Published on 1st August 2025

Sumners Ponds in Barns Green is a unique destination, offering camping, fishing and relaxation in a beautiful, rural setting. Now, the site is offering holiday lodges for the first time, with an Open Day in July offering potential buyers their first glimpse of the luxurious retreats. AAH met founder Simon Smith, as well as sons George, Harry and James, who all play a key role at the popular destination…

Has Sumners Ponds always been a family-run business?

Simon: Absolutely. My dad, Bryon, bought the land in the 1970’s and for many years we relied solely on farming and agricultural contracting for revenue. As it became harder to make a living through farming alone, dad looked at other ways to make money. He built Farm Pond, which has since been enlarged, and let local people fish there, which brought in extra pocket money. Soon, people asked about pitching up a tent for night fishing, so we added camping pitches. The idea grew slowly and organically, one pond or one camping pitch at a time. It eventually became too much for dad to manage and I took over in 2003. Our farm was called Slaughterford Farm, with Sumners being the name of the lady in the bungalow next to the main lake. When it came to naming our fledgling business, Sumners had the better ring to it! 

It remains very much a family affair…

Harry: Very much so. I work at Sumners Ponds alongside George and James, while our sister Charlotte helps to manage the Café by the Lake, balancing her family commitments. Charlotte’s husband Andy is head chef, while our step-sister Tilly and my wife Sian lead our marketing and social media campaigns. Our grandad, Bryon, sadly passed away earlier this year. He remained active in the business to the end; nothing happened on the campsite or the farm that he didn’t know about!

When did the business switch its focus from farming to leisure?

George: Initially, we offered only basic camping amenities. A couple of people returned to the site in successive years and this was enough for dad to sense an opportunity. He developed Sumners Lake as a central feature, which elevated the whole site. It was previously a field used for grazing, but dad had a vision to transform it into a fishing lake, with camping pitches around the outside. As children, we used to ride our bikes down the banks of the lake when it was being dug out, and drove a go-kart across the pond when it froze over one winter! Dad has always had a remarkable ability to look to the future and bring big ideas to fruition. One of my worries is whether we will have that same ability as we guide the business forward in future. 

Back in 2003, were there many campsites in the Horsham District?

Simon: When I started the business, there were barely a handful of campsites within a 15-mile radius. Now, the number is close to 60. Every landowner needs to find new ways to make ends meet and one option is to introduce camping or glamping. As well as grass and hardstanding pitches for caravans, campers and tents, we now offer a wide range of accommodation including Lakeside Lodges, Safari Tents, Shepherd’s Huts and Camping Pods, all supported by modern amenities.

Fishing and camping have always gone hand-in-hand at Sumners…

Harry: Over the years, we have added more lakes to meet demand for fishing. These include Ribbon Lake, Match Lake and most recently, Betty’s Lake, named after our late grandma. Betty’s opened in 2018 and after a shaky start, has become a real success story. This summer, a fisherman landed a 45lb home-grown carp, a record for the site. It has taken a while for plants to mature around Betty’s, as initially the landscaping around any new pond can appear barren, but now it’s beginning to look as we always envisaged.   

Can anyone fish at Sumners Ponds?

George: It has always been a popular place to fish and thousands of people have made their first catch here. You can buy day tickets for Farm Pond, Ribbon and Match Lake, while Sumners Lake is for members and lakeside pitches only. Betty’s is different, in that you can fish it on a day ticket, but only members can night fish. 

Do you still farm on the site? 

Simon: We still have about 80 cattle and a small flock of sheep. They graze on our own land and we rent additional fields nearby. We used to have a dairy herd, but milk quotas made it unviable and we made the tough decision to sell the herd and buy beef cattle instead. We now sell our own beef and lamb at Reception and it’s very good, as our cattle are grass-fed, supplemented by linseed pellets from another farm in the village. The farm buildings that used to be near the entrance to the campsite (an area currently being developed with small-scale housing) have been demolished and most of the farming is done at another part of the site, near Match Lake. Many families make the walk to see the animals every day. Farming is in my blood and – as a fourth-generation farmer – I’m reluctant to give it up, despite its challenges. 

How much of the land is given over to farming?

James: We have about 55 acres of grazing on the home farm and we rent a further 120 acres of grassland locally. About 40 acres is used for leisure, including camping fields, fishing lakes and the popular Dog Meadow and Dog Wood. Dad works alongside an excellent young farmer, Alex Coxon, whose passion for agriculture is one of the main reasons why it remains so important to us. Unfortunately, the only constant in the last 20 years has been the farm making less and less money and our story is similar to that experienced by farms across the country, not only because of the changing climate but also shifts in government policy. We are among the lucky ones, as while others look to alternative revenue streams such as renewable energy or rewilding schemes, we’ve been able to grow the leisure brand. 

The Café by the Lake attracts lots of local people too…

Harry: We have continually made changes to the café and now have parasols up all year round, giving diners shade as they look out across Sumners Lake. With such a beautiful setting, we considered offering a more upmarket dining experience, but that isn’t what most people who come here – fishermen, campers, cycling groups – want. So, we have stuck to our café roots, serving pastries, cakes, sandwiches and ciabattas, as well as a good range of burgers and classics such as fish and chips for lunch, with a full breakfast menu too. For those staying overnight, we welcome a different food vendor every night, serving everything from pizza to tacos. The bar is open throughout the summer until about 9pm, so people can enjoy a relaxing drink as the sun goes down. 

Where do most visitors come from?

George: We attract a lot of people from the continent, especially Holland, which is an encouraging sign for Sussex tourism. However, we are very popular with people living in West Sussex. When you’re here, you could be anywhere, as you’re surrounded by trees, fields, lakes and wild birds. People like the fact that they don’t have to travel far for that experience. For families with young children, this is often their first-time of camping and fishing, so it’s good to be close to home. If you forget a pillow or a toothbrush, or if the heavens open and the children want their own bed, you haven’t got a long journey home!

You have sold some land near the entrance. Why?

Harry: Barns Green and Itchingfield Neighbourhood Plan had to make some provision for new housing. If there was an option for not having any new development in the village, then I’m sure most would have ticked that box. But that wasn’t possible, and instead the local community had to choose a site to accommodate some new homes, otherwise risk leaving the village open to unplanned developments, potentially for many more houses. The field and farm buildings near the entrance were not essential to our long-term plans and this is now being developed, with 32 homes under construction. We know it hasn’t been popular with local residents and we understand those sentiments. However, its impact will soften once the homes are sold and new families move in.  

How have you used the money from the sale?

Simon: The development has helped us make significant improvements. Firstly, it funded the new reception building, which is more inviting for guests and includes a well-stocked bait shop and meat from the farm. We also moved the farm buildings, which was important as having cattle near the entrance had become a bigger problem as the number of pedestrians and cars coming here increased. The farm is still accessible and remains an important part of the experience for many people, especially those with children. The money also allowed us to design Bluebell Park and introduce holiday lodges for the first time. 

What was the inspiration for Bluebell Park?

George: It was another of dad’s ideas. He has had this vision for a long time, but only recently has it become possible. We were granted permission for 29 lodges, but are building only 24 to give everyone plenty of space. We are building lodges around the perimeter first, many of which include balconies facing a stream behind the park. We will then build lodges in the inner ring, with balconies facing a water feature on the site of the children’s play area, which will be moved elsewhere.  

How long can people stay in the lodges?

Simon: For 12 months of the year. There are some legal restrictions, as owners cannot use a lodge as their home address to – for example – register with a local doctor or school. It is a wonderful setting for lodge owners, while for us it means people will be on-site all year round. It’ll also benefit the village shop and pub. 

Are all the lodges the same?

Harry: We have three designs: the Aura, the Hampton and the Casa Di Lusso. The first three lodges that we’ve built show one of each design and we held an Open Day on 19 July, inviting people to look around. We have chosen more luxurious designs as we want Bluebell Park to become a real destination for holiday lodges. The innovation of the lodges is remarkable and people are amazed by the size and contemporary styling. Buyers can also personalise lodges with a range of finishes and accessories, covering everything from carpets to door handles. We are working in partnership with Prestige and encourage buyers to engage in every step, making it a special experience. 

What does Bluebell Park mean for the future of the business?

Simon: I have four children and a son-in-law working here, and they have growing families of their own. So, we need to find new ways to grow and ensure it remains a family business. Working with relatives might not suit everyone, but it works well for us and I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved. It’s nice for me to know that the future of Sumners Ponds is in safe hands. 

WORDS: Ben Morris / PHOTOS: Alan Wright

Further information:

For more details about camping, fishing, or to see a video of the Bluebell Park development, visit www.sumnersponds.co.uk