6 of the Best Campsites Near London to Experience the Great Outdoors

As exciting as the city is, sometimes you need a break. To swap the bustle for birdsong, immerse yourself in nature and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the rolling countryside. Luckily, the English capital is surrounded by plenty of fabulous campsites that are easy to get to, so you can pair your stay in London with a night or two in the wilderness. Whether you want to pitch your own tent, roll up in a campervan or luxe it up in a glamping yurt, check out our pick of the best 6 campsites near London.

Yes, suburban London has several camping and caravan sites, most notably in Crystal Palace Park (south London), Abbey Wood (southeast) and Chertsey (southwest). They’re all great for trains, buses or Tubes into central London for sights like Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park. They’re also economical, so while you can’t camp for free anywhere in London without first getting permission from the landowner, these are your cheapest options. But travel just a little further out and you’ll find properly rural camping spots like these:

Set in the idyllic Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the grounds of a stately home, Embers Polesden Lacey is perfect for families and groups who want to pair their getaway with plenty of activities. Roam the estate’s landscaped gardens, wander one of the many woodland hiking trails – including one that leads to tasting sessions at Denbies Wine Estate, England’s largest vineyard – or head to forest-ringed Buckland Park Lake for a paddleboard session. If crouching over a camping stove warming up a tin of beans is not your idea of gastronomy, you can enjoy pizzas from their pizza oven (pre-orders only) or walk to one of several charming country pubs nearby.     

At a glance

• Address: National Trust, Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham, Dorking, Surrey, RH5 6BD 
• Getting there: Train to Effingham Junction, then bus 478 to Woodlands Road
• Amenities: Toilet and wash blocks with underfloor heating, open campfires, snack bar, onsite activities  
• Type: Pitch tents, bell tents
• Dogs: Not allowed

West of the capital near the picturesque town of Henley-on-Thames, Swiss Farm is a great base for exploring Windsor and the Oxfordshire countryside. Follow walking and cycling trails that meander through wild woods and landscaped gardens, or have a splash at the on-site swimming pool, which you’ll need to book in advance. You can also stroll into Henley to admire its many grand Georgian buildings, then stop at a waterfront pub for a drink or bite to eat as you watch rowers and canal boats ply the river. 

At a glance

• Address: Marlow Road, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 2HY
• Getting there: Twyford train station (10-minute drive) or Henley train station (20-minute walk)
• Amenities: Restaurant, two play areas, shop, free Wi-Fi, bathing block, motorhome service point, laundry room    
• Type: Pitch tents, caravans, motorhomes, glamping cabins
• Dogs: Allowed. There’s even a dog washing point and an off-lead dog walking area

The Lee Valley sprawls north of London around its namesake river, anchored by a country park laced with hiking trails. The Sewardstone location is one of the best family campsites near London, as it’s easily accessible by public transport and features a playground and cycle hire. Pack your swimming gear and head to the nearby Lee Valley White Water Centre – built for the London 2012 Olympics, so you know it’s going to be excellent – to ride the rapids. Afterwards, wind down on one of the many woodland benches with a G&T and look out for rabbits and foxes. Their season runs from March until January, so this is as close to a campsite that’s open all year as you’re likely to find. 

At a glance

• Address: Sewardstone Road, Chingford, E4 7RA 
• Getting there: Walthamstow train or Tube (underground) station, then bus 215 to the campsite
• Amenities: Wi-Fi, shop, launderette, fire pit hire   
• Type: Pitch tents, caravans, camping pods, glamping pods, holiday lodges
• Dogs: Must be kept on a lead at all times

Drawing starry-eyed couples and bachelorette parties, Home Farm Glamping offers 12 well-appointed yurts and bell tents, nicely spaced out on their grassy meadow. By day, explore Aldenham Country Park’s lakeside trails and little farm, join a yoga session or indulge in a massage. As night falls, grill up an exquisite feast thanks to your (pre-ordered) gourmet BBQ box, or stroll down the road to a local pub. If you’re visiting between June and September, look out for the At Home Farm summer festival, with music, comedy and wild dining. When you return to London, extend the luxe vibe by booking into the five-star Sofitel London St James, just minutes from Green Park station on the Jubilee line.

At a glance

• Address: Aldenham Road, Elstree, Hertfordshire, WD6 3AZ
• Getting there: Elstree & Borehamwood train station or Stanmore Tube (Jubilee line)
• Amenities: Fire pit, BBQ, communal toilets and hot showers, kitchen area with cooker and fridge-freezer    
• Type: Bell tents, yurts
• Dogs: Allowed for a £10 charge

This one takes a little longer to get to from London, but the opportunity to drive down to the beach for a rejuvenating coastal walk makes The Orchard Campsite worth the effort. Explore tranquil Rendlesham Forest, site of a supposed UFO sighting in 1980 – although keen birdwatchers will want to look out instead for European bee-eaters and glossy orioles. Back on site, you can fish in the River Deben if you have a rod licence, and the landscaped BBQ area is free to use, perfect for toasting marshmallows or making s’mores. Looking for a family-friendly place to stay back in the city? Mama Shelter London Shoreditch is a short drive from Stratford station.      

At a glance

• Address: 28 Spring Lane, Wickham Market, Suffolk, IP13 0SJ
• Getting there: From central London, the Tube (Jubilee line) to Stratford then a train to Wickham Market
• Amenities: Shop, toilet and shower block, kitchen, laundry facilities, enclosed play area     
• Type: Pitch tents, caravans, safari tents
• Dogs: Allowed

Nestled on a working cattle farm in Suffolk’s Stour Valley, Little Ropers Woodland Camping is a cosy campsite where you can pitch your tent in the woods or in a large meadow. It’s not a completely wild camping experience – pitches are allocated according to the number of people and the size of your tent – but what makes it special is the rural atmosphere of the setting. You’re asked to leave your car or van at the farmyard and take a short walk to the site, where you’re blissfully free of mod cons like electricity, hot water and Wi-Fi. In addition to any number of country walks, you can feed the farm’s resident llamas or, depending on the season, bottle feed calves or get close to newly hatched chicks. 

At a glance

• Address: Assington Road, Bures, Suffolk, CO8 5JX
• Getting there: Bures station at around 2 miles, or a 30-minute walk from the campsite 
• Amenities: Fire pits, flush toilet, undercover washing-up area, outside drinking water tap, hot showers back at the farm, shop    
• Type: Pitch tents, hammocks, tarps
• Dogs: Not allowed

Whether you’re a back-to-basic camper or prefer pampering rather than pitching, London has plenty of options only a couple of hours away to suit your preferences. Happy camping!