Why we love glamping in Sussex

With acres of rolling countryside and undisturbed woodland, Sussex is a haven for hikers. Get ready to ramble, with some seriously special Sussex walks. For an easy route exploring one of England’s most beautiful river valleys, the Cuckmere River Walk runs from the picturesque village of Alfriston to the monumental Seven Sisters chalk cliffs on the South Sussex coast. Also, the pretty and petite circular coastal route from Littlehampton to Climping in West Sussex is a 10Km wander through wild meadows, and down quiet woodland pathways.

The Monarch’s Way, a path following the escape taken by King Charles II in 1651 after the Battle of Worcester, weaves through England for 615 miles, if you want to turn your glamping in Sussex into a much longer road trip. The Sussex portion takes in Kingley Vale and the Southern Slopes of the South Downs, ending up in Shoreham by the Sea. Two lovely circulars, at Bewl Water and Ashdown Forest, offer good mid-level challaneges at 12 and 14 miles respectively. The former loops round a scenic reservoir and the latter crosses ancient open heathland on the highest sandy ridge-top of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The Sussex coast boasts some of the most popular beaches in England, from tourist hotspots and family favourites to windswept dunes and lonely stretches of shingle. A great all-rounder, West Wittering Beach in West Sussex is a superb sandy strip with grassy picnic areas, a lovely cafe, and a wind and kite surfing club for the more adventurous visitor.

While many of those glamping in Sussex choose to visit the more tourist friendly Bognor or Littlehampton beaches, Comping Beach in West Sussex is a hidden gem - a quiet little shingled cove that’s perfect for a sunset stroll. Spectacular Camber Sands is rightly one of the most popular beaches in the region, for its sand dunes perfect for long days of beach games and Birling Gap is a scenic spot with a cosy cafe and National Trust information centre on the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs.

Glamping in Sussex puts you close to great farm shops, cafes, restaurants and village pubs where you can enjoy the superb local produce and freshly caught seafood. Among many others, we The Crab Shack at Worthing, a seafood restaurant where the menu changes every day in line with what the local fisherman haul in. The East Beach Cafe at Littlehampton combines awesome architecture with uncomplicated comfort food. Housed in a unique and spectacular building designed by world-famous architect Thomas Heatherwick, the menu is simple but spectacular, and the beachfront location isn’t bad either.

Add a little spice to glamping in Sussex with a visit to the South Asian / Indian fusion restaurant, Ambrette, which overlooks the famous historic 14th century Rye Monastery, or head to Wild Flor at Hove for a relaxed restaurant that serves traditional British food and world class wines. Our top tip though, is always to ask around. Your hosts at our glamping spaces will know the best places to eat and there's nothing like sharing, even briefly, a local secret.

There’s no shortage of art, history, and culture on offer when glamping in Sussex, with ruins, ravishing locations, and plenty of galleries with art inspired by it all. National Trust treasure Slindon Estate, in East Sussex, is a 3500-acre woodland wonder with walks along hazel-shaded lanes and through wild woodland, all of which are dog-friendly. A little way east, Arundel Castle is worth an afternoon's wander and you can learn from friendly guides about the fascinating furniture, tapestries, and paintings, or take a stroll through the tranquil grounds. The town's centre, with its quaint galleries, shops, and tea rooms, is the perfect place to stop for a scone as well.

Charleston, in East Sussex, the modernist home and studio of painters Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant, is a unique site packed with art and ideas representing over 60 years of creativity from two prolific artists. Round off your glamping holiday in Sussex with a bit of learning, at Brighton Museum and Art gallery, where diverse collections bring together the arts and history to tell stories about the city and the world we live in. Exhibits are as eclectic as you’d expect - everything from David Bowie and what it’s like to grow up queer in the city, to Ancient Egypt, and 20th century design.

What is glamping?

Glamping is a unique and eco-friendly way to holiday in the UK, combining a cosy but quirky space with close proximity to nature. It's all the best bits of traditional camping, with a touch of comfort and in some cases outright luxury. Glamping in Sussex with Canopy & Stars makes it possible for you to enjoy quirky and comfortable accommodation in a wild location, hand-selected by one of our experts, who personally test every space we add to our books.

What can I expect from Glamping?

Our eclectic range of glamping accommodation in Sussex offers a choice of playful and comfortable spaces, from yurts and shepherd’s huts to treehouses and log cabins. Each site has its own attractions, from hot tubs and pretty patio areas to breath-taking views and outdoor bathing. Whether you’re holidaying with your partner, want to get away from it all on your own, or are looking for space to bring together friends and family, we have a glamping space to suit your needs, in an idyllic location to bring you as close to nature as possible, without having to pitch a tent.

Why book with Canopy & Stars

Whether you’re glamping in Sussex or another one of our popular UK locations, our unique spaces offer a luxurious getaway that's about as sustainable as they come. All of our glamping spaces are set within the UK’s finest countryside, yet furnished with amenities that mean you won’t feel completely cut off from civilization. We pick our locations and accommodation with great care, staying overnight in each destination before deciding whether to add it to our collection. We're employee owned and also have our own charitable trust that supports global climate change projects using its profit share.

About Canopy & Stars

Canopy & Stars is an independent travel business, based in the UK, run on a unique ownership model split between employees, the founding family and a charitable trust. Everyone is valued, and everyone has a say in the choices we make. We care deeply about our guests, our owners, our collection and the environment, working to build relationships that benefit them all. We work with environmental projects around the world, and are currently in partnership with Tree Sisters, doing our bit to protect the most vulnerable natural spaces on the planet. We’re proud to offer only the best unique, outdoor spaces in the UK and do so in a way that contributes to a world of greener travel.