The River Stour is waiting. So is the pub at the end of it.
A simple, family-friendly escape where the days are for paddling, wildlife and walks — and the evenings are for campfires and sunsets.
Bell tents • Grass pitches • Caravans & campervans
Canoe & paddleboard hire • Paddle to the pub
Family-run for 68 years • Kids stay free • Dogs welcome
Off-grid, back-to-nature camping — with clean toilets and hot showers.
Before you book: the 6 things people ask us
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Yes — we accept tents, caravans, campervans/motorhomes, and roof tents (car-top tents). A pitch is one unit (one tent or one vehicle-based setup).
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On most parts of the site, yes — you can park beside your tent/caravan/campervan. On riverside pitches, we ask cars to park by the hedge to keep the riverbank open and peaceful.
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Yes — we have toilets, portable toilets, and portable hot showers with a modern off-grid hot water system. We also have fresh tap water and an outdoor washing-up sink area.
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Yes — campfires are a Rushbanks favourite. Fire pits must be hired from us, and fires must be fully out by 11:00pm.
You’re welcome to bring a BBQ, including disposable BBQs — please make sure they’re fully cooled and dispose of ashes safely (no hot ashes in the main bins).
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Yes — dogs are welcome. Please keep them on leads, clean up after them, and be mindful of noise so everyone can relax.
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Canoe and SUP hire is exclusive to Rushbanks guests. Choose your preferred day when booking, and we’ll confirm availability by email. We provide training and river maps, and you can even do the classic “Paddle to the Pub” to The Anchor Inn, Nayland.
“Excellent family site — great riverside location and the kids absolutely loved it.” — Pitchup guest review
“Two families with young children… we all had the best time.” — Tripadvisor guest review
“Paddling to the pub — kids and adults all loved this!” — Tripadvisor guest review
The weeks blur. The screens don't switch off. The kids need something real.
You can feel it building — that need to just stop. To be somewhere without a signal, without a schedule, without anyone asking you to be anything other than present.
Rushbanks is where families come to remember what a proper break feels like. No Wi-Fi. No agenda. Just a river running past your tent, a fire to gather around at the end of the day, and the kind of quiet that actually reaches you.
As you imagine yourself sitting by the Stour, coffee in hand, watching the water — you already know this is the kind of trip your family will talk about for years.
The adventure your group will talk about for years 🛶
Picture the moment you push off from the jetty. The river opens up ahead of you. The countryside of Constable's Dedham Vale stretches out on both sides. And somewhere downstream — about 90 minutes of paddling away — the Anchor Inn is waiting with a cold drink and a table by the water.
The Paddle to the Pub is the Rushbanks experience in one afternoon. It's the thing guests mention in every review. The thing kids beg to do again the moment they're back on dry land.
Canoe hire includes training, river maps and buoyancy aids — no experience needed. Paddleboards also available.
Add Canoe or Paddleboard Hire during the booking process.
What we offer at Rushbanks
Launch straight onto the River Stour
Canoe & paddleboard hire on site
The famous paddle to The Anchor Inn (pub), Nayland
Big grassy pitches with space to spread out
Bell tents for an easy glamping stay
Caravans & campervans welcome
Campfires for evenings under the stars
Scenic walks across Dedham Vale AONB
Clean toilets and hot showers
Kids stay free (family-friendly by design)
Dogs welcome
🌿 Your midweek escape — stay 4 nights, pay for 3
Midweek at Rushbanks is a different experience. Quieter pitches. More space on the river. The site at its most peaceful.
Arrive Monday, leave Friday — and one of those nights is on us. That's up to eight extra hours by the river for less than the cost of a round of drinks. Combined with early check-in (from 10am) and late check-out (until 4pm), you could have nearly six full days of riverside life.
Offer details (display as 3 simple columns or bullet points):
✓ Stay 4 nights, pay for 3 ✓ From £27 per night per family ✓ Kids stay free
Available: May Half Term & July–September
A family tradition for over 68 years
For over 68 years, the Bates family has welcomed guests to Rushbanks Farm for simple, friendly riverside camping. It’s peaceful, well looked after, and the kind of place people love returning to.
What guests say
Real campers. Real River Stour adventures.
"We didn't want to go home. We all had such an amazing time — the kayak trip to the pub was incredible and so pretty."
Paddle to the pub · Tripadvisor
"Stargazing at night was better than watching any TV show or being on your phone. The owners went out of their way to make our stay a 5-star experience."
Paddleboarding group · Tripadvisor
"Paddling to the pub — kids and adults all loved this!"
Family group · Tripadvisor
"This is our second time at Rushbanks and we absolutely love it. We paddle-boarded down the river to the pub — it's a lovely paddle. We can't wait for next season."
Returning guest · Tripadvisor
"A wonderful, little, off-grid campsite in a beautiful location on the banks of the River Stour. Owners went out of their way."
5-star review · Google
If you want a weekend that feels simple again—this is it
Your Rushbanks plan - How it works
Pick your dates (and check what’s available)
Choose your stay (pitch / campervan / bell tent)
Add extras (canoe/SUP, campfire bundle)
Arrive and choose your favourite spot
Clear prices, simple rules, and friendly help if you’re new to camping
Read the Frequently Asked Questions page here.
Paddle straight from your pitch — the River Stour starts here
Ready for some fun on the water? Hire a canoe or paddleboard and set off from the jetties right here on site, exploring the peaceful River Stour at your own pace. The classic Rushbanks adventure is the paddle to The Anchor Inn in Nayland — lunch or a drink by the river, followed by a scenic journey back with a couple of short portages around the weirs for a true river-exploring experience.
Rushbanks riverside camping — camp your way
Grass pitches
Spacious, green pitches for tents, caravans and campervans — ideal for stargazing and slow mornings.
Ready-to-go bell tents
Arrive to a cosy setup close to the river — no pitching, no stress.
Caravans & campervans
Bring your home on wheels and enjoy simple countryside camping with the river nearby.
Campfire nights, done properly
When the sun sets at Rushbanks, the real magic begins. Add a firepit to your booking and enjoy the part of camping everyone remembers: warmth, food, stories, and a sky full of stars.
We provide what you need for a safe campfire experience — just bring good company.
Where are we?
We are located near Nayland, on the River Stour in Dedham Vale AONB.
For Directions & parking click here.
Ready for a proper riverside break?
Check availability and book direct for the best options.