Camping in Essex

Essex campsites tend to fall into two camps: quiet farm pitches for those who like a fire pit and a view of nothing but fields, and glamping setups with proper beds and a bit more comfort. Stuarts Wood Camping and Tey Brook Orchard both work well if you want a traditional back-to-basics stay, while Dairymeade Farm Glamping and Woodchests Glamping suit anyone wanting a hut or shepherd's hut with the hard work already done.

The Colchester and Halstead areas offer good access to the Stour Valley and the Essex coast around Mersea Island, where Mersea Barns Glamping puts you close to the water and its seafood shacks. Further north towards Saffron Walden and Finchingfield, sites sit among the county's prettiest villages, useful for exploring on foot or by bike.

Smaller, more unusual stays crop up throughout, from Peace Place Pilgrim Bivouac to Hedingham Huts and The Shepherds Hide, so it is worth deciding whether you want peace and isolation or somewhere within easy reach of a pub.