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This campsite met all my requirements for a weekend away, it was close to home, close to a tube station and allowed dogs! The site itself was really lovely, loads of huge fields separated by foresty areas.
Some fields allowed fires and some had scout groups. The cafe was perfect as was the late night walk we took into Epping forest at the back of the site.
The only downside to this site was the toilets and the broken down washers/dryers. Unless you camped near the entrance, the toilets were stinky portable cabins that never had any hand soap. These(ladies)toilets really smelt horrible if you went in after 8pm, but were relatively fresh at 8am.
The showers looked fine, but were in the main block by the front of the site. Another disappointment was that the laundrette was out of action. After a full morning of rain, in a leaky tent , some dry towels would have been a godsend!
The atmosphere at this campsite was amazing, but I couldn't stay for longer than 2 nights because of the toilet situation.
Easy to reach from London underground & taxi (about £6?) or by car from M25. £7. 50 a night adults, £3. 50 kids for camping.
'Fire fields' for open fires and wood supplied, mainly pine, kindling /log boxes sold off a van that tours round. Some nice semi secluded pitches among young trees in field 2.
Group fields, family field, 1 field caravan & electric hook-up even for tents. Some playground equipment. 7 fields in total, though 5, 6, 7 are partially sloped. All fields back onto Epping Forest, trails and ditches with rope swings for the kids. They can run about all day!
Pig, goat, chickens in pens to look at.
Showers in main block and another toilet block/washing up area.
Excellent cafe 7 days a week in school holidays. (£4 full breakfast, meat or veggie, catering possible). Bike hire of MTB's kids bikes, baby carriers & trailers, from £10/day, £3. 50/hr. Can cycle to theydon bois or debden shops & pubs. Bit hilly. 15-20 min cycle? 5 mins in a car.
Express supermarket at theydon, three nice pubs, shops & takeaways.
Debden has small supermarket, cafes, garage/petrol, but not as picturesque a theydon.
Some occasional plane noise, road noise. Security patrols ought to stop too much shoutiness . No amplified music, acoustic OK (but please don't bring bongos! )
A great site consisting of 7 large, separate, mostly level fields set into the forest. Some with EHU, some allowing fires (logs / wood free) and one for dog owners.
Main facilities block is next to main entrance, which makes a considerable walk from some of the pitches, although there is a secondary smaller facility nearer the centre of the site. Showers (free) are a ‘unisex’ arrangement. This works well as the cubicles are very large giving plenty of dressing space; in fact almost enough room for the whole family! Although, I would guess that 6 cubicles are not enough at peak times.
A play area is provided, but most of the children seemed to be having a good time in the surrounding forest.
On site shop for your basics. Nearest alternative (chippy; pharmacy; Nisa Supermarket) is about 1 mile in Pyrels Lane. Otherwise you can get everything is Debden High Street (including Kelly’s traditional London Pie & Mash) or Loughton High Street.
On site café is excellent value. Fried breakfast currently costs £4 including tea / coffee.
Cycle hire is also available on site.
Given the availability of free all day parking in the residential streets adjacent to Debden Station; Debden House must be one of the best sites for visiting Central London for those coming from the north or east.
To sum up; since this site has, to my knowledge, been here for 40+ years, it is an unsung hero of a site.
On arrival the site seemed busy; it is close to London. We arrived before lunch and check in involved a long queue and a bored looking staff member.
Once we had pitched in field 6 we went to get some lunch in a local pub, there are a few a short car ride away. When we returned at 3pm there were tents pitched behind our cars so we could not have driven out.
The other fields were sparsely filled, with campers around the edges but field 6 was being filled up to the brim with no particular organisation.
We noticed a play area for children and electric hook ups in other fields, and a skip was provided for campers to put their rubbish in at the bottom of our field. There was a shop/café which we did not make use of.
We explored the woods and wooded field boundaries and soon put two and two together: the toilet block was 2 fields away and the toilet roll in the hedge meant that many people could not be bothered to walk that far!
The nearest toilet block was a portacabin which was basic and not always clean (probably due to the volume of people using it over the evening) but the main toilet block, 3 fields away at reception was clean and pleasant and had showers. The site does need more toilet facilities.
During the evening we made use of the option to have a camp fire but were alarmed by the size of the neighbouring fires, considering how closely everyone was camped in our field. We did not notice any supervision or enforcement of the rules that were listed in reception.
After leaving the site we went for a very pleasant walk in Epping Forest which is certainly worth a visit but I would not recommend this site for a peaceful weekend camping in the woods.
Some had power, some had fire-pits, some for families, some for teens.
We stayed in field two, for the family with a fire-pit and were allowed as much wood as you please.
The site is surrounded, on three sides, by Epping Forest. A non-stop adventure for the kids as the climb slowly towards the deer sanctury beyond the forest.
It's within very easy reach of the M25 and London itself.
There were two issues with this site. The rubbish bags were spilling out of the bins, not just the odd bag. Heaps of them, stinking out a 50 metre radius, more if you were the wrong side of the wind.
We asked on Wednesday when they would be collected, we were told tonight. The same on Thursday and Friday, the piles of bags getting bigger the smell getting worse.
When were constantly told they were understaffed, yet there was always someone on hand to take your money!
That said, we live 6-7 miles away from there and would go again. Just further away from the wash area where the bins are.
WE have stayed here on a few occasions and always found the campsite to be well run and friendly. Fires are allowed and there is normally plenty of 'reclaimed' wood to hack up and burn. Mind out for nails and hinges though - can be dangerous
The fields are far from flat, but if you choose carefully your pitch you can get a decent night's sleep!
The toilet blocks are a hike from the main fire-fields, but - hey that's camping! The woods around the site supply a good source of kindling and the kids have a great time gathering bits and pieces.
Have never used the cafe or showers so cant comment on them.
If you want a bargain campsite with some 'friendly' fellow campers - within the M25 - then you cant beat Debden.
What a shame! The location is wonderful and the possibility of excellence is there, however, while we stayed the bins were overflowing, the showerblocks were filthy and the staff non-existent. Furthermore, the playareas leave a lot to be desired. On a plus point, the wooded area offered great adventure for the kids and the fire pit is a brilliant idea. This site could really be a fantastic site with a little bit of effort and elbow grease.
Epping Forest campsite, reached by Tube and bus ride & 15 minute walk, or £3.50 taxi ride from Theydon/Debden. Supermarkets at both these places too. Approximately 10 minute drive.
Two 'main' fields for caravans or tents, one with power, playground on one. Four fields where fires may be lit, by prior arrangement. Free wood (though it can run out quickly, sometimes pallets, sometimes tree cuttings, so take axe/saw). 'Wood van' comes round selling boxes of wood for £4.00.
Two toilet and shower blocks, main block has disabled access and 6 large showers.
Security patrols and wardens mean site is well checked, but possible access from public paths.
Great access to bike and walking trails, fantastic for taking kids wandering about looking at nature.
Great for families and pre-booked groups (if you behave) and usually enough space & solitude for individual campers or small groups.
This is a council run site with a very diverse group of campers. Young, old, inexperienced, experienced, tents and vans. We witnessed a few funny moments with a few tents coming out of the box for the first time. Some of our group included.
Great site with loads of fun for the kids within the woods. The facilities are large with family sized showers and cleaned regularly. The site is absolutely massive with loads of different fields and loads of space. We went with a party of 37 adults and 37 children.
I would suggest if you want a quieter weekend then I would pitch in field one. There tends to be large groups of teenagers in the back fields who party late, however the warders do tend to keep them in check.
The shop is not very well stocked but the fast food place is good and reasonably priced. Debden is a short drive away with everything you need.
If you want the totally 'at one with nature experience' pitch in the fire field.
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Common Questions
Is Debden House Campsite child friendly? YES, it accepts children View all facilities
Where is the nearest shop to Debden House Campsite? 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
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Tent Pitches 
Caravan Pitches 
Motorhome Pitches 
Small Campervans 
No Glamping Units 
No Statics for Hire 
No Statics for Sale 
No Seasonal Pitches 
Electric Hookups 
No Hardstandings 
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 
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 <5 miles 
No Playground 
No TV Room 
No Games Room 
No Evening Ents 
No Fishing 
No Wild Swimming 
Indoor Pool <5 miles 
No Outdoor Pool 
Horse Riding <5 miles 
No Cycle Hire 
Golf <1 mile 
No Tennis 
No Beach 
No Watersports 
No Boat Launch 
No Sea Views 
Not Working Farm 
Campfires Allowed 
No Waterside Pitches 
Public Transport <1 mile
Offroad Dog Walk On Site or Direct Access 
This campsite met all my requirements for a weekend away, it was close to home, close to a tube station and allowed dogs! The site itself was really lovely, loads of huge fields separated by foresty areas. 
