Campsites for hikers in North Wessex Downs AONB

Hillside hikes, canal cruises, and ancient monuments are among the highlights of this AONB.

95% (796 reviews)

United Kingdom
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England
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North Wessex Downs AONB

95% (796 reviews)

Popular camping styles for North Wessex Downs AONB

Dog-friendly getaways

89%

(240)

12 top campsites in North Wessex Downs AONB with hiking

89%

(240)

Radcot Leisure on Thames

46 units · Glamping, Tents1 acre · Oxfordshire, South East England

A Thames’ island campsite in the Oxfordshire countryside – with a lovely pub just over the bridge

95%

(133)

Abbey Home Farm

21 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents1600 acres · Cirencester, Gloucestershire, South West England

Eco-camping for real. Cooking on an open fire. Unspoilt natural beauty.

Cotswolds Camping

71 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Charlbury, Oxfordshire, South East England

Simple camping surrounded by all the delicious Oxfordshire and Cotswolds village food offerings

100%

(27)

Little Fleece at Folly Farm

1 unit · Glamping1 acre · Berkshire, South East England

A cosy and luxurious shepherds hut for two on a beautiful farm in the Wessex Downs.

The Barn KT9

21 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents3 acres · Greater London, South East England

A unique rural campsite in Surrey, a stone's throw from London's Zone 6

Hollington Park Glamping

6 units · Glamping10 acres · Hampshire, South East England

Pod and bell tent glamping in the Berkshire woods on the edge of the North Wessex Downs

Chalky Downs

36 units · Motorhomes, Tents12 acres · Brighton, East Sussex, South East England

Traditional tent camping in a stunningly-located South Downs farm, just down the road from buzzing Brighton

98%

(45)

Woodlands Camping

8 units · Motorhomes, Tents200 acres · Ropley, England

A back-to-basics campsite in the South Downs National Park

93%

(206)

Sweet Hill Farm

10 units · Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Dorset, South West England

Simple, almost-wild, seaside camping on the Isle of Portland

Evelyn’s Garden

1 unit · Glamping2 acres · Wantage, England

Evelyn’s Garden is a 2 acre pony paddock right on the path of the famous ridgeway walk. At its highest point, rested in a 100acre organic farm, It hosts an en excellent view point over the meadows of Sparsholt. Free roaming piglets, piggies, cows and horses. A quiet wild site with no light or noise pollution. Just fellow stargazers and sunset chasers as your neighbours! We have 4 bell tents and a converted Horsebox to choose from, with full facilities inside the conversion, and basic facilities if you choose one of our bell tents! No showers or washing facilities, just a drinking water tap, and composting loo! Get as close to wild and back to the very basics, next your your firepit, family and friends! Logs available for sale at the site, and griddles / basic BBQ utensils to cook with No electric hookups with bell tents Solar power if you book our horse box.

93%

(64)

Otters Camping at Beale Park

50 units · Motorhomes, Tents10 acres · Berkshire, England

A simple campsite in a field on the banks of the River Thames

100%

(1)

Stowford Manor Farm Campsite

51 units · Glamping, Motorhomes25 acres · Trowbridge, England

We are a family run farm situated in the beautiful Frome valley. The farm has a range of interests from the traditional Jersey milking cows to a community of workshops used by local craftsmen. The cafe serves cream teas from Easter to the end of September and pizzas are sold in evenings during the summer months. Ours is a small family run camp site with the River Frome on one side, next to the medieval buildings of Stowford Farm. The river is suitable for fishing, boating, swimming and paddling. Historic Bradford-on-Avon is only a 5 minute drive and the City of Bath 15 minutes. For those who enjoy more rural pleasures, 200 metres from the campsite Farleigh Hungerford boasts the only river swimming club in the country, and you can become an instant member for a very small fee.

Campsites for hikers in North Wessex Downs AONB guide

Overview

Miles of rolling countryside await in the North Wessex Downs, but this AONB also has plenty of surprises up its sleeve. White chalk horses gaze down from the hillsides, ancient stone circles lie in the valleys, and lively market towns pepper the riverside. Explore the natural landscapes on foot, by bike, or on horseback; cruise the canals by boat or kayak; or escape to a tranquil campsite by the waterfront or in the forest. May through September is the most pleasant time for camping, but the weather can be temperamental even in summer, so pack for all-seasons.

Where to go

Wiltshire

Most of the North Wessex Downs lie within Wiltshire, where you can hike, cycle, or horseback ride across open chalklands. Visit the UNESCO-listed Avebury stone circle, explore the Great West Way heritage trail, or marvel at the Wiltshire White Horses, giant chalk drawings etched onto the hillsides. To the south, the world-famous Stonehenge is an easy detour, and there are more hiking opportunities in the surrounding Salisbury Plains.

Hampshire

Downton Abbey fans won’t want to miss a visit to Highclere Castle—the real-life Downton Abbey—in the southeast corner of North Wessex Downs. Explore the surrounding farmlands by bike, stop off at pretty Hampshire villages, or stay at quiet country campgrounds. To the south, the cathedral city of Winchester and the New Forest National Park are less than an hour’s drive.

Berkshire

Newbury and Reading are the gateways to the eastern downlands, where the hillside towns are dotted with thatched-roof cottages and traditional pubs. Take a leisurely boat cruise along the Kent & Avon Canal, stop to browse the markets in Hungerford, or hike the 20-mile Lambourn Valley Way.

Oxfordshire

The northern borders of the North Wessex Downs spill over into Oxfordshire, where highlights include the market town of Wantage and the Uffington White Horse. Continue north to visit the university city of Oxford or take a road trip along the winding country lanes of the Cotswolds, another AONB.