Riverside camping in Bedgebury Forest

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Just southeast of Tunbridge Wells, in Kent’s southern folds, this forest takes in one of the most important conifer-tree collections in the world. Within bird-rich Bedgebury National Pinetum’s 350 acres—a Grade II listed landscape—glinting lakes sit among 12,000 trees with sweeping valley views, including 400-year-old English oak trees and towering California redwoods. As autumn takes hold, the forest turns a beautiful rusty red. Explore the walking, running, mountain biking, and cycling trails, head out on horseback, or tackle the kid-friendly treetop rope course before retreating to a nearby riverside campsite, a stylish glamping yurt, or a bell tent farmstay.

95% (469)

Top-rated campgrounds

The  Meadow @ Waples Mill

7. The Meadow @ Waples Mill

95%
(40)
12 units · Tents · Dunmow, England
Spacious grass pitches in the green Essex countryside A 15-minute drive to Chelmsford; 40 minutes to Audley End Tractor rides on site; firepits provided for campfires. Rural walks, How about proper farm activities like tractor rides (ask site staff for details)? The place to find all this is The Meadow at Waples Mill, an Essex farm site between Chelmsford and Dunmow (and about 15 minutes’ drive from both). This family-friendly site is handy for walks on the Essex Way and other local footpaths, and tractor and trailer rides around the farm are organised on alternate days to give guests a glimpse into agricultural life. Activities complete for the day, it's time to chill out, and that should be easy here – all pitches have access to toilets and hot showers in a trailer close by, and firepits are provided so you can have a safe campfire (with wood available to buy on site and a great farm shop 10 minutes’ drive away for fireside snacks). Pitches themselves are large (please note only one tent per pitch is allowed), well kept and well spaced within a meadow that backs onto the River Roding. Dogs are welcome, and there are plenty of places to take them for a walk nearby. London folk looking for a quick escape to the countryside, this is a place to bear in mind – it’s only about an hour and quarter by road from the city.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£24
 / night
The Hop Farm

12. The Hop Farm

82%
(37)
50 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Brenchley, England
The Hop Farm is set in 500 acres of unspoilt Kent countryside, known as the Garden of England. Flat grass fields and surrounded by private woodland and also fields abut the River Medway, ideal for paddleboarding and kayaking. Campers have access to newly refurbished facilities, state of the art showers, toilets and washing facilities. Raised BBQ's and raised firepits are permitted - we also rent these out (subject to availability). It's the ideal location for a peaceful escape with endless skies providing memorable sunsets and stars unhindered by artificial light. SITE RULES: Admission is only permitted after registering at reception. At least one of the party members must be aged 21 or over. Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians. Group bookings of 6 or more adults are not permitted (couples and immediate family members excepted). No hen/stag parties permitted. Single-sex bookings of 4 or more people (couples and immediate family members excepted) are not permitted.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£28
 / night

Just southeast of Tunbridge Wells, in Kent’s southern folds, this forest takes in one of the most important conifer-tree collections in the world. Within bird-rich Bedgebury National Pinetum’s 350 acres—a Grade II listed landscape—glinting lakes sit among 12,000 trees with sweeping valley views, including 400-year-old English oak trees and towering California redwoods. As autumn takes hold, the forest turns a beautiful rusty red. Explore the walking, running, mountain biking, and cycling trails, head out on horseback, or tackle the kid-friendly treetop rope course before retreating to a nearby riverside campsite, a stylish glamping yurt, or a bell tent farmstay.

95% (469)

Top-rated campgrounds

The  Meadow @ Waples Mill

7. The Meadow @ Waples Mill

95%
(40)
12 units · Tents · Dunmow, England
Spacious grass pitches in the green Essex countryside A 15-minute drive to Chelmsford; 40 minutes to Audley End Tractor rides on site; firepits provided for campfires. Rural walks, How about proper farm activities like tractor rides (ask site staff for details)? The place to find all this is The Meadow at Waples Mill, an Essex farm site between Chelmsford and Dunmow (and about 15 minutes’ drive from both). This family-friendly site is handy for walks on the Essex Way and other local footpaths, and tractor and trailer rides around the farm are organised on alternate days to give guests a glimpse into agricultural life. Activities complete for the day, it's time to chill out, and that should be easy here – all pitches have access to toilets and hot showers in a trailer close by, and firepits are provided so you can have a safe campfire (with wood available to buy on site and a great farm shop 10 minutes’ drive away for fireside snacks). Pitches themselves are large (please note only one tent per pitch is allowed), well kept and well spaced within a meadow that backs onto the River Roding. Dogs are welcome, and there are plenty of places to take them for a walk nearby. London folk looking for a quick escape to the countryside, this is a place to bear in mind – it’s only about an hour and quarter by road from the city.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£24
 / night
The Hop Farm

12. The Hop Farm

82%
(37)
50 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Brenchley, England
The Hop Farm is set in 500 acres of unspoilt Kent countryside, known as the Garden of England. Flat grass fields and surrounded by private woodland and also fields abut the River Medway, ideal for paddleboarding and kayaking. Campers have access to newly refurbished facilities, state of the art showers, toilets and washing facilities. Raised BBQ's and raised firepits are permitted - we also rent these out (subject to availability). It's the ideal location for a peaceful escape with endless skies providing memorable sunsets and stars unhindered by artificial light. SITE RULES: Admission is only permitted after registering at reception. At least one of the party members must be aged 21 or over. Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians. Group bookings of 6 or more adults are not permitted (couples and immediate family members excepted). No hen/stag parties permitted. Single-sex bookings of 4 or more people (couples and immediate family members excepted) are not permitted.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£28
 / night

Camper favorites in and near Bedgebury Forest

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Riverside camping in Bedgebury Forest guide

Where to go

High Weald AONB

White-chalk cliffs, medieval villages, ancient forests, snaking valleys, and windswept heathlands are just some of the many charms of the High Weald AONB, England’s fourth-biggest. This area extends for almost 580 square miles across Kent, Sussex, and Surrey, offering outstanding hiking, cycling, mountain biking, and horse riding opportunities. Pitch up at a low-key farm, a riverside park, or a beach-view caravan camp—otherwise, hunt down glamping yurts, safari tents, and shepherds’ huts in the hills.

Kent Downs AONB

From fragrant lavender fields to precariously perched escarpments, this swathe of back-to-nature Kent is all about dramatic views, and makes up one of the southeast’s major wildlife conservation spaces. Its 340 square miles of delightfully varied landscapes stretch from Dover’s white sea cliffs all the way to the Surrey border. The 164-mile-long North Downs Way is a highlight among its endlessly rewarding rambling paths.

The Kent Coast

Stretching from just north of lovely Rye (in East Sussex) to bohemian Margate, then west past Whitstable almost to London, Kent’s dazzling coastline is a favourite warm-weather playground—book well ahead! Hikers can tackle part of the long-distance England Coast Path where water sports abound, from sea kayaking around Ramsgate to tidal-pool swimming in Margate. Make a beeline for the wonderfully scenic Kent coastal campsites.

South Downs

While exploring the High Weald, don’t miss its spectacularly scenic neighbour, the 615-square-mile South Downs National Park, whose 1,864 miles of walking trails sweep across green-clad hills to chalk-dusted cliffs overlooking the English Channel. Hike along the South Downs Way, go paragliding, horse riding, or mountain-biking, and spot wildlife such as otters, owls, and skylarks.