A national newspaper has reported on an out of the ordinary campsite in East Sussex.

The Guardian’s Neil Jewitt stayed at Hammonds Wood Campsite for a weekend and explained how the unique facility operates.

It was bought by tree surgeon Joc Hare, who decided to purchase the land as a way of ensuring more saplings are planted.

The site offers free accommodation in return for a few hours’ work, with the eventual aim of turning the land into a fully sustainable and operational wood supplying timber for building and burning.

“Quirky” and “rustic” are two words used to describe the facility, which has an open kitchen for guests to use, complete with a stove fashioned from an old wheel barrow.

It has hot and cold running water, but the campsite’s bath is located a few feet off the ground – an old cast iron model perched on a tree branch and offering guests the chance to cleanse themselves while surrounded by nature.

Earlier this month, the Guardian suggested camping is a good way of keeping carbon emissions down while still enjoying a holiday.

Chris Malone

A family-run caravan park in Devon is in with a chance of scooping a prize at what has become known as the area’s tourism Oscars.

Ladram Bay Holiday Park in Otterton is run by the Carter family and has been shortlisted for the South West Tourism Excellence Awards, the Exmouth Journal reported.

Founded on a former farm seven decades ago, the family has grown the site from a small camping facility to a large holiday park, where guests can rent a luxury caravan, bring their own or sleep in a tent.

It is already highly decorated with the Green Tourism Business Scheme and Jurassic Coast Quality Business Scheme both having bestowed honours on the site in the past.

“Ladram Bay was one of just five finalists to make it through to the last stages of judging, beating hundreds of other parks in the south-west,” said general manager Claire Williams.

She added that the park has enjoyed a “bumper year” in terms of visitor numbers.

Guests can enjoy the use of the swimming pool, entertainment centre and private beach, while the site also has its own restaurant and kids’ activities.

Ladram Bay will be up against Woodovis Park, which is also shortlisted in the awards.

A Devon holiday park could scoop a regional prize after being nominated ahead of hundreds of other facilities.

Woodovis Park has been shortlisted out of more than 300 competitors in the Holiday Park of the Year category of the South West Tourism for Excellence Awards.

The five-star facility, run by John and Dorothy Lewis, now hopes to be confirmed as a winner at a prize-giving ceremony next month.

Located on the border of Devon and Cornwall, the site is just a few miles from Dartmoor and close to numerous beaches.

It has a heated swimming pool, sauna, spa pool and shop, which sells freshly-made produce every day.

Caravans, tents and motorhomes are all welcome, with the owners keen to accommodate families and couples.

“It reflects the quality of our park and the outstanding contribution that our staff make by going that extra mile for our guests,” Mr Lewis said.

According to Tourism Cornwall, the area is ideal for walkers, surfers, sailors, foodies and those looking to unwind.