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.

97% (790 reviews)
  1. United Kingdom
    —
  2. England
    —
  3. East Anglia
    —
  4. Essex
    —
  5. Chelmsford
97% (790 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Chelmsford

Dog-friendly getaways

  • Chalky Downs
  • Grass pitch
  • Chalky Downs
96%
(581)

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
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£16
 / night
  • Holistic Woods Campsite WILD
  • Holistic Woods Campsite WILD
  • Holistic Woods Campsite WILD
92%
(55)

Holistic Woods Campsite WILD

47 units · Motorhomes, Tents20 acres · Woodbridge, England
We are a WILD campsite with character and history. Our most popular pitch is our beautiful SSSI woodland. There are only 25 pitches available. We have a mid wild pitch on the outskirts of the woods, lovely grassed area between trees. Our top field is perfect for motorhomes & caravans. Plenty of space to breath and relax. Located on the stunning heathlands of the Sutton Heath. We are surrounded by beautiful woodland walks, including the Sandlings walk and just 10 minutes from the river Deben. We have a bus stop at the top of the track and Melton train station is a 20 minute walk or 5 minute drive. There are access points onto public footpaths, leading to Rendlesham Forest. A famous site for UFOs! Sutton Hoo is a stone's throw away. Bring your bikes and explore the area on wheels. There is water access and portaloos. We do not have showers yet. Blue/grey waste must be taken away. LEAVE NO TRACE
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£15.20
 / night
  • Exploring the footpath
  • Electric pitches
  • Exploring the footpath
78%
(80)

Lagnersh camping

75 units · Motorhomes, Tents6 acres · Bognor Regis, England
Dog-friendly camping near Chichester and the West Sussex coast
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£27
 / night
  • Pods
  • Tent Pitch (electric optional)
  • Pods
94%
(39)

King's Lynn Caravan and Camping Park

25 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents10 acres · Norfolk, East Anglia
A well located Norfolk campsite with great access to the coast, fens and traditional market towns
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£27.50
 / night
  • Berney - converted Railway Carriage
  • Simple Camping pitch
  • Berney - converted Railway Carriage
97%
(150)

Whitlingham Broad Campsite

72 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents5 acres · Norfolk, East Anglia
Laid-back camping and glamping a stone's throw from Norwich and at the gateway to the Norfolk Broads
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£12.50
 / night

Top camping destinations

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Under £50

  • A family-run, working farm in East Sussex offering spacious, traditional camping with no set pitches.
  • Shepherds Hut
  • A family-run, working farm in East Sussex offering spacious, traditional camping with no set pitches.
100%
(143)

Hale Farm

38 units · Glamping, Tents56 acres · East Sussex, South East England
A family-run, working farm in East Sussex offering spacious, traditional camping with no set pitches
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
from 
£14
 / night
  • Pods
  • Tent Pitch (electric optional)
  • Pods
94%
(39)

King's Lynn Caravan and Camping Park

25 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents10 acres · Norfolk, East Anglia
A well located Norfolk campsite with great access to the coast, fens and traditional market towns
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£27.50
 / night
  • Berney - converted Railway Carriage
  • Simple Camping pitch
  • Berney - converted Railway Carriage
97%
(150)

Whitlingham Broad Campsite

72 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents5 acres · Norfolk, East Anglia
Laid-back camping and glamping a stone's throw from Norwich and at the gateway to the Norfolk Broads
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£12.50
 / night
  • Holistic Woods Campsite WILD
  • Holistic Woods Campsite WILD
  • Holistic Woods Campsite WILD
92%
(55)

Holistic Woods Campsite WILD

47 units · Motorhomes, Tents20 acres · Woodbridge, England
We are a WILD campsite with character and history. Our most popular pitch is our beautiful SSSI woodland. There are only 25 pitches available. We have a mid wild pitch on the outskirts of the woods, lovely grassed area between trees. Our top field is perfect for motorhomes & caravans. Plenty of space to breath and relax. Located on the stunning heathlands of the Sutton Heath. We are surrounded by beautiful woodland walks, including the Sandlings walk and just 10 minutes from the river Deben. We have a bus stop at the top of the track and Melton train station is a 20 minute walk or 5 minute drive. There are access points onto public footpaths, leading to Rendlesham Forest. A famous site for UFOs! Sutton Hoo is a stone's throw away. Bring your bikes and explore the area on wheels. There is water access and portaloos. We do not have showers yet. Blue/grey waste must be taken away. LEAVE NO TRACE
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£15.20
 / night
  • Millie Bell Tent Glamping Pitch
  • Tent Pitch with fire pit
  • Millie Bell Tent Glamping Pitch
97%
(59)

Purple Badger Camping&Fishing Lakes

12 units · Glamping, Tents5 acres · Beeby, England
Glamping and campfire-friendly camping by a pair of fishing lakes in the Leicestershire countryside
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
from 
£35
 / night

12 top campsites near Chelmsford

  • Holistic Woods Campsite WILD
  • Holistic Woods Campsite WILD
  • Holistic Woods Campsite WILD
92%
(55)

Holistic Woods Campsite WILD

47 units · Motorhomes, Tents20 acres · Woodbridge, England
We are a WILD campsite with character and history. Our most popular pitch is our beautiful SSSI woodland. There are only 25 pitches available. We have a mid wild pitch on the outskirts of the woods, lovely grassed area between trees. Our top field is perfect for motorhomes & caravans. Plenty of space to breath and relax. Located on the stunning heathlands of the Sutton Heath. We are surrounded by beautiful woodland walks, including the Sandlings walk and just 10 minutes from the river Deben. We have a bus stop at the top of the track and Melton train station is a 20 minute walk or 5 minute drive. There are access points onto public footpaths, leading to Rendlesham Forest. A famous site for UFOs! Sutton Hoo is a stone's throw away. Bring your bikes and explore the area on wheels. There is water access and portaloos. We do not have showers yet. Blue/grey waste must be taken away. LEAVE NO TRACE
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
Trash
from 
£15.20
 / night
  • Pods
  • Tent Pitch (electric optional)
  • Pods
94%
(39)

King's Lynn Caravan and Camping Park

25 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents10 acres · Norfolk, East Anglia
A well located Norfolk campsite with great access to the coast, fens and traditional market towns
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from 
£27.50
 / night
  • Millie Bell Tent Glamping Pitch
  • Tent Pitch with fire pit
  • Millie Bell Tent Glamping Pitch
97%
(59)

Purple Badger Camping&Fishing Lakes

12 units · Glamping, Tents5 acres · Beeby, England
Glamping and campfire-friendly camping by a pair of fishing lakes in the Leicestershire countryside
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
Trash
Cooking equipment
from 
£35
 / night
  • Berney - converted Railway Carriage
  • Simple Camping pitch
  • Berney - converted Railway Carriage
97%
(150)

Whitlingham Broad Campsite

72 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents5 acres · Norfolk, East Anglia
Laid-back camping and glamping a stone's throw from Norwich and at the gateway to the Norfolk Broads
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from 
£12.50
 / night
  • A family-run, working farm in East Sussex offering spacious, traditional camping with no set pitches.
  • Shepherds Hut
  • A family-run, working farm in East Sussex offering spacious, traditional camping with no set pitches.
100%
(143)

Hale Farm

38 units · Glamping, Tents56 acres · East Sussex, South East England
A family-run, working farm in East Sussex offering spacious, traditional camping with no set pitches
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from 
£14
 / night
  • Chalky Downs
  • Grass pitch
  • Chalky Downs
96%
(581)

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
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from 
£16
 / night
  • Exploring the footpath
  • Electric pitches
  • Exploring the footpath
78%
(80)

Lagnersh camping

75 units · Motorhomes, Tents6 acres · Bognor Regis, England
Dog-friendly camping near Chichester and the West Sussex coast
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from 
£27
 / night
  • Old Litten
  • Old Litten
  • Old Litten
97%
(17)

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.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
Trash
from 
£16
 / night
  • The Barn KT9
  • The Barn KT9
  • The Barn KT9
97%
(185)

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
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from 
£12
 / night
  • The Meadow @ Waples Mill
  • The Meadow @ Waples Mill
  • The Meadow @ Waples Mill
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.
Campfires
Showers
from 
£24
 / night
  • Little Fleece at Folly Farm
  • Little Fleece at Folly Farm
  • Little Fleece at Folly Farm
100%
(41)

Little Fleece at Folly Farm

1 unit · Glamping1 acre · Berkshire, South East England
A cosy and luxurious shepherds hut for two on a beautiful farm in the Wessex Downs.
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
Trash
Cooking equipment
from 
£151.30
 / night
  • Secluded Woodland Camp
  • Secluded Woodland Camp
  • Secluded Woodland Camp
Booked 5 times

Secluded Woodland Camp

4 units · Tents10 acres · England
Glamp or pitch up here in our secluded and peaceful mini off-grid site combining both field and forest. We have a shared under cover space and also an outdoor fire-pit to gather more than 20 people comfortably. There is a simple compost loo for your use with hand-washing and dish washing area outside. And the rest is all Mother nature! There is no running water or drinking water. You will need to bring your own. No electricity points or WIFI are in the campsite and no masts nearby so enjoy the EMF cleanse. Whether you chose to stay in the ancient woodland or the herbal pasture, you will feel the benefits of reconnecting with yourself in nature, breathing the clean air and hearing the birds singing. The parking is 800m away and there is minimal tractor use so you can imagine yourself roaming the fields and forest of England in days gone by. Fitness required. It's a long walk from the car park to the campsite. Trolleys provided.
Pets
Campfires
Trash
Cooking equipment
from 
£12
 / night

Star Hosts in Chelmsford

  • Chalky Downs
  • Grass pitch
  • Chalky Downs
96%
(581)

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
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£16
 / night
  • The Barn KT9
  • The Barn KT9
  • The Barn KT9
97%
(185)

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
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£12
 / night
  • A family-run, working farm in East Sussex offering spacious, traditional camping with no set pitches.
  • Shepherds Hut
  • A family-run, working farm in East Sussex offering spacious, traditional camping with no set pitches.
100%
(143)

Hale Farm

38 units · Glamping, Tents56 acres · East Sussex, South East England
A family-run, working farm in East Sussex offering spacious, traditional camping with no set pitches
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
from 
£14
 / night
  • Berney - converted Railway Carriage
  • Simple Camping pitch
  • Berney - converted Railway Carriage
97%
(150)

Whitlingham Broad Campsite

72 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents5 acres · Norfolk, East Anglia
Laid-back camping and glamping a stone's throw from Norwich and at the gateway to the Norfolk Broads
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£12.50
 / night
  • Old Litten
  • Old Litten
  • Old Litten
97%
(17)

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.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£16
 / night

Available this weekend

  • Berney - converted Railway Carriage
  • Simple Camping pitch
  • Berney - converted Railway Carriage
97%
(150)

Whitlingham Broad Campsite

72 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents5 acres · Norfolk, East Anglia
Laid-back camping and glamping a stone's throw from Norwich and at the gateway to the Norfolk Broads
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£12.50
 / night
  • Millie Bell Tent Glamping Pitch
  • Tent Pitch with fire pit
  • Millie Bell Tent Glamping Pitch
97%
(59)

Purple Badger Camping&Fishing Lakes

12 units · Glamping, Tents5 acres · Beeby, England
Glamping and campfire-friendly camping by a pair of fishing lakes in the Leicestershire countryside
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
from 
£35
 / night
  • Holistic Woods Campsite WILD
  • Holistic Woods Campsite WILD
  • Holistic Woods Campsite WILD
92%
(55)

Holistic Woods Campsite WILD

47 units · Motorhomes, Tents20 acres · Woodbridge, England
We are a WILD campsite with character and history. Our most popular pitch is our beautiful SSSI woodland. There are only 25 pitches available. We have a mid wild pitch on the outskirts of the woods, lovely grassed area between trees. Our top field is perfect for motorhomes & caravans. Plenty of space to breath and relax. Located on the stunning heathlands of the Sutton Heath. We are surrounded by beautiful woodland walks, including the Sandlings walk and just 10 minutes from the river Deben. We have a bus stop at the top of the track and Melton train station is a 20 minute walk or 5 minute drive. There are access points onto public footpaths, leading to Rendlesham Forest. A famous site for UFOs! Sutton Hoo is a stone's throw away. Bring your bikes and explore the area on wheels. There is water access and portaloos. We do not have showers yet. Blue/grey waste must be taken away. LEAVE NO TRACE
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£15.20
 / night
  • A family-run, working farm in East Sussex offering spacious, traditional camping with no set pitches.
  • Shepherds Hut
  • A family-run, working farm in East Sussex offering spacious, traditional camping with no set pitches.
100%
(143)

Hale Farm

38 units · Glamping, Tents56 acres · East Sussex, South East England
A family-run, working farm in East Sussex offering spacious, traditional camping with no set pitches
Potable water
Campfires
Showers
from 
£14
 / night
  • Pods
  • Tent Pitch (electric optional)
  • Pods
94%
(39)

King's Lynn Caravan and Camping Park

25 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents10 acres · Norfolk, East Anglia
A well located Norfolk campsite with great access to the coast, fens and traditional market towns
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£27.50
 / night
Value Prop
Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

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

Overview

About

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.

Popular Chelmsford holidays

Glamping with hot tub
Glamping pods
Glamping
Glamping with a private bathroom
River, stream, or creek campsites
Cabins
Shepherd's huts with a private bathroom
Shepherd's huts with hot tub

Top parks near Chelmsford

Mam Tor
Chrome Hill
Chew Valley Lake
Scolt Head Island
Golden Cap
Lydford Gorge
Devil's Punchbowl
Wicken Fen

Top towns near Chelmsford

Southend-on-Sea
Colchester
Maldon
Mersea Island
London
Ipswich
Bedford
Hastings

Top regions near Chelmsford

Lake District National Park
North East England
Peak District National Park
Snowdonia National Park
Brecon Beacons National Park
Malvern Hills AONB
North Wales
New Forest National Park

Best camping near me

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Hipcamps ready for motorhomes near me
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