Please help me find a small campsite near a sandy beach in SE England

[MisSalLaneous]

Has anyone been to a small campsite, preferably with as little as possible facilities and ideally no caravans etc, that is within walking distance for a toddler of a sandy beach? Nothing against caravaners of course, but I'd love something really small if possible.

Because it would be for a short weekend break only, we're limiting the search to SE England, so no further from SE London than Sussex, really.

I haven't been, but I love the look of Camber Sands, but can't find a small campsite there. I might just be rubbish with searching though...

This holiday park near Camber Sands is, for example, the kind of place I'm trying to avoid. Please feel free to share if you've been and found it lovely, I might change my mind. That happens often enough.

We wanted something similar for a weekend away with friends in early July and have booked Stubcroft which was recommended by another MNer.

It's in East Wittering so not too far and it's close to the beach.

Ooh, thanks Emmalina, that is exactly the kind of thing I was looking for. I'll look a bit more into the details of getting there etc tonight, but it looks lovely.

we went there last year on the first weekend of the school holidays and it was heaving...and they had packed so many tents in there was hardly any room for the kids to walk never mind play although that didn't stop the v large group playing cricket and football against our cars/tents..........facilities not up to the number of people packed in and I was so disappointed as it was picked because we wanted somewhere basic and quiet....maybe ok not in school hols/mid week ....oddly enough noticed my review not posted on uk campsite may go back and update

Oh no, 3rdnparty! Well, we won't be doing mid week, so that might be a problem... Any other suggestions or similar places you've been? Basically, that kind of set-up, but without owners being too greedy. I might keep an eye on Stubcroft anyway for last-minute nice weekend weather before peak season.

not near a beach (but had animals) this was a real find last year....we stayed in the yurt ~
(was october)but will definately camping there at some stage this summer

www.hiddenspring.co.uk/

not far from se london either...

Thank you, 3rdnparty, that looks great! It won't replace a beachy weekend, but I'm going to try to book a weekend there anyway.

I would recommend Nethercourt Touring Park in Ramsgate. Not within toddler walking distance of beach, but within children walking distance of Ramsgate beach (sandy, lovely beach, especially further to the left when facing the sea). Campsite is small, owners/wardens lovely and helpful. Right opposite, sort of on same site is a council-owned play area that you can see from campsite. We let our children play there while we watched from our camper, but obviously you wouldn't let a toddler do that, but one parent could be in play area and other parent could see from pitch.

Stubcroft isn't really near a sandy beach - pebbles, I think, and it's good (but nice) walk. I didn't love the campsite, either, it was quite crowded (we went aug bank hol, though).

there is a nice campsite right by the witterings beach which my ex charges go to once a year

the witterings is a text book lovely sandy beach and they walk there from the site, which last year my then 3 year old charge managed happily

its a families campsite.... no groups hence i have never been as aoways camp with my adult group of friends and we arnt allowed there, lol but my bosses like it, and they get round the group thing by going with another family and saying they are brothers and sisters and that the children are all cousins!

Thanks for the additional suggestions.

I might wait until ds a little older for Nethercourt, but will add to my list of Places To Consider for future.

Witterings does sound really lovely, so I'll have a look in that area.

Bring on sunny weekends!

Oh no! I've already booked Stubcroft - their website looks so lovely - for six families and now I'm really worried! Has anyone had a good experience there?!

The big site at witterings is called Scotts farm. here It doesn't take bookings you just ring up on the day and hope. Doesn't have a club house or anything like that.

It can get quite noisy groups at weekends even though it says no groups. Mid week or early / late season is lovely though.

The playpark is excellent there and the showers seem to have a never ending supply or warm water.

If you do go watch the weather forecast for wind. If it's gusting high I wouldn't go as the fields are big and don't have much shelter from the winds.

Don't worry EmmalinaC - I'm sure you will like stubcroft fine - it's a great campsite, & if there's several of you you will be able to camp together so it'll probably work really well.

Thank you

I will add my vote for Stubcroft. Went last year, we had a great time.

Very nearly booked for May bank holidays

Hmm ok, maybe I need to rethink this then, as I work Wed - Fri, so realistically we'll always camp over summer weekends... Maybe I should consider Hotels or B&B's for seaside weekend(s), and stick to woodlands any tiny sites for busy summer camping weekends.

TE, thanks for the warning. When would you think the rough cut-off is? From when onwards does it go a bit mad? I most definitely don't want a 3 mile queue, for that I can stay in London. Lucky you to live close btw!

Emmalina, if you're in a group then if one can get there earlier and pitch up in the last field..you may get some more space and grab one of the corners on the left hand side as the wind can be fierce and they're probably the most protected... although these are the furthest from the wc's/showers they do have compost loos...

Thanks 3rdnparty - we're getting down there early Friday morning so hopefully we can take your advice and get a good spot. The Ecoloos hold no fear for me but I reckon the kids might be in for a shock

Thanks for the tip, TE. We're staying just outside Rye (in a yurt) early June, so will have a stroll through Rye then too. I'm really glad to hear you think it's lovely there, as it's a surprise for dh's birthday.

this is nice

That looks nice SlartyBF, lovely area etc, but I don't think a holiday park set-up is my kind of thing, so (for now anyway) I'll try and avoid any. I like the fact that it's so small, so if I ever change my mind, might try it out.

It's probably silly, my issue etc, nothing wrong with any places, but I just know i'll be one of those annoying people who go to somewhere they knew they'd hate in advance and then moan about it... So I've decided I'll avoid organised tours, holiday parks and package deals. I know I'm missing out on some things, whether that is childcare, entertainment, savings or whatever, but I'm just too much of a pain in the arse antisocial.

i would have thought you would be very lucky to find a small campsite near a sandy beach, on the internet anyhow.
pevensey is nice.
here