Best camping, glamping, and outdoor stays in Chelmsford

Chelmsford isn't exactly known as the Mecca of all things camping, but this often-overlooked Essex city is an excellent focal point for any easy getaway in the South East of England, with its cathedral, river and RHS gardens along with beautiful surrounding countryside.

96% (768 reviews)
96% (768 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Chelmsford

Dog-friendly getaways

Available this weekend

12 top campsites near Chelmsford

89%
(147)

Penn Meadow Farm

49 units · Motorhomes, Tents145 acres · Beaconsfield, England
Penn Meadow Farm is a beautiful 145 acre, family owned farm, nestled perfectly into the chiltern hills area of outstanding natural beauty. We’re just a 5 minute walk across our grassy fields to the oldest free-house pub in England (The Royal Standard of England) Say hello to our resident alpacas, sheep, pigs, pigmy goats, flock of 250 sheep and of course our lovely boarder collies. We aim to be a very relaxed spot to be able to rest for a few nights and maybe enjoying a nice camp fire in the evening.
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£20
 / night
87%
(145)

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!
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£25
 / night
97%
(183)

The Barn KT9

21 units · Glamping, Tents3 acres · Greater London, South East England
A unique rural campsite in Surrey, a stone's throw from London's Zone 6
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£12
 / night
96%
(576)

Chalky Downs

36 units · Motorhomes, Tents12 acres · Brighton, East Sussex, South East England
Traditional tent camping in a stunningly-located South Downs farm, just down the road from buzzing Brighton
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£16
 / night
98%
(78)

Housedean Farm Campsite

7 units · Tents1 acre · Lewes, East Sussex, South East England
Epic views of the South Downs, and a walker’s paradise, hidden sweetly on the South Downs Way
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£16
 / night
98%
(147)

Hook Farm Campsite

18 units · Tents10 acres · West Sussex, South East England
Blissfully back-to-basics camping in the heart of the West Sussex High Weald
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£12
 / night
96%
(149)

Tomkins Farm

42 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents15 acres · North Chailey, England
Relaxed camping beside a lake on an East Sussex farm, with alpacas, llamas, and camels
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£18
 / night
96%
(121)

Plum Camping at White House Farm

35 units · Glamping, Tents5 acres · Norfolk, East Anglia
Family camping with campfires on a fruit orchard near Norwich, with a farm shop, café and butchers
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£15
 / night
97%
(244)

Four Winds Camping and Canoeing

13 units · Motorhomes, Tents5 acres · Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, East Anglia
A small, friendly riverside campsite in Cambridgeshire – with campfires allowed
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£25
 / night
96%
(12)

Old Litten

1 unit · Tent8 acres · Steep, Hampshire, South East England
Nestled atop a serene hill, this idyllic field offers a perfect escape for campers. Blanketed in lush, green grass, the field stretches out under a vast, clear sky, providing panoramic views of the South Downs National Park. Wildflowers in vibrant hues dot the landscape. As the sun goes down, the sky transforms into a canvas of twinkling stars, untouched by city lights. This remote haven, far from the hustle and bustle, is a sanctuary for those seeking tranquility and a deep connection with nature.
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£16
 / night
87%
(162)

Cotswolds Camping

71 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Charlbury, Oxfordshire, South East England
Simple camping surrounded by all the delicious Oxfordshire and Cotswolds village food offerings
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£30
 / night
100%
(17)

Painters Farm Campsite

46 units · Motorhomes, Tents3 acres · Whitstable, England
Nestled beside the village of Painters Forstal, Faversham, Kent. Our two acre orchard site with grass pitches. The campsite lies within seventeen acres on the slope of The Kent Downs, a designated area of natural beauty. The Alma ale house at the edge of the farm serves Shepherds Neame and hot meals all year round. Two acre quiet cherry orchard site based around a Tudor Manor house 1547 that gives its name to our village. Surrounded by orchards and open countryside but within easy reach of Faversham, Whitstable and Canterbury. Pitches for tents, campervans, motorhomes and touring caravans with or without electric hook up on a level grassy site. Pets are welcome and a crew member is always around the reception or farm to help out. The Campsite is open from 1st march until 31st October. The local area is awash with things to do. Faversham once the busiest port in 17th century England for its wool trade has the longest complete medieval street in the country. A wealth of little shops, cafes and pubs as well as the country’s oldest family owned brewery Shepherd Neame. Whitstable sitting just along the coast, famed for its Oysters and Sunsets is a fun beachside community bustling in the summer months and hauntingly bleak in the winter ones. The World Heritage sites of Canterbury are just a fifteen minute trip away with all its well documented history and plentiful shops and eateries.
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£24
 / night

Star Hosts in Chelmsford

Under £50

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Value Prop

There are plenty of excellent campsites near Chelmsford if you know where to look and, as always, only the very best make the cut for our Hipcamp shortlist.

Best camping, glamping, and outdoor stays in Chelmsford guide

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Often-overlooked Chelmsford in Essex is an excellent focal point for any easy camping getaway in the South East of England, with its cathedral, river and RHS gardens. There are plenty of excellent campsites near Chelmsford if you know where to look.

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