Best Camping Near London

You don't need to drive five hours to camp. Within two hours of central London, you can be in ancient woodland, on chalk downs, beside rivers, or looking out across the sea. The Home Counties aren't the Highlands, but they offer genuinely good camping — and you can be there on a Friday evening and back at your desk on Monday.

Best Areas

The South Downs

The South Downs National Park stretches from Winchester to Eastbourne — chalk downland with rolling hills, ancient woodland, and stunning views over the Weald. It's the closest national park to London and offers the best camping in the south-east.

The South Downs Way is a 100-mile trail running the length of the downs, with campsites and wild-style camping options along its route.

Getting there: 1-2 hours from London by car. Train to Lewes, Petersfield, or Amberley. Highlights: Rolling chalk hills, long views, accessible walking.

The New Forest

The New Forest is a unique landscape — ancient woodland, open heathland, and free-roaming ponies, cattle, and pigs. It's a brilliant camping destination with plenty of official campsites.

The Forestry England campsites in the New Forest are excellent — no-frills sites in beautiful forest settings. They book up fast in summer.

Getting there: 1.5-2 hours from London. Train to Brockenhurst. Highlights: Wildlife, ancient woodland, family-friendly.

The Surrey Hills

Closer to London than you'd think, the Surrey Hills AONB has surprisingly wild country. Box Hill, Leith Hill, and the greensand ridge offer good walking and a few camping options.

Getting there: Under an hour from central London. Highlights: Quick escape, surprisingly rural, good walking.

The North Downs

The North Downs Way runs from Farnham to Dover, following the chalk escarpment. The Kent and Surrey sections have camping options, and the landscape — particularly the Kent Downs — is underrated.

Getting there: 1-1.5 hours from London. Highlights: Chalk landscapes, quiet, overlooked.

The Chilterns

The Chilterns AONB stretches from Oxfordshire to Hertfordshire — beechwoods, chalk streams, and rolling hills. Several good campsites operate in the area, and the walking is excellent.

Getting there: Under an hour to the eastern Chilterns. Highlights: Ancient beechwoods, accessible, gentle terrain.

The Kent and Sussex Coast

Coastal camping within reach of London — Dungeness, the Sussex Heritage Coast, and quieter sections of the Kent coast offer sea views and beach access.

Getting there: 1.5-2 hours from London. Highlights: Sea air, beach walks, fresh fish.

Types of Camping Available

Paid Campsites

The most practical option near London. Prices are typically higher than northern England (£15-35 per night) but facilities are usually good.

Look for:

• Farm campsites — often the best value and most characterful
• Forestry England sites — particularly in the New Forest
• Wild-style sites — growing in number across the south-east

Wild Camping

Wild camping in southern England is technically trespass and not widely tolerated. The landscape is more populated and enclosed than the north, making discreet camping harder.

That said, responsible wild camping in remote woodland and on open downland does happen. If you choose this route:

• Be extremely discreet
• Pitch after dark, leave at dawn
• Deep woodland is more practical than open ground
• Leave absolutely no trace
• Accept that you may be asked to move

Bivvying

A bivvy bag (sleeping out without a tent) is more discreet than a tent and works well for quick overnight camps. In woodland or on open downland, a bivvy under the stars is a genuine adventure and less intrusive than a tent.

Bothies and Shelters

Southern England has very few bothies compared to Scotland, but a handful of shelters and open-access buildings exist. Check the Mountain Bothies Association for any southern options.

Camping by Public Transport

One of the great advantages of camping near London is public transport access:

• South Downs: Trains to Lewes, Hassocks, Amberley, Petersfield — all on the South Downs Way or nearby
• New Forest: Trains to Brockenhurst, direct from Waterloo
• Surrey Hills: Trains to Dorking, Gomshall, Box Hill
• Chilterns: Trains to Princes Risborough, Wendover, Tring

Camping by train is genuinely viable from London — no car needed, no parking hassle, and a more sustainable approach.

Seasonal Considerations

Spring: Bluebells in the woodlands (especially the Chilterns and Weald). Warming temperatures. Book early for Easter.

Summer: The busiest season. South coast sites book up fast. Midweek is always quieter.

Autumn: Beautiful woodland colours, especially in the beechwoods of the Chilterns. Quieter and cooler.

Winter: Many campsites close November to March. Those that stay open are quieter. The New Forest in winter is atmospheric.

Making the Most of a Short Trip

A one-night camping trip from London is absolutely worthwhile. Here's how to maximise it:

1. Pack the night before — leave straight from work on Friday
2. Pre-book your site — arriving at 8pm to find it full is soul-destroying
3. Plan a walk for Saturday — the camping is the accommodation, the walk is the activity
4. Stay Saturday night too — if you can. Two nights transforms a trip.
5. Leave Sunday afternoon — avoid the Sunday evening traffic back to London

Recommended Gear for London Weekend Escapes

Quick getaways from London need portable, easy gear that's ready when you are.

You don't need a week off work to camp. A single night under canvas within 90 minutes of London is enough to reset, recharge, and remind yourself that the countryside is closer than you think.