great and location is ideal for the river and beach. We’ll definitely be back.

Jun 28, 2021 by Sian Verified Review

★★★★★

New favourite campsite!

Lovely, family friendly campsite. Basic but spotlessly clean. Loads of room between pitches with plenty of space for the kids to play. Love that you can park near enough your pitch to not make it hassle but far enough away that you can’t see the cars - hate the feeling of camping in a car park. Hot showers, but no hot water for washing up, which is fine for a few days. Friendly staff, great fire pits with grills. 20 minute drive from the coast. Will definitely be back next year.

Jun 28, 2021 by Sarah Fulberg Verified Review

★★★★★

A gem of a spot

We went to New Wharf for the first time last weekend (25/06/21) and had two great nights there round the campfire, 9 adults and 9 kids, we had a back field all to ourselves with a lovely southerly view. The camping is wild, so don't expect posh toilets or showers, that said both were clean and pleasant. We also took advantage of the Kayak Coach and had all the kids paddle boarding and kayaking down the river on the outward tide and back on the inward tide. A couple of us oldies also swam in there too. My only wish was that we could have a speaker on low at night whilst we were round the fire, well we did on the Saturday night, but were all tucked up by midnight, broken from all the activities, so we were not a naughty group! What more could you want... A well kept, pretty campsite tucked away from it all. Would recommend!

Jun 28, 2021 by Kit Verified Review

★★★★★

Great campsite, beautiful setting

Widely spaced plots, wood fired pizza, private access to the river adur for wild swimming. Quiet site with beautiful trees

Jun 27, 2021 by Karen Rushton Verified Review

★★★★★

Fantastic wild stay

Wonderful campsite; Elle and Ed were so friendly and helpful; Friday night pizzas fantastic; great, eco-friendly, bucket showers and composting toilets; enjoyed wild swimming, fire pit, barbecue, wood stove, cosy shepherd's hut, and beautiful rewilded site with clouds of butterflies and flowers. Wonderful calm, peaceful place - can't wait to go again.

Jun 26, 2021 by Jo Weeks Verified Review

★★★★★

Lovely site; lovely people: LOVELY swimming...

We had a great time; mixed group in tents and shepherd's huts. Great site; so beautiful; walks straight onto the river, excellent swimming. And very nice walks in all directions. Cycled down the Downs Link way from Horsham; and found out could have cycled on to the sea if we'd known in advance. But a lovely quiet beautiful weekend; long evening by the fire pit. Owners very helpful at all points.

Jun 14, 2021 by Anne McKay Verified Review

★★★★★

Great stay at New Wharf Campsite

Lovely campsite with great facilities. Kids loved the open fields and tire swings. Added bonus is the nearby river which offers kayak and paddle board hire. Campsite is also close to a lovely country pub called The Fountain - Great outdoor seating area and yummy food. 5 min drive to the picturesque town of Steyning which we enjoyed exploring. Overall had a very relaxing stay, would stay again and would recommend to others.

Jun 7, 2021 by Bryan Palmer Verified Review

★★★★☆

Lovely stay at New Wharf Campsite

We had a fantastic stay at New Wharf Campsite, it is a beautiful location and a lovely spacious campsite. You aren't too close to other campers! The pizza's are yummy. Also a 15 minute walk down the road is a pub called The Fountain - epic pub, lovely staff, worth visiting whilst camping at New Wharf. A 25 minute drive away there is also a lovely walk close to a pub called the Juggs, recommend this as well. The campsite requests that you take your rubbish home with you (or face a fine ££) and the water saving showers are a little slow flowing - those are the only two construtive comments.

May 25, 2021 by Ellie Cook Verified Review

★★★★★

Great experience

Really great experience. Didn’t have many expectations because I’ve mainly camped around the Lakes and Snowdonia. It was perfect. Lovely chill vibe, Ed the host was friendly, approachable and easy going. The facilities were simple and spot on - clean toilets, showers and washing stations. Pizza oven Friday night was a wonderful surprise. The camping spaces were varied and interesting with lots of things to do if you’ve got kids who seemed to have a whale of a time. I didn’t make it this time but next time I’m down I’ll definitely check out the kayaking just down from the campsite on the river. Great spot spot for the South Downs and for visiting Brighton.

May 25, 2021 by Robert Pettinger Verified Review

★★★★★

Lovely long weekend in a secluded sheperd's hut

We spent a long weekend in Ellena, a really lovely shepherd's hut set away from the main campsite, on the edge of a field with views of the South Downs and Chanctonbury Ring. The hut has a double bed and a wood-burning stove which was perfect for the chilly evenings. There was also a fire pit in front of the hut where we did most of our cooking, although gas stoves were supplied and barbeques available for hire. The hut has its own toilet and gas-powered shower outside. Ellena is a short walk from the river Adur which allowed us to kayak down to Bramber (pubs & castle) as well as a beautiful sunrise paddle. Ed and Ella were great hosts and couldn't have been more helpful.

May 3, 2021 by Chris Verified Review

★★★★★

Amazing!

I have had the pleasure of staying at new wharf on a number of occasions- a few times with my husband and young child and on a few occasions as a childfree break with a friend! Each time ive been ive never been disappointed- service is brilliant- the owners ed and ellena are very attentive and have an eye for detail! The campsite is beautiful and has kept a very natural feel to it, the Shepard huts are lovely and feel extremely homely. If your looking for a relaxing break that the whole family can enjoy or a relaxing weekend without the kids this place is perfect for both! Looking foward to booking my annual camping trip for when the restrictions are lifted!

Feb 24, 2021 by Megan