Family-friendly caravan campsites near Harwich

Discover coastline, rivers, and canals around Essex’s Sunshine Coast.

88% (127 reviews)

United Kingdom
—
England
—
East Anglia
—
Essex
—
Harwich

88% (127 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Harwich

Community favorites near Harwich

Stories from the community

Weekend Trip to Penn Meadow Farm

A lovely camp site, a large field where you can conveniently chose where and when you stay with no fuss. Toilet and shower facilities available and free wood. Although you should bring an axe as the wooden logs are rather big for a campfire. We stayed for two nights and it was a busy weekend with plenty of friendly and lulemined families. A very enjoyable time.

4 nights at Penn Meadow Farm

What a gem of a campsite. The owners and operators were so helpful and you can tell there is a lot of care going into running this site. The showers were clean and the rustic, laidback attitude in camping made for an amazing experience. Kids loved the neighbouring horses, alpacas, pigs and sheep. And there are several public footpaths nearby to enjoy, including one very short walk to the Royal Standard Pub. Couldn’t recommend the place more. Thank you Frankie!

Weekend Trip to Daisy May’s Farm

Kids loved the camping and all the things you can do at the farm really enjoyed themselves would recommend

Weekend Trip to Penn Meadow Farm

Friendly site, responsive hosts and warm showers. I can imagine the site gets busier in the summer but had plenty of space on a sunny April weekend. Will be returning to this spot.

1 night at Wethersfield Eco Project Off grid

Very friendly welcome by Tim and a peaceful stay in lovely woodlands

Weekend Trip to Penn Meadow Farm

Lovely location on a hill, very helpful and accommodating team, and great facilities. We’ll be back!

Weekend Trip to Penn Meadow Farm

The campsite is set in beautiful surroundings, right in the middle of nowhere! The area is stunning and has lots of great walks nearby that our dogs loved. The campsite is in a quiet area, great for when you want to escape for a tranquil weekend! The hill is a little steep, which may be tricky for people with mobility issues, but otherwise it is wonderful. The farm has a few animals which our kids loved visiting, and several red kites were proudly flying over throughout the day; this is a great place for nature lovers. The toilet and shower facilities need a little TLC, but everything works fine. I avoided the portaloos though, not my cup of tea. We will definitely visit again, it is such a lovely spot hidden away in a truly beautiful spot.

Weekend Trip to Daisy May’s Farm

Good site. Lovely animals. Coffee. Food. Fires allowed. Terrible shower.

Weekend Trip to Four Winds Camping and Canoeing

Beautifully located , stunning walks into town centre , wild swimming a top must to do if you haven’t tried . Already looking for visit back again

6 top caravan sites near Harwich

89%

(166)

Penn Meadow Farm

50 units · Motorhomes, Tents145 acres · Beaconsfield, England

Penn Meadow Farm is a beautiful 145 acre, family farm, nestled perfectly into the Chiltern Hills area of outstanding natural beauty. We’re just a 5 minute walk across our grassy fields to the oldest free-house pub in England (The Royal Standard of England) Say hello to our resident alpacas, sheep, pigs, pigmy goats, flock of 250 sheep and of course our lovely boarder collies. We aim to be a very relaxed spot to be able to rest for a few nights and maybe enjoying a nice camp fire in the evening. The site includes; Showers and Toilet block with toilet paper stocked. Open family pitches for you to choose where you want to set up Running drinking water Shared open kitchen Fires allowed BBQ's allowed To ensure everyone’s enjoyment and safety, please follow these rules: Supervise children: Always supervise your children and ensure they do not wander off alone. Clean up after yourself: Dispose of all waste properly in the designated bins and leave no trace behind. Wash any items you use and return them to where you found them. Respect other campers: Be courteous to fellow campers and respect their privacy and space. Pets: If you bring pets, ensure they are well-behaved, kept on a leash or have impeccable recall, and cleaned up after. Do not allow your pet to enter another camper's space. Quiet time: Maintain quiet hours between 11pm and 7am. All music must stop by 10pm, and noise should be minimal after 11pm. Campfires: Penn Meadow Farm allows fires; please use existing scorched areas if possible rather than creating new ones. Never leave any fires unattended and ensure they are completely extinguished when finished. Wipe your feet prior to entering the Bell tents to remove any coal that may have become attached. Cars/vehicles: Cars and vehicles can be on the field but should move minimally and always under 5mph. Car stereos should not be used for music entertainment. Drugs and Alcohol: Drug use is prohibited, and violators will be asked to leave. Consume alcohol responsibly, and do not drive or move your vehicle after consuming alcohol. We do not typically book Large non-family groups unless they are seeking a calm and peaceful stay. These groups must have authorization prior to the visit.

97%

(249)

Four Winds Camping and Canoeing

13 units · Motorhomes, Tents5 acres · Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, East Anglia

A small, friendly riverside campsite in Cambridgeshire – with campfires allowed

87%

(150)

Daisy May’s Farm

10 units · Motorhomes, Tents20 acres · 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!

99%

(197)

Cuckoo Farm Campsite

13 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents130 acres · Rutland, East Midlands

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

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.

89%

(14)

Dogwood Cottage Campsite

8 units · Motorhomes, Tents3 acres · Rye, England

Come and meet the chickens and ducks, friendly pygmy goats and miniature shetland pony Dino at Dogwood Camping, a gem in the heart of the East Sussex countryside. We are a small, family-run campsite set in the High Weald area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a perfect base from which to explore the beaches, castles, ancient woodlands and towns like Rye, Battle and Hastings. Dogwood is in the small village of Brede, and is walking distance from two fine country pubs. We are surrounded by stunning countryside where you can take your dog for a short stroll across the fields or go for a long romp through the fields and valleys. Or just sit and relax, listen to the birds and soak up the peace and quiet. We are fortunate to be in a dark skies area, perfect for long, relaxing summer nights around the campfie, sipping hot chocolate, toasting marshmallows and spotting shooting stars! During the summer our site is a popular spot for families and campers visiting nearby Camber Sands sandy beach and year round we welcome all differnt types of campervan, motorhome and caravan. We look forward to welcome you to our little slice of paradise. Wet weather and winter – please note in the off-season, and if very wet, the camping field is closed to vehicles, replaced instead by semi-hardstanding areas or our summer car-park area. Facilities are open but please be prepared for the vagaries of the weather, leaves, puddles and mud. To change pitch please let us know asap so that we can try if possible to find you another. Apart from the car-park, pitches can get very muddy in prolonged, heavy rain. If you are not prepared for these eventualities please do not book.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Family-friendly caravan campsites near Harwich guide

Overview

Experience traditional British holidaymaking on a camping trip to Essex’s sunny seaside or travel a little further for a glimpse of the region’s wilder charms. Hipcampers in need of a quick fix can hop over the estuary to Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB, where coastal campsites and rural farms provide plenty of accommodation options, while culture vultures can head into nearby Constable Country to learn more about Suffolk’s favourite son or up into The Broads to experience sailing life at its finest.

Where to go

Tendring Coast

Also known as Essex’s Sunshine Coast, this coastal peninsula is home to the traditional holiday towns of Harwich & Dovercourt, Walton-on-the-Naze, and Clacton-on-Sea. Wildlife lovers can get their fill at reserves such as Holland Haven Country Park or Hamford Water, while hikers and bikers can explore inland nature trails or take a turn around the Blue Flag beaches. Holiday parks abound, with plenty of caravan and tent spots to choose from.

Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB

Head over the border into Suffolk to discover one of Britain’s most popular nature spots. Stretching from Felixstowe to Lowestoft, this 80-km stretch boasts a biodiverse landscape of heathland, woodland, estuary, and coast, as well as seaside towns and holiday parks aplenty. Recently, the area has expanded to include the Stour estuary, just west of Harwich.

Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley

Following the River Stour west from Manningtree, this reserve is a family favourite thanks to its lowland trails and unique artistic heritage. Here, visitors can explore what is affectionately referred to as Constable Country, stopping off in Dedham and Flatford to learn more about the artist’s life and work. Riverside camping is another highlight.

The Broads

Drive north for 90 minutes and you’ll arrive at The Broads, a vast network of waterways that draw ramblers, anglers, and birdwatchers with their biodiverse banks and riverside campsites. It’s also possible to hire out boats, kayaks, or paddleboards, so you can easily take your outdoor adventure directly to the water.

When to go

Summer on the Essex and Suffolk coasts and canals can get very busy, so it’s worth booking your stay well in advance. To avoid the crowds, consider a winter visit, which also tends to afford more intimate glimpses of the region’s wildlife.

Know before you go

Public transport is generally convenient, though if you’re traveling further, it can be worth renting or bringing a vehicle.
Trail maps can often be downloaded for free on a park or local borough’s website.
Wild swimming is a popular activity in the region, but be sure to take all precautions.
Anglers must always carry a license.