16 Places To Go Glamping In Essex!

I have become a huge fan of glamping. It gives those that don’t have their own caravan (or simply don’t want to rough it in a tent), a chance to still enjoy the outdoors! There are different levels of glamping, from ‘glamourous’ tents to small cabins. It’s a great option for a local mini-break! Essex is so close to London that if you’re looking for glamping near London, Essex is a good option!

Glamping Essex

So far I have been to one of these glamping sites, but I plan on visiting some more! As and when I do, I’ll update the post to reflect my thoughts! Some of these sites also have regular caravanning and camping options too. If you are looking for camping options (tents, tourers, motorhomes, static caravans) and holiday parks in Essex, check out this post: 15 Places To Go Camping In Essex UK

Maldon

Osea Leisure Park

*Pods | Bell Tents | Safari Tents | Shepherds Hut | Treehouse *

🗺Osea Leisure Park, Goldhanger Road, Maldon CM9 4SA

Osea Leisure Park is where I first experienced glamping in Essex! They have a huge range of glamping accommodation options. These vary in prices and occupancy. At the cheaper end of the scale (starting from £25pn), they have Bell Tents. The Bell Tents are very minimal. They had a rug and sleep mats but you’ll need to supply everything else.

I stayed in the Malvern Pod for £75pn with a 2-night minimum stay. The mini pod has a double sofa bed, a bunk bed, a tv, fridge, kettle and a fire pit. The toilet block is a short walk away.

Other options include: Royal Pods (with an ensuite), a Treehouse and a Shepherds Hut (both available for 1-night bookings at £45, the Shepherds Hut has a toilet, the Treehouse doesn’t). There are 3 different sizes of ‘Safari Tent’, with the largest sleeping 14-16 people!

The campsite has: a games room, play equipment, The View at Osea (Tiptree tearoom), The Deckhouse bar with weekend entertainment and a small ‘beach’ area with beach huts on stilts (these can’t be hired though)!

There are plenty of things to do in Maldon, which is just a 10-minute drive away.

Find out more on the Osea Leisure Park website.

Chigborough Farm

*Bell Tents | Safari Tents | Pods | Cabins | (Hot Tubs)*

🗺Chigborough Farm, 2 Chigborough Rd, Heybridge, Maldon CM9 4RD

A few years back I had to make a delivery to Chigborough Farm, but I first discovered their unique glamping options on TikTok! Let’s start at the cheaper end of the scale. The Bell Tents at Chigborough Farm are a little more ‘glamourous’ than the ones at Osea, they have proper bed inside!

There’s then the ‘Birdsong’ safari tent that has its own private hot tub (from £110pn) and a large ‘Woodpecker’ pod on land (from £100pn).

I say ‘on land’ because the other 2 cabins at Chigborough Farm are floating on a lake! The Grebe’s Nest pod, from £100pn, is accessed via a chain bridge (you pull yourself along) and comes with a little rowboat that can be used during the stay. ‘The Raft’ floating cabin is the one I saw on TikTok! This is a large cabin from £200pn, with its own private hot tub, hammock and rowboat! The Raft has an occupancy of 2 adults and 2 children.

At Chigborough Farm you’ll also find walking paths, fishing (it is a fishery after all!), a pottery painting studio, yoga, stand-up paddle boarding, a maze and a restaurant.

Find out more on the Chigborough Farm website.

Mersea Island

West Mersea Holiday Park

*Mini Pods*

🗺West Mersea Holiday Park, Seaview Ave, West Mersea, Colchester CO5 8DA

The pods at West Mersea Holiday Park are similar to the Malvern mini pods at Osea Leisure Park (minus a TV and fridge). They accommodation up to 2 adults and 2 children and have shared toilet facilities. Prices start from £60pn with a 2-night minimum stay.

West Mersea Holiday Park has a bar, restaurant, a mini-mart and is steps away from West Mersea Beach. Wifi is available in the pods for an additional charge.

Find out more on the Park Holidays website.

Colchester

Teybrook Orchard

*Bell Tents | Shepherds Hut | Grain Silo | Cabins | (Hot Tubs)*

🗺Teybrook Orchard, Tey Brook Farm, Brook Rd, East of England CO6 1JE

Located in Great Tey is Teybrook Orchard. Their main glamping option are Bell Tents and Yurts! They have 8 altogether with names that you’ll recognise from The Jungle Book and The Lion King! Sleeping up to 4 people, the tents and yurts have proper beds in and bedding is provided. (Some glamping options on this list require guests to bring their own bedding. A sleeping bag works fine). Teybrook Orchard also has a Shepherd’s Hut and a converted grain silo. Both sleeping up to 2 guests.

Each accommodation has a barbecue/fire pit, however there is also a communal kitchen with pots and pans provided.

For those looking for a little extra luxury, the 1 bedroom Kingfishers Nest cabin and the 3 bedroom Water Lily Lodge, both have private hot tubs!

Find out more on the Browning Bros website.

Swallows Field Glamping Pods

*Pods | (Hot Tubs)*

🗺Swallows Field Glamping Pods, 6 Heath Cottages, Heath Rd, Fordham Heath, Colchester CO3 9TN

There are 3 ‘adults only’ glamping pods at Swallow Fields. Each pod can accommodate 4 adults (2 double beds) and has a kitchen, ensuite and living area. Welcome packs with tea, coffee and sugar are available for use during your stay. Prices start at £90pn. However, for an EXTRA £100 for a 2-night stay, you can book a hot tub! You do have to let them know in advance if you require one, as they have to be set up before arrival. (£20 extra for the 3rd night, £10pn after). You can also arrange to have a massage in the pods from a mobile therapist!

Find out more on the Swallows Fields Glamping Pods website.

Layer Marner Tower Farm

*Safari Tents | (Hot tubs)*

🗺Layer Marner Tower Farm, Colchester CO5 9US

Located at Layer Marner Tower are 6 ‘Canvas Frills Lodges’ (safari-style tents). Each tent sleeps up to 6 people and some have hot tubs for an additional fee. Bed linen and towels are provided and guests can enjoy a farm tour and free entrance to the tower. An honesty shop is available on site.

A 2-night weekend stay starts from £405.

Find out more on the Feather Down website.

Rockinghams Farm

*Pods*

🗺Rockinghams Farm Layer Marney, Layer Marney CO5 9UL

Also in Layer Marney is Rockingham Farm glamping pods. They have 2 pods on site, with a pull out bed, small kitchen (microwave, toaster, kettle and a fridge) and a TV and DVD player. Each pod has a barbecue and a fire pit. Toilet and shower facilities are nearby. The farm also has 4 fishing lakes.

TIP: I find that taking disposable barbecues are the best option. They are easy to travel with, super fast to light, hold enough heat to cook food for 2 people and easy to dispose of when you’re done! Simply put them on top of the provided barbecue so they don’t damage the grass!

Find out more on the Rockinghams Farm website.

The Shepherds Hide

*Shepherds Huts*

🗺The Shepherds Hide, Mill Farm, Colchester CO7 8JJ

The Shepherds Hide have 2 en suite shepherds huts, complete with a kitchen and a welcome breakfast basket. They can be reserved even during the winter as they have log burners and their newest hut even has under-floor heating! Weekend prices start from £240 for a 2 night stay. The town of Brightlingsea is just 2 miles down the road.

Find out more at The Shepherds Hide website.

St Oysth

Lee Wick Farm

*Ensuite Pods | ‘Cabins’ | (Hot Tubs)*

🗺Lee Wick Farm, Lee Wick Lane, St. Osyth CO16 8ES

All pods and cabins at Lee Wick Farm have the option to pay an additional fee for the use of a private log fire hot tub (from £60)! As well as having an ensuite bathroom and a small ‘kitchen area’. Many of the pods are large enough for a family for 4 (2 adults and 2 children) or just 2 adults (groups of more than 2 adults will need to reserve a 2nd pod). Weekday stays have a fairly large discount compared to the weekend rates!

(I have my eye on Lee Wick Farm for possibly my next glamping stay… I really like how modern their accommodation options look!)

Find at out on the Lee Wick Farm website.

The Pretty Thing

*Bell Tents | Pods*

🗺The Pretty Things, Heath Rd, St. Osyth, Clacton-on-Sea CO16 9BP

The bell tents and glamping pods at ‘The Pretty Thing’ all have double beds. Single fold away beds can be provided for those travelling with children. Most glamping sites have fire pits included, which as mentioned above, is great for disposable barbecues. However at The Pretty Thing, fire pits can be rented for an additional fee. Plus barbecues are required to be raised off the ground, so in this case disposable barbecues may not be the best option.

Find out more at The Pretty Thing website.

Hatfield Peverel

Lakeland Yurts

*Pod | Yurts | (Hot Tubs)*

🗺Lakeland Yurts, Wickham Bishop Rd, Chelmsford CM3 2JL

Lakeland Yurts has 2 yurts and 1 pod with lake-side views. The 2 yurts both have private hot tubs included in the price! Lily Lake Yurt is slightly smaller, with an occupancy of 2 people, and Bluebell Yurt can sleep up to 5 and has a hammock outside and a large kitchen. If you don’t feel like cooking, local takeaways will deliver to the yurts.

Weekend prices for a 2 night minimum stay, in either of the yurts, for 2 people, is £340. Additional guests for Bluebell Yurt are an extra £25 per person. Prices include: bedding, robes and slippers, crockery and cutlery, all logs and charcoal (many other sites listed in this post have addition charges for logs and charcoal!) and fishing on the lakes.

Find out more on the Lakeland Yurts website.

Braintree

Glamping Yoga Retreat at Sparrows Campsite

*Tipis*

🗺Sparrows Campsite, Froyz Hall, PennyPot Corner, Halstead CO9 1RS

For those after something a little different, how about a glamping yoga retreat? Run by Brixton Yoga, these weekend glamping retreats include yoga sessions, campfires and all meals included. You can read my full blog post about the weekend here: Brixton Yoga & Sparrows Campsite Yoga Retreat Essex UK. Sparrows Campsite is in a peaceful location with a hammock tree and shared toilets and shower facilities.

Early bird price for 2 nights is £225 – plus £100 for private 2 person Tipi or £150 for 4 person Tipi (first come, first served). You can also take your own tent for no extra cost.

Find out more about the yoga retreat on the Brixton Yoga website or Sparrows Campsite for camping and glamping.

Finchingfield (Braintree District)

Finchingfield Camping

*Lotus Belle Tents*

🗺Finchingfield Camping, Howe Street, Finchingfield CM7 4JB

Finchingfield Camping has 2 fully furnished star gazing Lotus Belle Tents each with a private toilet (outside cabin) and shared shower facilities. The tents can sleep up to 4 adults and 2 children. There’s no electricity in the tents, however they have solar powered lighting and ‘The Shed’ has a freezer and an area to charge mobile phones. They even provide kettles that are suitable for firepit grills! Finchingfield Camping also has a lavender farm (limited day passes are available) and a camping area.

A one night stay costs £170pn or £125pn for stays lasting 2+ nights.

Find out more on the Finchingfield Camping website.

Pebmarsh (Braintree District)

Woodchests Glamping

*Safari Tents*

🗺Woodchests Glamping, Hunts Hall, Colne Rd, Pebmarsh CO9 2QE

There are 3 Safari Tents at Woodchests Glamping named Horn Beam, Maple and Oak. Each tent sleeps up to 6 people and has an ensuite toilet and shower room, a kitchen area with a small fridge, and a dining room and living room. Lights are solar powered however there is also a charging point for phones. Bedding is provided, guests just need to bring towels and food and drink. Board games and outdoor games are available to borrow during your stay.

Reservations require a 2-night minimum, costing £240 at weekends and £200 during the week.

Children can enjoy activity sheets for nearby nature trails and fairy trails!

Find out more on the Woodchests Glamping website.

Brentwood

Kelvedon Hatch Camping and Caravanning Club Site

*Safari Tents*

🗺Kelvedon Hatch Camping and Caravanning Club Site, Warren Ln, Doddinghurst, Brentwood CM15 0JG

The safari tents at the Kelvedon Hatch Camping and Caravanning Club Site are part of ‘Ready Camp’. Ready Camp provide ‘ready-made’ glamping tents at sites all around the country! The tents sleep up to 6 people (2 adults and 4 kids, or 4 adults and 2 kids) and come with a kitchen and crockery, dining area and 2 ‘bedrooms’ (canvas curtain).

They do seem to only been available for a minimum of 3 nights+, starting from £184, which isn’t a bad rate compared to some of the others with a 2-night minimum.

Find out more on the Camping and Caravanning Club website.

Hadleigh

Essex Glamping at Hadleigh Park

*Safari Tents*

🗺Essex Glamping, Hadleigh Park, Chapel Ln, Benfleet SS7 2PP

Essex Glamping at Hadleigh Park offers Safari Tents sleeping up to 6 people (1 double bed and 2 bunk beds). The tents don’t have electricity, the lights are powered via solar energy and there is a gas hob to cook on. A toilet and shower block is a short walk away.

Hadleigh Park was the location for the London 2012 Olympic mountain biking events. Bikes can be hired or if you have your own, you can ride on the tracks for free.

Find out more on the Essex Glamping website.

Brentwood and Hadleigh are the closest places for glamping near London. They are around a 1 hour drive from Central London. Due to many being located on farms, driving is the easiest way to reach the sites.

*Prices correct at the time of writing and double-check with each accommodation to see what you’ll need to bring, such as bedding*

Inspired? Pin these Essex glamping locations for later!