Riverside Camping in Essex

94% (682 reviews)

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5 top river, stream, or creek campsites in Essex

98%

(31)

The Meadow @ Waples Mill

12 units · Tents8 acres · Dunmow, England

Spacious grass pitches in the green Essex countryside A 15-minute drive to Chelmsford; 40 minutes to Audley End Tractor rides on site; firepits provided for campfires. Rural walks, How about proper farm activities like tractor rides (ask site staff for details)? The place to find all this is The Meadow at Waples Mill, an Essex farm site between Chelmsford and Dunmow (and about 15 minutes’ drive from both). This family-friendly site is handy for walks on the Essex Way and other local footpaths, and tractor and trailer rides around the farm are organised on alternate days to give guests a glimpse into agricultural life. Activities complete for the day, it's time to chill out, and that should be easy here – all pitches have access to toilets and hot showers in a trailer close by, and firepits are provided so you can have a safe campfire (with wood available to buy on site and a great farm shop 10 minutes’ drive away for fireside snacks). Pitches themselves are large, well kept and well spaced within a meadow that backs onto the River Roding. Dogs are welcome, and there are plenty of places to take them for a walk nearby. London folk looking for a quick escape to the countryside, this is a place to bear in mind – it’s only about an hour and quarter by road from the city.

Wethersfield Eco Project Off grid

39 units · Motorhomes, Tents15 acres · Sudbury, Suffolk, East Anglia

Update we allow cars ad camper and this land has a special energy. Set in the valley with the hillside gives 360 degrees view of natural landscape. Wethersfield Eco Project is the historic parkland of Wethersfield Manor. Veteren Oaks and Sequoia Grace the woodland hillside with badgers and foxes in the sandy hills, buzzards and kites soaring the thermals and micro pigs grazing the wildflower meadow and wallowing in the ponds full of dragonfly and newts. Natural spring water issues from underground and was pumped by hand up the hill to the Manor House in victorian times by hand as their drinking water. More recently this high quality water was diverted into fish stock ponds and now is tapped as the finest fresh water for water ceremonies bathing therapy and herbal preparations. Great space for a family or romantic getaway or larger group party. If you are a group under 10 people please expect to share the space with others but we'll ensure you have your own private area! Bring your sound system and have your own party or event. Music must be lower after 11pm as houses are 500metres away. Price is 20 per adult 16 or over per night 11am to 11am checkout. Late checkout or day rate til 5pm is 10 per adult. Kids free. Dogs are 5 pounds. I have trouble pricing with hip camp as I can't get it to reflect my pricing structure. You can find us on Wethersfield eco project on social mediafb.

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Daisy May’s Farm

10 units · Motorhomes, Tents20 acres · Bishop's Stortford, England

Our pop up campsite is set in 20 acres on a not for profit community farm. Come and join us in the great outdoors! Help collect the eggs, feed the chickens and milk the goat! There is always lots going on at Daisy May’s Farm! Children’s play areas, paddle stream, woodland walks and lots more! PITCH FEE INCLUDES ENTRY TO THE FARM & ALL ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS! Open 7 days a week. Coffee Cabin and Ollie’s Food Hut also serving hot food (Weekends & school holiday 10-3pm) Local pub - 5 mins walk Golf Course (crazy golf, top golf, 9 hole course, bar and food) - 5 mins walk Shop/post office/chip shop - 10 mins walk Toilets & shower ; hot gas shower available but we are a basic wild, mostly off grid site. No concrete heated toilet blocks I’m afraid! (Showers unavailable in Winter months) There will be mud. Bring your wellies! Drinking water and bins available. Bring a torch for walking around the site at night. The site is off grid and the toilet lights are solar operated! CARAVANS - ONLY BOOKABLE MAY - SEPTEMBERTENTS - CAMPER VANS - MOTORHOMES WELCOME ALL YEAR (all pitches are the same. No need to specify which type of unit you are booking) We look forwards to welcoming you soon!

Constable Park

17 units · Glamping, Tents4 acres · Suffolk, East Anglia

A holiday and leisure park ideal for kayaking and paddleboarding, with premium glamping options

100%

(5)

Oaksbrook Retreat

2 units · Glamping1 acre · Messing, England

Adults-only glamping on an equine smallholding in Essex.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Riverside camping in Essex guide

Overview

Essex might be best known for its fake-tanned beach-goers and larger-than-life reality TV show, but the real stars of this home county are all-natural. Explore the vast woodlands of Epping Forest, spot wildlife along the coastal marshes, or picnic in the gardens of a stately home or castle. With 350 miles of golden sandy beaches, Essex is a popular destination for seaside camping, and resorts fill up quickly in the summer. Spring and autumn offer a more relaxed experience, and the region’s parks and gardens are magnificent under their blanket of spring wildflowers and fall foliage.

Where to go

Essex coast

Beach resorts come with all the trimmings along the ‘Essex Sunshine Coast’. Hit the beach at Frinton-on-Sea or Clacton-on-Sea to swim or enjoy water sports, then stick around until sundown to enjoy the seafront amusements and nightlife. Once you’ve had your beach fix, set sail on a bird-watching cruise around Wallasea and Foulness Islands, or enjoy wine tasting at a Rochford winery.

Along the Thames Estuary

The River Thames flows out from London into Essex, where riverside parklands and marshes lead the way to the sea. Southend-on-Sea is the flagship beach resort, while neighboring Leigh-on-Sea offers a more traditional experience, with its cobbled lanes and family-run seafood restaurants. Further inland, enjoy bird-watching in the Rainham Marshes, visit the ruins of Hadleigh Castle, or tackle the mountain bike trails of Hadleigh Park.

Chelmsford and Epping

Chelmsford is Essex’ capital, brimming with shops and entertainment, and just a 35-minute train ride from London. Outside the city, the heritage town of Waltham Abbey is the gateway to Epping Forest, which has miles of walking, cycling, and horseback riding trails. Nearby Lee Valley also has options for campers, from woodland glampsites to spacious holiday parks.

North Essex

Escape the crowds to north Essex, where the rural landscapes are worth savoring. Enjoy a leisurely walk or bike ride around the water meadows in the Dedham Vale AONB, ride the steam railway through Braintree, or drive between the picturesque market towns of Saffron Walden, Uttlesford, and Dunmow.