It's time to relax and unwind during your stay at The Pretty Thing - providing guests with a picturesque and calm atmosphere on peaceful grounds which cater for camping, touring and glamping. You'll find a choice of grass pitches or you can spend your nights under the shelter of a stylish bell tent or glamping pod. Dogs welcome.

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 you at this peaceful camping, touring and glamping park. Just ten minutes from Clacton-on-Sea and Jaywick Sands Beach, you will be in a prime location for exploring the beautiful Essex coastline. Tent campers are welcome on one of the site's 15 non electric grass pitches. Each pitch allows up to six guests, with plenty of surrounding space for kids to play. There are also 18 grass touring pitches, each with a 16 amp electric hook up, suitable for campervans, caravans and motorhomes. For those who prefer glamping, there is a wide range of charming bell tents and pods for you to choose from. Each of the bell tents allows up to four guests, equipped with a double bed and either two camp beds or a sofa bed with bedding provided, though not for the pet-friendly tent. However, the two pet friendly tents do include a dog blanket, along with dog food and a drinking bowl so your four legged friends are catered for. Inside each of the tents, you will find plenty of soft furnishings, along with solar lighting in the large bell tents. Outside you will also have your own picnic bench, great for al fresco dining, along with shared toilet and shower facilities nearby. The site also has three glamping pods available, suitable for groups of up to four, and a large glamping pod for up to five. The pods are furnished with a double bed, two camp beds with bedding (an optional additional camp bed in the large pod), tea and coffee making facilities and electric. The pods also all have their own decking area with a picnic bench, perfect for making the most of the summer sun. You're welcome to bring your own BBQs but please use with caution. Non electric grass touring pitches and caravan storage is also available.

The Pretty Thing is open from 07/03 to 31/10. Pitches from £25/night for 2 people.

"Thank you for making my first ever campsite experience so special"

Elizabeth 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

"Good size pitches, friendly helpful owner and a great location"

Adam C

Site map

What facilities are at The Pretty Thing?

Accessible facilities

Allow commercial vans

Allow pets on site

Café / restaurant / takeaway

Drinking water

Family friendly

Shop

Showers

Toilets

W.C. disposal

WiFi

Electric hookups

Fires allowed

Glamping

Kids playground

Near beach

Peaceful

Site facilities hopes include modern toilet and shower amenities and a children's play area and playpark. There is also George's coffee shop which sells breakfast. Fire pits available to hire and logs are also available for purchase.

The Red Lion pub and Premier store shop are both a five minute drive away. The site also a five minute drive to St Osyth town centre.

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 Glamping Pods

Max 4 people

Glamping pods furnished with a double bed, two camp beds with bedding, tea and coffee facilites, electric, a decking seating area and a picnic bench. Sorry, no pets. Shared facilities available.

Large Glamping 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.

The Pretty Thing reviews

4.78 /5

92 reviews

95%

would recommend

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Outstanding (68)

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Average (2)

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Accommodation type

Camping (28)Glamping (13)Motorhome or Campervan (33)Caravan (21)

Travelled as

Family with young children (13)Family with older children (13+) (3)Solo (2)Couple (46)Group (28)

Latest

Popular mentions

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Showing the most recent reviews from guests

Excellent get away

Recommends site

Sam J

Small Tent - Non Electric Grass Tent PitchesOct 2025

Have stayed here before. A great little camp site. There's a friendly couple who own it and it's great value for money. Fire pit and wood a great addition to the experience.

Beautiful

Recommends site

Richard P

Motorhome - Electric Grass Touring PitchesSep 2025

A beautiful location, well maintained separate areas. The facilities were also very clean, had a peaceful night sleep without any issues, will be returning.

Super site

Recommends site

Brian G

Motorhome - Electric Grass Touring PitchesSep 2025

Lovely spacious site! Perfect location for exploring the local area and beaches.

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Need to know

Frequently asked questions about The Pretty Thing

Quick filters

Still have questions?

Ask a question and a member of the team will get back to you as soon as they can

Site rules

What time is check-in and check out at The Pretty Thing?

You are welcome to check-in between 3pm and 9.15pm. On the day of check out, please vacate by 11am.

Is The Pretty Thing dog-friendly?

Pets are allowed, and free of charge!

Does The Pretty Thing allow BBQs and campfires?

The site allows BBQs and firepits, they also have a variety of firepits and a small BBQ available to hire. Firewood is available to purchase. Sorry no disposal BBQs allowed.

Pitches

Where can I find The Pretty Thing's map?

Yes, you can find a link to the site map by clicking here.

Does The Pretty Thing allow awnings, gazebos or pup tents?

Pup tents are welcome for a small charge. Awnings can be brought free of charge, but these must not spread onto neighbouring pitches. The site does not allow gazebos.

Still have questions?

Ask a question and a member of the team will get back to you as soon as they can

A note from the site themselves...

Before opening, I had owned the land for a long time while working as a consultant to help caravan and holiday park owners to improve their businesses. I had always dreamed of owning a holiday park and one day just decided to build my own from scratch. I hoped that I could make it fun and enjoyable for guests and since launching in 2010, it seems to be working!

I love walking around on a sunny day, seeing kids playing and having fun, parents smiling over a glass or two of wine and guests telling me what a fantastic time they are having. It is great walking around, chatting with guests, sharing a BBQ or beer and stealing their ideas for park improvements.

I love reading all the positive reviews about my small team and having so many guests coming back for repeated stays. I am proud of the high standards of cleanliness and the idea of starting a coffee shop for breakfasts, snacks and tea/coffee/soft drinks, guests really love it.

The Pretty Thing is ideal for...

Couples

Older children (13+)

Peace and quiet

Young children

Things to do on site and in the Clacton-on-Sea area

Clacton-on-Sea is just a ten minute drive from the site, great for days out at the beach. Head to Clacton Pier and enjoy the amusements and arcade, or challenge your friends and family to a game of bowling. The sandy beach is also the perfect place to head for a dip when the weather gets warm.

For wildlife lovers, Essex Wildlife Trust Fingringhoe Wick Nature Discovery Park (35 minutes) is a must. Here you can see goats and sheep grazing, wander through beautiful walking trails and even bring your dogs along for a picturesque walk.

If you're looking for a challenge, Cluetopia - Harwich Escape Rooms (30 minutes) will be sure to get your brain working. Take on Dr Evil's science lab or try and make your way out of the prison cell.

Other attractions nearby include: