Bell tents in Hainault Forest

A super-handy Essex escape for nature-hungry Londoners, with shady trails through ancient woodlands and spring bursts of bluebells.

94% (468 reviews)
94% (468 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Hainault Forest

Star Hosts in Hainault Forest

Dog-friendly getaways

12 top bell tents sites in Hainault Forest

97%
(120)

The Barn KT9

21 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents3 acres · Greater London, South East England
A unique rural campsite in Surrey, a stone's throw from London's Zone 6
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from 
£12
 / night
97%
(43)

Thamesview Camping

25 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents12 acres · Essex, East Anglia
Meadow camping in a riverside village – 45 minutes from central London
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£20
 / night
94%
(76)

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.
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from 
£13
 / night
89%
(240)

Radcot Leisure on Thames

50 units · Glamping, Tents1 acre · Oxfordshire, South East England
A Thames’ island campsite in the Oxfordshire countryside – with a lovely pub just over the bridge
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£30
 / night
98%
(25)

Holistic Woods Campsite WILD

24 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents20 acres · 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
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£13
 / night
95%
(118)

Tomkins Farm

42 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents15 acres · North Chailey, England
Relaxed camping beside a lake on an East Sussex farm, with alpacas, llamas, and camels
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£15
 / night
89%
(19)

Earth Camp

33 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents5 acres · Lewes, East Sussex, South East England
We are a small, family run, eco-friendly campsite in Chailey, set in a peaceful pocket of Sussex countryside. Our uniqueness includes therapies offered on site, including massage, reiki and pellowah; our classes run on site, including yoga, and gong baths; the wide range of outdoor games we can provide; and our commitment to making your camping experience as pleasurable as possible. We allow campfires and dogs, and for those who seek a little luxury in camping, we have spacious hot showers. We also have a number of beautiful Bell Tents available to hire, which we will put up for you prior to your arrival (min 2 nights). Look our for our special weekends, including Star Parties, Yoga Retreats, Singing Circles and Wellness Weekends. We also have delicious wood-fired pizzas on Saturday evenings, and an artisan coffee trucks with superb pastries on weekend mornings 8-10am.
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from 
£15
 / night
95%
(31)

Dernwood Farm Wild Camping

17 units · Glamping, Tents70 acres · East Sussex, South East England
Camping and glamping in Sussex meadows and woodlands
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£16
 / night
94%
(32)

Fleets Paddock Glamping & Camping

19 units · Glamping, Tents5 acres · Canterbury, Kent, South East England
Pitches, bell tents and a gypsy caravan on the outskirts of Canterbury
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£28
 / night
100%
(35)

Glassenbury Camping

33 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents12 acres · Cranbrook, England
Eco camping in the heart of the High Weald and Kent's castle country
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£13
 / night
98%
(140)

Beech Estate Campsite

55 units · Glamping, Tents25 acres · Battle, England
Tent pitch camping and wild glamping in a Sussex woodland hideaway
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£24
 / night
100%
(103)

Fontmills Farm Campsite

40 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents20 acres · East Sussex, South East England
Family-friendly camping near the Cuckoo Trail, where campfires are permitted and space is guaranteed
Potable water
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£14
 / night

Available this weekend

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Bell tents in Hainault Forest guide

Overview

Once part of the Forest of Essex, this age-old 280-acre expanse sprawling northeast from London has been protected since back in the 12th century. Dive into its horse-riding, cycling and walking routes, keeping an eye out for some of the 130 bird species among the trickling streams, whispering oak trees and wide-open heathland. A ‘monster trail’ keeps kids busy, and the whole area is dog-friendly. Autumn is a delightful season to explore Hainault Forest, with foliage slipping into rust-red clothes, while spring is perfect for vibrant blooms. You’ll want to book nearby campsites well ahead, especially in July and August when things get busy.

Where to go

Lee Valley Country Park

Beyond Hainault Forest itself, campers can explore the nearby Lee Valley, which stretches along the River Lea northeast from London into Buckinghamshire and Essex. Some of it was transformed into London’s Olympic Park for the 2012 games, bringing a welcome green lung to the capital’s east. Its handful of campsites take in tent spots, caravan parks, cosy lodges and pre-pitched safari tents, while adventure activities swing from white-water rafting to rowing along the river to leisurely horse riding.

Epping Forest

Another favourite nature spot on London’s fringes, Epping Forest sits just north of Hainault on the Essex-Hertfordshire border. With endless hiking paths, cycling routes, horseback trails and everything from paintball to windsurfing, you’ll be spoilt for entertainment. And while you can’t pitch up in the forest itself, there are wild-camping and caravanning sites on its edges.

Kent Coast

Kent’s beach-strung northern coastline awaits within a two-hour drive of Hainault Forest, offering up lively, bohemian beach towns such as Whitstable and Margate alongside miles of seaside walks, plenty of watersports and tempting ocean-view camping spots.

Suffolk Coast

Trundle less than two hours east from Hainault Forest to reach the pretty villages, Tudor mansions and pastel-painted resorts dotted around Suffolk’s sleepy littoral, not to mention the unmissable Algo-Saxon burial mounds at Sutton Hoo. Rewarding hikes lead along the 96-km Suffolk Coast Path, with tempting stops including Aldeburgh. There’s also fabulous coastal cycling, along with sunset horse rides along the golden beaches.

Top regions near Hainault Forest

Top towns in and near Hainault Forest

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