When can I check in and check out of Harbour Lodge?

Camping and touring Arrive: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Depart by: noon Read more

Harbour Lodge

9.4 13 reviews

Adults-only waterside site on the edge of a peaceful Essex village
A mile and a half from the coast; 25 minutes' drive from Colchester
Direct access to a lake; 10 minutes' walk from pubs and takeaways

Harbour Lodge is a quiet adults-only site located close to the gorgeous Essex coast. The pitches here are flat and grassy and look out onto a lake where you'll see various craft gently drifting by – a watersports centre is less than five minutes' stroll away if you fancy getting out for some paddling of your own. St Osyth village centre is a 10-minute walk away: here there's a historic Grade I-listed priory, a bus stop, pub and a couple of takeaways. Other popular Essex spots like Clacton-on-Sea (10 minutes' drive) and Colchester (25 minutes) are within easy reach. This site has no on-site toilet or shower facilities, so you'll need to bring your own but there's a handy wifi connection to make it easy to plan all your outings. Barbecues are allowed at Harbour Lodge, so head down to the water's edge and get grilling. Need to stock up beforehand? Head into St Osyth to make use of the nifty village store and local butcher's. The nearest beach is pebbly but still a mighty fine spot to take in those Essex sea views. Nearby Jaywick beach (10 minutes' drive) is sandier; there's also an arcade.

Site type

Languages spoken

English

British Sign Language (BSL)

Nearby sites that are bookable on Pitchup.com

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Features

No dogs allowed

Pop-up campground

Adults only

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

Adults only Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed No dogs allowed

Themes

Lake and/or mountain Walkers' paradise Wild camping Wildlife haven

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

Pop-up campground Tiny (1-10 pitches)

Accessibility

Disabled facilities

Nearby leisure

Canoeing/kayaking nearby Cycling nearby Fishing nearby Golf nearby Horse riding nearby Mountain biking nearby Restaurant nearby Sailing nearby Surf school nearby Watersports nearby

Location

Harbour Lodge

5 Point Clear Road

St Osyth

Essex

England

CO16 8EP

Directions

Timezone

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

GPS

51.79607°N
1.06557°W

Nearest transport

Coach

0.9 km Colchester Road

1 km Colchester Road

2.1 km Oaklands

Rail

6.1 km Clacton-on-Sea Rail Station

6.2 km Great Bentley Rail Station

7.2 km Weeley Rail Station

Ferry

3.1 km Brightlingsea Ferry Landing

3.1 km Point Clear Ferry Landing

21.3 km Harwich International Ferry Terminal

Airport

35.6 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

Local attractions and activities include: - Clacton seafront: 10 minutes' drive - Brightlingsea Lido: 15 minutes - Colchester Castle: 25 minutes - Hamford Water National Nature Reserve: 30 minutes - Harwich Redoubt Fort: 30 minutes - Flatford Mill (National Trust property): 30 minutes - Hylands House: 50 minutes - Osea Island: an hour.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name	Distance	Type	2020	2019	2018	2017
Brightlingsea	3.9 km	Estuary	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Jaywick	4.2 km	Sea	N/A	Good	Good	Good
Clacton Beach Martello Tower	5.4 km	Sea	N/A	Good	Good	Good
Clacton	7.3 km	Sea	N/A	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
West Mersea	9.7 km	Sea	N/A	Good	N/A	N/A

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

firstsite 15.2 km

Colchester Castle Museum 15.4 km

Colchester Zoo 17.5 km

East Anglian Railway Museum 25.6 km

Christchurch Mansion 30 km

National Trust

Bourne Mill 13.9 km

Flatford: Bridge Cottage 18.3 km

Thorington Hall 22.5 km

Coggeshall Grange Barn 27.3 km

Paycocke's 27.8 km

Cycle routes

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

Other

St Osyth - Beach - Lee-over-Sands - Creek - St Osyth 0.9 km

ST OSYTH'S PRIORY 1.1 km

Brightlingsea 3.3 km

Hollybush Hill - Brightlingsea - River Colne - Hollybush 3.4 km

Cudmore Country Park - East and West Mersea - Cudmore 4.7 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.

Reviews

would recommend this site to a friend

would stay here again

69%
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1

Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

View from the toilet block back towards camp site

Friendly owner & clean site.

Overall	10/10
Location	8
Value for money	6
Accommodation	8
Facilities / Activities	No rating
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	No rating
Cleanliness	10
Wifi	No rating

Anonymous Aug 2023

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked: Site owner was extremely friendly & helpful and on hand to assist.
Lovely spot with great views and short drive to the coast.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Overall a very nice chap, very relaxed, very quiet.

Overall	8/10
Location	10
Value for money	8
Accommodation	6
Facilities / Activities	6
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	4
Cleanliness	8
Wifi	10

Anthony T. Aug 2023

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Very quiet location, right next to the lake.

Disliked: Finding the place is difficult and you have to bump over a curb to get in.
As you’re next to the road, there’s a bit of road noise, but it’s not around for too long.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Great location, Flat grass overlooking the lake. Watching the wake boarding whilst cooking…

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	6
Accommodation	10
Facilities / Activities	4
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	No rating
Cleanliness	10
Wifi	No rating

Chris B. Jul 2023

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked: Great location,
Flat grass overlooking the lake.
Watching the wake boarding whilst cooking breakfast.

Disliked: Not a dislike as such, but if you own a low vehicle (like me) be warned there is a curb to drive up to get in.
Take some wood to make life easier!

No amenities, but during day hours you can use the sporting lakes toilets.

The lake is surprisingly shallow 🤣 it was knee deep at best, but they still require you to wear a life jacket. The non affiliated sporting lake charge £6 a day to launch your own craft.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Ideal for couple looking for basic camping experience

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	8
Accommodation	8
Facilities / Activities	6
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	6
Cleanliness	8
Wifi	10

Nigel B. Jun 2023

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked: Quite non commercial site, althoughmo facilities there was toilets in walking distance. Great out look over lake.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely little private spot, very relaxed hosts very friendly!

Overall	8/10
Location	10
Value for money	8
Accommodation	8
Facilities / Activities	10
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	4
Cleanliness	8
Wifi	No rating

Anonymous Sept 2022

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: The view and the privacy, hosts friendly

Disliked: Little bit of litter where we pitched our tent (old tissue etc)

Recommend to friends Visit again

Beautiful, quiet location There are no facilities, come prepared with water and…

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	10
Accommodation	10
Facilities / Activities	10
Customer service	No rating
Child friendliness	No rating
Cleanliness	No rating
Wifi	No rating

paula w. Aug 2022

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked: Beautiful, quiet location
There are no facilities, come prepared with water and camping loo. It’s opposite a water inflatable park so noisy during the day but we rather liked watching . They have a toilet and cafe so that was actually handy and nice coffee / cake .

Disliked: Hard to find - no sign on the road

Recommend to friends Visit again

Amazing little pitch up. Right next to the water and a short…

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	10
Accommodation	10
Facilities / Activities	10
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	10
Cleanliness	10
Wifi	10

Charlie B. Aug 2022

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Amazing little pitch up. Right next to the water and a short walk from the shops. Spent only one night there but was a great night with friends. Would 100% go back.
Tony was very helpful. Was running abit late but he rang and let me know where I was pitching up and clear directions.

10/10

Recommend to friends Visit again

A lovely site with good views of the lake. Facilities could be better.

Overall	8/10
Location	10
Value for money	6
Accommodation	8
Facilities / Activities	4
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	No rating
Cleanliness	10
Wifi	No rating

Anonymous Aug 2022

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: A fantastic view of the lake with friendly and welcoming hosts.

Disliked: The neighbours were playing loud music in the garden in the morning that started around 8am which wasn't how we wanted to wake up. Also the public toilets were locked over night.

Recommend to friends Visit again

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay!!

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	10
Accommodation	8
Facilities / Activities	8
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	8
Cleanliness	10
Wifi	No rating

Anonymous Aug 2022

Non-electric grass tent pitch

Liked: Camping spot right on the lake side. Calm and chilled atmosphere. very spacious and could part our car right by our tent. Felt very welcome

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent site with lovely view

Overall	10/10
Location	10
Value for money	8
Accommodation	10
Facilities / Activities	10
Customer service	10
Child friendliness	10
Cleanliness	10
Wifi	No rating

Adam S. Aug 2022

Non-electric grass motorhome pitch

Liked: Location and friendly owner

Recommend to friends Visit again

Frequently asked questions

Does Harbour Lodge have a swimming pool? No View all features
Is Harbour Lodge dog friendly? No View all features
What attractions are near Harbour Lodge? Local attractions and activities include: - Clacton seafront: 10 minutes' drive - Brightlingsea Lido: 15 minutes - Colchester Castle: 25 minutes - Hamford Water National Nature Reserve: 30 minutes - Harwich Redoubt … Read more
When can I check in and check out of Harbour Lodge?

Camping and touring

Arrive: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Depart by: noon

Read more