Wildlife haven: Campgrounds in South East England

Thriftwood Country Park

The Hare and Hounds

• Family-centric camping paddock at a country pub near Colchester, Essex
• Five minutes’ drive to Colchester Zoo; 20 minutes to West Mersea beach
• Bar and restaurant adjoining the site; shops 10 minutes’ drive

The Hidden Hillside

• Luxurious, handcrafted adults-only shepherd’s hut in rural East Sussex
• A 15-minute drive to Battle Abbey and 20 minutes to Hastings Castle
• Furnished glamping pod with walks from site; beach 20 minutes’ drive

The Old Thorns Manor Hotel

• Luxury heated pods in the grounds of a South Downs manor hotel
• Fitness centre on site with gym, sauna, hot tub, pool and steam room
• Champagne and cocktail bar, sports bar and a Starbucks

The Pretty Thing

• Family-friendly and peaceful park on an acre of lush green land
• Clacton-on-Sea within 15 minutes; half an hour to centre of Colchester
• Within easy reach of beer and cider festivals, and the Clacton Airshow

The View

• Luxury caravan with stunning Brede Valley views in rural East Sussex
• Bodiam Boating Station 15 minutes’ drive; Camber Sands 25 minutes
• Adults-only hideaway with alfresco seating, firepit and outdoor bath

The Woodland Retreat

• Peaceful woodland retreat 15 minutes’ walk from the Portsmouth ferry
• Access to local walks towards Quarr Abbey, beaches and Ryde
• A five-minute walk to bus stops; 20 minutes to a shop and restaurants

Wishwood Glamping

• Family-friendly glamping accommodation in a 16-acre woodland
• A 10-minute drive to Canterbury and Herne Bay; Whitstable, 20 minutes
• Private garden areas with sheltered outdoor kitchen and dining areas

Eastfield Wild Camping

• Large, wild and natural woodland campsite close to London

Nethergong Nurseries Camping

Barn Meadow Camping

• Farm camping in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
• Battle and Bodiam Castle 10 minutes’ drive; Camber Sands half an hour
• Dog-friendly wild site with a small petting farm and horse sanctuary

Surrey Lakes Glamping

• Smart glamping site in a Surrey wildlife haven
• A 10-minute drive from Godalming; Guildford 15 minutes
• Spacious canvas accommodation close to woods and lakes

Foster's Meadow Glamping

• Luxury shepherd’s hut near Finchingfield in north Essex countryside
• Half an hour’s drive to Saffron Walden or Audley End House and Gardens
• Kitchenette, woodburner and hot tub; pubs five minutes’ drive

Gate Street Farm

• Amazing rural location only 27miles from central London

Forest Garden Shovelstrode

• A magical woodland eco-retreat nestled on the edge of Ashdown Forest
• A place to escape, unwind, and soak up the forest atmosphere

Oakdene Orchard

• Pop-up site on 15 acres near Wootton Bridge
• A 10-minute walk to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway at Wootton station
• Next to a woodland nature reserve; pubs within 15 minutes' walk

Melon Farm

• Comfortable bell tent in the Romney Marsh village of Ivychurch, Kent
• Half an hour’s drive to Camber Sands and 45 minutes to Leeds Castle
• Camping kitchen, shower pod and firepit; pub 20 minutes’ walk

Swallows Field Glamping Pods

• Adults-only glamping pods in a landscaped paddock with valley views
• A 10-minute drive from Colchester in the village of Fordham Heath
• Units have kitchenettes with ovens, double beds and private gardens

Water Wood

• Back to basics dog-friendly wildlife haven in the Knatts Valley
• A 20-minute drive from Chartwell; just over an hour from London
• Public footpaths nearby; pubs and food shop within walking distance