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Nice little site if you only want a couple of nights.
Very basic and rustic which was exactly what myself, my partner and my son wanted.
We had a tent, easy to pitch group was a little bumpy but we had airbeds so no problem.
Found the site very easy although it is set back from the road a little but we saw the sign.
Pub the owl literally 5 mins walk.
The taxi firm at the train station which my partner used are used to the site, just say willows farm, near the owl pub. They actually drove a couple of other campers right onto the field itself. Only £7. 50.
Toilets and showers- hot water in the showers but I didn't actually use it as a shower ( I'm a little grossed out by public showers).
Toilets weren't the cleanest but they did the job.
Someone previous said about the helicopters nearby. We heard one or two go up early evening- wasn't too loud. None during the night.
The only let down the entire weekend was the very large group of mid 20s early 30s that arrived last night (Saturday night) very foul language, up until 3am+ drinking, throwing up, wandering around the field and being very loud (We were on the opposite side of the field and I could still hear EVERY word!) Wasn't pleasant and if my son had not slept through I would of spoken to them as the topics of discussion were disgusting!
They also left the sunday morning leaving behind a pop up tent and various cans etc around the field.
But I would not let one group spoil the site.
Although I personally would probably not go back, that is not due to the site itself- more the lack of shops. Walking to loughton just to get milk etc, not suitable for me. (30+ mins)
Oh and a final point, I found the pricing a little steep for such a rustic site.
Selling it as a basic site, the price should also be basic. £10 per adult per night and £5 per child per night- that's a bit much.
I have just got back from this friendly campsite. The owner was friendly and helpful despite a last minute booking, the rates seem to have gone down since last listed: Adults £7. 50, children under 12: £4, and a firepit £10 (bring your own wood/charcoal).
It IS difficult to find, but ring the owner and she'll come out and guide you in.
It is basically a small single field surrounded by hedgerows, with a lovely view of horses in paddocks and a simple but clean toilet/shower block with warm water. Kids played happily together in the field and it was quiet in the evening.
UNTIL the helicopters started up. It is situated less than half a mile away from a Police Helicopter base, and maybe we were unlucky, but from before midnight until 5 in the morning I couldn't get off to sleep for one after yet another helicopters starting up and flying over around every 20 minutes it seemed, one of the worst night's sleep of my life, and I normally sleep soundly in a busy urban area. I have to say the kids amazingly didn't wake up.
Other than that, it was a lovely place, such a shame about the helicopters. We would have stayed a second night but I am desperate for more than 2 hours sleep!
We visited Willows as meeting friends from London. When I first arrived, I couldn't find the place, which may add to its charm, and my advice for anyone visiting: as you drive toward The Owl pub, from the M25 side, just before the pub you will see a sign for The Elms, turn left down there, then do not turn into Elms, instead go straight down the lane and the large sign for Willows is found.
The gates and toilets are all security locked and you need to call the owner to let you in and get the codes. Phone reception was very limited for me, so I would suggest phoning when you are five minutes away and still have reception. The owner was very friendly, however is strict on rules, which is a good thing.
Once through the gate, you have a large hardstanding area for caravans etc, however the jewel for me is the camping field. Turn right down the lane and you are welcomed by a huge open field. If you want electric there are four hookup points, but you will be next to others. If you can live without the electric, then you have the pick of the field. There is not a lot here except peace and quiet, a field, fresh water, chemical disposal point, a few toilets and showers.
The toilets and showers are housed in a shed type building and whilst may not be the most up to date or finished to a high standard, they work, there is hot water, there are mirrors and sinks. They are all clean and none of our group had an issue with them, although I could see that some might not like them. The showers were just cubicles, so take a carrier bag or two to put your clothes and shoes in.
This site is next door to the police helicopter base and from time to time the siren would go off and then a few minutes later the sound of a helicopter fired up and took off, quite good fun to watch and we did not hear any during the night, but they might run all night.
The Owl pub is next door however we did not visit it, but it looked nice when driving past and has a large garden.
Loughton tube is about 3.5 miles away if you fancy a trip to London.
Epping Forest is on the doorstep and the whole area is full of great walks, cycling opportunities, riding stables and a ten minute drive away you have Cheshunt with all the mainstream shops and out of town stores.
We took our own firepit and they had no problems with us using it, however they insist you bring your own wood. There were quite a few pre-made fire areas on the site, surrounded by bricks, which they are happy for you to use, but again you must bring your own wood.
I loved this site, very basic facilities, but all working, nothing to do here but relax and enjoy real camping, it reminds me of when I started camping 40 years ago and sites like this were everywhere.
One downfall for me are the costs, they charge £10 per adult, £5 per child between 4 and 12 years old and £5 if you wish to have electric. We were advised a £10 charge for the hire of a fire pit, however we took our own. If they reduced the prices to £5 per adult, or at the most £7.50 per adult, then I would visit this site time and time again.
The Willows site is a beautiful and peaceful setting. Owner was very helpful in showing up to guide us to our pitch, and was available by phone, but we did not see her again after our arrival. It was nice to be on our own, but know we could reach her if needed.
As another reviewer mentioned, one has to go past The Owl and into the entrance to The Elms to get to the site, and the signage is not visible from the road. If one were arriving by car with these instructions, it would likely go well. For us, without a car, it was a bit pricy to get a cab to and from the Loughton station every day (#6-7 each way), and that was the only transport location into London.
The setting of The Willows is lovely and peaceful, and it is nice to wake up to see the horses next to us and to be back from the road. There is a lock on the gate into the property, so I felt secure leaving our clothes and tent while we went into the city each day.
The showers are quite functional, but it's hard to get dressed without a seat or somewhere without a muddy floor. We managed by rinsing one foot at a time in the sinks. The toilet is a bit cramped, but was tidy enough. Our major complaint was the lack of toilet paper at any time during our stay, but we solved this by getting and carrying with us toilet paper of our own. The toilet and shower block is quite far from the tent pitches, making nighttime trips a bit difficult, but that is manageable with planning and knowledge of it.
It's a beautiful area and a rustic site, and if that is your plan, it is a very comfortable location.
Lovely campsite setting, beautiful and peaceful looking. Close to the woods, there's a lovely looking pub nearby.
The campsite itself felt makeshift. And this is a comment from someone who likes very basic sites.
The facilities were very basic/messy, and very few and not very clean.
Also, we couldn't leave any rubbish, there was no bin. This was probably because we were outside of the busy season.
We were told there were two parties that night, but were assured they would stop at midnight. One of them did, the other went on all night. Loud dance music. There was no enforcement of the 'quiet at midnight' rule. We ended up leaving at 5am after no real sleep.
Make sure you ask if there are any parties booked for the time of your stay if you still want to go to this site.
"Unless you knew you wouldn't know the difference 'tween a Rook and Crow" goes the rhyme.
Well, Unless you knew you wouldn't know that Willow Farm is hidden down a short track beside the entrance to The Elms campsite near The Owl Pub. Only by going down the track a few yards does the gate and large sign WILLOW FARM come into view. Beyond the gate is a large area of hard standing, part level and part gently sloping with another pasture area that we are told is often used by Tent Campers. The site has a southerly aspect with views over woods to the horizon and we were woken by bright sunlight, a change from our journey down from flooded Lincolnshire. The site is very quiet and a peaceful retreat in itself, but being a few minutes from Junction 26 on the M25, 5 minutes from Loughton Underground Railway station ( Central Line to London 30 minutes) it is ideal for visiting London or the Epping Forest area of Essex. Maybe just as well it is not too well signed.
We shall call again.
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Common Questions
Is Willows Rustic Caravan Park child friendly? YES, it accepts children View all facilities
Where is the nearest shop to Willows Rustic Caravan Park? There is a shop within 1 mile View all facilities
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
All reviews and comments are the personal opinion of the review author only , and as such do not represent the view of the UK Camp Site.co.uk.
The facilities shown on this website are a guide only, and you should check with the campsite direct before making any booking. The UKCampsite.co.uk will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions
No Tents 
Caravan Pitches 
Motorhome Pitches 
Small Campervans 
Glamping Units 
Holiday Homes for Hire 
No Statics for Sale 
Seasonal Pitches 
Electric Hookups 
Hardstanding Pitches 
No Fully Serviced Pitches 
Families Welcome 
Not Members Only 
Rallies Welcome 
Not Naturist Site 
Dogs Welcome 
No Dogs Allowed 
Groups Welcome 
Motorbikers Welcome 
Toilet Facilities 
Hot Showers 
Washing Up 
No Bathroom 
No Baby Changing 
Laundry On Site 
Drinking Water 
Disabled Friendly 
Chemical Disposal 
No Battery Charging 
No Gas Exchange 
No Recycling Facilities 
No Kitchen Facilities 
No Freezer / Fridge 
No Motorhome Point 
No Wifi Access 
Shop <1 mile 
Bar <1 mile 
Restaurant or Cafe or Takeaway <1 mile 
No Playground 
No TV Room 
No Games Room 
No Evening Ents 
Fishing <10 miles 
Wild Swimming <5 miles 
Indoor Pool <5 miles 
Outdoor Pool <5 miles 
Horse Riding <1 mile 
Cycle Hire <5 miles 
Golf <1 mile 
Tennis <5 miles 
No Beach 
Watersports <5 miles 
Boat Launch / Mooring <5 miles 
No Sea Views 
Not Working Farm 
No Campfires Allowed 
Open All Year 
No Waterside Pitches 
Public Transport <1 mile
Offroad Dog Walk On Site or Direct Access 
Nice little site if you only want a couple of nights. 
