Camping News From England's Family Eco Campsites

18 Jun 2013

Nice Camper Feedback For Our South East England Campsite

Tags: Camping in Southern England, Camping in the Woods, Campsites Close To London, Family Campsite
Posted in Camping close to Brighton, Camping Close to Lewes, Camping in South England, Family Campsite, Wild Boar Wood | Leave a comment

I’ve just had the first chance to look through the campers’ comments book at Wild Boar Wood Campsite. Some really lovely comments about our beautiful woodland campsite, based in the South East of England in Sussex.

Particularly good to see some very nice comments from campers about our new campsite warden Matt. Matt has really taken to his role of campsite warden – helping with camp fires, heating the wood stove for our campsite bucket shower and keeping the campsite looking so nice.

Matt, a teacher’s assistant in the winter, has outdoor activity training, extensive first aid training and is proving great with the kids – essential if you are running a family campsite in the woods! Being a father of two Matt understands what children and families need assistance with when camping.

Don’t just take my word that Wild Boar Wood is a great family campsite – read what our campers have to say about their camping stay in the woods.

“Thanks for having us! Just what we needed – nice natural break, with just the trees, sun and sound of e birdies! Thanks for making us feel so welcome and looking after us so well Happy campers. Matt’s awesome!” xx (June 2013)

“Matt is a fab warden, great with the children, and only wished we’d had a two night stay – next time!” Claire (2013)

“We had a great time. We loved watching drains and enjoyed walking in the woods.” Darian, Claire, Eve and James

“We had a great time too – despite the rain – didn’t dampen our spirits – helped by Matt (or ‘Madi’ as he became know) being incredibly helpful. The kids loved it – such a beautiful place – enhanced by the Bluebell railway trains steaming past every few hours. Thank you Matt and Eco Camp. We are muddy but happy! “Jane, Gali, Saul and Almax (May 2013)

“Thank you Eco Camp UK & especially Matt who mae our stay at Wild Boar Wood campsite totally awesome! Great location, brilliant atmosphere & a great way to introduce our little one to the true way of camping! Open campfires, compost loos & plenty of toasted marshmallows! All in all, awesome stay & can’t wait to come back in a couple of months! Cheers Matt! & Eco Camp UK!” Love Kelly, Dave & Keon x x (May 2013)

“We had such a magical and fantastic time at Wild Boar (Wood) Campsite. Matt has been wonderful making our stay perfect in every way. He is ace. I will definitely come back here and bring my family, who I know will love this….EVERYTHING WAS AMAZING – WE HAD THE BEST TIME EVER – THANK YOU SO SO MUCH ” Lynne and all the girls (May 2013)

“Thank you for a fantastic weekend. Great Tent, beautiful location and very helpful Warden. Hopefully we will be back.” Bex and James (May 2013)

“A fantastic first time camping experience for kids. The little man had a great time exploring. Many thanks to Matt & Ecocamp.” Christian & Noah (aged 5) (May 2013)

“Thank you for the most amazing time. Idyllic. Coming back. All the best.” Nigel and Family (May 2013)

“Lovely weekend at the camp with neighbours and kids. We all loved it. Thanks Hugh and Matt!” Marjolein and Family (May 2013)

19 Apr 2013

Family Camping in Half Term

Tags: Camping with Kids, Campsites Close To London, Family Friendly Camping
Posted in Camping close to Brighton, Camping Close to Lewes, Camping in South England, Campsites close to London, Campsites with Open Fires, Family Campsite, Late Availability Camping | Leave a comment

Fancy a family camping holiday? The school half term break is just around the corner in the last week of May. Finally the weather seems to have warmed up a little and Spring looks to have sprung. A great mini break during the school half term for the family is a camping trip to one of Eco Camp UK’s campsites in the woods.

The upcoming school half-term this year (for much of the UK) falls on the week after the second May Bank Holiday on the 27th. Plan a camping stay for the family and bring the kids to Wild Boar Wood Campsite or Beech Estate Woodland Campsite in one of our brand new British made Bell Tents. Or bring your own tents to our woodland pitches at Beech Estate. Our campsites are close to London, so the children won’t be exhausted before you arrive.

We offer camping in the woods, camping with open campfires and family friendly camping breaks, ideal for children, in our lovely campsites in the Sussex countryside. Our campsites are close to the South Coast, Brighton, Lewes and lots of great places to visit with family activities which children will love.

Bring the family camping this half term and why not download the Woodland Trust’s Nature Detectives Spring Activities for young campers.

Winner Best Campsite Photo Competition

25 Mar 2013

Winning Camping Picture in Sussex Campsite Photo Competition

Tags: Bluebell Railway, Campsite near Brighton, Campsites Close To London, East Sussex Campsite, West Sussex Campsite
Posted in Camping in South England, Campsites close to London, East Sussex Camping, West Sussex Camping | Leave a comment

Winner Best Campsite Photo Competition

Time to announce the winner of the Best Campsite Photo Competition. We asked the great British camping public to send in their favourite photos from their favourite campsites! Well from our two woodland campsites in East and West Sussex.

Congratulations to Lisa W who sent in the lovely shot below. It proved the runaway winner from our eco campers and from the 50 plus enteries we received in the competition. You can see all of our photographs on our Eco Camp Uk Facebook Page.

Photo 17 …. a great photo from Lisa W – who wins a two day glamping stay at the Sussex Woodland Campsite at Wild Boar Wood. The photo captures a family of campers and their friends at the entrance to Wild Boar Wood Campsite running out the gate to wave at the Bluebell Railway Steam Engine.

Second place – photo 24 – a two night stay at Beech Estate – from Rae A. A lovely shot chopping wood in the sunlight. Numbers 14, 1, 6, 2, 43, 15 all honorable mentions. Thanks to everyone for entering.

Here’s some comments from the judges about Lisa’s Winning Photo;

“man on noose with child waving while kids bouncing around him frozen by time – i wonder if rope covering his head was a mistake… but i love it… turns what could be mundane into a mystery, and the moment is surreal”

“The Old Swing Lovely family picture… over pixelated but I wasn’t judging these on technical skills … I loved the yellow backdrop and the train blowing smoke – all captured well to add interest”

“love this shot, taking a break from the fun of the swing to watch the steam engine go past in the evening sun. It looks almost apocalyptic – love this one.”

14 Mar 2013

Campsite Close to Lewes in Sussex

Tags: Camping in Sussex, Campsites near London, East Sussex Campsite, Lewes Camping, West Sussex Campsite
Posted in Bell Tents, British Campsites, Camping Close to Lewes, Camping in South England, East Sussex Camping, West Sussex Camping | Leave a comment

Hi to all the eco campers out there looking for a campsite nearby Lewes.

Our Wild Boar Wood Campsite is 10 miles as the crow flies from the historic town of Lewes, about a 20 minute drive, if that. The campsite is placed in the Heart of Sussex, on the border of East and West Sussex. The Beech Estate Woodland Campsite is about 23 miles or 40 odd minutes away from Lewes in East Sussex. We have woodland camping with open camp fires at both of these beautiful campsites. Both campsites are close to London and the South Coast – with Brighton within easy reach.

Lewes is a lovely old market town - the county town of East Sussex, England and historically of all of Sussex. It’s a great location to visit, with lots of quirky antique shops, coffee shops, bars, restaurants and most importantly the Harvey’s Brewery. Harvey’s is Sussex’s oldest independent brewery and the maker of some fine ales (just ask any Eco Camp UK warden!).

Camping near the Lewes countryside offers lots of walks, the River Ouse flows through Lewes and meanders to within a mile of our Wild Boar Wood Campsite. Either of our two great Sussex campsites are perfect places to explore Lewes or the South of England from. You can camp in style in one of our Bell Tents at both woodland campsites, or roll up with your own tent at Beech Estate.

So come and visit us some time and pop along to Lewes for a Harveys! Or if you are looking for camping while attending the Mumford & Sons concert at Lewes in July, stay in one of our Bell Tents.

View from te Bell Tent at Sussex Campsite

05 Mar 2013

Great Family Camping in England – Comments from our Campers

Tags: English Campsite, Family Campsite
Posted in News, Wild Boar Wood | Leave a comment

I’ve finally found time to update our “Camper’s Comments Page” for Wild Boar Wood Campsite in the English countryside. We received some lovely feedback from our eco campers and some very nice compliments about our family campsite. Also lots of great feedback from couples who stayed with us, chilled out, perhaps requested one of the faraway tents for added privacy.

Our Warden Tim, received some lovely comments. Tim took the trouble to share his knowledge with the kids (and adults) and proved a great hit. We hope Tim will find time to help out this year when he can, as added so much to the experience at Wild Boar Wood for so many campers and especially families with young eco campers. He became England’s second Bear Grylls!

We have new Warden helping this year. Matt works during the year as a teaching assistant, is a outdoor activity teacher, first aid trained and very handy around the woods. We look for to Matt making Eco Camp UK and even better family campsite and helping couples enjoy a perfect chilled out time.

I’ve cut and pasted some of the lovely comments – come and stay with us and see why so many families enjoy the eco camping experience in the English Campsite in the Woods.

“Had a fabulous weekend at Wild Boar, William (4 years old) did his homework when we returned and he wrote “We went camping in a big tent and I was all snuggly buggly in my sleeping bag and in my heart”. thought it summed it up nicely. Whole family enjoyed our first camping trip and especially the kids, Annabel is already asking when we can go back. Thanks to Hugh and the team, you’ve done a great job with the camp.” Libby & Family (June 2012)

“Paul we had the most chilled relaxing weekend with the weather mostly in our favour ,great gastro pub food with the added entertainment of a cricket ball smashing through a window hahahah!!! Sleeping in the bell tent whilst it rained at night was fun and comfortably dry,collecting wood for fire and a good fried breakfast followed by a chosen cold shower was a giggle, i was sad to leave this am but will spread the word .we hope to be back or visit your new adventure.once again THANK YOU both x” Charlie (June 2012)

“Just got back from work and had to thank you guys after another lovely weekend. Not even the weather could put a dampener on such a beautiful place with plenty of smiling children’s(and adult’s) faces as proof of once again job well done! Will definitely be back soon. Many Thanks”
The Cameron’s (June 2012)

“Hugh, what a magical place Wild Boar wood is! We had the best time, its such a great set up, very chilled and welcoming.
Will spread the word ” Suzy and friends (May 2012)

“Eco Camp was a great experience. Cooking on open fires brings back great memories of childhood. Thank you so much Tim for sorting a hot shower for me” x Emily & Chris from Southampton (Aug 2012)

“Eco Camp was (an) amazing experience. Me and my partner had a great time. We will be definitely back. The woodlands and the views are absolutely beautiful. Thank you for allowing us to experience the ECO Love xxxx xxxx” Dagwar and Andy from Bristol (Aug 2012)

“We had a great time at Eco Camp. Tim is a great teacher of all things outdoors for two useless city dwellers! See you again soon!” Emilia & Luke (2012)

“Thanks for a fantastic, much needed break away from the Matrix. Everything was Perfect. Tim is the Man. Peace & Blessings!” Jez & Kathy (Sept 2012)

“Had a lovely time – super chilled – in fact so much so went to bed extremely early! Definitely will be back but next time want to see bears!” Madi, Matt & Bella (Sept 2012)

“I love it and it’s fab. I want to camogain. I like tents and I like everything ” Sean (another younger eco camper) (Sept 2012)

“Great time!! Felt great pretending to be Bear Grylls. DEfinitely come back again!!” Rich (2012)

“Very peaceful, perfect for camping, thank” Marco (2012)

“Cheers Tim – we had a brilliant time and wish we had more days here. We’ll be back.” Matt King (SUPER HANS – Peep Show) (Aug 2012)

“We have had a fantastic holiday here – thank you so much – wonderful experience. Loved making fires, the bell tent had everything we needed. Thank you. Thanks to Tim for everything – so helpful.” Mel, Andy & Isobel xx (Aug 2012)

“It was very nice and I would love to come again, and it was verrey nice to help you. From Ben”. “Was a wonderful experience” x Paul. Thanks for a lovely time – would definitely come again” – Helen, Paul & (young eco camper) Ben from Bedford (Aug 2012)

“Thank you all at Eco Camp for this wonderful experience. It;s been a great stress reliever from city life and did bring back many childhood scout memories. I will hopefully be back next year.” Michael from London (Aug 2012)

“Thank you Tim “Brear Grylls”! Our kids have loved your sharing of knowledge and skills. Great experience – thanks for everything!” The Slate & Ellison Party (2012)

“Thanks Hugh, we had a great time and everybody really enjoyed themselves. We were so lucky with the weather too.” Carol, family and friends (June 2012)

20 Feb 2013

Family Friendly Camping Holidays – Campsite Photo Competition Entries

Tags: Campsite near Brighton, Campsites Close To London, Family Campsite, Late Camping Availability
Posted in Campsites close to London, English Campsites, Family Campsite, Group Campsite Bookings | Leave a comment

Which way to my tent?

Hi to all the families who have camped at our family friendly campsites. Don’t forget to enter photos of your family enjoying themselves around our two woodland campsites – the photo competition has been extended until the end of February 2013.

At Eco Camp UK’s two Sussex campsites set in the woods we love having families stay with us. Couples are also most welcome and due to our isolation in the woodland, we have plenty of more secluded bell tents and pitches set away from the main campsite area.

Kids love playing in the woods, building dens and generally running amuck. Parents love the fact the video games and electronic devices get forgotten about. Dads (and Mums) enjoy building a fire – it’s a great way for the kids to learn basic fire safety. Getting the kids to help washing up Eco Camp style is essential as well. The favourite time of all for families is after dinner at the campsite, when many families enjoy sitting around the campfire and toasting marshmallows.

Fresh air has the kids asleep like logs just after dark, leaving some chill out time in the evening for the adults and their friends to sit and chat into the night around the Fire TV.

Our campsites have a very chilled family friendly vibe – with no electronic music allowed and a 9pm guideline time to keep the noise down around the campsite. The onsite wardens are there to remind anyone not to be too loud, although with the type of eco camper we attract, we rarely, if ever have this problem.

So if you love family friendly camping holidays, check out our two great Sussex woodland campsites, and book to stay at one of Eco Camp UK two campsites – Wild Boar Wood and Beech Estate Woodland Campsites. Both campsites are within easy reach of London, Brighton, Hastings, Eastbourne and the South Coast. So the family won’t have to travel too far to start their next family camping holiday.

We recommend you visit the Woodland Trust ‘Nature Detectives Website for plenty of outdoor activities which the whole family can enjoy whilst camping.

Here’s some of our photo entries from this year with some great family camping photos!

Great English Family Campsite Photo Competition

Washing-up Eco Camp UK style

: Young Camper Around the Campfire in England

08 Feb 2013

Camping Near Ashdown Forest

Tags: Ashdown Forest, Bluebell Railway, Campfires, Camping in Sussex, Campsites in England, Campsites near London, Sussex Campsite, Woodland Camping
Posted in Ashdown Forest, British Campsites, Camping Availability, Camping close to Brighton, Camping in South England, Campsites close to London, Campsites with Open Fires, English Campsites | Leave a comment

Our Wild Boar Wood Campsite is very close to the Ashdown Forest, as near as 5-6 miles. As a member of the Ashdown Forest Tourism Association, Eco Camp UK is a passional supporter of the Ashdown Forest and the many activities for people of all ages, especially families, to enjoy. Visit the Ashdown Forest Tourism Association website for lots of useful information, camp nearby at our forest campsite, and support the many great business in the surrounding area.

The following extract from the Association’s website gives a great summary;

The Ashdown Forest is located between London and the South Coast on the High Weald and covers 6,500 acres of stunning heathland, which stretches across Surrey, Sussex and Kent. It is an area of special scientific interest and an area of outstanding area of natural beauty, providing a unique habitat for a wide range of rare plants (including orchids), birds and wildlife. Ashdown Forest has had a fascinating and varied history from the early production of iron to its use as King Henry VIIIth’s royal hunting ground. Deer still roam freely across the area and there are now sheep and cattle grazing within the fenced boundaries. Local villages such as Chelwood Gate and Chuck Hatch take their names from the old entrances to the forest which used to be closed to “commoners”.

Camping and exploring Ashdown Forest fit hand in hand. Support England’s great forests and experience our little woodland campsite for the real off-grid forest camping experience.

Young Camper in the Woods at Sussex Campsite near Ashdown Forrest

28 Jan 2013

Family Campsites With Fires – Best Campsite Photos

Tags: Best Campsites, Campfires, Open Fires, Sussex Campsite
Posted in Campfires, Campsites with Open Fires, East Sussex Camping, Sussex Camping, West Sussex Camping | Leave a comment

Hi to all our campers. We have another photo entry from the great family campsites with campfires in Sussex. Both our beautiful woodland family campsites allow fires, meaning our campers can cook around the campfire, relax around the open fire, toast marshmallows around the fire – general enjoy camping with fires. As you can tell, at Eco Camp UK we are passionate about campsites with campfires. We also love families camping at our campsites.

So long live campfire TV – throw another log on the campsite fire and come and visit our two Sussex campsites which definitely allow fires – right next to your tents.

Here’s one of the entries into the Great English Campsite Photo Competition we are running at present. If you have stayed with us at either Wild Boar Wood Campsite in the English Countryside in West Sussex or our Beech Estate Campsite in East Sussex please enter your photos into the competition to win a weekend’s accommodation for you and your family.

As you can see we also provide Eco Wood Fire Stoves at the Campsite.

Heating the kettle at the campsite with campfires

23 Jan 2013

Campsite Weddings – Weddings in the Woods

Posted in Camping Availability, East Sussex Camping, Group Campsite Bookings, News, West Sussex Camping | 2 Comments

Campsite Weddings seem to becoming very popular. What a great way to combine camping and a wedding.

Last year we had some of our returning guests from 2011 book Wild Boar Wood Campsite for an intimate campsite wedding. The couple booked all nine bell tents and had a small humanist ceremony near the old oak tree stem in the campsite. The wedding camping guests then had a afternoon bbq and picnic and spent the weekend relaxing around the campfire. As you can see in the picture the weather Gods didn’t hold off – there was some rain – but with our warden Nigel thinking on his feet and putting up tarps and using our parachute awning, the wedding campers didn’t let that affect their special day.

This year we have an campsite wedding booked at Beech Estate Campsite. These wedding campers have booked the whole campsite, booked all the bell tents and are arranging for us to put up extra bell tents for all their guests. They’re planning a family based camping wedding in the woods, with a big bbq and friends celebrating around the campfire. We can’t wait for the campsite wedding in the woods.

Please contact us if you are interested in holding a camping wedding or group booking the whole campsite for another type of special event. Please remember though we have a no electronic music policy to respect our neighbours (even though they are a large distance away – noise carries). So acoustic music only sorry.

Campsite Wedding Eco Camp style.

21 Jan 2013

Mountain Bike Campsite

Tags: Campsite near Brighton, Campsites Close To London, Mountain Biking, Sussex Camping
Posted in Beech Estate Woodland Campsite, British Campsites, East Sussex Camping, Mountain Biking, Sussex Camping | Leave a comment

Camping and Mountain Biking go hand in hand. At Eco Camp UK’s Beech Estate Campsite we think we have one of the best spots for campers who want to mountain bike ride through our forest rides.

The campsite is located in a 500 acre woodland with intertwined forest rides throughout. We are on a 1900 acre private estate, where only our campers have access to the forest and it’s perfect off-road biking paths.

Don’t take my word for it – look at some off these great mountain bike tracks through the woods in our photo gallery.

We offer fully-equipped Bell Tents, Tent Pitches tucked into Forest Glades and out Hilltop pitches – all a great base to experience cycling around the local area or exploring the Estate and campsite via mountain bike.

You could be camping and mountain biking an hour and a half from London. Battle Rail Station is three miles away. The campsite is not only close to London, but near Hastings and close to Brighton too.

Perfect Campsite Mount Biking along our Forest Rides.

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