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Thamesview Camping

96%

· East Tilbury, Essex, England

12 acres hosted by Thamesview C.

2 glamping pitches · 5 motorhome pitches · 18 tent pitches

Private pitches

100% of recent Hipcampers say pitches are private.

Meadow camping in a riverside village – 45 minutes from central London

The long meadow grass, farm animals, and neighbouring nature reserve make Thamesview Camping feel a lot further from London than it actually is. This eco-friendly Essex campsite is just 30 miles from the very heart of the city yet set on a family-run farm. It’s a mere mile from the closest train station, which is a 45-minute ride from Fenchurch Street. It’s what you might call a commutable campsite. It’s both one of the closest green places to escape the capital and a good place to pitch a tent or park a campervan if you want to explore it.

So, what’s on offer at this well-connected campsite? In some ways, not much at all and that’s the beauty of the place: it’s somewhere to get away from the hullabaloo, accredited by The Greener Camping Club. There are pitches mown out in a meadow, each with a fire pit and a picnic bench. There are clean compost loos, hot water showers, and an honesty shop for logs. In the summer there are bell tents for hire too. For the simple pleasure of camping out under the stars, in a location that’s close to the city, we’re not sure there’s anywhere better.

The site attracts an international crowd of people who want to visit London on day trips and it’s a great-value place to stay for that. But if you’re camping to escape the big smoke, you’ll be pleased to know there’s lots within cycling and walking distance – and bikes for hire too. A private route connects the farm and riverside where you’ll find the neighbouring Coal House Fort and the Thameside Nature Reserve. Both are pleasant places to while away hours. With shipping, industry and defensive landmarks, the area beyond the camping meadow is not uncomplicatedly beautiful but it’s full of historical and natural interest. You can watch ships passing on the river, take a ferry across it to Kent and look out for flocks of wading birds on a nature reserve that’s transformed an old landfill site. Whether you spend days here or in the city, you’ll be able to return to simplicity itself each evening with a campfire at Thamesview Camping.

Activities

Biking

Boating

Fishing

Hiking

Natural features

River, stream, or creek

Field

Farm

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96%

42 Ratings · 19 reviews

Mahmoud R.doesn't recommend

March 24, 2024

Delphinium Pitch

Disappointing camping experience

I recently stayed at themes-view and unfortunately, it did not live up to expectations. Despite the enticing pictures on the website, the reality was quite different. Upon arrival, I was dismayed to find that the camping area felt closed off and isolated, with limited views of the promised river. Access to the river was obstructed by closed gates, leaving us unable to enjoy the natural surroundings as advertised. Instead, the only view at night was of the harbour's lights, a far cry from the tranquil river scenes we had hoped for. Furthermore, the camping site was marred by extensive construction work, detracting from any sense of relaxation or enjoyment. This unexpected disturbance significantly impacted our experience and made it difficult to unwind. To add insult to injury, after booking, we were informed of an additional membership fee of £12 annually. This hidden cost was not disclosed upfront and felt like a bait-and-switch tactic, leaving a sour taste in our mouths. Overall, my experience was thoroughly disappointing, and I have no intention of returning. It was a wasted weekend, and I would caution others against making the same mistake.

Ria L.recommends

January 1, 2024

Cuckoo pitch Caravan Motorhome

Great site

Great site but we got terrible wind and rain so couldnt use the fitepit or bench on our plot. Will try again when weather is better!

Anna T.recommends

August 28, 2023

Wild Orchid

Camping with Thames view

I loved camping with my family on Thamesview’s land. Lovely spacious pitches and great atmosphere, clean toilets definetly will come back here again.

Lauren O.

August 21, 2023

Cuckoo pitch Caravan Motorhome

Untidy entrance but fab pitches

Overall we had a lovely stay! We absolutely loved that each pitch was a cut circle of grass which gave that wild camping feel. The composting toilets were fab and we appreciate the eco vibe but we think theres potential for the showering and washing up area to be a bit nicer. Also the entrance into the campsite near the parking area didn't feel very welcoming and we personally feel is quite scruffy.

Laurence P.recommends

August 14, 2023

Red kite Caravan Motorhome

Great place to stay with kids.

Great campsite less than an hour from Central London. This beautiful site is situation next some great walks along the sea wall; 5 mins walk from a great pub and 10mins from the CoalHouse fort park. The compost toilets are ingenious and very clean. The showers were hot and clean.

James H.recommends

August 7, 2023

Wild Orchid

Great stay

Stayed 2 nights here for my first camping trip, the site was very easy to access and has good facilities. The plots seemed a decent size and the firepit was very useful. Would definitely recommend for a good weekend away👍👍

Location

East Tilbury, Essex, England, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Hosted by Thamesview C.Joined in April 2022

From the host

We are a family run Greener camping Club members only eco campsite for you to just get away with nature. Membership is just £12 giving you access to over 100 UK sites. We can enrol non members at time of booking or on site. Part of a vast family owned farm we have dedicated 12 acres to Thamesview Camping for you to relax and enjoy the wildlife we are a members Greener Camping Club Site. By becoming a member of The Greener Camping Club you'll be part of a select group of discerning, campers who genuinely care about sustainability and the environment. Family or individual membership costs just £12. Your membership fee also plants a new tree on our camp in our trees for life scheme. Join now, or when you book your holiday.

Nearby attractions

There’s a gate from the campsite with a path leading directly to the riverside, a couple of hundred metres away. Turn left to head for the Thameside Nature Reserve, which borders the site, or right to reach Coal House Fort and the surrounding country park. Both are lovely places for walks, picnics and family-friendly cycling. The Thameside Nature Reserve is managed by Essex Wildlife Trust and is a great place for birdwatching and has a visitor centre and cafe too. You can also cycle or walk along the sea wall to English-Heritage-managed Tilbury Fort (four miles if you want to drive, slightly less on foot). From there, you can also hop aboard the Tilbury-to-Gravesend ferry to cross the river and set foot in Kent. East Tilbury train station is a mile from the campsite with mainline trains heading for London Fenchurch Street every half hour. There’s plenty of indoor, undercover shopping at Lakeside (10 miles) and Bluewater (17 miles) and all the fun of the seaside at Southend (20 miles).

Food and drink

The Ship is the closest pub to the campsite, about a 10-minute walk away in East Tilbury village, with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and both bar and restaurant menus. You can also walk to the cafe at Coal House Fort on the riverside by using the campsite’s river gate. In the other direction, there’s a fish and chip shop, under a mile from site, and a Co-op for campsite supplies.

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