Bell tents in Essex, East Anglia

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.

100% (7)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Constable Park

100%

(20)

17 units · Tents, Glamping · Suffolk, East Anglia

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

2. Readers Field Glamping

100%

(2)

4 units · Glamping · England

This is unlike a traditional campsite. With just four well-spaced bell tents spread across our field, you'll enjoy a real sense of space, peace, and privacy. Each tent is thoughtfully furnished with a double bed, soft bedding, towels, and two extra airbeds, giving you comfort and space to unwind. You'll also have your own gas cooker and fire-pit/BBQ, so you can cook and relax outdoors at your own pace. Looking for a beautiful countryside escape with friends or family? Readers Field is available for exclusive hire, giving you full private access to all four bell tents and the entire site. It’s ideal for small gatherings, family getaways, or simply switching off in nature—with no one else around. Just one hour from London, 30 minutes from Cambridge and only 25 minutes from Stansted Airport, Readers Field Glamping offers a relaxed, off-grid break in the heart of the north Essex countryside. Set in a spacious six-acre field in the village of Great Sampford, our small, independent site is all about slowing down and enjoying the simple pleasures of outdoor living. To make your stay as effortless as possible, we provide a cool box with two ice packs, a gas cooker, a water carrier with a tap, cutlery, picnic-style crockery, chopping boards, knives, bottle opener, pots/pans, kettle, tea, coffee, sugar, and even marshmallows to roast under the starlit sky. The fire pit doubles as a BBQ. You'll have access to our cosy cabin, which includes a hot shower, flushable toilet, small fridge/freezer and a place to charge your phone. The cabin also has a selection of board games for you to enjoy during those relaxed evenings. With long views, big skies, and a slower pace of life, it's the perfect chance to unplug and reconnect with nature. A short stroll across the field leads to a friendly local pub serving delicious food. The area is perfect for cycling, with quiet country roads and beautiful countryside ideal for exploring on foot. Our family has lived here for 40 years and created Readers Field Glamping as a place to share what we love most: campfires, starry nights, fresh air, and a slower way of living. Whether you're here for a short break or an exclusive group stay, we’d love to welcome you.

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.

100% (7)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Constable Park

100%

(20)

17 units · Tents, Glamping · Suffolk, East Anglia

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

2. Readers Field Glamping

100%

(2)

4 units · Glamping · England

This is unlike a traditional campsite. With just four well-spaced bell tents spread across our field, you'll enjoy a real sense of space, peace, and privacy. Each tent is thoughtfully furnished with a double bed, soft bedding, towels, and two extra airbeds, giving you comfort and space to unwind. You'll also have your own gas cooker and fire-pit/BBQ, so you can cook and relax outdoors at your own pace. Looking for a beautiful countryside escape with friends or family? Readers Field is available for exclusive hire, giving you full private access to all four bell tents and the entire site. It’s ideal for small gatherings, family getaways, or simply switching off in nature—with no one else around. Just one hour from London, 30 minutes from Cambridge and only 25 minutes from Stansted Airport, Readers Field Glamping offers a relaxed, off-grid break in the heart of the north Essex countryside. Set in a spacious six-acre field in the village of Great Sampford, our small, independent site is all about slowing down and enjoying the simple pleasures of outdoor living. To make your stay as effortless as possible, we provide a cool box with two ice packs, a gas cooker, a water carrier with a tap, cutlery, picnic-style crockery, chopping boards, knives, bottle opener, pots/pans, kettle, tea, coffee, sugar, and even marshmallows to roast under the starlit sky. The fire pit doubles as a BBQ. You'll have access to our cosy cabin, which includes a hot shower, flushable toilet, small fridge/freezer and a place to charge your phone. The cabin also has a selection of board games for you to enjoy during those relaxed evenings. With long views, big skies, and a slower pace of life, it's the perfect chance to unplug and reconnect with nature. A short stroll across the field leads to a friendly local pub serving delicious food. The area is perfect for cycling, with quiet country roads and beautiful countryside ideal for exploring on foot. Our family has lived here for 40 years and created Readers Field Glamping as a place to share what we love most: campfires, starry nights, fresh air, and a slower way of living. Whether you're here for a short break or an exclusive group stay, we’d love to welcome you.

Stories from the community

R

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

t

tyler

July 2025

With kids

1 night at Readers Field Glamping

What a lovely place with lovely hosts! Hosts/owners were so welcoming and accommodating, couldn’t help more if they tried. Beautiful site, bathroom and tents were both immaculate. Shower was hot and powerful, there is a flush toilet and an eco toilet (the eco toilet we were pleasantly surprised by, try it out!) We came as 9 so hired two tents, both tents were beautiful, so clean inside and out, weather proof (it rained in the morning!) and the fairy lights around them looked lovely at night. The beds were very comfortable and we fell asleep in no time. We spent our evening having a bbq, playing games and letting the children run wild! (Until 10pm!) firepit was great and toasted marshmallows and enjoyed a hot chocolate. So many lovely little touches to this place and they really have gone out their way to think and provide you with everything you may need/want. For some of the group this was the first experience of glamping and it was throughly enjoyed by all. Highly recommend this site, we will be returning! Thank you very much Stephen and Lisa! :)

t

tyler

July 2025

With kids

1 night at Readers Field Glamping

We hired two bell tents for our family of 9 and throughly enjoyed our night here. Immaculately clean, in the tents, bathrooms and site. They have thought of every extra little detail and provide you with everything and more you could need! Shower was hot (and powerful) they provide a flush toilet and also an eco toilet (after thinking it would be just a hole in the ground we were pleasantly surprised it looked like an actual toilet!!) we spent our evening having a BBQ, playing games, letting the children run wild and toasting marshmallows on the fire pit. The hosts were so lovely and couldn’t be more helpful if they tried. Highly recommended this site, this was some of the groups first time glamping and was very much enjoyed by all, we will definitely be returning. Thanks very much Stephen and Lisa :)

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Bell tents in Essex guide

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.