Woodland camping near Southend-on-Sea

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Welcome to Hipcamp, the go-to website for all your camping needs! Whether you're a seasoned outdoor enthusiast or a first-time camper, we've got you covered. With over 1100 options near Southend-on-Sea, England that cater to forest lovers like yourself, you'll have no shortage of incredible campsites to choose from. Looking for top-rated campsites? Check out Cuckoo Farm Campsite (45 reviews), Whitlingham Broad Campsite (37 reviews), and The Barn KT9 (31 reviews). And with popular facilities like showers, cooking equipment, and potable water, you'll have all the comforts of home while immersing yourself in nature. Get ready to explore the great outdoors with activities like horseback riding, hiking, and swimming. With an average price per night of £25 and options as low as £9, camping has never been more affordable. So pack your gear and get ready for an unforgettable camping experience in the beautiful forests near Southend-on-Sea, England!

91% (713)

Top-rated campgrounds

Holistic Woods Wild Campsite

1. Holistic Woods Wild Campsite

94%
(177)
76km from Southend-on-Sea · 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

117km from Southend-on-Sea · 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

11. Small Meadow Farm

100%
(18)
73km from Southend-on-Sea · 3 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Fairlight, England
Reconnect with nature, gently. Welcome to our low-impact, off-grid campsite nestled within a working permaculture fruit and herb farm. Here, a small flock of sheep graze as part of an ongoing project to restore a wildflower meadow. The land is alive with colour, birdsong and butterflies—and you’re invited to experience it at your own peaceful pace. 🌿 Space to breathe Only two pitches are available at any time (up to 8 people per pitch). Each pitch has: Private fire pit overlooking wide countryside views Camping area with on the lower slope near the shower and main compost toilet Retreat into the woodland strip at the top of the field—perfect for hammocks, hammock tents, shade in summer, quiet chats and listening to the wind through the trees. 🏕️ Extra comfort if the weather turns Add the large group tent, ideal for gatherings, sleeping or simply escaping the heat. It includes a yoga deck / flat outdoor space, perfect for truly unwinding. Looking for a secure field kitchen? We can open the horsebox on the top field (small extra cost). It’s ideal for food storage, camp stoves and gear while you explore beaches and trails. 🌟 Special Exclusive Rental Hire the entire campsite area for your group £250 for up to 10 people up to 10 additional guests at £25/night per person Make the farm yours..... 🌄 Views worth waking up for: From the fire pits you’ll see far-reaching countryside views, and just a short walk away on Mountain Field or at The Balehouse (Hastings Country Park café & info centre) you’ll find truly breathtaking scenes over Rye Bay. Nature is the heartbeat here—bluebells in May, orchard blossoms, butterflies drifting through the herbs, and birdsong that wraps around the woodland. At night, the skies open up to the stars; in the morning, you’ll wake to dew-kissed grass and the first rays of sun. 🧘‍♀️ A slower kind of camping Bring a yoga mat, greet the day on the deck, cook outdoors, walk the cliffs, or unwind under the trees. Gather friends and family for a fire, BBQ, or a giant picnic—this field was made for simple, shared moments. 📌 Practical Notes Working farm: the farmer and WWOOFers are on site in areas separate from camping facilities. Exclusive use refers to the campsite areas, not the entire farm. Please bring your own drinking water.
Campfires
Showers
Cooking equipment
from 
£50
 / night
Secluded Woodland Camp

12. Secluded Woodland Camp

95%
(10)
62km from Southend-on-Sea · 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

20. Go Wild Camping & Glamping Thetford

101km from Southend-on-Sea · 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

Welcome to Hipcamp, the go-to website for all your camping needs! Whether you're a seasoned outdoor enthusiast or a first-time camper, we've got you covered. With over 1100 options near Southend-on-Sea, England that cater to forest lovers like yourself, you'll have no shortage of incredible campsites to choose from. Looking for top-rated campsites? Check out Cuckoo Farm Campsite (45 reviews), Whitlingham Broad Campsite (37 reviews), and The Barn KT9 (31 reviews). And with popular facilities like showers, cooking equipment, and potable water, you'll have all the comforts of home while immersing yourself in nature. Get ready to explore the great outdoors with activities like horseback riding, hiking, and swimming. With an average price per night of £25 and options as low as £9, camping has never been more affordable. So pack your gear and get ready for an unforgettable camping experience in the beautiful forests near Southend-on-Sea, England!

91% (713)

Top-rated campgrounds

Holistic Woods Wild Campsite

1. Holistic Woods Wild Campsite

94%
(177)
76km from Southend-on-Sea · 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

117km from Southend-on-Sea · 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

11. Small Meadow Farm

100%
(18)
73km from Southend-on-Sea · 3 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Fairlight, England
Reconnect with nature, gently. Welcome to our low-impact, off-grid campsite nestled within a working permaculture fruit and herb farm. Here, a small flock of sheep graze as part of an ongoing project to restore a wildflower meadow. The land is alive with colour, birdsong and butterflies—and you’re invited to experience it at your own peaceful pace. 🌿 Space to breathe Only two pitches are available at any time (up to 8 people per pitch). Each pitch has: Private fire pit overlooking wide countryside views Camping area with on the lower slope near the shower and main compost toilet Retreat into the woodland strip at the top of the field—perfect for hammocks, hammock tents, shade in summer, quiet chats and listening to the wind through the trees. 🏕️ Extra comfort if the weather turns Add the large group tent, ideal for gatherings, sleeping or simply escaping the heat. It includes a yoga deck / flat outdoor space, perfect for truly unwinding. Looking for a secure field kitchen? We can open the horsebox on the top field (small extra cost). It’s ideal for food storage, camp stoves and gear while you explore beaches and trails. 🌟 Special Exclusive Rental Hire the entire campsite area for your group £250 for up to 10 people up to 10 additional guests at £25/night per person Make the farm yours..... 🌄 Views worth waking up for: From the fire pits you’ll see far-reaching countryside views, and just a short walk away on Mountain Field or at The Balehouse (Hastings Country Park café & info centre) you’ll find truly breathtaking scenes over Rye Bay. Nature is the heartbeat here—bluebells in May, orchard blossoms, butterflies drifting through the herbs, and birdsong that wraps around the woodland. At night, the skies open up to the stars; in the morning, you’ll wake to dew-kissed grass and the first rays of sun. 🧘‍♀️ A slower kind of camping Bring a yoga mat, greet the day on the deck, cook outdoors, walk the cliffs, or unwind under the trees. Gather friends and family for a fire, BBQ, or a giant picnic—this field was made for simple, shared moments. 📌 Practical Notes Working farm: the farmer and WWOOFers are on site in areas separate from camping facilities. Exclusive use refers to the campsite areas, not the entire farm. Please bring your own drinking water.
Campfires
Showers
Cooking equipment
from 
£50
 / night
Secluded Woodland Camp

12. Secluded Woodland Camp

95%
(10)
62km from Southend-on-Sea · 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

20. Go Wild Camping & Glamping Thetford

101km from Southend-on-Sea · 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

Camper favorites near Southend-on-Sea

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

There are ample campsites near Southend-on-Sea and, as always, only the very best make it onto our shortlist.