Campsites in the Cotswolds

From hilltop tent pitches to hidden woodland wonders, the Cotswolds is always photo-ready.

97% (1375 reviews)
  1. Cotswolds AONB
97% (1375 reviews)

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12 top campsites in Cotswolds AONB

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Penn Meadow Farm

50 units · Motorhomes, Tents145 acres · Beaconsfield, England
Penn Meadow Farm is a beautiful 145 acre, family farm, nestled perfectly into the Chiltern Hills area of outstanding natural beauty. We’re just a 5 minute walk across our grassy fields to the oldest free-house pub in England (The Royal Standard of England) Say hello to our resident alpacas, sheep, pigs, pigmy goats, flock of 250 sheep and of course our lovely boarder collies. We aim to be a very relaxed spot to be able to rest for a few nights and maybe enjoying a nice camp fire in the evening. The site includes; Showers and Toilet block with toilet paper stocked. Open family pitches for you to choose where you want to set up Running drinking water Shared open kitchen Fires allowed BBQ's allowed To ensure everyone’s enjoyment and safety, please follow these rules: Supervise children: Always supervise your children and ensure they do not wander off alone. Clean up after yourself: Dispose of all waste properly in the designated bins and leave no trace behind. Wash any items you use and return them to where you found them. Respect other campers: Be courteous to fellow campers and respect their privacy and space. Pets: If you bring pets, ensure they are well-behaved, kept on a leash or have impeccable recall, and cleaned up after. Do not allow your pet to enter another camper's space. Quiet time: Maintain quiet hours between 11pm and 7am. All music must stop by 10pm, and noise should be minimal after 11pm. Campfires: Penn Meadow Farm allows fires; please use existing scorched areas if possible rather than creating new ones. Never leave any fires unattended and ensure they are completely extinguished when finished. Wipe your feet prior to entering the Bell tents to remove any coal that may have become attached. Cars/vehicles: Cars and vehicles can be on the field but should move minimally and always under 5mph. Car stereos should not be used for music entertainment. Drugs and Alcohol: Drug use is prohibited, and violators will be asked to leave. Consume alcohol responsibly, and do not drive or move your vehicle after consuming alcohol. We do not typically book Large non-family groups unless they are seeking a calm and peaceful stay. These groups must have authorization prior to the visit.
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£25
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100%
(5)

Riverside Restful Relaxing Campsite

12 units · Motorhomes, Tents4 acres · England
A very warm welcome to our guests at Little Eden, a restful and relaxing, riverside campsite for tents and campervans with grass pitches. We’re in a great spot if you love fishing, kayaking, gorge walking, cycling, seasides, fossil hunting, wild swimming, fell running, bird watching, archaeology or even Viking history! We are 9 miles from the mystical Glastonbury Abbey and Tor and directly on a Sustrans 33 cycle path route. The River Brue runs alongside the campsite with damsel flies fluttering by and kingfishers darting back and forth. We are on the Somerset levels so the sunsets are amazing as well as night time stargazing. We have a private, wooden jetty where you can launch your own paddle board. It’s a perfect get away for campers and nature lovers. Bring your own raised BBQs and logs or buy firewood on site. A family run campsite around 30 miles south of Bristol on the banks of the River Brue, it has a relaxed vibe and we try to keep things simple and straight forward. It’s ideal for doing some day trips nearby, then lighting the BBQ and playing Frisbee (games box you are most welcome to use). Shower and toilet, drinking water, washing-up sink in garden kitchenette. Our big sister site is just 4 miles away, and the café bar at 'Wall Eden Farm' serves fantastic coffee, cake, and family-made Somerset cider. If looking for classic countryside pub meal The Duck at Burtle and The Bird at Westhay are local favourites, be sure to book! Burnham on Sea close by has great fish and chips, a sandy beach, a pier and promenade if you like salty fingers and sandy toes. *DIRECTIONS* Little Eden Adventures is on Goole Maps Postcode takes you within 200 meters of campsite, look for white house with flagpole on stone bridge over river. What3words master.musical.titles. Our grandmother and her 5 sisters grew up milking cattle on the land. It’s steeped in history and archaeology. Bring your fishing rod as there are bream and roach in the River Brue. The site is a dream for cyclists. Electric vehicle charging at Wall Eden Farm with a Farmshop stocked with essential supplies, Moonshine and sweet treats. Sorry no pets as livestock in neighbouring fields. Big Adventures and Little Moments Warmest Wishes, Team Little Eden
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£11.50
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(8)

Littleton Farm Campsite

20 units · Tents10 acres · Upwaltham, England
Nestled in a valley on the South Downs Way, Littleton Farm Campsite offers a secluded spot for enjoying the countryside. Welcoming tent campers only, the site offers non electric pitches with plenty of space for everyone to have some peace and quiet. Grab breakfast from the onsite Cadence Cafe, spend days exploring picturesque walking routes and evenings by the campfire. Arundel and Chichester are within 20 minutes drive. A great base for exploring the South Downs and all that West Sussex has to offer. For events at Goodwood or for walkers and cyclists on the South Downs Way, the site is also an ideal spot for escaping the crowds. There are 20 non electric grass pitches onsite, each welcoming tents only. Each pitch allows up to six guests, with plenty of space for tents and gazebos with no extra charges other than on a per-person basis. Unloading is allowed by the pitches with parking in the designated car park. Wake up to fantastic rural views and grab a bite to eat from the onsite cafe, which also serves a delicious cup of coffee. Days can be spent enjoying long walks in beautiful open countryside, exploring the charming nearby towns and villages, or down by the coast, only 25 minutes away. In the evenings, guests can cook up a BBQ or relax by the campfire. Please note, the site is dog free.
Potable water
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£17
 / night

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Campsites in the Cotswolds guide

Overview

Few areas of the English countryside are as picturesque as the Cotswolds—think sloping green hills and patchwork farmland, all dotted with honey-coloured stone villages and farm shops around every corner. Its location in central southwest England makes it easy to reach from many parts of the UK too, and a destination that's as perfect for a weekend away as it is for a week’s holiday. Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and peppered with celebrity homes, this is the go-to for a chic country getaway. Hire a classic car to drive the winding country lanes, hop out to enjoy hillside hikes or bike rides, then tuck into farm-fresh produce at a traditional pub before settling into a farm stay campsite. Some classic campsites simply make use of a fallow field for the summer with composting toilets or temporary facilities, while others are working farms creating more permanent camping grounds with hardstanding pitches and electric hookups. Summer is peak season, so book campsites well in advance or consider visiting in spring or fall to escape the crowds.

Where to go

Central Cotswolds

Cheltenham, Cirencester, and Stroud are the Cotswolds’ largest towns, where you can take your pick of culture or countryside. Browse the artisan boutiques and farmers markets, relax at one of Cheltenham’s famous spas, then set out to hike through the Five Valleys or enjoy water sports on the lakes of the Cotswold Water Park.

North Cotswolds

The rural landscapes of the north Cotswolds are hiking heaven. Miles of walking and cycling trails surround Winchcombe, while Chipping Campden is the starting point of the 102-mile Cotswold Way national trail. Nearby, Broadway is the “Jewel of the Cotswolds,” and it’s an easy detour to visit Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Oxfordshire

The Oxfordshire towns of Bourton-on-the-Water and Burford are Cotswolds favourites, where half-timbered houses, thatched-roof cottages, and country pubs lie along the banks of the River Windrush. Stop by the market town of Chipping Norton, picnic on the grounds of the magnificent Blenheim Palace, then check into a quiet rural camping ground or glampsite.

Somerset and Wiltshire

The South Cotswolds combines rural pleasures with historical gems. To the south, the Roman spa town of Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage City, and the Wiltshire towns of Chippenham, Lacock, and Castle Combe are undeniably photogenic. Camping is equally scenic—spend a night in a luxury yurt or glamping pod, or pitch your tent at an organic farm.

Family Camping in the Cotswolds

Wherever you choose to camp in the Cotswolds, we’re confident that your kids won’t complain. We know the Cotswolds is a great family camping destination because we've been there, tramping the footpaths, touring the farm parks, and discovering the best of the area with our own little ones in tow. Farm stays can be a real hit—kids love the chance to see farm animals up close, and it can be a real education too—but if you’re on the hunt for the best family campsites in the Cotswolds, then you'll love the places recommended right here on Hipcamp.

The Prettiest Villages in the Cotswolds

Visiting these charming spots is almost obligatory when camping in the Cotswolds. Bourton-on-the-Water is an utter charmer, with a wealth of restaurants, tea rooms, and shops, as well as a river for you to enjoy a picnic by. The many small bridges over the gently flowing River Windrush, which runs through the heart of the village, gives the town a Venetian feel, and there are plenty of camping and glamping sites closeby.

It’s not the only one either: Burford, Chedworth, Bibury and Castle Combe will also have you reaching for the camera. And then there are the timeless twin villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter. More attractive than their names suggest, a mile-long path between them runs beside the River Eye, the perfect place to pause and take in the beauty. Rose-clad cottages and old mills characterise the two villages, where you can visit tea rooms, craft shops, and museums. If you’re enjoying your taste of idyllic middle England, there are yet more honey hues in the well-known market towns of Chipping Campden, Stow on the Wold, and Moreton-in-Marsh.

Top Attractions in the Cotswolds

The Cotswolds has its fair share of palaces and manor houses, many open to the public. Perhaps the grandest is the 17th-century Blenheim Palace, birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and home to the Duke of Marlborough. Step back a little further in history with a visit to Sudeley Castle. Within historic Winchcombe, the castle makes for another great day out thanks to its gardens, 15th-century ruins, and guides to share the history (not to mention a café). More royal gardens can be explored at the Highgrove Royal Gardens, part of the Highgrove Estate, as well as at Corsham Court, a former royal manor house with gardens designed by Capability Brown. For yet more impressive planting and a world-class collection of trees, visit one of the Cotswolds two arboretums: Westonbirt or Batsford.

While the Cotswolds are famous for offering a taste of the quiet life, there’s also action and adventure—if you know where to look. Apart from the many opportunities for walking and exploring, there’s the Cotswolds Water Park, where watersports, open-water swimming, and fishing are on offer, and the 417 Bike Park, home to mountain biking for all abilities. Families also love the Cotswold Farm Park and the Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens. And if your camping holiday in the Cotswolds coincides with the Spring bank holiday, you could head to Cooper’s Hill for its bizarre annual cheese-rolling competition. This age-old event sees competitors chase a Double Gloucester cheese down a steep slope with the winner claiming the cheese.

The Cotswolds does not include any cities within its boundaries, but the interesting cities and larger towns around its edges include Cheltenham for its regency buildings, Bath for Roman and regency era architecture, Gloucester for its cathedral, Cirencester for its Roman museum, and Stratford-upon-Avon for its connections to William Shakespeare.

Top 5 Things to Do in the Cotswolds

From countryside walks to cosy stately homes, there’s an activity for all Cotswold campers. Here are just five to give you a head start.

  1. Enjoy a picnic at picturesque Bourton-on-the-Water—and don’t forget the Double Gloucester.
  2. See the sunrise over the fields on the Cotswold Way.
  3. Feast on local produce at a Cotswolds gastropub or cook up a Gloucester Old Spot pork sausage on the campfire.
  4. Visit one of the Cotswolds' stately homes and castles.
  5. Capture a village’s honey-coloured homes on camera.

Top counties in and near Cotswolds AONB