London camping and glamping: city breaks with a twist
Camping near London? In a busy capital city famed for its historic sights, huge stack of attractions and buzzing nightlife? Sure, why not? It’s not all about the shiny skyscrapers and the West End, you know – a whopping 40% of the city is dedicated to parks and open space, and that means plenty of scope for camping around London.
Now, it’s also worth noting that London is BIG (Europe’s third biggest city, fact fans…), and therefore you’re not likely to end up pitching up right there in Trafalgar Square. No, you’ll be looking at the outer reaches – but that brings with it added bonuses that you won’t get with a stay right there in the centre.
Firstly, setting up at one of the campsites or caravan parks near London gives you the chance to mix up a bit of city time and some chilling out in the fresh air (almost like getting two breaks for the price of one, you might say…). Such a break is also a top choice for urban types seeking a bit of peace: a journey of a mere hour or so by car or train is all it takes to surround yourself with gorgeous green views.
On top of that, going for a campsite or holiday park near London means you’ll get the chance to seek out hidden corners away from the big city sights and live life at a slightly slower pace. And of course London’s not all about the centre anyway… if you’re off to the footie you might want to be checking out campsites near Wembley, and if you’ve got tennis tickets maybe campsites near Wimbledon.
And possibly the clincher? Yep, it’s a whole load cheaper than trying to find somewhere to stay in London on a budget (really… you could shell out a few extra coins on some swish glamping near London and it’d still cost less than a cramped budget hotel room up in the centre).
All set to book a stay near the big smoke? Read on for our guide to finding the best campsites near London…
How to pick your campsite near London (and other options too…)
Maybe you’ll be bringing a tent, maybe looking for caravan holidays near London, or maybe treating yourselves to a fuss-free stay at a glampsite with much of the kit provided – handily there are heaps of options when it comes to camping around London.
Tent-owners can start homing in on their optimal spot by using the tick boxes to pick the features they fancy: maybe you’ll want to pick somewhere with a play area so the kids can hare about safely, or aim for the peace that comes with an adults-only site. Rules and regs differ from place to place, so make sure you’ve checked the right boxes if you’re bringing a dog along, travelling with a group of pals or keen to build a campfire.
Similar things apply if you’re looking out for motorhome pitches or caravan sites near London: those filters will help you find the spot that’s just right for you, with options for all sorts of handy amenities including electric hookups, wifi and laundry facilities.
Not in possession of your own tent or rolling home? We’ve got heaps of options for you too, from static caravans and cabins with space for all the family to shepherd’s huts and camping pods for cosying up with your significant other. And if you’re keen to sleep under canvas? Sort yourself with a swish stay in a safari tent, wigwam or bell tent, with all manner of kit provided (you may decide never to stay in a budget hotel again…)
Camping near London: getting in, out and all about
One of the very fab things about London is of course its very fab public transport network, which spiders its way out to all corners of the capital and beyond for easy travels at all hours of the day. Campsites near London tube stations, on high-frequency bus routes or near train stations are a fine idea if you’re aiming to visit the centre a lot; take a look on Google Maps or similar to spot big green spaces if you’re thinking of taking bikes out to get around.
Train stations are key for folk who fancy camping outside London and just popping in for the odd day, or for those city folk heading out to the country for a few days of fresh air (just check on future engineering works for your chosen station – especially if you’re visiting at the weekend – to avoid the dreaded rail replacement bus).
Finding that mix of urban wanders and peaceful rural times is a cinch too: there’s plenty of green space within the M25, and it really doesn’t take long to get out to some fab areas for walks, bike rides, farm stays and other country pursuits. Take a look at the Surrey Hills, Kent Downs, Chiltern Hills or High Weald areas if you’re after a bit of both, or if you’re in London and looking for a quick getaway.
All the best attractions while camping around London
Well, where to start? (People have written books about this, you know…) If you’ve got limited time, maybe start up a tick list of the top sights (St Paul’s Cathedral, the Shard, Trafalgar Square), pick one place to explore thoroughly (perhaps London Zoo or the Natural History Museum), or see how many essential London experiences you can fit in (taking a river boat, catching a West End show, walking across Tower Bridge…)
Check out local neighbourhoods too for cool cafés, parks to wander in and attractions away from the centre – there’s loads to explore in the outer reaches of London, from Hampton Court to Epping Forest to the Warner Bros Studio Tour (yep, the place where you can wander through the Harry Potter film set)
Beyond that? Oh, so much to consider… A day of screaming along the rides at Thorpe Park? Picking up English wine at a Kent vineyard? Paddling in the sea at Brighton or Whitstable? Checking out the Queen’s pad at Windsor Castle? And there’s always the train to Paris too… (note to self: best make London camping break as long as poss).
In London and looking for a quick way out to a rural break? Browse easy escapes to Kent, Surrey, Essex or Hertfordshire.
