Run by a gregarious environmentalist and professional photographer, Stubcroft Farm is a sustainable lambing farm set in 50 acres close to the beautiful coastline ofWest Wittering.The campsite sits next to a handsome red-brick farmhouse, which, with its old pumps and nearby beehives, gives the place a real whiff of 'olde' England.
Stubcroft is proudly green in approach, with its use of fair trade and organic products, as well as environmentally friendly loos. The 90 pitches are pretty compact, having been bordered with specially planted hedges and a wealth of trees to provide privacy and shelter from those landlubbing sea winds. However, on a busy summer weekend you'll be close quartered with your fellow campers, as the place is extremely popular. You'll soon see why; the sky is huge here, and there's an immediately calming effect when you look out across the wild paddock and beyond to the distant smudge of Chichester on one side and the sparkling sea on the other.
Kids will be able to run free (thanks to the site's secluded lane and surrounding fields) while you busy yourself buying home-made burgers from the shop and setting up your barbie. You may even find yourself helping owner Simon with the extraction of honey, or staying during one of the farm's organised vintage-tractor rallies. April is a great time to visit, as there are newborn lambs to bottle-feed; and bring your binoculars - you might just spot some of the deer or 72 species of birds drawn to the area's secluded tranquillity.
COOL FACTOR Basic camping on the doorstep of stunning scenery.
WHO'S IN? Everyone - from dogs on leads to exuberant teenagers and groups.
ON SITE Campfires in containers off the ground. Some can be rented out (£5 per night); logs also sold. Ninety pitches, 6 eco-loos, 6 conventional flush loos, and 5 modern showers. Drinking taps, a CDP, 8 electric hook-ups. Bike hire available so you can head off exploring the miles of cycle paths.
OFF SITE Easy access to some of the UK's best beaches: Bracklesham Bay for surfing; the East Head spit for walking -50 acres of Lawrence of Arabia sand dunes to live out those 'take Aqaba' fantasies; West Wittering beach has some of the cleanest, clearest water in the country. For kids, there's the South Downs Planetarium in Chichester, the Old Windmill in Halnaker, or Portsmouth's impressive Blue Reef Aquarium.
FOOD AND DRINK That smell of bacon winding its way to your tent is emanating from the farmhouse and Stubcroft's famous breakfasts. For lunch head for fish and chips at Bracklesham Bay, then take dinner at East Wittering's 16th-century Thatched Tavern (01243 673087), which offers mouth-watering, locally produced dishes.
GETTING THERE Take the A286 towards the Witterings and Bracklesham. Co through Birdham village then left on to the B2198 (Bell Lane) at the mini roundabout by a Total garage. After the Bell pub take the second right into Tile Barn Lane, then turn left and follow signs to the farm.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT A regular Stagecoach bus (Chichester-Bracklesham Corner), stops just past the Bell pub.
OPEN All year.
THE DAMAGE Tent plus adult £7-£8 per night; child £3.50; dog £1; campervan/caravan and 2 adults £20-£25.
Stubcroft is proudly green in approach, with its use of fair trade and organic products, as well as environmentally friendly loos. The 90 pitches are pretty compact, having been bordered with specially planted hedges and a wealth of trees to provide privacy and shelter from those landlubbing sea winds. However, on a busy summer weekend you'll be close quartered with your fellow campers, as the place is extremely popular. You'll soon see why; the sky is huge here, and there's an immediately calming effect when you look out across the wild paddock and beyond to the distant smudge of Chichester on one side and the sparkling sea on the other.
Kids will be able to run free (thanks to the site's secluded lane and surrounding fields) while you busy yourself buying home-made burgers from the shop and setting up your barbie. You may even find yourself helping owner Simon with the extraction of honey, or staying during one of the farm's organised vintage-tractor rallies. April is a great time to visit, as there are newborn lambs to bottle-feed; and bring your binoculars - you might just spot some of the deer or 72 species of birds drawn to the area's secluded tranquillity.
COOL FACTOR Basic camping on the doorstep of stunning scenery.
WHO'S IN? Everyone - from dogs on leads to exuberant teenagers and groups.
ON SITE Campfires in containers off the ground. Some can be rented out (£5 per night); logs also sold. Ninety pitches, 6 eco-loos, 6 conventional flush loos, and 5 modern showers. Drinking taps, a CDP, 8 electric hook-ups. Bike hire available so you can head off exploring the miles of cycle paths.
OFF SITE Easy access to some of the UK's best beaches: Bracklesham Bay for surfing; the East Head spit for walking -50 acres of Lawrence of Arabia sand dunes to live out those 'take Aqaba' fantasies; West Wittering beach has some of the cleanest, clearest water in the country. For kids, there's the South Downs Planetarium in Chichester, the Old Windmill in Halnaker, or Portsmouth's impressive Blue Reef Aquarium.
FOOD AND DRINK That smell of bacon winding its way to your tent is emanating from the farmhouse and Stubcroft's famous breakfasts. For lunch head for fish and chips at Bracklesham Bay, then take dinner at East Wittering's 16th-century Thatched Tavern (01243 673087), which offers mouth-watering, locally produced dishes.
GETTING THERE Take the A286 towards the Witterings and Bracklesham. Co through Birdham village then left on to the B2198 (Bell Lane) at the mini roundabout by a Total garage. After the Bell pub take the second right into Tile Barn Lane, then turn left and follow signs to the farm.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT A regular Stagecoach bus (Chichester-Bracklesham Corner), stops just past the Bell pub.
OPEN All year.
THE DAMAGE Tent plus adult £7-£8 per night; child £3.50; dog £1; campervan/caravan and 2 adults £20-£25.