by Holly Tribe
London is seldom looked at as an obvious caravanning destination, but England’s capital offers more than you’d think in terms of sites and facilities.
With average city hotel price hitting above the £100 a night mark, pitching around London can mean huge savings for the visitor as well as offering a more peaceful refuge to return to at the end of a busy day sightseeing.
Staying near the bustling capital doesn’t have to leave the visitor stressed or overwhelmed. There are several comfortable and well equipped touring sites within striking distance. Holly Tribe looks at what’s on offer within the M25 orbital.
WHERE TO GO
Wyatts Covert Caravan Club Site Tilehouse Lane, Denham, UB9 5DE Tel: 01895 832729
A short drive from the M40 and M25, Wyatt’s Covert Caravan site offers easy access for caravanners travelling to London from the Midlands. The site is enclosed by green trees and the Grand Union Canal Towpath and Windsor Castle are both within striking distance. Electric hookup is available and the site offers facilities for the disabled as well as showers and a toilet block. The London Underground runs directly into central London from Uxbridge station and is located only three and a half miles from the park.
Abbey Wood Caravan Club Site Federation Road, SE2 0LS Tel: 020 8311 7708
A 35 minute train ride into central London, Abbey Wood Park is set in a lovely woodland 
area in north east London surrounded by mature trees and a gently sloping green field surrounds the tarmac pitches. The site offers wifi access and has a late night arrivals area should the notorious M25 traffic delay your arrival.
You’ll be surprised just how rural the area feels for the location. There are great railway connections within walking distance as well as river cruises which take you to Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.
Crystal Palace Caravan Club Site Crystal Palace Parade, SE19 1UF Tel: 0208 7787 155
On the edges of a pleasant park, 
Crystal Palace Caravan Park offers arguably the quickest route into the City with the number 3 bus which goes directly into central London. Open all year round with showers and a laundry block, this park has been commended for its hard pitches and efficient service.
Lee Valley Camping & Caravanning Park Picketts Lock Lane, Enfield, N9 0AS Tel: 020 88036900
Lee Valley Camping & Caravanning is set in the Lee Valley regional park and offers guests access to truly rural surrounds whilst still being within an hour of the capital.
There is an on site shop open until 9pm every day that sells travelcards for trips into the City. The toilets and showers can also be adapted to suit disabled visitors.
Lee Valley Campsite Sewardstone Rd, Chingford, E4 7RA Tel: 0208 529 5689
A short drive from the beautiful Epping Forest, Lee Valley Campsite is another great affordable option for caravanners visiting London. With 65 hardstanding pitches, there is a regular bus service to Walthamstow Central, where the Victoria Line runs into central London.
However as well as the city sights there is a wealth of things to do closer to home. The Lee Valley Regional Park is London’s biggest open space and offers sports centres, country parks, farms and nature reserves. Fishing, cycling, bird watching and golf are just some of the activities on offer here.
Walton On Thames Camping And Caravanning Club Site Fieldcommon Lane, Walton On Thames, KT12 3Q Tel: 01932 220392
In South West London, the Walton On Thames site is a great jumping off point to some of the UK’s biggest theme parks including Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures and Legoland – all within an hours drive, as is King Henry VIII’s impressive Hampton Court and gardens. Dogs are welcome onsite and it even has a flock of resident parakeets.
There are four trains an hour from nearby Hersham Rail Station, and takes just over half an hour to reach London Waterloo. Once there the London Eye, the River Thames and the music and art of the South Bank are a five minute walk from the station.
THINGS TO DO
See the city from old father Thames and take a trip along the river on a Thames Clipper – a day pass costs £12 for unlimited travel. From Waterloo to Greenwich, boats stop off at both Tate Britain and Tate Modern art galleries and Greenwich Maritime Museum which all offer free entry.
Pick through the assortment of antique stalls and independent shops at the world’s largest antique market on Portobello Road in West London, or head to Columbia Road flower market on Sundays to experience London’s famous East End.
No trip to London would be complete without a stop at Buckingham Palace, which is just a short walk from the Houses of Parliament and the illustrious chimes of Big Ben.
For a good feed, head to London’s historic Borough Market, where purveyors of outstanding British and international fare can be found.
TRAVEL IN LONDON
A days travel card costs £7.50 for adults and £2.00 for children after 9.30am and covers travel on trains, tubes, trams, buses and the DLR. For more information go to www.tfl.gov.uk.
