Campsite near London tube

[Cwcltd]

Swiss Farm and Henley Four Oaks

2 sites in Henley, which has a short train service to Twyford, which then has GWR and EL connections to London. Not stayed at Four Oaks but Swiss Farm is superb.

 

[Perfectos]

Swiss Farm and Henley Four Oaks

2 sites in Henley, which has a short train service to Twyford, which then has GWR and EL connections to London. Not stayed at Four Oaks but Swiss Farm is superb.

+1 for Swiss Farm , gets booked up really quickly

 

[Perfectos]

That Abbey Wood site looks brilliant for London, not sure where the OP is from but for those like me from t'north it's the wrong side of London. Do you know if there are any similar sites to the north west of london?

Where to stay | Lee Valley Regional Park

The Lee Valley has a range of accommodation to choose from and a whole host of activities to keep you busy. That's what makes a short break here so special. Choose from one of our campsites, perfect for caravanning, camping, luxury lodges plus our cosy cocoons, cabins and pre-pitched tents

www.visitleevalley.org.uk

 

[66tim99]

I would consider campsites near the Elizabeth Line - a great service into the West End (and East End). Quick search for west of London (not my specialism, though my father-in-law is in Wokingham, bit too pristine for me) included this site near the river, Henley, and not too far from Twyford Lizzy Line station.

 

[GrannyJen]

That Abbey Wood site looks brilliant for London, not sure where the OP is from but for those like me from t'north it's the wrong side of London. Do you know if there are any similar sites to the north west of london?

No.

Crystal Palace is to the South West but can be a pain in the proverbial to get to and you need a bus to Brixton to connect with the tube system. It's actually the one nearest to me but after I have fought my way in from the South I could be pitched up in Abbey Wood enjoying a nice cup of tea.

I have also tried Chertsey, the CCC site. More convoluted, the station is twenty minutes away and the train infrequent but a short cab ride to Weybridge gives you a fast train connection to Either Wimbledon or Waterloo stations. Windsor also has a fast train and a nice usable car park to overnight in.

Wyatts covert CAMC is close but again a long way to a train. For a direct tube connection in walking distance then Abbey Wood tops everything I have tried with the bonus it is relatively easy to get to from a trunk road.

 

[GrannyJen]

I would consider campsites near the Elizabeth Line - a great service into the West End (and East End). Quick search for west of London (not my specialism, though my father-in-law is in Wokingham, bit too pristine for me) included this site near the river, Henley, and not too far from Twyford Lizzy Line station.

View attachment 117321

I've looked at that one but from memory I think it was only open for about six months of the year. Would have been perfect for me going to watch Fascinating Aida at the Palladium in February

 

[JuanVecino2023]

Stealth camp in The Hyde Park NCP. You cant put the roof up but you won't get more central.

I’ve been pondering this lately, wrt staying in pub car parks, stealth camping in Tobermory waiting fir the morning ferry etc

What is the official line if one is parked in a private car park and over the legal limit for alcohol and asked to move on? Presumably you can’t, as you’re incapable of legally driving on a public road?

Also if stealth camping roadside, are you technically in charge of the vehicle if the keys are not on your person - eg in the glove box?

Just wondering as I’ve heard differing opinions!

 

[GrannyJen]

I’ve been pondering this lately, wrt staying in pub car parks, stealth camping in Tobermory waiting fir the morning ferry etc

What is the official line if one is parked in a private car park and over the legal limit for alcohol and asked to move on? Presumably you can’t, as you’re incapable of legally driving on a public road?

Also if stealth camping roadside, are you technically in charge of the vehicle if the keys are not on your person - eg in the glove box?

Just wondering as I’ve heard differing opinions!

My rule always when stealth camping is to keep below the limit just for that reason. In fact I don't drink at all. As a single female I'm always prepared for a defensive situation and a quick getaway.

 

[andyinluton]

I’ve been pondering this lately, wrt staying in pub car parks, stealth camping in Tobermory waiting fir the morning ferry etc

What is the official line if one is parked in a private car park and over the legal limit for alcohol and asked to move on? Presumably you can’t, as you’re incapable of legally driving on a public road?

Also if stealth camping roadside, are you technically in charge of the vehicle if the keys are not on your person - eg in the glove box?

Just wondering as I’ve heard differing opinions!

I wouldnt be staying in a pub car park unless I had permission & therefore wouldn’t need to move.
If staying somewhere public - lay bye etc I would never be over the limit.
Somewhere like Hyde Park, if I’m paying to park I would refuse to move the van.

In all cases if I intended having a drink I would have the seats rotated & the downstairs bed rotated before I left the van.

 

[Azteccamper]

Theoretically if you’ve got car keys in your possession…….

”Under section 4(1) RTA 1988, it is an offence if a person drives or attempts to drive a motor vehicle on a road or other public place whilst unfit through drink or drugs. Similarly, section 4(2) RTA 1988 makes it an offence if the person is in charge of a motor vehicle when under the influence of drink or drugs.”

 

[andyinluton]

Theoretically if you’ve got car keys in your possession…….

”Similarly, section 4(2) RTA 1988 makes it an offence if the person is in charge of a motor vehicle when under the influence of drink or drugs.”

That’s why I wouldn’t drink in a laybye or roadside.
I’ll take my chances in court re a pubcarpark or paid parking space. Turning the seats & making the bed shows the intent. What’s the difference between a pub carpark which allows camping and a pub with a campsite?

 

[JuanVecino2023]

That’s why I wouldn’t drink in a laybye or roadside.
I’ll take my chances in court re a pubcarpark or paid parking space. Turning the seats & making the bed shows the intent. What’s the difference between a pub carpark which allows camping and a pub with a campsite?

I like the logic you employed there.

My interpretation is that a pub car park being private parking is ok, ditto any other private parking space.

I was just intrigued to hear others’ views.

Many years ago when I was younger & dumber, I took my Splitscreen camper on its inaugural trip, from London to Bristol.

I made it as far as the Heathrow junction when flames and smoke billowed out from under the steering column.

Being no mechanic, but guessing flames and smoke coming from the ignition was vaguely terminal, I called Hagerty and awaited the recovery van on the hard shoulder.

I chucked the keys on the front seat, and retired to the rear table and cracked open a bottle of red and lit a cigarette. It wasn’t a walk-through, so I figured I wasn’t really in control of the vehicle.

I’m sure DC Burnside would have begged to differ.

 

[Hawthorn37]

3rd vote for CAMC Abbey Wood. A quite peaceful site in the east end, and a 10 minute walk to the tube. 30 to 40 minute tube into London. We’re from the Midlands, so go round the east on the M25, over the Dartford bridge (toll), but nicely avoid central London. We’ve also used CCC East Horsley which is good for the south west of London / Hampton Court. Overground station is about 15 minutes walk from the site.

 

[Barry Chuckle]

I like the logic you employed there.

My interpretation is that a pub car park being private parking is ok, ditto any other private parking space.

I was just intrigued to hear others’ views.

Many years ago when I was younger & dumber, I took my Splitscreen camper on its inaugural trip, from London to Bristol.

I made it as far as the Heathrow junction when flames and smoke billowed out from under the steering column.

Being no mechanic, but guessing flames and smoke coming from the ignition was vaguely terminal, I called Hagerty and awaited the recovery van on the hard shoulder.

I chucked the keys on the front seat, and retired to the rear table and cracked open a bottle of red and lit a cigarette. It wasn’t a walk-through, so I figured I wasn’t really in control of the vehicle.

I’m sure DC Burnside would have begged to differ.

I sat as a Magistrate for many years so I have seen this type of offense many times. The reality is, if a police officer suspects your intent was to drive or suspects you have previously been driving you can be charged with drunk in charge. The fact you may be on a private car park makes no difference. It may not surprise you to learn that may drink drivers are caught on the pub car parks as the police will wait for them if they receive a tip off.

I heard all sorts of spurious defenses in my time such as I was warming the car, I was sleeping in my vehicle. I have also seen drivers prosecuted for sleeping in the back of their van which has a separate cab. I personally agree with @andyinluton if you have a prebooked stay at pub stoppover that would be little different to a campsite so the Police would be very harsh to charge you there.

Personally if I was staying in the van anywhere other than a campsite or my own private land I'd not drink. Losing your license for a few drinks is simply not worth the risk.

 

[JuanVecino2023]

I sat as a Magistrate for many years so I have seen this type of offense many times. The reality is, if a police officer suspects your intent was to drive or suspects you have previously been driving you can be charged with drunk in charge. The fact you may be on a private car park makes no difference. It may not surprise you to learn that may drink drivers are caught on the pub car parks as the police will wait for them if they receive a tip off.

I heard all sorts of spurious defenses in my time such as I was warming the car, I was sleeping in my vehicle. I have also seen drivers prosecuted for sleeping in the back of their van which has a separate cab. I personally agree with @andyinluton if you have a prebooked stay at pub stoppover that would be little different to a campsite so the Police would be very harsh to charge you there.

Personally if I was staying in the van anywhere other than a campsite or my own private land I'd not drink. Losing your license for a few drinks is simply not worth the risk.

Thank you so much for confirming.

I wanted some clarity with some concrete information.

 

[GrannyJen]

Thank you so much for confirming.

I wanted some clarity with some concrete information.

I took advice off Geoffrey Miller, the (in)famous firm of motoring solicitors about 8 years ago. They basically said what Andy said.

"Being in charge of a motor vehicle" is an absolute offence. You are guilty until proven not guilty. However in all common sense a prosecution will only be undertaken when you are under the influence and clearly the vehicle can readily be driven away.

Drivers seat reversed, bed made up, keys well away from the ignition, driver in bed even, all indicates no intent to drive. As the lawyer I spoke to said, "If a decision to prosecute were to be made in those circumstances I will be first in a long queue of lawyers wishing to defend". It still does not remove the risk of having, for whatever reason, need to move on before under the DUI limit so unless permission is granted to stay the night then best stay sober.

I also remember when Scotland reduced the alcohol limit for being DUI. The police toured the lorry parks advising drivers to understand how much they nay have had to drink and leave later in the morning as they will be policing the new limit.Total common sense of not trying to nick anyone sleeping in their cabs and who had been clearly drinking. The chief constable obviously wanted to keep his job.

 

[andyinluton]

Drivers seat reversed, bed made up, keys well away from the ignition, driver in bed even, all indicates no intent to drive.

I think it's very important to do all these bits before having a drink, you wouldn't want to be turning on the ignition to raise the roof whilst inebriated.

 

[The Saint Essex]

Crystal Palace C&MH site. Nos3 bus outside direct to Regents Street. Also a 24hr night bus.

I believe C&MH have lost the lease on the Crystal Palace site and it's being redeveloped into housing in the near future.

 

[WelshGas]

I believe C&MH have lost the lease on the Crystal Palace site and it's being redeveloped into housing in the near future.

Council haven’t got the money so it’s on a rolling short lease. Will still be there next year.

 

[Azteccamper]

I believe C&MH have lost the lease on the Crystal Palace site and it's being redeveloped into housing in the near future.

Still open as I have booked here for Jan ‘24!

 

[Van Maurice]

Hi All,

Any recommendations for a campsite that has good connection to/from central london (ie close walking distance to underground station etc.) ?

Would be awesome to find one that works for a night out in town...

Abbey Wood campsite is our go-to when we are visiting London. 10 min walk to station then whizz into London on the Elizabeth Line.

 

[The Saint Essex]

Still open as I have booked here for Jan ‘24!

Your right, say site is potentially open until the end of 2024, probably getting confused with the Bristol site which was closing too. "will potentially enable us to keep the site open for bookings until late 2024 with pitches available 13 months ahead"

 

[Hawthorn37]

Bristol docks site is remaining open for another year. They’re taking bookings through to December 2024.

 

[jazlady128]

Hi All,

Any recommendations for a campsite that has good connection to/from central london (ie close walking distance to underground station etc.) ?

Would be awesome to find one that works for a night out in town...

I stayed at Crystal Palace Club Campsite - Old Cople Lane, Crystal Palace Parade, London, London, SE19 1UF. Next to Crystal Palace Park and open to non-members. Has good transport links into central London.

 

[Love It Love It Love It!]

Lee Valley Sewardstone campsite has a bus that stops right by the entrance and takes you to Walthamstow Central Victoria Line. When we stayed it was full of campers heading into town. Plus it’s on the right side of London if you’re coming from the north