Meininger Hotel

The rattle of the Tube from below, the hum of the city just beyond the window — this is London camping of a different sort, traded canvas for bunks but keeping that traveller spirit intact.

Perfect for groups on a tight budget, solo adventurers using the capital as a base camp, or families wanting beds and a roof without hotel prices. The pods and hostel-style rooms strip it back to basics, and being year-round means you can duck in whatever the weather throws at you. It's urban through and through, so if you're here for wilderness walks you've taken a wrong turn — but if you're plotting day trips out to the reservoirs or fancy surprising yourself with a bit of coarse fishing, Mount Pond and Eagle Pond are both reachable within a few miles when you need to swap pavement for waterside.

Dogs are a maybe — ask ahead. Campfires depend on what's allowed when you check in, though given the setting it's unlikely to be a roaring blaze. The vibe is functional, friendly, and very much about location over luxury.