Camping in Hurley

Hurley Riverside Park is the natural base for anyone wanting to camp in this part of the Thames Valley. Family-run since 1926 and set on fifteen acres of riverside meadow, it welcomes tents, touring caravans and motorhomes, with hard-standing, grass and premium pitches alongside static holiday homes for those who prefer a glamping-style stay without their own kit. The park has repeatedly been recognised in the Camping and Glamping Awards and holds a David Bellamy Gold Conservation Award, reflecting its wildlife-friendly meadows and mature riverside trees.

As with anywhere in England, wild camping is not permitted without the landowner's explicit permission, so a licensed site like this is the only legal option for pitching a tent in the area; the Thames-side commons and water meadows around Hurley are private or managed land. What the park lacks in wild remoteness it makes up for in setting: pitches run down almost to the Thames itself, with two slipways giving direct access for canoes, kayaks and small boats, and the Thames Path passing along the site boundary for walkers heading towards Henley or Marlow.

The terrain here is flat, low-lying Thames Valley meadow rather than hill country, so it suits family camping and gentle cycling more than rugged outdoor pursuits, though the Chiltern escarpment rises within easy reach for those wanting a proper day's walk. The best camping season runs from late April to September, when water levels are stable, evenings are long enough for a barbecue by the river, and the site's heated shower blocks and laundrette take the edge off any unpredictable British weather. Spring brings blossom and quieter pitches; high summer is understandably the busiest, especially around regatta season in nearby Henley; and a shoulder-season stay in September can mean a near-empty riverbank with autumn colour just starting on the far bank.