Lee Valley Almost Wild Campsite Reviews
Lee Valley Almost Wild Campsite, on the borders of Hertfordshire and Essex, is your chance for a wilderness adventure with a back-to-nature experience. Take the chance to learn authentic bushcraft skills in the heart of the wild! From hammocks to campfires and riverside rest - this is the perfect place to recharge within a quick train ride of London. Excellent canoeing and cycling to be had too.
4.76 /5
73%
Recommend
Lovely place, lovely people
Recommends site
Amy G
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0
If you're looking for an easily accessible by foot, back to basics, wild camping experience this is a great place to go for any city escapees or anyone passing through. If you're wanting more facilities (hot water/showers), then this isn't going to suit you. I came by foot via Broxbourne station and it was about 20 mins walk even with all my gear, no nice and easy! I camped by the river and each pitch had it's own built in fire pit - you can buy logs & kindling onsite or before you arrive. The super friendly and very helpful staff (I met Richard & Katie who were both so lovely!) are very happy to help if there's anything you need. I went camping at the very end of March and it was really quiet (a little cold, haha) which was great as I was totally alone on one half of the site but still close to water and facilities. I imagine it'll be a different experience in Summer with all the pitches full but all pitches are separated by bushes or foliage for a bit of privacy. Toilets were kept clean and some of the nicest composting toilets I've seen at a campsite - again, this wasn't summer and wasn't busy but still worth mentioning. There's loads of water birds and lots of geese - plus their mess đ, but if you're not expecting animals (and their deposits) to be around then maybe this one isn't for you. I woke up to geese outside my tent a couple of times and one evening, I even had a baby deer come into my camp, which was amazing! Anyway - if you like a real back to basics experience, this might be what you're looking for. It is a bit more expensive than some others of a similar type but it is smaller overall, with large pitches, less restrictions on campfires (no time limit as long as you're quiet after 11pm) etc, so it does make sense. I can say I'll definitely be back! I will have to try it out when the surroundings are a bit more green and try a woodland pitch. Happy camping! P.s, If you have no car - there's shops not too far away if you're low on supplies - and don't forget your insect repellent.
Would recommend
Recommends site
Emma V
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0
It wasnât busy so we got a whole pitch to ourselves by the river. There were always geese, ducks or swans on the river which added to the âalmost wildâ experience. Everything seemed to be very close to the car park. Only basic toilets and a cold water tap available on site, manageable for a 1 night stay. Many food shops a short drive away which was very convenient.
Camping stay
Recommends site
Sean F
0
0
This was the first camping trip for my young sons - 5yrs and 18 months (brave I know). We booked the woodland camping. When we arrived at site, we were greeted by a gentleman called Richard, a really really lovely man. He showed us around the site and where the facilities were, he was extremely helpful. Our pitch in the woodland was spacious and was exactly what we were after. Toilet facilities, running water etc were a short walk away. Me, my partner and my boys had a wonderful stay there. We will definitely be going back.
Excellent campsite
Alexander D
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0
Campsite is excellent, can't rate the facilities higher because they are limited, but that's the point as it's almost wild! So don't take it as a negative. The pitches are very nice in great spots, with a very peaceful location and good privacy from other pitches. Toilets were clean, but my only recommendation would be for some sawdust to scoop into the toilet to prevent foul smells, as later into the evening, they smelt quite bad. But only if that suits the composting method. Overall, a great trip and will definitely come again.
Fantastic
Elizabeth D
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0
I really loved this place. It is small, quiet, and out of the way, yet close to London. There is nothing to do there except go for little walks and enjoy nature. Which is perfect, in my opinion. It has a few very basic amenities, which is great. No shower blocks, shops, etc. It is rustic, yet well-maintained. I stayed on a riverside pitch, which had a little path right up to the water's edge. I watched families of ducks paddle around. I woke up to the sounds of geese flying over, singing birds, and wind rustling in the tree tops. Open fires are allowed, which is brilliant. It's so hard to find a place that allows fires and they sell wood there, which is wonderful, because you don't have to worry about procuring it yourself. Richard, the estate manager, is friendly, helpful, and laid back. My only complaint is that the fire pits are holes in the ground. I understand the issues around safety, but for those of us who aren't spring chickens anymore, it's difficult to kneel down to build and tend to a fire and to reach into the it to cook. They do offer for hire grills that fit over the holes, but you still have to get down on the ground. I think it would be better if they had raised fire beds above ground, like made of brick or stone or something, but it's not the end of the world. Overall, it was fantastic. It is the perfect "almost wild" getaway.
Nice place
Recommends site
Matthew D
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0
It was a lovely site, with a huge pitch. Nice and relaxed during the day and even a lazy round boy like me could lug my kit to the site from the train station.
A little bit of heaven
Recommends site
Fiona R
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Peaceful, secluded and well-maintained campsite. The pitches are separated by tall plants, which makes you feel very private. The smallness of the site means really personal service. Richard, who maintains and tends the site and brings round the wood is an absolute diamond. Couldn't do enough for everyone he dealt with. Lovely location with great river walks. Toilets were spotless. Fire pits are dug into the ground and quite large - the site provides grills that cover them for cooking. They really have thought of everything. Loved this site and will definitely be back!
Perfect peaceful getaway near London
Recommends site
Stefan v
1
0
Great site close to London. Went there Friday after work. Super peaceful pitch in the woodland. Richard was super friendly and offered other free spots if I preferred them over my booked spot. Clean site, great eco toilets, clean cold water taps and beautiful fire pits and benches at each pitch. Definitely will be back.
Lovely camping experience
Recommends site
Jermaine S
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Amazing stay...almost has set me up for some wild camping.
Just wild enough!
Recommends site
Iain C
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Spent one night here, to get back into âproperâ camping, whilst still having the basics on hand. On arrival, the welcome was great - friendly and helpful - and then the pitch was beautiful, semi-private and well-kept. Didnât really feel very âwildâ, but facilities were limited to water and composting toilet, so âjust wild enoughâ - and a more wild experience is available in wooded pitches, for setting up tarps etc.