Just capital!

Big city bustle or countryside calm? Jane McGowan discovers that it’s possible to have the best of both worlds with Club campsites that allow easy access into London

Canary Wharf viewed from Greenwich, London

This issue we take a slightly different approach to touring, with a focus on a number of Club campsites offering easy access to London – from Hertfordshire in the north to Surrey in the south. These sites provide relaxing bases from which to travel into the capital on public transport and explore its countless attractions. They also have within easy reach a raft of local highlights, meaning you can strike a happy balance between busier days in the city and time spent closer to base – and whatever your mood, you will not be short of options.

First up is the compact Commons Wood Club Campsite. Situated on the outskirts of Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire, it is easy to reach from both the M1 and the M25. From here, you can be at Kings Cross within 30 minutes, either from Hatfield (the 301 bus to the station stops near the site), or Welwyn Garden City (a three-mile drive). Alternatively, you could undertake a 25-minute drive to Cockfosters underground station, which is the starting point for the Piccadilly Line, offering access to the heart of London – stops include Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus and Covent Garden.

Despite the many attractions that central London offers, it’s worth taking the time to pop to the historic Hatfield Park, just 2.5 miles from Commons Wood. The house here was built by Robert Cecil, first Earl of Salisbury, in 1611. The surrounding deer park and the adjacent Old Palace were owned by Henry VIII, who had used it as a home for his children, and it is believed that the young Princess Elizabeth was told of her accession to the throne here in 1558.

Within Hatfield House, look out for the famous portrait of the Virgin Queen holding a rainbow, and admire the fabulous interiors of the Long Gallery and The King James Drawing Room.

While there is a charge for the house, garden, park, woodland walks and old Palace, entry to The Stable Yard courtyard area – where you can relax in the great café/restaurant or visit the ice cream shop, is free – as is the substantial parking area. Check out hatfield-house.co.uk for more information on opening times.

Wizard times

Hogwarts at Warner Bros Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter

Hatfield House has provided settings for many notable TV and film productions, including Bridgerton, Enola Holmes, The King’s Speech and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, to name but a few. In fact, if you’re a fan of the original Harry Potter films, a visit to Warner Bros Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter is a must. It is around 35 minutes’ drive

from Commons Wood and just over 20 minutes’ from Wyatts Covert Club Campsite in Buckinghamshire, the next base on this trip.

The tour provides an in-depth view into all things Potter, including the sets of Diagon Alley, the Great Hall, Privet Drive and, of course, Platform 9¾  where you can climb aboard the iconic Hogwarts Express. There are props and costumes galore to be seen, as well as fascinating information on how scenes were created. You could even sample Butterbeer, choose your own wand, or take home a souvenir snap of yourself playing Quidditch.

As you can imagine, this is one of the most popular attractions in the area and school holiday slots get booked up months in advance. Be mindful when you select your entrance time that the tour takes three-and-a-half hours on average, and that you should arrive around 20 minutes early. But there is no maximum time allowed per visit, so should you want to make a whole day of it, you can. Tickets start at £56 per person.

There are several other attractions within easy reach of Wyatts Covert Club, including the pretty village of Denham. There’s plenty to explore here, with three lovely traditional pubs, a pretty church and, nearby, Denham Country Park (part of the wider Colne Valley Regional Park), which boasts some great facilities for children, and a selection of walks including an easy-access offering taking in the Grand Union Canal. You can walk into the village (around 50 minutes) from the Club site; alternatively it is under 10 minutes in the car, or you can cycle.

Royal occasions

Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich. Photo by member Mike Halliwell

Meanwhile, Windsor – a great destination for day-trippers – is only 12 miles away from Wyatts Covert. The area is home, of course, to Legoland Windsor – a fabulous family-friendly attraction, especially for those with children aged 12 and below. Again, it is well worth booking in advance.

While in Windsor you can, of course, head into the town itself to see the castle or enjoy numerous other attractions and activities such as a walk in the Great Park. Be sure to visit St George’s Chapel, the setting for several royal marriages and the final resting place of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. The chapel is open from 10am to 4pm, but it is always worth checking before you venture out – admission is included with the Windsor Castle ticket.

To continue the royal theme, you could pop over the bridge and visit Eton – the alma mater of the Prince of Wales. If you fancy taking to the water, members of the public are able to row or canoe on the famous Eton College Dorney Lake (booking advised). Open seasonally from September to mid-April, its grounds, which contain 400 acres of arboretum, meadows and nature reserve are a great place for a walk (including around a three-mile asphalt loop of the rowing course).

If you fancy a few days unwinding, there is the option to stay a few nights at Home Cottage Farm Certificated Location in Iver, about five miles to the south of Wyatts Covert. Situated on a small working farm, visitors will quickly spot its free-range chickens. It offers seasonal pick-your-own fruit in the orchard and you can buy honey collected from the on-site hives. This wonderful rural oasis is set close to the M25, and offers easy access to London via Uxbridge station, which is around three miles away.

Capital gains

Illustration by Louise Turpin

Currently being refurbished – but remaining open – Abbey Wood Club Campsite in east London has the benefit of being just a 12-minute walk from Abbey Wood station. From here,

you can travel directly to Greenwich in just 20 minutes. One of my favourite areas of London, you can enjoy the splendour of the National Maritime Museum (and surrounding parkland), then have a mooch around the market and vintage shops, enjoying food from one of the many vendors.

From Greenwich you can also hop on the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, which stops near the likes of the O2 Arena, Tower Bridge and Battersea Power Station, which now houses a range of shops and eateries.

You can pay in the same way as you would on the tubes or buses, and it is an affordable way to see the city, offering views of the major bridges and landmarks such as Traitors’ Gate and the London Eye – but be warned, it can get busy during rush hour as commuters head home. Visit thamesclippers.com for more information.

One of the best things about London is its range of free attractions, which include its many parks, museums and viewpoints. Not far from Tower Bridge, the Sky Garden offers stunning vistas from the top of the ‘Walkie Talkie’ building (officially 20 Fenchurch Street), though you do need to book your complimentary tickets in advance. Here you can enjoy coffee or cocktails, or simply pose against the cityscape.

The nearby Royal Exchange is a great place for a spot of upmarket shopping, or – if you haven’t yet had your fill of Harry Potter – you can head to beautiful Leadenhall Market, which featured in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

For a more sinister side to the capital, you could follow a Jack the Ripper walk in Whitechapel before enjoying a tasty supper at Jack the Chipper restaurant!

Southern sights

Hever Castle in Kent

Further south, out of London, close to Junction 7 of the M25, is Alderstead Heath Club Campsite. This spacious Surrey site not only provides a peaceful oasis for tourers, but also acts as a gateway to more of the south-east’s many attractions.

For trips into London, Merstham station is around 10 minutes’ drive away  and has a large car park; you can be at London Bridge in less than half an hour.

In Merstham itself there is also a reasonably priced pub that offers a good choice of meals, and Pizza Project, which serves lovely wood-fired pizza to eat in or take away.

For those interested in royal history, a 30-minute drive across the Kent border to Hever Castle is a must. The former home of Anne Boleyn, you can enjoy a stunning walk around the grounds, which are beautiful throughout the year. Children will love the water maze, as well as the lake, where pedalos can be hired. 

Also within easy reach of the site is Chartwell, former home of Sir Winston Churchill. This beautiful National Trust property has great walks and points of interest amid its 80 acres, including Churchill’s painting studio, his children’s playhouse – where Charlie Chaplin and Albert Einstein were guests! – and a lovely walled garden.

If you’re looking for a break that mixes big-city excitement, quieter days out – and even days unwinding on site – all of the above venues are great bases. Just capital.