Wimbles

We were told that kids love damming the stream at Wimbles Farm, a lovely selling point that's in stark contrast to those fussy sites with endless rules we've all visited at some point or other. In fact it's going against the grain that defines this place, now trading as Warbleton Farms Campsite. From the limited number of pitches despite its many acres, to the deliberately rustic (and surprisingly fine smelling) compost toilets, it aims for a wild camping experience and gets it spot on.

The camping field is a large rolling meadow, dotted with wild flowers, and with such limited numbers it really does feel like you're out there on your own, with pitches well spread out along the long meadow grass and woodland alongside for fire pits. Reviewers keep coming back to the same simple pleasures: hearing owls at night and lying out under a huge spread of stars. For glampers there's a lovely shepherd's hut with its own eco toilet in a converted beach hut.

The hosts take a hands on approach, checking in to make sure you have everything and, in the past, running guided rambles, cycle tours and even walking the donkeys out to meet campers. A private coarse fishing lake is on site where a catch is as good as guaranteed. For supplies Heathfield is a few miles away, and The Brewers Arms and The Black Duck are walking distance, offering good food and ales. It's all pretty perfect really. Heading back to the free flowing stream for one last look, it felt rude not to construct just a little dam.