Stuarts Wood

View prices & book 2 reviews
St Louis hotel pitch
St louis hotel pitch
Newest pitch by oak and pond
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Tent pitches
Tent pitches
Tent pitches
Forest
Site
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Newest pitch by oak and pond
View from newest pitch
Tent pitches

  • Nearly wild site in an oak woodland on a working country farm
  • Five-minute drive to Stock and 10 minutes to Hanningfield’s bird hide
  • Campfires allowed; 35 minutes from Southend-on-Sea beaches
Flock to the forest for a secluded stay amid the towering oak trees at Stuarts Wood. This pretty much wild site is set on the 800-acre Apps Estate, a working arable farm, and is a top place for a wildlife-watching weekend away as it’s a 10-minute drive from the bird hide at Hanningfield Nature Reserve. The park is also peaceful – guests drop cars 200m away from the pitches, carrying their belongings to and fro in the provided wheelbarrows so vehicle noise doesn’t disturb the ambience. Continuing the laidback vibes, campfires are permitted on base and, when not building blazes, visitors can wander around the woodland trails or on the historical Pilgrims Way route in the surrounding countryside. The coast is also close enough for a day trip – check out the beaches around Southend-on-Sea 35 minutes away. If you’d like to have food prepared by others, walk towards one of the pubs near the park – there are a few within a half an hour’s amble. Alternatively, fill a bag up with local produce at the farm shop in Stock (five minutes’ drive) and cook it alfresco at your pitch. As you’ve probably already realised, Stuarts Wood is a simple sort of site, so expect long-drop loos in the woods and not much else but a warm welcome and running water. The park operates a ‘love the farm, leave no trace policy’, so please take what you bring with you back home at the end of your stay.

Site type

Tent pitches 10
Open now
Opens 18 April
Please note
  • This site has no on-site shower facilities.
  • Under 18s must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
  • No hen/stag parties permitted via Pitchup.com.
  • No cars/motorbikes by the pitch/unit. All cars must be parked in the designated area.
  • At least one of the party members must be aged 21 or over.
  • Guests are advised to bring a good quality torch with them as parts of the site are unlit.
  • There is no reception on-site: on arrival please contact the number provided on your booking confirmation.
  • The car park is located about 200m from the pitches. You will be provided with wheelbarrows to transfer your gear to your pitch.

Languages spoken

English

Open from Fri, 18 Apr to

Reviews

10

Overall rating based on 2 reviews View breakdown

100%

would recommend this site to a friend

100%

would stay here again

Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

Friendly staff, Nearly Wild Camping, Communal Fire pit, Peaceful

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 8
Cleanliness 8
Wifi No rating
Bryce G. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric forest floor tent pitch

Liked: Absolutely amazing little get away just outside the city. All of the pitches are separate allowing you some privacy. The tranquility and peace of these woods is the best I've experienced while camping in the UK. Will definitely be going again. Wood for sale aswell which is a bonus.

Recommend to friends Visit again

A beautiful place to stay

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Non-electric forest floor tent pitch

Liked: I had a lovely couple of nights staying at Stuarts Wood site. A small but beautiful woods in a beautiful location, with friendly people. I liked everything about this place. Even the toilet facilities, a poo with a view.

Surrounded by wildlife. Falling asleep at night to the sounds of Tawny Owls, then waking to an orchestra of bird song. Very close to wild camping.
I've put 5 stars for wifi, there isn't wifi but who really wants it when you go away to a place like this? There's adequate phone signal if you need it.

Disliked: What did I dislike? Only that i didn't book to stay longer.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Features

No dogs allowed

Pop-up campsite

Campfires allowed

Leisure on site

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Games room Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Play area TV room Take away Tennis Watersports

Amenities on site

Bath available Car parking by pitch/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Food shop Free wifi Ice pack freezing Internet access Launderette Parent & baby washroom Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Public telephone Shower available Toilet block Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue provided Barbecues allowed Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed No dogs allowed No pets allowed

Themes

Forest Peaceful Remote location Wild camping

Utilities

Charging facilities Chemical disposal Electric car charging point(s) Gas cylinders available No hot water Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby Shop nearby

Type

Farm Pop-up campsite Tiny (1-10 pitches)

Nearby leisure

Fishing nearby

Location

Stuarts Wood

Great Preston Lane

Stock

Essex

England

CM4 9RN

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London BST (GMT+01:00)

GPS

51.65913°N
0.4762°W

Route directions

What3words: prance.summit.player.

Nearest transport

Coach
1.4 mi War Memorial
1.4 mi War Memorial
3.3 mi The Chequers
Rail
3.2 mi Billericay Rail Station
3.6 mi Wickford Rail Station
4 mi Ingatestone Rail Station
Ferry
13.9 mi Wallasea Island Ferry Landing
14.9 mi Burnham on Crouch Ferry Landing
15.2 mi Tilbury Ferry Terminal
Airport
11.6 mi London Southend Airport
18.5 mi London Stansted Airport
21.3 mi London City Airport

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

Check out Chelmsford (15 minutes’ drive) from this park – the city’s a historical haven with hotspots including the 18th-century Hylands House’s multiple acres of parkland and the medieval Chelmsford Cathedral. The Essex Regiment Museum, showcasing military bits and bobs including weapons, uniform and medals, is also nearby (15 minutes) to excite folk who find poking around in the past the most satisfying way to spend some time. A little out of the city is the RHS Garden Hyde Hall (20 minutes), just the place for glimpsing views from the hilltop setting or to rove around the rose-filled green areas. For a wilder landscape, head to Hanningfield Nature Reserve (10 minutes), an 870-acre reservoir edging old woodland that’s covered in bluebells during springtime. And for a change of scenery? Set off for the busy beachside resort of Southend-on-Sea for bucket and spade sessions or hours at the machines in the amusement arcades.

Water quality at nearby bathing waters

Name Distance Type 2020201920182017
Leigh Bell Wharf 11.2 mi Estuary GoodN/APoorN/A
Southend Chalkwell 11.9 mi Estuary N/AGoodN/AGood
Southend Westcliff Bay 12.4 mi Estuary N/AExcellentExcellentExcellent
Southend Three Shells 13.4 mi Estuary N/AExcellentExcellentGood
Southend Jubilee 14 mi Estuary N/AGoodGoodGood

Data source: European Environment Agency

Must see

RHS Garden Hyde Hall 4.2 mi

Dickens World 18 mi

The Historic Dockyard Chatham 18.5 mi

Rochester Castle 18.6 mi

Rochester Cathedral 18.7 mi

National Trust

Rainham Hall 15.7 mi

Coggeshall Grange Barn 16.8 mi

Paycocke's 17 mi

Eastbury Manor House 18.3 mi

Owletts 18.8 mi

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

HYLANDS PARK 4 mi

DANBURY PARK 5.2 mi

RIFFHAMS 5.9 mi

Danbury - Great Graces - Little Baddow Hall - Danbury 5.9 mi

South Woodham Ferrers Circular Walk 6.2 mi

Local events

  • All Points East (Friday 22 August 2025 – Friday 22 August 2025)

    London, Greater London 23.9 mi

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Offers

Conditions apply - see pitch type section for details

Nearest sites

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable sites.

Want to know more about camping in Essex?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Stuarts Wood have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Stuarts Wood dog friendly? No View all features
  • What attractions are near Stuarts Wood? Check out Chelmsford (15 minutes’ drive) from this park – the city’s a historical haven with hotspots including the 18th-century Hylands House’s multiple acres of parkland and the medieval Chelmsford Cathedral. The … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Stuarts Wood?
    Camping and touring
    Arrive:  1 p.m. –  8 p.m.
    Depart by:  12 p.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Stuarts Wood? From £30 (for 1 night, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.