Top 10 Campsites within reach of London

Whether you are looking for a back to basics holiday for yourself and the children, or a location with something to please a rowdy mixed group of families with ages ranging from 0 to 90, we have something for you in the carefully curated list below. All of them can be reached by car within a couple of hours of London making them doable for a long weekend, and perfect for a week long vacation. Many of them have glamping options too, denoted by a G.

Wowo, East Sussex

This site is all about getting back to nature with a good selection of creature comforts thrown in for good measure, such as coffee and waffles on a Sunday morning and food trucks on Friday and Saturday nights. The campsite is great for groups of families and friends with a superb location and beautiful surroundings with plenty to do onsite thanks to the workshops, woods and stream. G

Tanner Farm Park in Kent

In this campsite you will find a playground and separate adventure play area, with an extra addition of a grass playing field for ball games and kite flying, and plenty of space for the children to ride their bikes. If there’s a wet day, there’s a small room with a television and football table, which is also a popular teenage hangout in the evenings. G

3 Lakes Campsite in Hertfordshire

This campsite has a welcoming restaurant which serves home cooked food and overlooks the 3 fishing lakes. There is a 9-hole par 3 golf and foot golf course along with the lakes themselves of course and are great for both beginners or experienced fisher-folk. For younger guests, there is Woody’s play barn on site along with a large children’s soft-play area. Zorb Strike, which is located on the campsite, offers Zorb football and archery tag. G

Wellington Country Park in Berkshire

To say that this has a playground is understating it somewhat. This is essentially a campsite IN a playground. Welly Park is brilliant for the younger visitors, aimed at children up to the age of 8, and many do come to visit for a family day out to enjoy the petting farm, dinosaur trail, huge lake, splash zone, mini driving track and bouncy pillows, but if you camp here then you and your littlies have access to the park after hours too.

Hollands Wood, Hampshire.

Set within 22 hectares of the New Forest, guests share the site with ponies who are free to meander across the New Forest. As the pitches are set in amongst the trees, each remains private. There are plenty of toilet and shower blocks, as well as washbasins and drinking water taps. There are cycling and walking trails direct from the site to explore and beautiful Brockenhurst village is nearby, which has a good selection of country pubs and tea rooms, as well as bike rental services.

Finchingfield Camping in Essex

This site is set in nine acres of wildflower meadow and a lavender field. The camping pitches are spacious and are each equipped with a fire pit, BBQ grill, picnic bench, hay bale sofa and - as the site prides itself on its eco-awareness, a private compost toilet. There are plenty of activities to enjoy locally, from wild swimming spots and a fishing lake to nearby farms and woodland play areas. G 

Original Hut Company in Bodiam

You'll love this site's fabulous location, right on the river. There is a small jetty where you can launch your paddle boards and kayaks, or take a lesson from the activity centre that runs from the site. With a very good onsite cafe and bar, and the steam train and Bodiam Castle so close by, it will be a jam packed holiday indeed. G

Camber Sands, East Sussex

The campsite is set right on the beach which goes on for miles. If this natural playground isn’t enough, then you will also find onsite entertainment, a children's play area, an indoor pool, and mini golf.

Naze Marine, Essex

The beach is only 5 mins walk away and the town is accessible on foot. With family entertainment, a children’s play area and indoor heated swimming pool alongside an adventure playground and kids’ club, you are not short of activities to keep everyone happy. Next door to the campsite is a pier with rides - simply buy a wristband for the day and all rides are included.

Welsummer Camping in Kent

At this small family-run campsite, you can choose to pitch a tent either in the meadow or the chestnut woods. Each pitch comes complete with a firepit and griddle, and children are encouraged to climb trees and make dens in the woodland, direct access to the footpath network offers plenty of walking opportunities. For those who fancy an educational slant to their holiday, the owners run tours and workshops where you can learn about foraging safely, making your own herbal remedies, and beekeeping. G

Photo by Dave Hoefler on Unsplash