Campsites convenient for London

[Princess Doris]

We want to visit London and are looking for a site to the North, East or West.
We are from NW England and want to avoid going any distance round the M25.
We stayed at Abbey Wood earlier this year and it was a pain getting round there, although once there it was very convenient.
We are looking for a site with easy walking distance to a train or underground station and no more than an hour into Central London from there.
Thanks

 

[Hawthorn37]

We stayed at the CCC site at Horsley. There’s an overground station about 5 mins drive / 25 min walk away. It goes into Waterloo. We liked the site as it’s based around a lake and is tranquil. It’s also only a few miles from RHS Wisley., and Hampton Court

 

[willwander]

CCC Chertsey Club site is a nice site, good rail links. Still a twat to get to on the M25, but everywhere is.

 

[Magic Bus]

Lee Valley Camping and Caravan Club site near Waltham Abbey. 20 minute walk to the station and about 30 minute train ride into central London.

 

[Princess Doris]

Lee Valley Camping and Caravan Club site near Waltham Abbey. 20 minute walk to the station and about 30 minute train ride into central London.

Lee Valley looks the best option so far. What train station is most convenient ?
Have you used this site yourself, and how are the facilities ?

 

[trev0rk]

We have stayed at the Sewardstone Site https://www.visitleevalley.org.uk/wheretostay

Relatively quiet and clean.

Regular bus to Walthamstow Central https://tfl.gov.uk/bus/timetable/215?fromId=1500617

 

[andyinluton]

Caravan club site Commons Wood just outside Welwyn Garden city. It's about 1.5 miles to the station so you might need a taxi for that, but only 1/2 hour train ride into Kings Cross.

It's only 3 miles from the A1 and outside the M25 so very easy access from the North.

 

[stoobthealien]

When looking at sites it's worth thinking about the train line you go for as well - the Thameslink that goes goes through Luton or Stevenage way goes right through the heart of the city and down to London Bridge so depending on where you're going it can be simpler

 

[trev0rk]

Or

Grove Lock Caravan Park, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire - Updated 2026 prices | Pitchup.com

Book Grove Lock Caravan Park in Bedfordshire from £32/nt. Family friendly, dogs allowed, toilet block and shower available. Best prices, easy booking, no fees with immediate confirmation.

www.pitchup.com

I have heard good recommendations. 1hr 30ish to Euston.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

I would use Lee Valley Edmonton, good rail and tube links from Enfield to central London

 

[Princess Doris]

It looks the best option. Slightly put off by reviews.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

It looks the best option. Slightly put off by reviews.

Well it is in Enfield, which never stops and its right next to the Liverpool Street to East Anglia Mainline, but for convenience I have looked at it to save parking for hours on the orbital!

 

[trev0rk]

https://swissfarmcamping.co.uk/

How about this, Henley is a destination in its own right, highly recommended.

 

[scottk]

It looks the best option. Slightly put off by reviews.

It’s not the prettiest site- the pitches are very open with no hedging - but it was quiet and clean when we stayed a couple of years ago. There were 2 shower blocks and one had better showers, the left ones as looking from the hard standing pitches. Golfers walk through the site going to the course. We didn’t spend much time on the site as we were away in the morning and back at night. I wouldn’t let the reviews put you off, it’s not a 5 star campsite but it serves a purpose. The toilets were clean with plenty hot water but be aware there didn’t seem to be anywhere nearby for food.

 

[Princess Doris]

It’s not the prettiest site- the pitches are very open with no hedging - but it was quiet and clean when we stayed a couple of years ago. There were 2 shower blocks and one had better showers, the left ones as looking from the hard standing pitches. Golfers walk through the site going to the course. We didn’t spend much time on the site as we were away in the morning and back at night. I wouldn’t let the reviews put you off, it’s not a 5 star campsite but it serves a purpose. The toilets were clean with plenty hot water but be aware there didn’t seem to be anywhere nearby for food.

Thanks for the appraisal. It definitely seems the best option. First that it's convenient to access from M1 and secondly the public transport to central London. Abbey Wood is probably better but it was a pain going round the M25 and Dartford Crossing.

 

[Clutterbugs]

Henlow Lakes, 6 minute walk to Arlesey Station, direct train to Kings Cross, about 40 minutes.

 

[Fatb10ke]

https://swissfarmcamping.co.uk/

How about this, Henley is a destination in its own right, highly recommended.

I used to stay here many years ago when I was was working in Reading. It’s a great site.

Don’t know how easy it is to get into London though.

 

[Stow]

I've researched this for days as I regularly attend events at the Olympic Park and need overnight stops. The lack of choice is very surprising .
Lee Valley as mentioned is the simplest, reliable option. It's clean and safe but quite soulless and not somewhere to spend days sitting outside on your hard standing with a book.
Debden House in Loughton is nearby and on the tube, but is hit and miss with large groups being common. Out of season may be better, and it's much greener and rural than Lee Valley Sewardstone and you camp literally on the edge of Epping Forest.
For a mix of proper countryside and access to London there's Town Farm in Ivinghoe. Tring station is 5 mins drive away and 35 mins on the train to London. If I was doing several days on an actual holiday I'd personally choose that as it's truly a relaxing place to wake up in and spend an evening, and spend the day in London. It takes longer than 35 mins to reach town from Lee Valley.

 

[Stow]

It’s not the prettiest site- the pitches are very open with no hedging - but it was quiet and clean when we stayed a couple of years ago. There were 2 shower blocks and one had better showers, the left ones as looking from the hard standing pitches. Golfers walk through the site going to the course. We didn’t spend much time on the site as we were away in the morning and back at night. I wouldn’t let the reviews put you off, it’s not a 5 star campsite but it serves a purpose. The toilets were clean with plenty hot water but be aware there didn’t seem to be anywhere nearby for food.

There's a big pub a 15 minute walk from the camp if you head north.

 

[Maddie]

We want to visit London and are looking for a site to the North, East or West.
We are from NW England and want to avoid going any distance round the M25.
We stayed at Abbey Wood earlier this year and it was a pain getting round there, although once there it was very convenient.
We are looking for a site with easy walking distance to a train or underground station and no more than an hour into Central London from there.
Thanks

We stayed at Theobalds Park CCC on the north side of M25.
Great site for central London access if you can shut out M25 noise.

We had picked up on previous reviews with excellent guidance for accessing trains into London.
The plan was to take our 8yr old granddaughter for her first London trips, taking the train from Turkey St. Station involving a 40min walk from the site.

We booked the tickets from the Greater Anglian website. £39, off peak saver, total, per day, covering Overground, Underground and Buses. It takes a little while to get your head round the site but just look for normal tickets rather than travel cards.

The walk to the station takes you past Tottenham Hotspur training ground, with fans waiting for the chance to see their heroes. You also pass The Pied Bull pub and Myddelton House Gardens before entering the estates around Turkey St. station. Off peak tickets are only valid after 9.30 so we caught the 9.40 train arriving at Liverpool Station 10.11. No limit on return time. The journey and travellers offered a fascinating insight into London life.

Parking is available at the station and in surrounding streets if you are happy to take the risk. Alternatively you could book a taxi. We visited Myddelton House Gardens on the day of our departure a little gem developed by EA Bowles
If you are camping or have a campervan with a pop top, you may find the M25 traffic noise oppressive. We were regularly woken in the early hours; ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones might help.

 

[Princess Doris]

Henlow Lakes, 6 minute walk to Arlesey Station, direct train to Kings Cross, about 40 minutes.

Hi
Thanks for the suggestion.
I never considered a site as far out as Henlow Lakes, but it is one to consider. Definitely easier to reach from my North West location.
Have you used the site ?
We are in a campervan and facilities are important.

 

[Kalikarl]

Debden hose every time! Central line straight into central London

 

[Princess Doris]

Yes, this looks an excellent option. But I've looked at the website and it only operates April to September for camping.

 

[sticky1]

I sometimes stay in central London but do so without the campsite facilities.
I have parked at the eXcel centre which is straight onto the DLR.
There's a few options on Park4Night, if you’re prepared to off grid and use showers and loos at a gym/ supermarket/ service station.
The benefit is you are in the city in 15 minutes.

 

[stoobthealien]

I sometimes stay in central London but do so without the campsite facilities.
I have parked at the eXcel centre which is straight onto the DLR.
There's a few options on Park4Night, if you’re prepared to off grid and use showers and loos at a gym/ supermarket/ service station.
The benefit is you are in the city in 15 minutes.

By the way, if you sign up to classpass for a £1 trial for a month (don't forget to cancel!) you can book a session at a fancy gym in central London for a shower (or go for a jacuzzi first!) for no extra cost over the £1