Camping in Chertsey

Chertsey and the surrounding Thames Valley countryside offer a gentler introduction to camping than Surrey's wilder heathland further south, with a landscape of water meadows, willow-lined riverbanks and gently rolling farmland rather than dramatic hills. As in the rest of England, wild camping without the landowner's permission is illegal here, so pitching up on Chertsey Meads or along the Thames towpath without prior arrangement is not an option; instead, visitors should look to licensed campsites and caravan parks in the wider area around Chertsey, Chertsey, Chobham and the Thames-side villages towards Windsor and Staines.

The flat, low-lying terrain around the river means many local sites are geared towards touring caravans, motorhomes and family camping rather than rugged backcountry pitches, and several also welcome tents. Given the proximity to Thorpe Park, a number of campsites in the area position themselves as budget-friendly alternatives to on-site theme park accommodation, combining an easy drive to the rides with evenings spent beside the river or in more traditional countryside surroundings a little further out towards Chobham Common and the Surrey Heaths.

The best season for camping around Chertsey runs from late spring to early autumn, when longer days and milder weather suit riverside walks, watersports on the Thames and cycling the towpaths, and when Thorpe Park itself is at its busiest. Early autumn can also be a rewarding, quieter time to camp nearby, with golden light along the river and the theme park crowds beginning to thin. For those who would rather skip the tent pegs altogether, glamping options in the wider area, from safari tents to shepherd's huts, offer a more comfortable way to enjoy the Thames Valley countryside, pairing proper beds and often a wood-burner or hot tub with the same easy access to Chertsey's history, riverside walks and nearby family attractions.