Brightlingsea Touring Park

View prices & book 9 602 reviews
Visitor image of the campers and sunset
Visitor image of the campers and sunset
Aerial view of site
Visitor image of the view to the boating lake
Around the site
Clean tidy boating lake
Great walks.
Canine guests welcome
Kids playing on a trampoline
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Aerial view of site
Visitor image of the view to the boating lake
Around the site

  • Well-maintained site in Brightlingsea, on the Essex Sunshine Coast
  • Howlands Marsh 25 minutes’ drive; Colchester Castle half an hour
  • Electric and water hookups and launderette; well-behaved dogs welcome
The family-oriented attractions of the Essex Sunshine Coast are easily within your grasp at Brightlingsea Touring Park, a well-maintained lakeside site on the outskirts of the town of the same name. At this dog-friendly site, spacious hardstanding pitches come with electric and water hookups, and guests also benefit from a toilet/shower block and a launderette. Brightlingsea’s high street, with its traditional pubs and global restaurants, is a five-minute walk from the site, as are the colourful huts of sandy Brightlingsea beach, overlooked by the late 19th-century Batemans Tower. Here you can have a swim and try out all sorts of watersports, from canoeing to jet-skiing. If you’d rather stay dry, you might want to take a leisurely stroll along the promenade and join the nature trail that follows the River Colne all the way to Alresford Creek. A 10-minute walk in the opposite direction leads to Brightlingsea Harbour, where you can board a barge for a sailing tour among the moored pleasure boats and around Cindery Island. Don’t forget your binoculars: this area is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Those who want to explore more of the local landscape (and delve deeper into the local birdlife) can head to Howlands Marsh (25 minutes’ drive), an area of wetlands inhabited by geese, skylarks and curlews – not to mention the occasional raptor. Faced with a day of inclement weather and the kids getting restless? No problem: the Brightlingsea Museum, in town, has lots of interactive exhibits and kids' activities.

Site type

Lodges, cabins, pods or huts 20
Touring caravan pitches 49
Motorhome pitches 49
Tent pitches 49
Open now
Opens 1 March
Please note
  • Group bookings of 5 or more units (e.g. tent, touring caravan, motorhome or accommodation hire) travelling together are not permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • No hen/stag parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • The site caters for families (immediate members) and couples only - bookings from all other forms of groups are not accepted.
  • At least one of the party members must be aged 21 or over.
  • Guests are advised to bring a good quality torch with them as parts of the site are unlit.
  • If reception is closed on arrival: please contact the number provided on your booking confirmation.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Sat, 1 Mar to

This site is a member of Countrywide Park Homes group.

AA Holiday Centre
View all Countrywide Park Homes parks.

Pitch types & availability

Accommodation

Tent pitchesTouring caravan pitchesMotorhome pitchesLodges, cabins, pods or hutsCaravans for hireRent a tent
Choose your dates
2 adults
0 children

Reviews

9

Overall rating from 602 Pitchup.com customers

  • 62%
    10
  • 2%
    9
  • 24%
    8
  • 0%
    7
  • 6%
    6
  • 0%
    5
  • 1%
    4
  • 0%
    3
  • 1%
    2
  • 0%
    1
Location
 10
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 9
Child friendliness
 8
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 7
Peaceful

91% would recommend this site to a friend

90% would stay here again

What customers say

This campsite is praised for its superb location, just a short walk from the beach, shops, and pubs. Many visitors highlight the clean facilities and friendly, helpful staff. Pitches are generally well-maintained, with many offering lovely lake views. While most guests enjoyed a peaceful stay, some noted occasional noise from nearby roads. The free use of washing machines and dryers is a popular bonus.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 61
Arrival date (latest first)

Location good but overpriced and poor facilities

Overall

4 out of 10
Location
 8
Value for money
 1
Accommodation
 3
Facilities / Activities
 3
Customer service
 No rating
Child friendliness
 2
Cleanliness
 2
Wifi
 1
kelly w.

Electric hardstanding and grass pitch

Liked Location is great for visiting Brightlingsea

Disliked Toilet and showers are dated and the showers in particular were grimy and mouldy.
The water is the toilets and washing up area was scolding hot so you had to wash your hands in cold water.
The price was very high - £54 a night - the most I’ve ever paid on a site and the cost really was not worth it. I’ve stayed on many campsites and feel quite ripped off to be honest.
Poor lighting at night.

Recommend to friends Visit again

View.location.tranquil…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 8
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 6
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 6
Sarah W.

Electric hardstanding and grass pitch (lake view)

Liked View.location.tranquil

Disliked Lighting poor

Recommend to friends Visit again

Our go to place when the weathers good and we want a Night or 2 away.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 7
Accommodation
 8
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 8
Wifi
 No rating
Vicki Q.

Electric hardstanding and grass pitch

Liked We’ve only had our van 1 year and we’ve stayed here 5 times now. And returning back next weekend. Great location, clean facilities (tad cold in the shower blocks when temperatures cold
Outside, but to be expected) friendly host. Lots of pubs and restaurants and walks nearby. Nice size pitches and good views over looking the boats and lake

Disliked Price is nearly double in peak season, which is hard to swallow when you’re used to going out of peak season as well.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Your paying for location here. Site needs some tlc

Overall

6 out of 10
Location
 9
Value for money
 6
Accommodation
 5
Facilities / Activities
 7
Customer service
 9
Child friendliness
 9
Cleanliness
 5
Wifi
 4
Steven c.

Electric hardstanding and grass pitch

Liked Location is excellent. Brightlinsea is a beautiful seaside town. The site is central to the beach,harbour and town centre. With views over the boating lake and beach huts. There is a lovely pub although it gets lively at night and the music can be quite loud in the evening

Disliked The toilet block is dated and whilst cleaned regularly the cleanliness isn't the best

The site is open to the road which is quite busy in the day. This could be fixed by planting hedgerows to give some privacy

WiFi is pay as you go. Given the price of the site would expected this to be free

Overall your paying for location here the site needs some tlc and would be worth the money as is hower it's a bit pricey.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Wonderful setting and amenities

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 7
Accommodation
 8
Facilities / Activities
 7
Customer service
 6
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 8
Wifi
 5
Angela S.

Electric hardstanding and grass pitch

Liked Environment, beautiful setting, everything you could want around you

Disliked The shower block curtain was pretty grim. It could have done with a microwave oven in shared facilities

Recommend to friends Visit again

Our second visit and there will be more. Lovely place

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 7
Colin H.

Electric hardstanding and grass pitch

Liked Loved the size of the pitches and the location of the site
Toilets and showers always clean

Disliked £5 for WiFi

Recommend to friends Visit again

Would return, but out of season, to get better value for money.

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 7
Accommodation
 7
Facilities / Activities
 7
Customer service
 5
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 6
Wifi
 No rating
Rob B.

Electric hardstanding and grass pitch (lake view)

Liked We like how quiet and simple this site is (our second visit). We booked a Lakeside pitch (extra cost), which was nice and level with water and electric supplied and included.
We come here because we enjoy what the town has to offer; there's often an event going on and if not, you can stroll along the promenade, paddle or swim, or just sit and watch the boats go by. Brightlingsea has a lovely selection of shops, a few pubs and good fish and chips. Having the Lido so close by is also a big draw for us.

Disliked The cost - £55 per night. The most expensive site we've stayed on.
The facilities block is outdated, and in need of maintenance. One of the four loos was out of order and at least one of the sinks had broken taps. The accessible shower room was spacious, the other shower cubicles had a step entrance and felt narrow. A couple of hooks to hang your clothes, with no division to keep your things dry. All that said, the electric showers provided plenty of hot water with good pressure.

Recommend to friends Visit again

The views, location and the vibes…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 6
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 5
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 10
Millie B.

Electric hardstanding and grass pitch

Liked The views, location and the vibes

Disliked For the price I do think the toilets/shower block does need updating but we’re regularly cleaned throughout the day!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely surrounding peace and tranquility will come again very well clean facilities…

Overall

9 out of 10
Location
 8
Value for money
 7
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 9
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 No rating
Anonymous

Electric hardstanding and grass pitch (lake view)

Liked Lovely surrounding peace and tranquility will come again very well clean facilities

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful view of the lake. Quiet and compact.…

Overall

7 out of 10
Location
 7
Value for money
 8
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 7
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 5
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 No rating
Anonymous

Electric hardstanding and grass pitch

Liked Beautiful view of the lake. Quiet and compact.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Features

Dogs allowed

Leisure on site

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Games room Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Play area TV room Take away Tennis Watersports

Amenities on site

Bath available Car parking by pitch/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Launderette Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Utilities

Charging facilities Chemical disposal Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Public transport nearby Shop nearby

Type

Large (51-200 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Cycling nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby Watersports nearby

Touring and motorhomes

Water hook-up points for tourers

Location

Brightlingsea Touring Park

Promenade Way

Brightlingsea

Colchester

Essex

England

CO7 0LW

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

51.80848°N
1.01934°E

Nearest transport

Coach
2.4 mi Brightlingsea Road
2.4 mi Brightlingsea Road
2.4 mi Oaklands
Rail
3.3 mi Alresford (Essex) Rail Station
3.6 mi Great Bentley Rail Station
4.3 mi Wivenhoe Rail Station
Ferry
0.3 mi Brightlingsea Ferry Landing
0.4 mi Point Clear Ferry Landing
13.9 mi Harwich International Ferry Terminal
Airport
21.4 mi London Southend Airport

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

Created in the 1960s, Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens (15 minutes’ drive) is based on a simple but oft-ignored principle: right plant, right place. One of the highlights here is the Gravel Garden, famously never watered and home to drought-tolerant plants and shrubs. In contrast, the Water Garden spreads around a series of ponds and is dotted with colourful flowers. Reward your offspring for following you patiently around the gardens with a trip to Hasty’s Adventure Farm (20 minutes). In addition to a giant sandpit for younger children, there are oversized Lego constructions, an adventure course and grass slides. Not forgetting resident animals like Pipsqueak the pygmy goat and Mac the alpaca… Built in the 11th century over the ruins of an ancient Roman temple, the Norman Colchester Castle (half an hour) now houses a modern museum displaying items unearthed locally, such as the Fenwick Hoard, a collection of delicate jewellery and coins, and a vase decorated with images of fighting gladiators.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Brightlingsea 0.4 mi Estuary N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
West Mersea 4.6 mi Sea N/AGoodN/AN/A
Jaywick 4.7 mi Sea N/AGoodGoodGood
Clacton Beach Martello Tower 5.5 mi Sea N/AGoodGoodGood
Clacton 6.6 mi Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

firstsite 7.5 mi

Colchester Castle Museum 7.6 mi

Colchester Zoo 8.7 mi

East Anglian Railway Museum 13.8 mi

Christchurch Mansion 18.4 mi

National Trust

Bourne Mill 6.6 mi

Flatford: Bridge Cottage 10.4 mi

Thorington Hall 12.5 mi

Coggeshall Grange Barn 14.9 mi

Paycocke's 15.1 mi

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

Brightlingsea 0.1 mi

Cudmore Country Park - East and West Mersea - Cudmore 1.2 mi

Brightlingsea - Colne Estuary - Crab and Winkle Path 1.4 mi

ST OSYTH'S PRIORY 2.3 mi

Hollybush Hill - Brightlingsea - River Colne - Hollybush 2.4 mi

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Nearest sites

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

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Frequently asked questions

  • Does Brightlingsea Touring Park have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Brightlingsea Touring Park dog friendly? No View all features
  • What attractions are near Brightlingsea Touring Park? Created in the 1960s, Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens (15 minutes’ drive) is based on a simple but oft-ignored principle: right plant, right place. One of the highlights here is the Gravel … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Brightlingsea Touring Park?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  1 p.m. –  8 p.m.
    Depart by:  11 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Brightlingsea Touring Park? From £25 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.