ACTIVITIES AND LOCAL SHOPS

THINGS TO DO AND SEE

Camping at Tomkins Farm’ is ideal for those just love the great outdoors. Be it walking, cycling, paddle boarding, paragliding or just relaxing by the fire. With endless footpaths and public bridleways leading directly from our campsite, through a variety of ancient woods and stunning Sussex countryside. Alternatively, within an 8 minute walk across the fields there is a public football pitch, basketball net and exercise bars along with a new children’s playground.

Airworks Training

Ever dreamed of soaring through the clouds like a bird?

Book a paragliding course with Airworks Training, located just 20 minutes from Tomkins Farm. Whether you’re looking to try paragliding or paramotoring, our expert instructors can help make that dream a reality.

With courses designed for all ages, you could learn to paramotor in as few as six days or paraglide in as few as ten. No need for great strength—just a willingness to learn!

Our private training sites cover all wind directions, providing the perfect environment for beginners to build confidence and develop their skills.

Barcombe Mills

Barcombe Mills is just a short drive—or a scenic walk—from Tomkins Farm. Here, you can enjoy wild swimming, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding in beautiful natural surroundings. The Anchor Inn at Barcombe also offers rowing boat and canoe hire, making it a perfect spot for a fun and relaxing day by the water.

You can even take a picturesque walking route from Tomkins Farm to Barcombe Mills, adding a touch of adventure to your visit.

Blue Bell Steam Railway Sheffield Park

Tomkins Farm is just a 10-minute drive from the renowned Bluebell Railway, a heritage steam line with four charming stations, beautifully preserved to reflect the 1930s–1950s era—a perfect day out for the whole family. You can also enjoy a scenic countryside walk from Tomkins Farm to the railway, making the journey part of the adventure.

North Laine

Brighton is less than a 30-minute drive away, perfect for a day trip or a night out. Explore its iconic Palace Pier, the exotic Royal Pavilion, and the charming Lanes, lined with a wide range of independent shops, cafés, and boutiques.

North Laine, Brighton offers an incredible mix of top restaurants, unique tourist attractions, and a stunning 3-mile shingle beach. The area is also famous for its vibrant nightlife, with an array of excellent clubs, bars, and live music venues.

Sheffield Park Gardens

Sheffield Park and Garden, cared for by the National Trust, is just a 15-minute drive from Tomkins Farm. These stunning, historic gardens feature a breathtaking collection of vibrant flowers, rare and ancient trees, and four picturesque lakes—perfect for a peaceful stroll or a family day out in nature.

South Downs Way

The South Downs Way is one of England’s most iconic National Trails, stretching 100 miles (160 km) from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in East Sussex. This scenic route follows the rolling chalk hills of the South Downs National Park, offering sweeping views over the English Channel, lush countryside, and historic villages along the way.

Perfect for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders, the South Downs Way is rich in wildlife, ancient woodland, and archaeological landmarks, from Iron Age hill forts to medieval churches. Whether you explore a short section or take on the full trail, it’s an unforgettable way to experience the beauty and heritage of southern England.

The Ashdown Forest

Just 30 minutes from Tomkins Farm lies the Ashdown Forest, 6,500 acres of breathtaking natural beauty. Made famous by A.A. Milne’s beloved Winnie-the-Pooh stories, this enchanting landscape of ancient woodland and open heath is perfect for hours of exploration and adventure.

KIDS ACTVITIES

Come rain or shine, there are plenty of child-orientated activities close to Tomkins Farm. Drusillas Park is an excellent day out, aimed at 2-10 year olds. Less than half an hours drive away, it has a decent sized zoo, loads of outside an indoor play areas, and even a Thomas the Tank Engine steam train!

Tilgate Park has loads to offer for all ages. Well worth the 30 minute drive, the stunning grounds have miles of bridleways around the beautiful woodland and lakes. A large play park, Go Ape, a large nature centre with over 100 animal species, a hedge maze with restaurants and cafes too.

Paradise Park, 25 minutes drive away in Newhaven, is a great value for money day out for the whole family. A dinosaur museum, indoor & outdoor play areas, a heritage trail, mini golf and a steam train are all excellent fun. Adults can enjoy the tropical gardens, restaurant and garden centre. Newhaven Fort is well worth visiting whilst in the area also.

Another family favourite is Washbrooks Family Farm, a working farm with lots of kids activities and fun play, roughly 25 minutes drive away, or Knockhatch Adventure Park, which is roughly half an hours drive, which is great for wet or dry days, with a petting farm, giant play castle, soft play, boating lake and much more.

For wet and windy days, there are still plenty of options nearby. Monkey Bizness is an extensive indoor soft play for little ones, just 15 minutes drive away in Lewes. Jump In inflatable fun park is great for a wider age range, roughly 15 minutes away, of failing that, the Triangle leisure centre, with large swimming pool with flumes, climbing walls and loads more is less than 20 minutes away.

North Common Butterfly Farm

Within the tropical flight area there is an environment which is carefully controlled and monitored to ensure perfect conditions for live butterflies. The high temperature and humidity is created not only for the hundreds of tropical butterflies, but to also sustain the tropical plants and flowers needed to enable the butterflies to feed, breed and lay their eggs. The habitat of the butterflies has been reconstructed at our butterfly farm in such a way as to allow visitors an insight into the fascinating way of life of these amazing insects.

PUBS!

The Anchor Inn, Barcombe

1hr 45m walk or 15 mins drive (WHAT 3 WORDS REF: SHIMMERED.SUPPOSING.FORGOT) A lovely walk across fields and through quaint villages that time forgot, The Anchor Inn sits aside the River Ouse. Offering a great range of pub cuisine made from local produce, real ales, draft lagers & local ciders, this 18th Century pub has a large garden and has the unique opportunity of hiring rowing boats directly from the pub. An excellent place for families to spend the afternoon messing about on the river. Follow this link to view the walking route to here. Walking route to the Pub.

Other Local Pubs

The Rainbow Pub & Carvery, Cooksbridge – 7 mins drive (WHAT 3 WORDS REF: DECORATED.CONTINUED.NEXT)
The Griffin Inn, Fletching – 10 mins drive (WHAT 3 WORDS REF: CIRCLE.LIVID.UNCLE)
The Peacock Inn, Piltdown – 9 mins drive (WHAT 3 WORDS REF: FRAME.BITTER.PINKS)
The Plough Inn, Plumpton Green – 6 mins drive (WHAT 3 WORDS REF: PODS.BATHTUBS.KINGPIN)
The Half Moon Inn, Plumpton Green – 12 mins drive (WHAT 3 WORDS REF: OPENS.PUSHED.ALERTING)
The Fountain Inn, Plumpton Green – 7 mins drive (WHAT 3 WORDS REF: GOSSIPED.VISITS.FITTER)
The Cock Inn, Wivelsfield Green – 8 mins drive (WHAT 3 WORDS REF: CAFE.PUSHED.POSED)
The Farmers, Scaynes Hill – 7 mins drive (WHAT 3 WORDS REF: DEVICE.OFFER.STRAW)
The Sloop Inn, Scaynes Hill – 9 mins drive (WHAT 3 WORDS REF: MERELY.SEARCHED.REFUTES)

SHOPS

Jempsons Village Stores, Chailey – 30 mins walk (WHAT 3 WORDS REF: ORIGINS.BOOMS.CROPS) – The closest convenience store to the campsite sells a wide range of food and has an off license also. Not open on a Sunday

Newick Village Stores – 45 mins walk (WHAT 3 WORDS REF: CLASH.BOMBSHELL.HEAD) – A little further field, this Premier convenience store also sells a decent range of food and alcohol also.

Newick Butchers (Alderman RR) – 45 mins walk (WHAT 3 WORDS REF: MAGAZINES.BEAKS.PIANISTS)

The Cottage Bakery, Newick – 45 mins walk (WHAT 3 WORDS REF: COUNT.ENTITLE.MOMENTOUS)

Lloyd’s Pharmacy, Newick – 45 mins walk (WHAT 3 WORDS REF: YOURSELF.ICICLES.RELATIVES)

Farm Shops

Offham Farm Shop – 10 min drive ( WHAT 3 WORDS REF: AUTOMATIC.WARMER.BUZZER

Holmansbridge Farm Shop– 10 mins drive (WHAT 3 WORDS REF: ONIONS.BLESSES.SHARPENED)

Nestled in the East Sussex countryside, Tomkins Farm offers spacious camping pitches, peaceful surroundings, and a warm welcome to families, couples, and group bookings. Discover nature, unwind by the fire, and sleep under the stars.

Phone

Mobile: 07801109243
TEL: 01825 598 895

Email

camping@tomkinsfarm.co.uk

Navigation

Quick Link

Address

Tomkins Farm Cinder Hill Chailey Lewes BN8 4HP

Fire pits, fairy lights, and fresh air the Tomkins way.