The Pretty Thing
St Osyth, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex
Just ten minutes from Clacton-on-Sea, The Pretty Thing offers a peaceful camping, touring and glamping spot. Choose from spacious grass pitches, cosy bell tents or colourful furnished camping pods, then start your day with a coffee from the site's coffee shop before exploring nearby beaches or sightseeing at Colchester, 30 minutes away. It's the ideal base for a coastal Essex escape, and dogs are welcome too!
Why choose The Pretty Thing
Peaceful site with welcoming owners, just 20 minutes from the historic town of Colchester
Within 20 minutes of the sandy beach and pier at Clacton-on-sea
Great facilities including a kid's play park and George's coffee shop where you can buy breakfast
About the site
A warm welcome awaits at this peaceful camping, touring and glamping site, just ten minutes from Clacton-on-Sea and Jaywick Sands Beach. Surrounded by wildlife and with the Essex coastline nearby, it's an ideal place to relax and explore. Tent campers can pitch up on one of the site's 15 non electric grass pitches for tents only up to 3m x 3m. Each pitch allows up to six guests, with plenty of surrounding space for kids to play. Three non electric grass touring pitches are also available, measuring 9m x 9m, suitable for roof tents, trailer tents, caravans and motorhomes. There are also 18 electric grass touring pitches with a 16 amp hook up, also measuring 9m x 9m, for campervans, caravans and motorhomes. Caravan storage is available. If glamping is more your style, choose from a selection of cosy bell tents or colourful camping pods. The bell tents sleep up to four guests and are furnished with a double bed and either two camp beds or a sofa bed. Bedding is provided in all but the dog friendly bell tents. The two dog friendly bell tents have a dog blanket, food bowl and water bowl, making it easy to bring your four legged friends along! Each bell tent has comfortable furnishings, with the larger tents benefiting from solar lighting. Outside, you'll have your own picnic bench for alfresco meals, while shared toilet and shower facilities are a short walk away. The site also offers three glamping pods accommodating up to four guests, plus a larger pod for up to five. Each includes a double bed, two camp beds with bedding provided (and an optional camp bed in the larger pod), electricity and tea and coffee making facilities. Outside, every pod has its own decking area with a picnic bench, perfect for enjoying your morning coffee or relaxing in the evening after a day exploring the coast. You're welcome to bring your own BBQ, provided it is used safely and responsibly.
Pitches and glamping pods are open from 16th March to 3rd November, bell tents are available from 29th June to 7th September. Pitches from £25/night for 2 people.
"Thank you for making my first ever campsite experience so special"
Belle S
"Great vibe amazing hosts ... I would give more than 5 stars if I could"
Thomas M
"We were looking for a low effort easy to stay site and we definitely found the best"
Mark H
"Phil the owner is so hospitable and friendly, the facilities were constantly being cleaned"
Leigh-Anne P
"We stayed for 1 night, wished it was more!"
Tracey R
There are 45 accommodation options on-site
Bookable pitches and accommodation options
Bell Tent
Max 3 people
Bell tent fully furnished with a double bed and sofa bed with bedding provided and a picnic bench. Shared facilities nearby. Sorry, no pets.
2 x Bell Tents (Dog Friendly)
Max 3 people
Bell tent with double bed and two camp beds, a dog blanket, food and drinking bowl. Please bring your own bedding. Two medium sized dogs welcome.
2 x Large Bell Tents
Max 4 people
Fully furnished bell tents with a double bed, two single beds with bedding provided, solar lighting and a picnic bench. Shared facilities nearby. Sorry, no pets.
3 x Camping Pods
Max 4 people
Pods furnished with a double bed, two camp beds with bedding, tea and coffee facilities, electric, a decking seating area and a picnic bench. Sorry, no pets. Shared facilities available.
Large Camping Pod
Max 5 people
A glamping pod with a double bed, a bunk bed, tea and coffee facilities and electric. A camp bed can be provided for a third child. Outside is a decked seating area with a picnic bench. Shared facilities available. Sorry, no pets.
Need to know
Frequently asked questions about The Pretty Thing
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Site rules
What time is check-in and check out at The Pretty Thing?
Check-in at The Pretty Thing is available from 3pm until 9:15pm. Please advise the site if you are delayed. Check out is due before 11am on your last day.
Is The Pretty Thing dog-friendly?
Yes, The Pretty Thing is dog friendly and allows them free of charge!
Does The Pretty Thing allow BBQs and campfires?
The Pretty Thing allows BBQs and fire pits, provided they are used responsibly. A variety of fire pits and small BBQs are also available to hire, with firewood available to purchase. Sorry, disposable BBQs are not permitted.
Pitches
Does The Pretty Thing allow awnings, gazebos or pup tents?
The Pretty Thing allows pup tents for a small charge, and awnings can be brought for free. These must fit within your pitch. Gazebos are not allowed.
Can I park next to my pitch at The Pretty Thing?
One car is welcome on your pitch at The Pretty Thing. For glamping, there is a separate parking area.
What amp is the electric hook up at The Pretty Thing?
The electric hook ups at The Pretty Thing are 16 amp.
Where can I find The Pretty Thing's map?
Yes, you can find The Pretty Thing's map here.
Are bedding and towels included at The Pretty Thing?
At The Pretty Thing, bedding is provided in the pet-free bell tents and all the camping pods. Please bring your own towels.
Is electric included in the price of my booking at The Pretty Thing? Or is it an additional cost?
All of the electric pitches at The Pretty Thing have your usage included in the price of your booking.
Facilities
Does The Pretty Thing have a shop onsite?
No, there is not a shop at The Pretty Thing. For picking up essentials, Tesco and Lidl are both a ten minute drive away.
Is there a restaurant or cafe at The Pretty Thing?
George's Coffee Shop is at The Pretty Thing, serving hot drinks and breakfast. The Blacksmiths Arms is a five minute drive away, or Clacton-on-Sea is ten minutes away for more options, including the Blue Garden Cafe and Salts By The Sea.
Does The Pretty Thing have electric vehicle charging?
No, The Pretty Thing does not offer EV charging. The closest electric vehicle charging point is the MFG EV Power Charging Station, a ten minute drive away.
What is phone signal like at The Pretty Thing?
Most phone service providers should be able to access a phone and 4G signal at The Pretty Thing.
Getting there
What are the closest public transport links to The Pretty Thing?
The nearest train station to The Pretty Thing is Clacton-on-Sea, a ten minute drive away. The closest bus stop is on Clay Lane, a five minute walk away, with routes to Colchester and St Osyth on the 77A Seasiders.
Are there any local taxi service companies to The Pretty Thing?
Local taxi companies to The Pretty Thing include AJs Taxis Clacton-on-Sea (01255 474444) and Tiger Taxi (01255 446447).
What is the nearest bus stop to The Pretty Thing?
The closest bus stop to The Pretty Thing is on Clay Lane, a five minute walk away, with routes to Colchester and St Osyth on the 77A Seasiders.
What's nearby
What are the nearest pubs to The Pretty Thing?
The nearest pub to The Pretty Thing is The Blacksmith Arms, a five minute drive away. Clacton-on-Sea is a ten minute drive away, with other options, including The Ship, the Roaring Donkey and more.
What are the nearest beaches to The Pretty Thing?
The nearest beaches to The Pretty Thing are Clacton Beach, Jaywick Beach and Hutley's Beach, all within a 15 minute drive. Walton-on-the-Naze Beach and Frinton Beach are 20 minutes away.
What is within walking distance of The Pretty Thing?
There is a bus stop on Clay Lane, a five minute walk away from The Pretty Thing, with routes to Colchester and St Osyth on the 77A Seasiders. Please check bus timetables to plan your route accordingly.
What walking routes are close to The Pretty Thing?
Walking routes close to The Pretty Thing include Beth Chatto Gardens (15 minutes), where you can wander through garden and woodland paths. High Woods Country Park is 25 minutes away, offering meadows and lakeside walks. Nature lovers can also enjoy the Essex Wildlife Trust Fingringhoe Wick Nature Discovery Park, a 35 minute drive away, with more walking routes, birdwatching spots and wildlife.
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