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

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

Freezer

(In communal area)

Fridge

(Allocated in communal area)

Glamping

Kids playground

Near beach

Peaceful

Wash up area

Guests have access to modern toilets and showers as well as washing up areas. There is also a children's play area.

George's Coffee Shop is onsite, serving breakfast, while fire pits are available to hire with logs available to purchase.

For picking up essentials, Tesco and Lidl are a ten minute drive away. For food and drink, The Blacksmiths Arms is a five minute drive away, or head to Clacton-on-Sea, ten minutes away, for more options.

There are 45 accommodation options on-site

Bookable pitches and accommodation options

15 x Non Electric Grass Tent Pitches

Max 6 people

Grass pitches without electric for tents only up to 3m x 3m.

Grass touring pitches at The Pretty Thing

3 x Non Electric Grass Touring Pitches

Max 6 people

Grass pitches without electric suitable roof tents, trailer tents, caravans and motorhomes. Pitches measure 9m by 9m.

Aerial of The Pretty Thing with electric grass touring pitches

Electric grass touring pitches with 16 amp hook ups

18 x Electric Grass Touring Pitches

Max 6 people

Grass pitches with 16 amp electric hook ups. Suitable for campervans, caravans and motorhomes. Pitches measure 9m by 9m.

The Pretty Thing reviews

4.75 /5

89 reviews

96%

would recommend

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Accommodation type

Camping (31)Glamping (13)Motorhome or Campervan (36)Caravan (20)

Travelled as

Family with young children (13)Family with older children (13+) (4)Solo (3)Couple (50)Group (30)

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Showing the most recent reviews from guests

Amazing Campsite

Recommends site

Derrick M

Small Tent - Non Electric Grass Tent PitchesJul 2026

This is a fantastic and well maintenaned campsite and value for money. The campsite provides you with everything you need. The owners are wonderful and they are very responsive and pro actively helped us when needed. Highly recommended.

Nice site out in the country

Roy C

VW-Type Campervan - Electric Grass Touring PitchesMay 2026

The pitch was a good size and it was a pleasant site. There was plenty of hot water in the showers. There were 2 small shower rooms that didn't have anything else in them, plus one shower room that contained a shower, toilet, wash basin and a seat. This was very popular and almost always in use. Unfortunately, the light didn't come on 3 times while we were there and some people resorted to taking a shower with the door partially open and someone on guard. There were 2 toilets with a very small wash basin, so it wasn't possible to shave there. There was a good sized washing up area but only had cold water and it wasn't cleaned the whole time we were there. My main problem with it was that a cafe was advertised. We went at 11:15 but it was closed. The owner said there weren't any customers so they closed early. Also they opened early at 8:00 instead of 9:00. He said he would keep it open for us the next day: we arrived at 10:15 and it was closed. Then next day we tried at 9:15 and it was still closed. Unfortunately, there isn't a cafe in walking distance of the site, only a pub. I think it's a little dubious advertising a cafe when it is hardly even open - the cafe was one of the reasons we chose the camp site.

Lovely site but quite crammed in

Recommends site

Sharon O

Motorhome - Non Electric Grass Touring PitchesMay 2026

Nice site and lovely owner, very friendly. Only thing I found was we were quite crammed in. There didn't seem to be any pitch markers as such. One night, a car was literally parked under our awning it was that close! We would return but probably not on a bank holiday weekend.

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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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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 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 away, making it ideal for a classic day at the seaside. Stroll along the sandy beach, cool off with a swim on warm days or head to Clacton Pier for traditional amusements and arcade games. You can also challenge friends and family to a game of bowling!

Nature lovers won't want to miss Essex Wildlife Trust Fingringhoe Wick Nature Discovery Park, around 35 minutes away. Home to grazing sheep and goats, scenic walking trails and a variety of birdlife, it's a peaceful spot for a stroll, with dogs welcome too.

If you're after something a little different, put your problem-solving skills to the test at Cluetopia - Harwich Escape Rooms, around 30 minutes from the site. Work together to escape Dr Evil's science lab or break out of a prison cell before time runs out.

Other attractions nearby include: