Glamping in Essex with campfires

Beyond the reality TV buzz, Essex has beach breaks, forest walks, and vineyards.

93% (255 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Essex

Dog-friendly getaways

6 top glamping sites in Essex with campfires

91%

(97)

Chigborough Farm

48 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents130 acres · Essex, East Anglia

Boating, biking and bell tent glamping on a farm near the Blackwater Estuary, where good food and walkable pubs are also on the menu.

Rushbanks Farm Caravan and Camping

7 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents4 acres · Suffolk, East Anglia

Riverside camping and bell tents in Constable's countryside, right in the heart of Suffolk's Dedham Vale

100%

(18)

Constable Park

17 units · Glamping, Tents4 acres · Suffolk, East Anglia

A holiday and leisure park ideal for kayaking and paddleboarding, with premium glamping options

100%

(3)

Serenity Lakes

3 units · Glamping10 acres · Duxford, England

Cosy shepherd's huts with hot tubs, set alongside a tranquil fishing lake.

Oaksbrook Retreat

2 units · Glamping1 acre · Messing, England

Adults-only glamping on an equine smallholding in Essex.

Booked 2 times

Bell Tent with Fire Pit, Games Room

2 units · Glamping6 acres · Halstead, England

Set in 6 acres our retreat comprises of luxury accommodation for friends, families and couples. This idyllic location on the Essex/Suffolk Border has so much to offer you and Toppesfield Hall is the perfect place from which to explore it! Stroll into the village where you will find a Park, Local Pub, Village Shop and Brewery. If you are feeling energetic; hire bikes to explore the local area or enjoy the on site Tennis/Games Court and Games Room. To venture further, we would recommend a car.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Glamping in Essex with campfires guide

Overview

Essex might be best known for its fake-tanned beach-goers and larger-than-life reality TV show, but the real stars of this home county are all-natural. Explore the vast woodlands of Epping Forest, spot wildlife along the coastal marshes, or picnic in the gardens of a stately home or castle. With 350 miles of golden sandy beaches, Essex is a popular destination for seaside camping, and resorts fill up quickly in the summer. Spring and autumn offer a more relaxed experience, and the region’s parks and gardens are magnificent under their blanket of spring wildflowers and fall foliage.

Where to go

Essex coast

Beach resorts come with all the trimmings along the ‘Essex Sunshine Coast’. Hit the beach at Frinton-on-Sea or Clacton-on-Sea to swim or enjoy water sports, then stick around until sundown to enjoy the seafront amusements and nightlife. Once you’ve had your beach fix, set sail on a bird-watching cruise around Wallasea and Foulness Islands, or enjoy wine tasting at a Rochford winery.

Along the Thames Estuary

The River Thames flows out from London into Essex, where riverside parklands and marshes lead the way to the sea. Southend-on-Sea is the flagship beach resort, while neighboring Leigh-on-Sea offers a more traditional experience, with its cobbled lanes and family-run seafood restaurants. Further inland, enjoy bird-watching in the Rainham Marshes, visit the ruins of Hadleigh Castle, or tackle the mountain bike trails of Hadleigh Park.

Chelmsford and Epping

Chelmsford is Essex’ capital, brimming with shops and entertainment, and just a 35-minute train ride from London. Outside the city, the heritage town of Waltham Abbey is the gateway to Epping Forest, which has miles of walking, cycling, and horseback riding trails. Nearby Lee Valley also has options for campers, from woodland glampsites to spacious holiday parks.

North Essex

Escape the crowds to north Essex, where the rural landscapes are worth savoring. Enjoy a leisurely walk or bike ride around the water meadows in the Dedham Vale AONB, ride the steam railway through Braintree, or drive between the picturesque market towns of Saffron Walden, Uttlesford, and Dunmow.