The creak of floorboards in a Victorian guesthouse, morning tea delivered to your room, and somewhere beyond the sash windows the hum of London waking up.
This isn't your typical campsite — Franciscan Sisters offers both traditional guest house accommodation and camping pods for those who want a quirky urban basecamp without surrendering all creature comforts. It suits couples looking for a different kind of city break, solo travellers who want a roof but not a hotel, or anyone treating London as an adventure rather than just a destination. Dogs are welcome by arrangement, so worth asking ahead if you're bringing a four-legged friend along for the galleries and parks.
Onsite facilities aren't extensively listed, so expect simplicity and a personal touch rather than a full campsite setup. Campfires are worth checking about on arrival. Open all year, it's got that rare mixture of homely and a little bit odd — the kind of place that makes a weekend in the capital feel less frantic. Anglers might be interested to know Mount Pond and Eagle Pond are both within striking distance for a quiet morning's fishing before the city properly kicks in.