Best campsites near London: 5 top picks for 2026

The best campsites near London are more varied and more accessible than most city dwellers realise. These 5 parks span south London's greenbelt, the Surrey hills, the Lee Valley and the Essex fringe, putting proper camping within an hour's drive of the city centre. Camplify trip data shows that short breaks from London are among the most popular trips on the platform, with many hirers collecting a campervan or caravan from a local owner and heading out on a Friday evening.

Browse campervans and caravans for hire in London if you already know your dates.

London is a surprisingly strong base for a campervan trip. Pick up from a local owner in the city or the suburbs, load the cool box, and you can be on a proper campsite pitch inside an hour. The parks listed here are consistently rated among the best campsites near London by Camplify's community of owners and hirers, and each one suits campervans and caravans rather than just tent pitches. If you find yourself inspired to range further, the guides to Brighton motorhome campsites and 5 best Weymouth campsites are worth bookmarking for future trips.

South London and Surrey campsites: camping near London's greenbelt

Abbey Wood Club Campsite

Abbey Wood Club Campsite sits inside the Greater London boundary, which makes it something of a rarity among top campsites near London. The site is run by the Caravan and Motorhome Club and sits on the edge of Abbey Wood, with good bus links into central London from nearby Thamesmead. For a city-fringe site, it is remarkably peaceful once you are settled on pitch.

Popular among Camplify travellers who want a London base without sacrificing the campervan experience, this site works well for those arriving on a Thursday or Friday to beat weekend traffic. Electric hook-up is available across the site, and the facilities are well maintained. The surrounding green space means you can walk the dog or stretch your legs without getting back in the vehicle.

Being a Caravan and Motorhome Club site, non-members can still book but members get priority access and a reduced rate. Hirers who've stayed here rate the proximity to central London highly, particularly for day trips to Greenwich, the Cutty Sark and the National Maritime Museum. Pick up a campervan from a local London owner and you could be pitched here on the same evening.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 10 miles from central London, around 30 minutes by road

• Best for: Couples, solo travellers and families wanting a city-fringe base for London day trips

• Key facilities: Electric hook-up, hardstanding and grass pitches, modern shower and toilet blocks, dog-friendly areas

• Book ahead: Bank holiday weekends and summer school holidays book up quickly; book at least 6-8 weeks ahead

Alderstead Heath Club Campsite

Positioned on the North Downs in Surrey, Alderstead Heath Club Campsite offers proper countryside air within straightforward reach of the capital. The site sits near Merstham, with the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty close at hand and some excellent rambling routes leading directly from the campsite boundary.

A community favourite among Camplify travellers who want to combine city access with decent countryside walking, Alderstead Heath suits couples and families equally well. Camplify owners who know the Surrey area suggest arriving via the A23 corridor to avoid the worst of Friday evening traffic out of London. From the site, the M25 gives easy access to both central London and the broader south-east.

The pitches are mostly level with electric hook-up available, and the facilities meet the reliable standards you expect from a Caravan and Motorhome Club site. Nearby Redhill and Reigate both have good rail connections into London Bridge, so leaving the campervan on site for a day in the city is a practical option.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 20 miles from central London, around 40-50 minutes by road

• Best for: Ramblers, couples and families who want Surrey countryside with London day-trip access

• Key facilities: Electric hook-up, hardstanding and grass pitches, shower and toilet facilities, on-site dog walking

• Book ahead: Spring and summer weekends; the North Downs rambling season makes April to September particularly busy

Lee Valley and Essex campsites: camping near London to the north and east

Lee Valley Camping and Caravan Park, Edmonton

Lee Valley Camping and Caravan Park, Edmonton is one of the most practical choices among campsites near London for those approaching from the north or east. Managed by the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, the site runs along the River Lee Navigation and provides a green corridor that feels very removed from the surrounding urban landscape.

Well-rated by the Camplify community for its value and convenience, this park suits hirers who want a touring base with quick access to the City and east London. The nearest tube and rail connections keep the van on pitch while you explore. Camplify owners with local knowledge of north London point out that the site is also a good launchpad for the Lee Valley's extensive cycling and walking routes, which stretch north all the way into Hertfordshire.

Facilities are functional rather than luxurious, but the setting along the water more than compensates. The site accommodates motorhomes and caravans on hardstanding pitches with electric hook-up, and the park authority maintains the grounds well. For those looking to continue further afield after a London stop, the 5 best Brecon Beacons campsites offer a strong follow-on destination heading west.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 9 miles from central London, around 30-40 minutes by road

• Best for: Families, cyclists and hirers wanting an affordable north London base with outdoor access

• Key facilities: Electric hook-up, hardstanding pitches, shower and toilet blocks, proximity to Lee Valley walking and cycling routes

• Book ahead: Summer holidays and bank holidays; weekends from May onwards fill up reliably

Debden House Camp Site

Debden House Camp Site takes a different approach from the Club sites. Located near Loughton in Essex, on the edge of Epping Forest, the site is run by a charitable trust and has a relaxed, informal atmosphere that appeals to groups and families in particular. The forest itself is one of the largest ancient woodlands in the south-east and is well worth a day's exploration on foot.

A go-to for Camplify regulars wanting something a little less regimented than the larger Club sites, Debden House suits those who value green space over polished facilities. The site can accommodate touring caravans and motorhomes, and the Essex countryside around Loughton is genuinely pleasant for a short break. Hirers who've stayed here recommend the Epping Forest trails for morning walks before the day-trippers arrive.

The site's location near the end of the Central line means a car-free day in London is straightforward, which is a real advantage when travelling in a larger vehicle. Camplify owners suggest checking the site's availability directly, as it can fill for school holiday periods and group bookings.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 14 miles from central London, around 35-45 minutes by road

• Best for: Families, groups and hirers who want Epping Forest access with easy tube links into London

• Key facilities: Touring pitches, shower and toilet facilities, large grounds, proximity to Epping Forest walking routes

• Book ahead: School holiday periods and weekends in summer; group bookings can take significant capacity

Surrey and Middlesex campsites: top campsites near London to the south-west

Chertsey Camping and Caravanning Club Site

Chertsey Camping and Caravanning Club Site sits alongside the Thames in Surrey, giving it a setting that makes it one of the more scenic options among the best campsites near London. The river is within walking distance of the pitches, and the surrounding area has good country pub options for evenings when cooking in the van loses its appeal.

Recommended by owners in the area as a reliable, well-run site for south-west London arrivals, Chertsey suits those picking up a campervan in west or south-west London and heading straight out on the M3 or M25. The town of Chertsey itself is quiet and has useful amenities for stocking up. Thorpe Park is also nearby, which makes this one of the better campsites near London for families travelling with older children.

The site is managed by the Camping and Caravanning Club, so facilities meet consistent standards across pitch quality, shower blocks and electric hook-up provision. The Thames towpath is accessible from close by, and the wider Surrey countryside offers everything from easy riverside walks to longer rambles. For those planning a longer touring route north, the guides to 11 best NC500 campsites for motorhomes, 5 best Loch Lomond campsites and 5 best Oban campsites give a clear picture of what awaits further up the country.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 20 miles from central London, around 40-50 minutes by road via M3 or M25

• Best for: Families, couples and hirers wanting Thames-side camping with Surrey countryside access

• Key facilities: Electric hook-up, hardstanding and grass pitches, shower and toilet blocks, Thames towpath access nearby

• Book ahead: Bank holiday weekends and summer school holidays; Thorpe Park proximity makes weekends in July and August particularly busy

Ready to find your London campervan?

The best campsites near London are easy to reach when you pick up from a local owner close to home. Browse campervans and caravans for hire near you, choose your dates, and collect directly from an owner in your area. No delivery needed, just a straightforward pickup and an open road.