Camping in Goffs Oak

Goffs Oak sits on the fringe of the Lee Valley, a stretch of parkland, lakes and waterways along the River Lea that offers some of the more accessible outdoor space near London, though it is not a dedicated campsite destination in its own right. As with the rest of England, wild camping without the landowner's permission is illegal, so anyone wanting to camp near Goffs Oak should look to established sites in the wider Lee Valley or Hertfordshire countryside rather than pitching informally in the surrounding fields or parkland.

The Lee Valley Regional Park, a short drive east towards Waltham Abbey and Cheshunt, has campsites geared towards families and those keen to explore the park's lakes, cycling routes and watersports facilities, and is the most obvious option for visitors basing themselves near Goffs Oak. Further afield, the Hertfordshire countryside around Hertford and Ware offers a handful of small rural sites for those wanting a quieter, more traditional camping experience away from the busier Lee Valley venues.

Camping here suits visitors happy with a simple, unglamorous trip rather than those seeking dramatic scenery: this is gentle, low-lying countryside and managed parkland rather than wilderness. Spring through early autumn is the best window, when the Lee Valley's trails and waterways are at their most usable and campsite facilities are fully open. For those who prefer more comfort, a small but growing number of glamping options — pods, safari tents and similar — have appeared across Hertfordshire and the Lee Valley in recent years, offering an easier introduction to sleeping outdoors without the need for your own kit.