Woodland camping near Colchester

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Looking to camp near Colchester, England and immerse yourself in a forest setting? Look no further than Hipcamp. With over 1050 options available near Colchester, England, you'll find the perfect campsite to suit your forest-loving desires. Whether you're a seasoned camper or new to the outdoors, Hipcamp has got you covered. Check out top campsites like Cuckoo Farm Campsite (45 reviews), Whitlingham Broad Campsite (37 reviews), and The Barn KT9 (31 reviews). With facilities like cooking equipment, rubbish disposal, and the ability to have campfires, you'll have everything you need for a memorable camping experience. Plus, with popular activities like surfing, climbing, and paddling nearby, you'll have plenty to keep you entertained. And with an average price per night of £25 and options as low as £9, camping has never been more affordable. So gear up and get ready for an unforgettable forest adventure!

86% (383)

Top-rated campgrounds

Holistic Woods Wild Campsite

1. Holistic Woods Wild Campsite

94%
(177)
39km from Colchester · 47 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Woodbridge, England
We are a WILD campsite with character and history. Our most popular pitch is our beautiful SSSI woodland. There are only 25 pitches available. We have a mid wild pitch on the outskirts of the woods, lovely grassed area between trees. Our top field is perfect for motorhomes & caravans. Plenty of space to breath and relax. Located on the stunning heathlands of the Sutton Heath. We are surrounded by beautiful woodland walks, including the Sandlings walk and just 10 minutes from the river Deben. We have a bus stop at the top of the track and Melton train station is a 20 minute walk or 5 minute drive. There are access points onto public footpaths, leading to Rendlesham Forest. A famous site for UFOs! Sutton Hoo is a stone's throw away. Bring your bikes and explore the area on wheels. There is water access and portaloos. We do not have showers yet. Blue/grey waste must be taken away. LEAVE NO TRACE
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£16
 / night
Rosehip Woods Campsite

4. Rosehip Woods Campsite

82km from Colchester · 6 units · Tents, Motorhomes · England
Rosehip Wood Campsite is a nature rich, off-grid wild campsite set in a peaceful woodland. Camp in secluded clearings surrounded by trees and bushes and be sheltered from the wind or hot sun when necessary. You can spend your evenings staring into a crackling campfire as fire pits are provided and firewood can be purchased on site. This site is completely enclosed by fences so kids can roam free-range-style, make dens using branches and explore the 'secret cedar hideaway'. There is a field with a football goal for recreational activities and adjoining footpaths for road free walks. It is tucked away on the outskirts of the pretty Norfolk village of West Dereham. This beautiful rewilding project offers the unspoilt simplicity and tranquillity of wild camping within the grassy clearings of a quiet mixed woodland and balanced with just enough facilities to make camping fun and comfortable including fresh water and compost toilets. All Rosehip Wood’s pitches are family friendly and allow BBQs and campfires. Your hosts invite you to wander along mown paths, through grassy clearings and wildflowers. The woodland has been planted with lots of nuts and fruits for both wildlife and humans to enjoy. As the sun sets, unwind, and enjoy starlit skies unspoilt by light pollution against the distant calls and barks of local wildlife. The site has no lighting so don’t forget your torch if you plan on an evening amble. Downham Market is around 4 ½ miles away offering supermarkets, a market, food and drink in the town’s historic pubs and a range of restaurants. It also has a train station from which your hosts will be happy to pick you up if you are coming camping without a car. If you need an extra tent this can be rented at an extra cost. Walkers and cyclists will find maps and information available on site pointing you in the direction of local routes over farmland, lanes, long
Pets
Campfires
from 
£13
 / night
Small Meadow Farm

8. Small Meadow Farm

100%
(18)
114km from Colchester · 3 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Fairlight, England
This low-impact, off-grid campsite is set within a working permaculture fruit and herb farm, with a small flock of sheep that are helping restore a wildflower meadow. There is a strip of woodland at the top of my field where you can escape summer heat under the trees and put up hammocks or hammock tents. I am offering only two pitches at any one time (up to 6 people per pitch). Each pitch has their own fire pit at the top of the field near the woodland, with camping lower on the slope nearer to shower unit and compost toilet. Each pitch also has its own compost toilet tent in the woodland, near the fire. Should the weather be uncertain there is the option of renting the group tent in addition to fire and camping areas, the group tent has a yoga deck/ flat outside area and can be used for sleeping or hanging out. Up on the top field we can open the horsebox as a field shelter/ field kitchen at a small extra cost, great for keeping food and camp cookers in when your are off exploring the beaches and surrounds. There are stunning far-reaching views form the fire pits and even more stunning views of Rye Bay, a short walk away on Mountain Field or at the Balehouse -which is the info centre and cafe of the Hastings Country park. Nature and the species I'm surrounded by are paramount, such as butterflies, wildflowers and birds. The whole site is full of birdsong, especially up near the woodland by the fire pits. At night you get clear views of the stars and my favourite thing is to wake up in the morning in the summer, seeing the dew on the grass, connecting with natural peacefulness and first rays of sun. In May the woodland and field are covered in bluebells and the blossom in the permaculture orchard is astounding. Do bring a yoga mat at stretch first thing on the yoga deck! Please Note: This is a working farm so farmer and woofer(s) are on site, in areas that are not part of the camping facilities. Exclusive use refers to campsite areas not the entire farm. New option for 2024, exclusive rental of campsite area, £250 for up to 10 people, 5 extras at extra £20 a night! Why not meet friends and family on the field and enjoy the scenery over a fire, BBQ or giant cook out/ picnic. It's a very peaceful and natural spot, yet only 10 minutes drive away from the Old Town in Hastings with all the music, people and festivals that go on. It really is the best of both worlds and I'm happy to share it!
Campfires
Showers
Cooking equipment
from 
£50
 / night
Secluded Woodland Camp

12. Secluded Woodland Camp

95%
(10)
62km from Colchester · 27 units · Tents, Glamping · Ware, England
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
Trash
from 
£12
 / night
Go Wild Camping & Glamping Thetford

17. Go Wild Camping & Glamping Thetford

64km from Colchester · 84 units · Tents, Motorhomes · CA
🌲 Go Wild Thetford: Forest Camping & Glamping Escape Go Wild Camping & Glamping Thetford, managed by mYminiBreak, provides a truly back-to-basics woodland escape on the Norfolk/Suffolk border. Nestled deep within the towering pine and broadleaf woodlands of Thetford Forest, the site offers a peaceful, natural atmosphere perfect for adventurers and nature lovers. 🌳 High Lodge Proximity and Activities The site's main advantage is its location just a short walk (approx. 300 meters) from High Lodge, the main Forestry England visitor center. This allows immediate access to a wealth of activities: Go Ape! high ropes course. Extensive network of walking, running, and cycling trails (suitable for all abilities). Play areas, Archery, Disc Golf, a café, and seasonal events. The forest itself, as Britain's largest lowland pine forest, is a wildlife haven known for its deer, unique flora, and clear, starry night skies. 🐕 Back-to-Basics & Dog-Friendly Go Wild embraces a rustic, "wild-style" camping philosophy. Size & Pitches: The site is a large, spacious campsite offering plenty of room to relax. Pitches are available for tents, campervans, motorhomes, and caravans, alongside glamping options including rustic Shepherd's Huts and Bell Tents (some with electricity for small appliances). Dog-Friendly: The campsite is super dog-friendly, welcoming four-legged companions on all pitches, with vast forest trails accessible directly from the site. Core Facilities: Essential amenities are provided, including shared showers and toilets, fresh drinking water, and waste disposal. Campfires: Campfires and BBQs are encouraged and allowed, making for traditional, memorable evenings under the stars. 🗺️ Local Area The site is an ideal base for exploring the historic Brecks region. Nearby attractions include Grimes Graves (Neolithic flint mine), Thetford Priory ruins, and the Dad's Army Museum in Thetford town. Go Wild Camping offers an authentic outdoor experience where you can fall asleep in the forest and wake up ready to hit the trails.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£17
 / night
Daisy May’s Farm

19. Daisy May’s Farm

87%
(178)
45km from Colchester · 10 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Bishop's Stortford, England
Our pop up campsite is set in 20 acres on a not for profit community farm. Come and join us in the great outdoors! Help collect the eggs, feed the chickens and milk the goat! There is always lots going on at Daisy May’s Farm! Children’s play areas, paddle stream, woodland walks and lots more! PITCH FEE INCLUDES ENTRY TO THE FARM & ALL ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS! Open 7 days a week. Coffee Cabin and Ollie’s Food Hut also serving hot food (Weekends & school holiday 10-3pm) Local pub - 5 mins walk Golf Course (crazy golf, top golf, 9 hole course, bar and food) - 5 mins walk Shop/post office/chip shop - 10 mins walk Toilets & shower ; hot gas shower available but we are a basic wild, mostly off grid site. No concrete heated toilet blocks I’m afraid! (Showers unavailable in Winter months) There will be mud. Bring your wellies! Drinking water and bins available. Bring a torch for walking around the site at night. The site is off grid and the toilet lights are solar operated! CARAVANS - ONLY BOOKABLE MAY - SEPTEMBERTENTS - CAMPER VANS - MOTORHOMES WELCOME ALL YEAR (all pitches are the same. No need to specify which type of unit you are booking) We look forwards to welcoming you soon!
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£30
 / night

Looking to camp near Colchester, England and immerse yourself in a forest setting? Look no further than Hipcamp. With over 1050 options available near Colchester, England, you'll find the perfect campsite to suit your forest-loving desires. Whether you're a seasoned camper or new to the outdoors, Hipcamp has got you covered. Check out top campsites like Cuckoo Farm Campsite (45 reviews), Whitlingham Broad Campsite (37 reviews), and The Barn KT9 (31 reviews). With facilities like cooking equipment, rubbish disposal, and the ability to have campfires, you'll have everything you need for a memorable camping experience. Plus, with popular activities like surfing, climbing, and paddling nearby, you'll have plenty to keep you entertained. And with an average price per night of £25 and options as low as £9, camping has never been more affordable. So gear up and get ready for an unforgettable forest adventure!

86% (383)

Top-rated campgrounds

Holistic Woods Wild Campsite

1. Holistic Woods Wild Campsite

94%
(177)
39km from Colchester · 47 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Woodbridge, England
We are a WILD campsite with character and history. Our most popular pitch is our beautiful SSSI woodland. There are only 25 pitches available. We have a mid wild pitch on the outskirts of the woods, lovely grassed area between trees. Our top field is perfect for motorhomes & caravans. Plenty of space to breath and relax. Located on the stunning heathlands of the Sutton Heath. We are surrounded by beautiful woodland walks, including the Sandlings walk and just 10 minutes from the river Deben. We have a bus stop at the top of the track and Melton train station is a 20 minute walk or 5 minute drive. There are access points onto public footpaths, leading to Rendlesham Forest. A famous site for UFOs! Sutton Hoo is a stone's throw away. Bring your bikes and explore the area on wheels. There is water access and portaloos. We do not have showers yet. Blue/grey waste must be taken away. LEAVE NO TRACE
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£16
 / night
Rosehip Woods Campsite

4. Rosehip Woods Campsite

82km from Colchester · 6 units · Tents, Motorhomes · England
Rosehip Wood Campsite is a nature rich, off-grid wild campsite set in a peaceful woodland. Camp in secluded clearings surrounded by trees and bushes and be sheltered from the wind or hot sun when necessary. You can spend your evenings staring into a crackling campfire as fire pits are provided and firewood can be purchased on site. This site is completely enclosed by fences so kids can roam free-range-style, make dens using branches and explore the 'secret cedar hideaway'. There is a field with a football goal for recreational activities and adjoining footpaths for road free walks. It is tucked away on the outskirts of the pretty Norfolk village of West Dereham. This beautiful rewilding project offers the unspoilt simplicity and tranquillity of wild camping within the grassy clearings of a quiet mixed woodland and balanced with just enough facilities to make camping fun and comfortable including fresh water and compost toilets. All Rosehip Wood’s pitches are family friendly and allow BBQs and campfires. Your hosts invite you to wander along mown paths, through grassy clearings and wildflowers. The woodland has been planted with lots of nuts and fruits for both wildlife and humans to enjoy. As the sun sets, unwind, and enjoy starlit skies unspoilt by light pollution against the distant calls and barks of local wildlife. The site has no lighting so don’t forget your torch if you plan on an evening amble. Downham Market is around 4 ½ miles away offering supermarkets, a market, food and drink in the town’s historic pubs and a range of restaurants. It also has a train station from which your hosts will be happy to pick you up if you are coming camping without a car. If you need an extra tent this can be rented at an extra cost. Walkers and cyclists will find maps and information available on site pointing you in the direction of local routes over farmland, lanes, long
Pets
Campfires
from 
£13
 / night
Small Meadow Farm

8. Small Meadow Farm

100%
(18)
114km from Colchester · 3 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Fairlight, England
This low-impact, off-grid campsite is set within a working permaculture fruit and herb farm, with a small flock of sheep that are helping restore a wildflower meadow. There is a strip of woodland at the top of my field where you can escape summer heat under the trees and put up hammocks or hammock tents. I am offering only two pitches at any one time (up to 6 people per pitch). Each pitch has their own fire pit at the top of the field near the woodland, with camping lower on the slope nearer to shower unit and compost toilet. Each pitch also has its own compost toilet tent in the woodland, near the fire. Should the weather be uncertain there is the option of renting the group tent in addition to fire and camping areas, the group tent has a yoga deck/ flat outside area and can be used for sleeping or hanging out. Up on the top field we can open the horsebox as a field shelter/ field kitchen at a small extra cost, great for keeping food and camp cookers in when your are off exploring the beaches and surrounds. There are stunning far-reaching views form the fire pits and even more stunning views of Rye Bay, a short walk away on Mountain Field or at the Balehouse -which is the info centre and cafe of the Hastings Country park. Nature and the species I'm surrounded by are paramount, such as butterflies, wildflowers and birds. The whole site is full of birdsong, especially up near the woodland by the fire pits. At night you get clear views of the stars and my favourite thing is to wake up in the morning in the summer, seeing the dew on the grass, connecting with natural peacefulness and first rays of sun. In May the woodland and field are covered in bluebells and the blossom in the permaculture orchard is astounding. Do bring a yoga mat at stretch first thing on the yoga deck! Please Note: This is a working farm so farmer and woofer(s) are on site, in areas that are not part of the camping facilities. Exclusive use refers to campsite areas not the entire farm. New option for 2024, exclusive rental of campsite area, £250 for up to 10 people, 5 extras at extra £20 a night! Why not meet friends and family on the field and enjoy the scenery over a fire, BBQ or giant cook out/ picnic. It's a very peaceful and natural spot, yet only 10 minutes drive away from the Old Town in Hastings with all the music, people and festivals that go on. It really is the best of both worlds and I'm happy to share it!
Campfires
Showers
Cooking equipment
from 
£50
 / night
Secluded Woodland Camp

12. Secluded Woodland Camp

95%
(10)
62km from Colchester · 27 units · Tents, Glamping · Ware, England
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
Trash
from 
£12
 / night
Go Wild Camping & Glamping Thetford

17. Go Wild Camping & Glamping Thetford

64km from Colchester · 84 units · Tents, Motorhomes · CA
🌲 Go Wild Thetford: Forest Camping & Glamping Escape Go Wild Camping & Glamping Thetford, managed by mYminiBreak, provides a truly back-to-basics woodland escape on the Norfolk/Suffolk border. Nestled deep within the towering pine and broadleaf woodlands of Thetford Forest, the site offers a peaceful, natural atmosphere perfect for adventurers and nature lovers. 🌳 High Lodge Proximity and Activities The site's main advantage is its location just a short walk (approx. 300 meters) from High Lodge, the main Forestry England visitor center. This allows immediate access to a wealth of activities: Go Ape! high ropes course. Extensive network of walking, running, and cycling trails (suitable for all abilities). Play areas, Archery, Disc Golf, a café, and seasonal events. The forest itself, as Britain's largest lowland pine forest, is a wildlife haven known for its deer, unique flora, and clear, starry night skies. 🐕 Back-to-Basics & Dog-Friendly Go Wild embraces a rustic, "wild-style" camping philosophy. Size & Pitches: The site is a large, spacious campsite offering plenty of room to relax. Pitches are available for tents, campervans, motorhomes, and caravans, alongside glamping options including rustic Shepherd's Huts and Bell Tents (some with electricity for small appliances). Dog-Friendly: The campsite is super dog-friendly, welcoming four-legged companions on all pitches, with vast forest trails accessible directly from the site. Core Facilities: Essential amenities are provided, including shared showers and toilets, fresh drinking water, and waste disposal. Campfires: Campfires and BBQs are encouraged and allowed, making for traditional, memorable evenings under the stars. 🗺️ Local Area The site is an ideal base for exploring the historic Brecks region. Nearby attractions include Grimes Graves (Neolithic flint mine), Thetford Priory ruins, and the Dad's Army Museum in Thetford town. Go Wild Camping offers an authentic outdoor experience where you can fall asleep in the forest and wake up ready to hit the trails.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£17
 / night
Daisy May’s Farm

19. Daisy May’s Farm

87%
(178)
45km from Colchester · 10 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Bishop's Stortford, England
Our pop up campsite is set in 20 acres on a not for profit community farm. Come and join us in the great outdoors! Help collect the eggs, feed the chickens and milk the goat! There is always lots going on at Daisy May’s Farm! Children’s play areas, paddle stream, woodland walks and lots more! PITCH FEE INCLUDES ENTRY TO THE FARM & ALL ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS! Open 7 days a week. Coffee Cabin and Ollie’s Food Hut also serving hot food (Weekends & school holiday 10-3pm) Local pub - 5 mins walk Golf Course (crazy golf, top golf, 9 hole course, bar and food) - 5 mins walk Shop/post office/chip shop - 10 mins walk Toilets & shower ; hot gas shower available but we are a basic wild, mostly off grid site. No concrete heated toilet blocks I’m afraid! (Showers unavailable in Winter months) There will be mud. Bring your wellies! Drinking water and bins available. Bring a torch for walking around the site at night. The site is off grid and the toilet lights are solar operated! CARAVANS - ONLY BOOKABLE MAY - SEPTEMBERTENTS - CAMPER VANS - MOTORHOMES WELCOME ALL YEAR (all pitches are the same. No need to specify which type of unit you are booking) We look forwards to welcoming you soon!
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
£30
 / night

Camper favorites near Colchester

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Stories from the community

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

Here rural campsites offer both the buzz of Colchester itself and the many amenities it offers, alongside the space and freedom of the wide open countryside. What more could you want?