Camping is having a moment right now and I like to go every summer, especially now we have a campervan. Despite having upgraded, there’s a part of me that misses staying in a tent. I think it’s because as a child of the 1970s, I was brought up camping in France, which I am often nostalgic for, involving gazillion croissants for breakfast and staying in my parents’ retro yellow and orange tent which I loved so much.
Cue my excitement on discovering Woodfire Campsite in West Sussex, under an hour from Brighton, where you can stay in a 1970s vintage tent! Bonus point: they also welcome campervans! Also, it goes without saying the tents come complete with matching retro accessories.
Here are the owners Stella and Griff in the camp kitchen. Like me, they’re children of the 70s and 80s and lifelong campers. Check out the souvenir tea towel over her shoulder. She’s a woman after my own heart!
This is my dream campsite for so many reasons and there’s a chance that if you read this blog, you’ll like it too. It’s great not only because it’s close to Brighton and they hire out vintage tents. There’s also the setting overlooking the hills. So many times have we rocked up to a campsite only to discover we’re either facing a hedge or into someone else’s tent for two nights.
It’s also off-grid; they write dinner menus on a blackboard which you order from each morning and they cook for you that night; it’s also within walking distance of four pubs, not to mention several wineries – nothing better than a hike to a winery, then walking back woozy in time for dinner.
Did I mention you can also bring your camper van?
Not surprisingly, because of its uniqueness and brilliance it gets booked up quickly, so it’s recommended you get in early to guarantee your spot which you can do here. Booking opens in January each year – good luck!
