Bell tent camping near Bedford

Nestled in the countryside just 90 minutes north of London, this county town and its scenic surrounds offer a glimpse of England’s wilder side. From secluded Thameside spots and green-belt glamping to family-friendly campgrounds on working farms, Hipcampers will find something that suits, while the wider region’s historic castles, country houses, and National Trust trails offer plenty by way of outdoor adventure.

90% (252) • 299 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Bedford

Riverside Camping - Festival Feel

1. Riverside Camping - Festival Feel

92%

(38)

12km from Bedford · 41 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping

A pop-up campsite on the banks of the River Great Ouse, with workshops, music, good food and a festival vibe

Pets

Campfires

Showers

from

£31

/ night

Pitchcott Farm

2. Pitchcott Farm

92%

(31)

41km from Bedford · 11 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping

Nearly wild, back-to-nature camping on a regenerative farm in Buckinghamshire

Pets

Campfires

Showers

from

£35

/ night

Secluded Woodland Camp

3. Secluded Woodland Camp

95%

(10)

43km from Bedford · 27 units · Tents, Glamping

Glamp or pitch up here in our secluded and peaceful mini off-grid site combining both field and forest. We have a shared under cover space and also an outdoor fire-pit to gather more than 20 people comfortably. There is a simple compost loo for your use with hand-washing and dish washing area outside. And the rest is all Mother nature! There is no running water or drinking water. You will need to bring your own. No electricity points or WIFI are in the campsite and no masts nearby so enjoy the EMF cleanse. Whether you chose to stay in the ancient woodland or the herbal pasture, you will feel the benefits of reconnecting with yourself in nature, breathing the clean air and hearing the birds singing. The parking is 800m away and there is minimal tractor use so you can imagine yourself roaming the fields and forest of England in days gone by. Fitness required. It's a long walk from the car park to the campsite. Trolleys provided.

Pets

Campfires

Picnic table

from

£12

/ night

The Orchard at Fen End Farm

4. The Orchard at Fen End Farm

96%

(13)

44km from Bedford · 7 units

No passing traffic; no near neighbours; just sweet rural seclusion when glamping at this organic Fenland apple orchard near Cambridge

Showers

Campfires

Potable water

from

£80

/ night

Get Lost In Nature glamping

5. Get Lost In Nature glamping

100%

(15)

46km from Bedford · 5 units · Tents, Glamping

Family-friendly farm glamping, with luxury bell tents in a glorious natural woodland setting

Campfires

Showers

Potable water

from

£120

/ night

Rural Relaxing

6. Rural Relaxing

93%

(14)

51km from Bedford · 22 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping

Family-friendly camping and glamping on the edge of Medbourne – a charming Leicestershire village with a pub, tea rooms and post office

Pets

Electrical hookup

Campfires

from

£25

/ night

Walltree House Camping

7. Walltree House Camping

98%

(29)

53km from Bedford · 34 units · Tents, Glamping

Simple camping in the grounds of a farmhouse, with thrill-seeking activities in arm's reach

Pets

Campfires

Showers

from

£15

/ night

Cuckoo Farm Campsite

8. Cuckoo Farm Campsite

99%

(202)

53km from Bedford · 13 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping

Family camping with campfires on an organic farm, set alongside the beautiful River Chater

Pets

Electrical hookup

Campfires

from

£20

/ night

Purple Badger Camping&Fishing Lakes

9. Purple Badger Camping&Fishing Lakes

97%

(66)

70km from Bedford · 12 units · Tents, Glamping

Glamping and campfire-friendly camping by a pair of fishing lakes in the Leicestershire countryside

Campfires

Showers

Potable water

from

£35

/ night

Willow Grove Farm Glamping

10. Willow Grove Farm Glamping

100%

(12)

74km from Bedford · 13 units

Furnished bell tents with private shower rooms, great for gatherings and get togethers.

Pets

Showers

Campfires

from

£150

/ night

Twitey's Camping & Glamping meadows

11. Twitey's Camping & Glamping meadows

100%

(94)

80km from Bedford · 43 units · Tents, Glamping

A family-friendly site with secluded, individual pitches hidden among the long grass and campfires permitted

Campfires

Showers

Potable water

from

£16

/ night

Rolling Fields Glamping

12. Rolling Fields Glamping

100%

(35)

82km from Bedford · 6 units

Luxury farm glamping with epic views, a 10-minute walk from the Thames

Showers

Campfires

Potable water

from

£100

/ night

The Barn KT9

13. The Barn KT9

97%

(271)

90km from Bedford · 22 units · Tents, Glamping

A unique rural campsite in Surrey, a stone's throw from London's Zone 6

Pets

Campfires

Showers

from

£12

/ night

Bell Tent Village Parks

14. Bell Tent Village Parks

100%

(11)

99km from Bedford · 12 units

Glamping on an established campsite next door to the National Watersports Centre in Nottingham

Pets

Showers

Campfires

from

£128

/ night

Big Sky Hideaway Camping Farm

15. Big Sky Hideaway Camping Farm

100%

(30)

99km from Bedford · 20 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping

Camping and glamping in the Lincolnshire Fenland with campfires, alpacas and a positive vibe

Campfires

Showers

Potable water

from

£13

/ night

Bredon-Vale Caravan and Camping

16. Bredon-Vale Caravan and Camping

99%

(50)

102km from Bedford · 3 units

Laid-back glamping near Evesham, overlooking Bredon Hill and the Malverns.

Pets

Showers

Campfires

from

£65

/ night

Brakehill Lodge Farm Camping

17. Brakehill Lodge Farm Camping

100%

(45)

104km from Bedford · 5 units

Small, secluded, homespun farm campsite in rural Norfolk, a short drive from Thetford Forest Park

Showers

Potable water

Cooking equipment

from

£95

/ night

Constable Park

18. Constable Park

100%

(20)

105km from Bedford · 17 units · Tents, Glamping

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

Campfires

Showers

Potable water

from

£50

/ night

Glamping at Bressingham Gardens

19. Glamping at Bressingham Gardens

100%

(13)

106km from Bedford · 2 units

Peaceful glamping in an undisturbed meadow in beautiful Bressingham Gardens

Campfires

Potable water

Cooking equipment

from

£105

/ night

The T Barn

20. The T Barn

99%

(90)

99%

(90)

108km from Bedford · 17 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping

Bell tents and shepherd’s huts with hot tubs on a picturesque Cotswolds farm near Cirencester

Pets

Campfires

Showers

from

£29

/ night

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

Alexa

October 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Get Lost In Nature glamping

My three year old and I had an amazing time, such great facilities, incredibly comfortable, and absolutely dreamy setting. We are planning our return :) thank you so much Sara and Julian!

Nicolas

October 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to The Orchard at Fen End Farm

We can only recommend this sweet little camp site in the middle of the orchard. We stayed in a bell tent for the weekend with our 7 year old son. The tent is cosy with a lovely wood burner. There is a communal hut kitchen with all ustensiles and board games! We enjoyed all the fire-pit and the honesty box to buy wood logs etc.

Christine

September 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to The Barn KT9

My recent glamping trip in a bell tent was absolutely great, perfectly blending tranquil nature with a comfortable double bed; soft blankets and pillows and the spacious and thoughtfully decorated bell tent ready and waiting for us. We were able to immediately relax and enjoy our surroundings. It was the perfect escape for anyone who has had a long week at work and loves camping with a touch of luxury. The sun was shinning and it was wonderful to lie hammock! I'm already looking forward to my next visit!

The well-equipped Wild Flower Orchard Bell Tent.

Rosemary

August 2025

With kids

4 nights at Brakehill Lodge Farm Camping

My grandchildren and I have stayed at Brakehill Lodge Farm twice. It has proved to be our happy place. Peaceful, and just remote enough to escape the madding crowd. Clare is a considerate host. She loves her home and all the nature it encompasses. Try it...you will love ir too.😀

Richard

August 2025

With kids

2 nights at Constable Park

Fantastic glamping site by the river plus kayak / paddle board hire, great facilities, friendly staff & a lovely coffee shop

Philippa

August 2025

With kids

1 night at The Barn KT9

Beautiful spot! I love that each plot has it's own BBQ and fire pit, this really made a difference to our stay. The games are a great touch and being able to walk to the cafe for a coffee and sausage roll in the morning was the icing on the cake. Honesty box for wood and coal, drinking water, clean (flushing!) toilets and showers, everything you could need. Can't wait to come back.

Kamlesh

August 2025

Weekend Trip to The Barn KT9

Second time here. Fantastic place. Must try. Ever so helpful. Great access to Ashford Common.

Tammy

August 2025

1 night at Bredon-Vale Caravan and Camping

Really lovely set up. Very peaceful and lovely views. Had everything you needed on site. Thanks

Victoria

July 2025

1 night at The Barn KT9

We absolutely loved our stay at the Barn KT9. It really is a little slice of camping heaven. The bell tent was beautiful and very comfortable for our family. The shower and bathroom facilities were clean and the on site cafe is a lovely bonus with great coffee!

andrew

July 2025

1 night at Bredon-Vale Caravan and Camping

Very clean facilities, hot water, laundry facilities excellent value and Jacqui and Jim are great hosts. Stayed in the yurt would recommend

Kristin

June 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Rolling Fields Glamping

We had a great time Glamping here! The tent was perfectly set up and had the food we ordered in the fridge upon arrival. The bathroom and shower was very clean. It was great to have towels, blankets, pots and pans, plates etc included, so we didn’t have to pack so much. It was very hot when we stayed, so we walked about 15 minutes to the pub and stayed for several hours on the river. It’s a very nice pub and we had a great time here watching the boats and ducks go by. If we were to stay again, we’d probably try to rent a boat. We didn’t go swimming but we heard there is a place nearby with easy access for kids to get in the water as well. Our kids also loved playing on the climbing frame and trampoline at the campsite. Fiona was very helpful and responsive to messages. I called her to ask if we were walking the right way to the pub and she answered immediately. Overall, this site is very well organized and lots of attention to detail has been paid. It’s a great setup, especially with kids, there are lots of conveniences like the gas grills and kettle. If you’re looking for somewhere a bit more off the beaten track though, you may look further afield.

Sophie

June 2025

Weekend Trip to Bredon-Vale Caravan and Camping

An idyllic spot - long meadow grass with mown areas for the campers. Very clean, quiet and spacious. Delicious croissants in the morning. Helpful owner. A few rules but that probably made it a better experience for everyone. The bell tent was excellent!

Lucie

June 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Get Lost In Nature glamping

Lovely, clean, modern facilities. Very well thought out and great for kids. We loved the hammock and the rope swing.

Nicola

June 2025

Weekend Trip to The Barn KT9

Lovely camping spot! Really cosy and inviting, perfect place to escape from the city just a stone's throw from London, great cafe and onsite facilities (barbecue, coal if needed, toilets, hammocks) - just enough to feel comfortable yet still embracing nature and the great outdoors! We loved it.

Ruth

June 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to The Barn KT9

We had a lovely stay at the barn. The site had everything we needed! The coffee shop opening early was a huge perk not to mention the amazing gym too! Would highly recommend, thank you so much!

Claire

June 2025

Weekend Trip to The Barn KT9

Great site. So much empty space and calm :) We will definitely be returning with friends..

Claire

June 2025

Weekend Trip to The Barn KT9

Amazing trip😃 Hammocks were awesome even in the rain and the games were a great addition Bell tent with fire pit was so much fun for a girls night away and the bed was so comfortable Will be back again 👍

India

May 2025

2 nights at The Orchard at Fen End Farm

Me and my partner loved spending a couple of nights at Fen End Farm. Our bell tent was lovely, toilets and showers were clean, kitchen space was well equipped and the farm and orchard were beautiful. Vicky and Amy were kind and helpful and the camp had a very peaceful atmosphere. Efficient self service logs and kindling and easy to buy local produce such as lollies made from apple juice from the orchard. Try the Fen End cider it’s delicious!!

James

May 2025

With kids

2 nights at Bredon-Vale Caravan and Camping

We had a lovely stay at the one and only Bell Tent there (glamping-wise, they also offer 2 wooden pods and a vintage caravan), it was set-up as described and included a small fridge and kettle and cups (which all came in useful). Although we didn't take it up, there's fresh croissants in the morning, which you will need to order the night before. The facilities were modern and clean, couldn't ask for any more. And the shop supplies the essentials. A+ It was dead quiet whilst we were there, just how i'd liked it, I would say it was only a third full so noise wasn't a problem. There are suggested local walks pinned up in one of the out-houses which are worth doing, esp down to and along the River Avon. If the kids are bored, the nearby Valley complex is worth visiting, where there is a (rather short!) mini-train ride for the smaller ones, and a crazy-golf and high-ropes for the older ones. Would definately recommend this place!

claire

May 2025

With kids

2 nights at Rolling Fields Glamping

We had a lovely few nights at Rolling Fields Glamping. The tents had everything you could think of, the kids (3 & 6) loved toasting the marshmallows on the fire and we couldn’t get them off the trampoline! It was nice having our own shower room, the shower was hot and powerful! We enjoyed the walk to Beetle and Wedge one evening and had a lovely meal by the river.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Bell tent camping near Bedford guide

Where to go

Bedfordshire

From reclaimed woodland around the Forest of Marston Vale to rich wetland along the River Great Ouse, there’s plenty to discover around Bedford. The region’s sprawling countryside offers plenty of camping options, including private working farms and riverside sites. Canoeing, horse riding, and cycling are all popular pastimes here, while ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is an ideal day trip attraction for Hipcampers with kids.

Hertfordshire

Nestled between London and Bedfordshire, this home county is a convenient launch point for exploration of south and east England. The enormous Lee Valley Park extends from the Hertfordshire town of Ware all the way to the East India Docks in the capital, and is a popular spot for hiking, cycling, angling, and riverside camping. Beyond, miles of agricultural and green belt land provide plenty of (almost) wild camping opportunities.

Buckinghamshire

This rural county just south of Bedford is home to National Trust properties, sprawling parks, and scenic valleys, making it a top destination for hikers and bikers, as well as history lovers. Outdoor attractions include Boarstall Duck Decoy, Black Park, and Langley Park, while tent and caravan pitches can be found throughout the region’s farmland and along the Bucks stretch of the Thames.

Chiltern Hills AONB

An hour southwest of Bedford, this Area of Natural Beauty boasts bridleways, cycleways, and national trails that take adventurers deep into quintessential English countryside, and the successful reintroduction of red kites has made this a popular place for birdwatching. Glampers, caravanners, and wild campers are catered for across the region’s private farms and campgrounds.

The Cotswolds AONB

One of England’s most famous landscapes, the Cotswolds encompasses rolling hills, river valleys, and scenic villages that makes the region a rambler’s paradise. From Bedford, the protected region can be reached in just under two hours by car. Glamping is an increasingly popular option for overnight adventurers, though holiday parks and back-to-basics campgrounds are also common.

When to go

England’s great outdoors can be explored at any time of year, with many campgrounds remaining open year-round, though winter wanderers should be prepared for the cold weather. July to August are the busiest times of year, so it’s best to book accommodation well in advance—Areas of Natural Beauty get particularly booked up.

Know before you go

Public transport is fairly reliable around Bedford, though it can be useful to have a private vehicle to reach more secluded spots.
Gear can sometimes be rented on site. Otherwise, there are plenty of supply shops in central Bedford.