Knepp Wildland Campsite

You wake to the sound of turtle doves and the low rumble of free-roaming longhorn cattle moving through the scrub — this is camping in one of England's most ambitious rewilding projects, where the landscape has been given back to nature.

Knepp suits adventurous campers who want something genuinely different: no neat rows or manicured hedges, just tents and campervans pitched among wildflower meadows and ancient oaks in West Sussex. Dog owners should check in advance about the policy, especially with livestock wandering nearby. The Knepp Estate is renowned for its returning wildlife — nightingales, purple emperor butterflies, red deer — so this is one for nature lovers happy to share their space. Anglers might also want to know that Pulborough Angling Society water lies a short distance away, if you fancy a morning on the riverbank.

Facilities are deliberately low-key to match the ethos here. Ask about campfires when you arrive — they may be allowed depending on conditions. Expect a quiet, wild, slightly unpredictable experience where birdcall and rustling hedgerows replace electric hook-ups and hard-standing. Not for everyone, but unforgettable if it's your kind of thing.