If you’re feeling a little tired of the big smoke, glamping near London may be the perfect antidote to city life. Let the skyline fall into green fields behind you, sirens fade into birdsong and swap dense traffic for the occasional puzzled sheep.
In less than two hours, you could be exploring Sussex countryside, paddling the peaceful waterways of Essex, or picnicking beneath ancient oaks in the New Forest before returning to your own peaceful corner of nature. You'll find treehouses among towering pines, shepherd's huts with llamas for neighbours, and floating cabins reached only by rowboat. Together, they make up the best collection of glamping near London, each created by independent owners who know these landscapes inside out.
London's best escapes are closer than you think
City life can sometimes trick you into thinking a break in nature is a million miles away, but when you look beyond the usual Cornwall and South Devon hot spots, you’ve got a whole lot to explore that doesn’t require an entire day of sitting in traffic jams to get there. You don’t have to venture far to properly leave London behind.
Proper rest looks different outdoors
Time slows naturally when your day revolves around woodland walks, outdoor baths, sunrise coffee and evenings beside the fire. It's amazing how restorative a weekend can feel when there isn't anywhere you're supposed to be.
No copy-and-paste glamping here
Every treehouse, cabin and shepherd's hut belongs to someone with a completely different idea of what escaping should feel like. Some overlook lakes, some sit on working farms, some hide among woodland. We've visited every single one, so you don't have to gamble on somewhere that only looks good in photos.