Family Camping on the River Stour — with a Pub at the End of It
Campfires, a paddle to the pub, and kids who won’t want to go home.
Family life gets busy and screens always win. At Rushbanks, you camp in Constable Country, cook on a campfire and paddle the River Stour to the pub — the holiday your kids will still be talking about at Christmas.
★ 4.6 from 260+ Google reviews · Family-run since 1958 · Kids stay free · Dogs welcome
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
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, where the only plan is what’s for tea.
That’s why families have been coming to Rushbanks since 1958. No Wi-Fi, no electric hook-ups, no agenda. Just big grassy pitches by the River Stour, a fire to gather round at the end of the day, and the kind of quiet that actually reaches you.
Picture it: coffee in hand, mist on the water, the kids already up and exploring. That’s a Rushbanks morning.
Paddle to the pub 🛶
Push off from our jetty and the river opens up ahead of you, with Constable’s Dedham Vale on both sides. About 90 minutes downstream, The Anchor at Nayland is waiting with a cold drink and a table by the water.
It’s the Rushbanks adventure in one afternoon, and the thing guests mention most in their reviews. No experience needed: you get training, river maps and children’s buoyancy aids. Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards are for Rushbanks guests only, and boats are limited, so add yours when you book.
Camp your way
Grass pitches — big, grassy pitches with space to spread out, for tents, caravans, campervans and roof tents. From £36 a night for 2 adults and the kids.
Riverside bell tents — already pitched beside the river, with a memory foam double mattress. Just bring your bedding. From £80 a night, sleeps 6.
Campfire nights — add a campfire bundle (£30) and we deliver the fire pit, logs, kindling and grill to your pitch.
Dogs welcome — bring the whole family (£6 per dog, per night, on leads).
Hot showers, clean toilets, fresh water and walks straight into Dedham Vale. See all 2027 prices →
Your Rushbanks plan: easy as 1, 2, 3
Pick your dates and your pitch or bell tent.
Add a canoe, paddleboard or campfire bundle.
Arrive, choose your spot and unwind by the river.
Want more time? Add early arrival from 10am and late departure until 4pm (£18 each, per stay, grass pitches only) for up to eight extra hours by the river.
🌿 Midweek Escape: stay 4 nights, pay for 3
Midweek is Rushbanks at its most peaceful: quieter pitches and more space on the river. Arrive Monday, leave Friday, and the fourth night is on us.
✓ 4 nights for the price of 3 ✓ From £27 a night per family ✓ Kids stay free ✓ Every week of the season
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, 2-man kayak 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.
A family tradition since 1958
Three generations of the Bates family have looked after Rushbanks since 1958. It’s peaceful, well looked after, and the kind of place families come back to year after year.
“Paddling to the pub — kids and adults all loved this!” — Tripadvisor guest
“Two families with young children… we all had the best time.” — Tripadvisor guest
“The kids are already asking to go back!” — Kara-Leigh D
Where are we?
Rushbanks is at Wissington, near Nayland, on the Suffolk–Essex border — on the River Stour in the Dedham Vale National Landscape (AONB), right in the heart of Constable Country. Directions and parking →
Ready for a proper break by the river?
2027 bookings open on 1 March, and the best summer weekends go quickly. Put the date in your diary, and join the Rushbanks community at the bottom of this page for news and offers.
Bookings open 1 March — save the date →
Got a question? Read our FAQ or get in touch.