84% (262)
Top-rated campgrounds
84% (262)
Top-rated campgrounds
Camper favorites in and near Epping Forest
Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.
Stories from the community
e
erin
2 weeks ago
Weekend Trip to The Nut Plat Retreat
Highly recommend, my partner and I had a great time at Finlay’s cabin. It was exactly what we were looking for in terms of: how remote & private it was, outdoor and indoor fire & the hot tub! We also loved the unique structure and authentic feel… however a few things to note, for the cost per night(£180) I would expect: body wash & shampoo / hairdryer, better kitchen essentials, the coffee left was almost empty for example and old stuff was left in the fridge& top shelf was left completely wet.. I know it’s ‘small’ things but for the price you’d expect these things to be attended to.. for us we didn’t mind too much, but would have made the experience a lot nicer to have these things to improve the overall feel and experience. Also I felt that in terms of cleanliness, it could have been cleaner, many cobwebs & spiders, hair and dirt in the bath tub, messy outdoor porch area; we wanted to use the outdoor bbq and had to clean it very well ourselves.. for the price you would expect it to be clean and ready to use with coals etc however we had to make do with the indoor logs with no fire starter as only option was the chemical indoor one which we didn’t want to use to cook food on.. making it difficult. The hotub area is lovely, however we wanted to use it at night which proved difficult as no outdoor lightning, and indoor torch didn’t work.. some lanterns outside would be a great addition. Duncan was a kind host and has a very special plot!
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Alex
November 2025
Group trip
Morag went above and beyond to make myself, my partner and my pals comfortable although only there for a night we had an unforgettable evening and morag most definitely aided in that- thank you so much ❤️
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A
Abigail
October 2025
With pets
While the facilities are basic they are perfect as a base for exploring a truly picturesque part of Kent. We had an amazing time and really loved being able to bring our puppy along for the holiday!
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Liam
October 2025
With pets
Easy check-in, lovely area, nice guy, comfy cabin.
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S
Shila
August 2025
With kids
We loved camping in the bell tents. The views were amazing. We loved that the sheep and donkey roam around the campsite area. The kids activities were a lovely touch and my son enjoyed taking the goat for a walk. We will be back some day!
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Anita
August 2025
With kids
Absolutely amazing retreat! We stayed at Finlays cabin, sadly for only couple of nights. Really lovely, peaceful, private wooden cabin. The owner just let us be! Reccomend to anybody who wants to get escape from daily life.
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Colin
July 2025
With kids
A perfect short break with really friendly, host, other campers and well cared for animals to pet. Kids loved messy about on the river and the classic camp fire.
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Charley
May 2025
3 nights at The Nut Plat Retreat
Had a brilliant time! Would highly recommend to a couple wanting to get away from it all. We loved our stay and will definitely go back
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Ryan
February 2025
With kids
Super space
Fabulous hot tub
Quiet
Great pub a stones throw away means you don’t have to cook if you don’t want to
All very organised by Duncan, the flexible owner who really let us be
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Fabrice
February 2025
Weekend Trip to The Nut Plat Retreat
A fantastic cosy, quiet and romantic cabin, perfect for a little weekend getaway. The hosts are super accommodating and responsive but are also very respectful of your privacy. We arrived with both the fireplace inside and the hot tub fire already roaring. A fantastic experience overall would recommend to anyone!
And easy enough to access by just public transport if you don't want to drive :))
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Emma
January 2025
With pets
Came for a short break away from work and degree stress. Planned to go on some nice walks with the dog but the weather was awful. So ended up staying in by the log burner, reading our books and crochet. I did also manage to get the hot tub HOT ♨️ one day, took a few rounds of restocking the fire but once we got there, it then got so hot I had to add some cold! So worth it! There is good WiFi available so manged to watch a few films in the evening. Might be back for one of my reading weeks when I need minimal distractions! 😂
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Sam
December 2024
Group trip
Cosy, charming, relaxing spot for a weekend away out of London. We loved the outdoor hot tub!
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Riverside glamping in Epping Forest guide
Notable campgrounds
- Best for exploring: Debden House Campsite has spacious tent sites with fire pits, electric hook-up for caravans and campervans, and direct access to the forest’s hiking trails.
- Best for peace and quiet: Lee Valley Campsite is on the western edge of the forest and has grass pitches with or without electric hook-up, as well as cozy camping pods and tents for hire.
- Best for a wild camping experience: Lee Valley Almost Wild Campsite lets you get back to nature, with minimal amenities, quiet woodland tent pitches, and hammocks swinging from the trees.
Tips for snagging a campsite
- Epping Forest campsites and caravan sites can book up quickly, especially in July and August, and during school holidays. Early bookings are essential if you want to visit these times.
- Unpowered tent pitches are more likely to be available without a reservation, but it’s still best to call ahead.
- You will need to pay a deposit to secure your campsite reservation; some sites ask for the full payment prior to arrival.
- Be sure to check seasonal opening and closing dates, which vary by campsite. Some campsites open from May through September, while others stay open year-round.
When to go
Accessible year-round, it’s worth revisiting Epping Forest throughout its changing seasons. Autumn is magical under the colorful canopy of fall foliage, while springtime sees wildlife at its most active and bursts of wildflowers. Visiting on a weekday means you’ll avoid the crowds, but the park’s walking trails are always busy in July-August, as well as during school holidays. Pack sturdy hiking boots if visiting after rainfall, as the forest trails can get muddy.
Know before you go
- Epping Forest is on the border of Essex and Hertfordshire, about an hour’s drive north of London.
- Central line tubes run to Epping Forest from London, stopping at Ashurst, Beaulieu Road, Brockenhurst, Hinton Admiral, Lymington, New Milton, Sway, and Totton.
- There are about 30 car parks located throughout the park, many of which are pay and display.
- Epping Forest Visitor Centres are located at Chingford and High Beach, where you’ll also find restrooms and cafés.
- Wild camping and overnight parking are not permitted anywhere within the park. Fires and BBQs are also off-limits, except on private camping and caravan parks.
- Epping Forest has several accessible trails, and all car parks are accessible.