Camping near Chelmsford

[TheFutureSupremeRulersMum]

Can anyone recommend a good campsite near Chelmsford? It would need to allow groups (maybe 3-4 tents) and preferably allows campfires (but that might be a little too optimistic).

I'm struggling to think of any campsites, to be honest.
How close do you want to be?

Essex is the driest county in the UK so campfires are indeed doubtful.

Try around Maldon. It's pretty and not too far. Think there might be a site at Creeksea but no idea if it's any good.

There are caravan sites around Heybridge Basin nr Maldon. I think one's called Mill Beach if it's still there, I'm not sure if they allow tents though

How close do you want to be? I can check my caravan club book to see if there are any that takes tents.

Apologies for the slow response. We'd probably want to be within 20 min drive of Chelmsford. We did look at Epping Forest campsite that does allow campfires (from HZ's blog on another thread) but the reviews weren't great and it's a bit too far from Chelmsford.

Try this place. Its within 20 mins and has a campsite. I've never been so have no idea what its like. Looks interesting though. here. You could also try calling some of the pubs that are out in the countryside a bit, some of them have land and might let you camp, even if they don't advertise. Places like Howe street in Essex are in the countryside but not too far from the city centre. Maybe about 20 mins by car. Google Howe street + essex + pubs and see whats there. I'm sure theres one or two pubs with land there. Look at a map for the surrounding areas to Howe street as well and see if any pubs in the surrounding areas have a bit of land you can camp on.

Thanks Brian I will take a look