Out & About

Out & About

Freshwinds Camping is located in an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ in East Sussex, it is in 1066 country which boasts a huge amount of historic buildings and lush gardens as well as picturesque beaches and beautiful rolling countryside.

Step outside your tent and enjoy the footpaths taking you in many directions, some of which can end at superb country pubs, there are two pubs in Pett Village just a mile away and two pubs in Icklesham Village 1.5 miles away. A short stroll away is Guestling wood which belongs to the Woodland Trust which is absolutely beautiful in the spring when it has a carpet of perfumed bluebells. Take a walk up to the farm and visit Jen and Steve’s gorgeous garden and see the animals.

We are just 10 minute drive from Pett Level Beach. The medieval towns of Hastings, Battle and Rye are only a 20 minute drive away respectively. These towns are crammed full of interesting shops, lovely bars and cafes and buildings of historic significance to whet your appetite for all things ancient.

Please find below more specific details of places of interest which our visitors have enjoyed and recommended.


Beaches

Camber Sands (10 miles)

A popular sandy beach, with picturesque dunes and interesting wildlife. The perfect bucket and spade destination for kids of all ages, a kite surfers paradise (take a class with the local kite surfing school The Kitesurf Centre), or just a place to take a stroll and relax on. Toilets with disabled access, dog control zones and a lost children, first aid and information centre.

Pett Level Beach (3 miles)

It is a shingle beach with many iconic groynes framing the landscape. Peaceful and never crowded with shingle at high tide and level sand at low tide. When the tide is far out there is a large, almost flat area ideal for walking and shrimping. Parts of the beach with the cliffs as a back drop are renowned for fossil collecting.

Hastings Beach (5 miles)

A wonderful pebble beach, with sandy patches. A great place to walk, although take some good shoes! If its swimming you’re after then Pelham beach at Hastings is your answer. It is perfect for families there are plenty of amusements, cafes and restaurants to suit everyone.


Houses and Gardens

Great Dixter in Northiam (10 miles)

Great Dixter was the family home of gardener and gardening writer Christopher Lloyd – it was the focus of his energy and enthusiasm and fuelled over 40 years of books and articles. Now under the stewardship of Fergus Garrett and the Great Dixter Charitable Trust, Great Dixter is an historic house, a garden, a centre of education and a place of pilgrimage for horticulturists from across the world.

Sissinghurst Castle & Gardens, Cranbrook (22 miles)

Sissinghurst Castle was the backdrop for a diverse history; from the astonishing time as a prison in the 1700s, to being a home to the women’s land army. It was also a family home to some fascinating people who lived here or came to stay. Today, by joining a guided winter tour, you can take in the ruined architecture of the extensive original buildings, the vast panoramic views from the top of the Tower, the current working farm and the 450-acre wider estate, not forgetting the fabulous world renown gardens.

Pashley Manor Gardens, Ticehurst, East Sussex (19.3 miles)

Pashley Manor is a quintessential English garden located on the Sussex and Kent border in the heart of South East England’s garden country. Pashley offers a sumptuous blend of romantic landscaping, imaginative plantings and fine old trees, fountains, springs and large ponds.

Bodiam Castle (14.5 miles)

Set in the heart of an historic landscape, with spiral staircases, battlements and a portcullis, 14th century Bodiam Castle is one of Britain’s most picturesque and romantic ancient monuments. Windows where arrows were once fired, a tower that was once a look-out and ruins that were once walked upon by knights; this is a place where you can relive your childhood memories and let your imagination run riot.

Smallhythe Place, Tenterden (15 miles)

Built in the early 16th-century when Smallhythe was a thriving shipbuilding port, Smallhythe Place was purchased by renowned Victorian actress Ellen Terry in 1899.Her daughter Edith Craig set up the museum in 1929 which is home to a fascinating personal and theatrical collection which highlights Ellen Terry’s extraordinary career and unconventional personal life. Smallhythe Place includes a cottage garden and a charming 17th-century thatched Barn Theatre which provides an opportunity to attend a show with a regular programme of talks and shows.


Fun for Children

Tenterden Steam Railway (17.5 miles)

The Kent and East Sussex Railway in Tenterden is a must for Steam Railway enthusiasts. The country’s finest example of a rural light railway. Opened in 1900 the steam and heritage diesel trains now run along ten and a half miles of track through the beautiful unspoilt Kent and East Sussex countryside from Tenterden in Kent to Rolvenden, Northiam and on to Bodiam in East Sussex where you will find the stunning National Trust castle.

Blue Reef Aquarium, Hastings (5 miles)

Take the ultimate undersea safari at Blue Reef Aquarium. Enjoy incredibly close encounters with seahorses, native sharks, giant octopus and hundreds of amazing aquatic creatures.

Drusillas Zoo Park, Alfriston (26 miles)

Enjoy a great family day out at one of the top tourist attractions in East Sussex. Drusillas is widely regarded as the best small zoo in the country and we’ve created an animal and child friendly, family environment where the focus is always on involvement. It is the perfect getaway for families with children, whether you are looking for things to do in Sussex on your holidays, enjoying a weekend break or simply having a fun day out with the kids. So, get nose to nose with nature and experience the most memorable fun finding out day out you can possibly imagine.

The Rare Breeds Centre, Woodchurch, Ashford (18 miles)

The Rare Breeds Centre is the only Rare Breeds Centre in Kent and is approved by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Families, adults and groups can enjoy a perfect day out on our beautiful 100 acre farm based in the heart of Kent countryside. From our exotic butterfly tunnel to the delights of the discovery gardens, through our woodland walks to the edge of the secret lake, there is something for everyone. There are lots of animals to meet and pet and fun things to do for children including two play parks, a tube maze and indoor soft play barn. They also hold falconry displays, pig racing and many special events throughout the year.

The Observatory Science Centre, Herstmonceux, Hailsham (18 miles)

The Observatory Science Centre is one of the leading ‘hands on’ science centres with over 100 exhibits. The former home of Royal Greenwich Observatory, with its domes and telescopes, visitors can savour the unique atmosphere of a site where astronomers studied the heavens. With plenty of picnic spaces.

Knockhatch Adventure Park and Farm, Hailsham (23 miles)

Set in eighty acres of lush countryside, Knockhatch is a fantastic choice for families. We have a Falconry Centre, a large indoor play centre called Froggies, several outdoor adventure playgrounds, a boating lake, the Wave Runner waterslide, go karts, mini quads, paddling pool, Quadapillar ride, Tommy Tractor Play Barn, petting farm including the Wallaby Walkthrough and a couple of picnic areas throughout the park.