Rushbanks Farm Caravan and Camping Site

View prices & book 9.1 68 reviews
Pitches by the water
Pitches by the water
Grass pitches
Constable country on your doorstep
Sunny days on the farm
The river stour
Sunset
The best riverside sunsets in the uk
Have fun on the swing with the uk's best riverside view
1/84
Grass pitches
Constable country on your doorstep
Sunny days on the farm

  • On the banks of the River Stour in Dedham Vale
  • Excellent for boaters and canoeists: canoe hire and launching stations
  • Very quiet site with friendly family atmosphere
Sssh – you'll want to sit quietly and drink in the serenity of this site and its surroundings on the river in Dedham Vale. Rushbanks Farm Campsite is a peaceful little site in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and since opening in 1958 has been a firm favourite with guests in all seasons who like to combine pitching up with mucking around in boats. (Owner Gareth Bates is a member of the River Stour Trust and reckons this is the quietest and most scenic part of the river.) Watery options from Rushbanks include hiring canoes or launching your own craft from one of the stages nearby; paddling upstream along the Stour to the Anchor pub at Nayland or downstream to Bures – all before settling down to a riverside view and sizzling up dinner over the campfire… The area is also part of Constable country, the Suffolk paths and fields trodden by painter John Constable, and the whole of Dedham Vale is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A footpath crosses the farm and acres of artistically scenic walks are nearby. The well-kept facilities on site include warm showers, ladies' and gents' toilets, a water tap, chemical disposal and a washing-up area, plus a track and play area for the tiddlers. The site also welcomes well-behaved dogs (kept on leads at all times and fully cleaned up after).

Site type

Travel trailer sites 20
Tent sites 20
RV sites 20
Rent a tent 2
Open now
Opens May 1
Please note
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • The campground/park does not accept breeds/crossbreeds listed in the Breed-specific legislation (i.e. Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro) and/or any of the following: Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Rottweiler, any Mastiff or Tosa.
  • Facilities/activities including canoe hire are subject to extra charges payable on arrival.
  • Commercial vehicles (vehicles used for work-related purposes, carrying goods or fare-paying passengers) and sign-written vehicles are not permitted on site.
  • Only firepits provided by the site are allowed.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Thu, May 1 to

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Pitch types & availability

Accommodation

Tent sitesTravel trailer sitesRV sitesLodges, cabins, pods or hutsMobile homes for rentRent a tent
Choose your dates
2 adults
0 children

Reviews

9.1

Overall rating from 68 Pitchup.com customers

  • 67%
    10
  • 5%
    9
  • 19%
    8
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    7
  • 2%
    6
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    5
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    1
Location
 10
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 9
Facilities / Activities
 9
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 9
Wifi
 5
Peaceful

91% would recommend this site to a friend

87% would stay here again

What customers say

This lovely riverside campsite is lauded for its tranquil setting, plentiful wildlife, and great river access for paddleboarding and kayaking. Staff are consistently described as friendly and helpful. Pitches are spacious, and the site is generally clean with good facilities, though some found the showers to be basic porta-showers. While many enjoyed the quiet atmosphere, some visitors experienced noise from other campers, particularly during busy weekends or from larger groups. Canoe and fire pit rental prices were noted as being high by some.

Summary AI-generated from Pitchup.com customer reviews

Reviews page 1 of 7
Arrival date (latest first)

Good clean toilets, hot showers perfect…

Overall

9 out of 10
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Anonymous

Primitive grass campsite

Liked Good clean toilets, hot showers perfect for a rinse down after a day on the river. Beautiful river setting, excellent family site.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great access to the river for…

Overall

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

Primitive grass campsite

Liked Great access to the river for paddling boarding. Pitch anywhere. Friendly site. Wash up and toilets good loads of hot water

Disliked Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Disappointing, over-crowded, noisy-Avoid!

Overall

3 out of 10
Location
 7
Value for money
 2
Accommodation
 No rating
Facilities / Activities
 5
Customer service
 1
Child friendliness
 No rating
Cleanliness
 7
Wifi
 No rating
kevin s.

Primitive grass campsite

Liked Good facilities, welcoming staff, good location.

Disliked Didn't make it clear that swimming wasn't allowed in river (due to pollution), however was OK for us to hire a kayak for £65 - we didn't, due to high price.
Big issue was made by printed rules handed to us about 3metres distance between each pitch and dogs being kept off-lead. First night there was plenty of room either side of us and around all pitches in our field. When returning from day out 2nd day, we found a dog turd right outside our tent - wasn't deposited by our dog as we'd been out all day. 2 different dogs were roaming around campsite off-lead with nothing said by staff members. We were also crammed in by new arrivals pitching up right next door to us either side (only about 2 feet either side of us). Every pitch in our field was really crammed in & the next field over we saw everyone crammed in like sardines too - again no action from staff members despite the printed campsite rules about distances between pitches due to fire safety etc. We know they want to make their money over summer holidays but why bother giving everyone a printed set of rules upon arrival if they mean nothing. We wouldn't return to this campsite due to their apparent greed. If you want a quiet, relaxing campsite where you can enjoy the countryside then go to a different campsite!

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great site friendly staff, cleanish facilities site kept lovely

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 8
Accommodation
 8
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 8
Cleanliness
 8
Wifi
 10
Steven K.

Primitive grass campsite

Liked Loved you can pick your own location staff friendly would love to come back. The briefing for kayak was funny and informative very impressed chilled break. Would come again, recommend

Disliked Couldn’t get pizza but we found a delivery so that was rectified quickly, also water went on last morning due to water leak out of camp but was informed by staff which was good

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely, small site on the river.

Overall

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

Primitive grass campsite

Liked The location on the river. The trees, shade, hedges, swans, brown cows and a dawn chorus of wood pigeons. With a wonderful walk through the woods.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Pitched next to the river! Amazing!…

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 10
Value for money
 9
Accommodation
 8
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 8
Wifi
 1
Anonymous

Primitive grass campsite

Liked Pitched next to the river! Amazing! Easy to launch paddle board and kayak.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Very friendly. Clean. Good location for paddle boarding.

Overall

10 out of 10
Location
 8
Value for money
 8
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 8
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 1
Anonymous

Primitive grass campsite

Liked Warden was very visible
And very helpful.

Disliked Nothing to dislike.

Recommend to friends Visit again

100/100

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
 10
Dmytro S.

Primitive grass campsite

Liked No words,it’s was Amazing 🔥

Recommend to friends Visit again

This was a very relaxed campsite.…

Overall

8 out of 10
Location
 8
Value for money
 10
Accommodation
 10
Facilities / Activities
 10
Customer service
 10
Child friendliness
 10
Cleanliness
 10
Wifi
 1
Katherine B.

Primitive grass campsite

Liked This was a very relaxed campsite. They require space between pitches which means you do not feel crowded. The 11pm curfew was followed allowing for a quiet sleep. Being on the river was beautiful.

Recommend to friends Visit again

A lovely campsite we're very likely to come back to

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
 1
Anonymous

Primitive grass campsite

Liked We really appreciated the open field camping which gave plenty of space for games and running around. The river was perfect for paddleboarding. The facilities were just right. We heard lots of birds including at least two cuckoos.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Features

Dogs allowed

Campfires allowed

Leisure on park

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Playground Recreation room/arcade TV room Takeout Tennis Watersports

Amenities on park

Bath available Car parking by site/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Free wifi Grocery store Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundromat Parent & baby washroom Payphone Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Restrooms Shower available Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

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

Rules

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

Themes

Budget/backpacker Forest Hikers’ paradise Lake and/or mountain Leave the car at home Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Wild camping Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Dump station Electric car charging point(s) Propane/gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Convenience store nearby Dog walk nearby Nearby farmers' market Public transportation nearby

Type

Farm Small (11-25 sites)

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Cycle hire nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horseback riding nearby Mountain biking nearby Outdoor pool nearby Restaurant nearby

Touring and motorhomes

Caravan storage facilities

Location

Rushbanks Farm Caravan and Camping Site

Bures Road

Wissington

Sudbury

Suffolk

England

CO6 4NA

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London +0100 (GMT+01:00)

GPS

51.96781°N
0.8381°E

Route directions

The farm is on the Suffolk side of the River Stour, between Bures and Nayland on Bures Road. From Colchester Take the A134 to Nayland. At Nayland turn left, signposted Bures and follow the road for about 2km, past a left hand lane signposted Wissington Church. There is a group of cottages on the left and shortly after a sign to the site. Turn left through a gate, adhering to the 10mph speed limit, and follow the farm track down to the waterside. From Bures Take the B1508 to Bures. In the village centre, turn right by the church into Nayland Road and continue for approximately 3km. Rushbanks Farm is on the left. After approximately 100m turn right through a gate, adhering to the 10mph speed limit, and follow the farm track down to the waterside.

Nearest transport

Coach
10 km Stanwell Street
12.5 km Valley Road
12.5 km Valley Road
Rail
4.8 km Bures Rail Station
7.2 km Chappel & Wakes Colne Rail Station
8.4 km Colchester Rail Station
Ferry
22.1 km Brightlingsea Ferry Landing
22.3 km Point Clear Ferry Landing
28.7 km Harwich International Ferry Terminal
Airport
40.7 km London Stansted Airport
45.4 km 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

Water, land, town, countryside and even coast (the Essex shoreline is less than 20 miles away) are all eminently suitable options for activities and days out from Rushbanks Farm Campsite – and if you should tire of all that, Colchester is just six miles away for trips to its castle and zoo. Stay local at first with an afternoon or evening at nearby Nayland and a meal in its acclaimed Anchor Inn, followed by a roam around the lauded 15th-century buildings of its Tudor and Stuart streets. There are a couple of old churches worth wandering to in the area: the Norman church at neighbouring village Wissington/Wiston, and the village church of Nayland where a Constable painting hangs. If you've come to the area to follow Constable's trail, you'll also probably want to get to Flatford Mill and the hamlet of Flatford, depicted by Constable in his painting The Hay Wain (which was painted in London – naughty). The mill's now managed by the National Trust which has added a Constable exhibition in Bridge Cottage nearby, and exhibitions of paintings by contemporary artists in the Boat House Gallery. More history can be discovered at Lavenham, the medieval village that also styles itself 'the food capital of Suffolk', and at Kentwell Hall in Long Melford, where those interested in Tudor times can take themselves along to the acclaimed re-enactments held for three weeks a year in June and July.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Brightlingsea 21.6 km Estuary N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
West Mersea 22.8 km Sea N/AGoodN/AN/A
Jaywick 28.8 km Sea N/AGoodGoodGood
Clacton Beach Martello Tower 29.4 km Sea N/AGoodGoodGood
Clacton 30 km Sea N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

East Anglian Railway Museum 7.4 km

Colchester Castle Museum 9.6 km

firstsite 9.8 km

Colchester Zoo 11.6 km

Christchurch Mansion 24.3 km

National Trust

Thorington Hall 6.4 km

Bourne Mill 11.3 km

Flatford: Bridge Cottage 12.5 km

Melford Hall 15 km

Paycocke's 15.3 km

Cycle routes

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

Other

Manningtree - Nayland - Wormingford - Bures: Part 2 2.5 km

Bures Hamlet - Stour Valley Way - Wiston - Bures Hamlet 4.2 km

Stoke-by-Nayland - Thorington Street and Hall - Tendring Hall Park and Farm - Temple - Stoke-by-Nayland 4.3 km

Stoke by Nayland - Withermarsh Green - Polstead - Stoke by Nayland 4.3 km

TENDRING HALL PARK 4.6 km

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.

Want to know more about camping in Suffolk?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Rushbanks Farm Caravan and Camping Site have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Rushbanks Farm Caravan and Camping Site dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Rushbanks Farm Caravan and Camping Site? Water, land, town, countryside and even coast (the Essex shoreline is less than 20 miles away) are all eminently suitable options for activities and days out from Rushbanks Farm Campsite – and … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Rushbanks Farm Caravan and Camping Site?
    RV, travel trailer and tent sites
    Arrive:  2 p.m. –  Anytime
    Depart by:  noon
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Rushbanks Farm Caravan and Camping Site? From $63.73 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.