Lake Camping in North Wessex Downs AONB

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.

95% (202)

Top-rated campgrounds near North Wessex Downs AONB

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.

95% (202)

Top-rated campgrounds near North Wessex Downs AONB

1. Cotswolds Camping at Holycombe

95%

(148)

14 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Warwickshire, England

Think Countryfile meets Time Team. Camping in six-acres of unspoiled Cotswold countryside, built in the grounds of a Norman castle.

2. Radcot Leisure on Thames

89%

(305)

50 units · Tents, Glamping · Oxfordshire, South East England

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

3. Henstridge Golf and Leisure

100%

(3)

1 unit · Tent, Motorhome · England

Set in the heart of rural Blackmore Vale, Henstridge Golf Resort is the perfect retreat providing the best of leisure and relaxation. Over 70 stunning acres. Acquired by Lee Park Estates for being in one of the most peaceful and picturesque parts of England. Close to the Sherborne and Shaftesbury and right on the border of Dorset and Somerset. We have a well stocked coarse fishing lake full of natural wild fighting fish and extending to approximately 2 acres. Within our stunning resort lies our caravanning and camping area with spectacular views of our golf course. We are open for 12 months, 365 days a year, and we have seasonal pitches available for touring caravans and motorhomes. Please note that our electrical hook-ups are limited, and come with an additional charge, please contact us prior to booking to see availability.

4. Brue Field, Gladwill Farm

1 unit · Glamping · Bruton, England

Reconnect with nature in a peaceful escape away from the hecticness of life. Exclusive to a family group or friends sharing a well equipped field kitchen & dining area in an organic meadow by the River Brue. Wildlife teems in the meadow and the surrounding Stourhead woodlands offering adventures in nature. There are 5 unique living pods with proper beds and creative interiors. A booking includes 2 days use of a natural swimming pond. This is a journey into simple living - not a party venue.

5. Crooked Willows Farm

88%

(17)

10 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Wimborne. Dorset, England

Adults-only, back-to-basics camping on a Dorset farm

6. Oakhill Ponds

96%

(13)

8 units · Glamping · Somerset, South West England

A uniquely peaceful Somerset glamping site set around two ponds in its own beautiful wildlife garden.

7. Yurt and Walled Garden

100%

(2)

2 units · Glamping · Shepton Mallet, England

Unique & enchanting a lush walled garden on the edge of a quiet village provides the perfect place to relax & recharge. Unwind in a wood-fired hot tub or around the fire in the spacious & comfortable yurt. Cook up a feast in the well-equipped outdoor kitchen. Explore the adjoining historic land; meadows, waterfalls & swimming ponds. Book the off-grid spa with horse-box sauna & Swedish hot-tub. Take a dip or paddle-board & enjoy spotting deer. Enjoy great food at the local pub just a short walk away Then explore Somerset. Enjoy staying in a beautiful organic 21 ft yurt nestled in a magical walled garden exclusively for your use. Your stay includes: A beautiful garden with pizza oven, bbq, hand-made swing, reclining chairs, fire pit A wood- fired ‘dip-tank hot-tub for two (or 2 adults and a child) A fully equipped outdoor kitchen A further indoor kitchenette with fridge-freezer, toaster & oven A monsoon shower & 2 flushing toilets A further garden room with double-bed and electricity A 21 ft Yurt with king-sized bed, sofa, dining table, vinyl collection with turntable & blu-tooth. A wood-burning fire with a complementary basket of logs Quality linen, towels, and toiletries, Eye-masks & dressing gowns Sleeping arrangements are flexible for four people as there is an extra double bedroom in the garden room on the terrace or extra beds can be put in the yurt. The walled garden sits away from but has access to The Brew Somerset with 25 acres of private land. The Brew Somerset is a glamping and retreat site arranged around the spring-fed ponds. These ponds once served the Oakhill Brewery. Stout was first brewed in the village of Oakhill in 1767, using water which comes down from the Mendip Hills. In the 18th century Oakhill Stout was thought to have ‘magical‘ healing properties. Now you can take a dip in these waters. The beady-eyed can spot kingfisher, heron, buzzard, kite, cormorant & much more in the way of wildlife. Walled garden guests have access to this larger site in the afternoons, between 1pm and 5pm. The retreat site is not suitable for young children. Coming soon: Don't miss the uniqueness of the pop-up off-grid spa with horse-trailer sauna, wood-fired hot tub and treatment tent. Enjoy a sauna or hot-tub whilst watching deer browse.....seriously! Booking essential. All of this is just a leisurely stroll away from an excellent pub. Relax, unwind, enjoy - a breathing space.

Camper favorites in and near North Wessex Downs AONB

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Brue Field, Gladwill Farm

1 unit · Glamping · Bruton, England

Reconnect with nature in a peaceful escape away from the hecticness of life. Exclusive to a family group or friends sharing a well equipped field kitchen & dining area in an organic meadow by the River Brue. Wildlife teems in the meadow and the surrounding Stourhead woodlands offering adventures in nature. There are 5 unique living pods with proper beds and creative interiors. A booking includes 2 days use of a natural swimming pond. This is a journey into simple living - not a party venue.

Crooked Willows Farm

88%

(17)

10 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Wimborne. Dorset, England

Adults-only, back-to-basics camping on a Dorset farm

Oakhill Ponds

96%

(13)

8 units · Glamping · Somerset, South West England

A uniquely peaceful Somerset glamping site set around two ponds in its own beautiful wildlife garden.

Yurt and Walled Garden

100%

(2)

2 units · Glamping · Shepton Mallet, England

Unique & enchanting a lush walled garden on the edge of a quiet village provides the perfect place to relax & recharge. Unwind in a wood-fired hot tub or around the fire in the spacious & comfortable yurt. Cook up a feast in the well-equipped outdoor kitchen. Explore the adjoining historic land; meadows, waterfalls & swimming ponds. Book the off-grid spa with horse-box sauna & Swedish hot-tub. Take a dip or paddle-board & enjoy spotting deer. Enjoy great food at the local pub just a short walk away Then explore Somerset. Enjoy staying in a beautiful organic 21 ft yurt nestled in a magical walled garden exclusively for your use. Your stay includes: A beautiful garden with pizza oven, bbq, hand-made swing, reclining chairs, fire pit A wood- fired ‘dip-tank hot-tub for two (or 2 adults and a child) A fully equipped outdoor kitchen A further indoor kitchenette with fridge-freezer, toaster & oven A monsoon shower & 2 flushing toilets A further garden room with double-bed and electricity A 21 ft Yurt with king-sized bed, sofa, dining table, vinyl collection with turntable & blu-tooth. A wood-burning fire with a complementary basket of logs Quality linen, towels, and toiletries, Eye-masks & dressing gowns Sleeping arrangements are flexible for four people as there is an extra double bedroom in the garden room on the terrace or extra beds can be put in the yurt. The walled garden sits away from but has access to The Brew Somerset with 25 acres of private land. The Brew Somerset is a glamping and retreat site arranged around the spring-fed ponds. These ponds once served the Oakhill Brewery. Stout was first brewed in the village of Oakhill in 1767, using water which comes down from the Mendip Hills. In the 18th century Oakhill Stout was thought to have ‘magical‘ healing properties. Now you can take a dip in these waters. The beady-eyed can spot kingfisher, heron, buzzard, kite, cormorant & much more in the way of wildlife. Walled garden guests have access to this larger site in the afternoons, between 1pm and 5pm. The retreat site is not suitable for young children. Coming soon: Don't miss the uniqueness of the pop-up off-grid spa with horse-trailer sauna, wood-fired hot tub and treatment tent. Enjoy a sauna or hot-tub whilst watching deer browse.....seriously! Booking essential. All of this is just a leisurely stroll away from an excellent pub. Relax, unwind, enjoy - a breathing space.

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

A

Andrea

November 2025

Tent

1 night at Cotswolds Camping at Holycombe

Easy to get on the pitches by ourselves and had the whole site for us, not surprising as it’s late November! Very quiet and loved it! We will be back again for the 3rd time

C

Callum

October 2025

Tent

Group trip

3 nights at Henstridge Golf and Leisure

Lovely place lovely people would definitely recommend

B

Bob

October 2025

5 m Class B

Weekend Trip to Crooked Willows Farm

Still open this late in the season, with a convivial host. You need to be prepared for the composting loos but they were clean

M

Mark

August 2025

5 m Class B

With pets

Weekend Trip to Crooked Willows Farm

Large site with plenty of space for yourselfs, kept well, quiet location which is perfect for us,, really enjoyed it, will be back. Probably with a fishing rod, beautiful lake.

M

Marie-clare

August 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Radcot Leisure on Thames

Great spot with great walks next to the river! We had a great time and would definitely go back! The pub was also great and allowed us to meet more of the other campers! They also rent out paddle boards and kayaks for trips up the river. However some improvements could be done to the facilities on the camp site. The sink for washing dishes is very low and only has cold water, the sink could also do with a clean. The showers also are quite tight, only have one temperature and make it impossible to not get your hair wet.

D

Donna

August 2025

6 m Class B

With pets

Weekend Trip to Crooked Willows Farm

Peaceful, relaxing evening. Great value for money, l great wildlife

Snowdonia

August 2025

3 m pop-up camper

2 nights at Cotswolds Camping at Holycombe

Lovely tranquil camp site in a nice location in the Cotswolds. Good pitches with plenty of space. Shame the local pub was closed for renovation works. All in all a fabulous couple of days chilling, thank you Sally 😀

E

Emma

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Cotswolds Camping at Holycombe

We’ve stayed here many times and it’s a great spot for a peaceful weekend. The site is very pretty with the surrounding orchard and green hills, and well situated for country walks and visits to nearby towns. The facilities are great - everything you might need (including hammocks!) - and everyone we met was so relaxed and friendly.

H

Helen

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Cotswolds Camping at Holycombe

My son and I had a very peaceful weekend here, despite it being packed! A really clean and tidy, well equipped site and although we felt that the pitches were quite close together, the long grasses made it feel private enough and fellow campers were very respectful and quiet! Oh ... and we LOVED the church bells! 😄 We'll definitely be going again and highly recommend for an 'almost wild' and restful camping experience! Special thanks to Antonia who came to greet us when we first arrived, was very helpful and then left us to it!

P

Penny

August 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Radcot Leisure on Thames

We had a wonderful time, excellent location by the river, pub and town. It was very quiet and we had enough space for our three families to run around and enjoy all the nature available! We hired the canoe and paddle boards which were fab. The beds were very comfortable and warm, toilets and showers were decent enough but did get messy quickly with all the usage. The wash up station was very basic and some of the outside benches were a bit tatty so because of that, probably an 8/10 BUT great for families.

L

Laura

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Radcot Leisure on Thames

I loved our time camping here. It's really relaxed and because of the tracks are really nice campers who make wonderful neighbours. It's right next to a pub as well which made easy to get food and bevs. We'll definitely be back, this is one of my favourite campsites.

I

Ionela

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Cotswolds Camping at Holycombe

It’s been absolutely lovely , good facilities . I will come back if I will have the opportunity 😊

C

Catherine

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Radcot Leisure on Thames

Very chilled campsite with basic but functional facilities. Location is beautiful set in the Oxfordshire countryside with plenty of walks to enjoy. I would have like to have been able to hire a paddle board nearby but either way I enjoyed a circular walk and a pint at the pub.

D

Daizy

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Radcot Leisure on Thames

We had a great stay - overall a very relaxed and easygoing atmosphere. Check-in was smooth and hassle-free, and the site was pleasantly quiet throughout our visit. The on-site reception/shop was well stocked with essentials, including fire pits for hire, marshmallows and sticks for toasting, cold drinks, and ice cream - nice little touches that added to the experience. Just across the road is a charming pub with outdoor seating. While the menu was a bit limited and on the pricier side, it was a lovely spot for a casual drink or light meal. There’s a town about a 7-minute drive away (not walkable) with several supermarkets and other amenities if you need to stock up on anything. Water activities like paddleboarding and kayaking are also available to rent on the nearby river, which is a great bonus for those looking for some outdoor fun. Facilities were a bit of a mixed bag - while the toilets and bins were kept clean, the showers could use some improvement. The water didn’t drain well, so you often ended up standing in leftover water, which wasn’t ideal. One downside was the number of wasps around the site, which became a bit of a nuisance at times. All in all, a peaceful spot with a few quirks - great for a short getaway if you’re after simplicity and nature with a few convenient extras.

a

anna

August 2025

6 m Class B

1 night at Crooked Willows Farm

Really lovely, very spacious. Nice host and good facilities

P

Patrick

July 2025

Tent

1 night at Cotswolds Camping at Holycombe

2nd time staying here - Its such a beautiful little spot. The facilities are good, the site is quiet, and it's a good base to venture out into the Cotswolds.

J

Joe

July 2025

Tent

2 nights at Cotswolds Camping at Holycombe

Campsite was lovely and clean, the pitches were great and had a bench to use too, would recommend

C

Chris

July 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Radcot Leisure on Thames

For my first Experience with hipcampers. Very pleased. Arrived late so checked in at the pub. Very relaxed. Only a quick stay as I was going to Fairford airshow. The Ye Olde Swan pub just across the river look nice did not eat there bus had a great array of beers. I would stay agin if I was in the area.

A

Andrea

July 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Cotswolds Camping at Holycombe

Very relaxing and really enjoyed the breakfast at the cafe.. toilet was clean and the site was silent at night. Great logs for fire pit available to buy. Would come back again.

S

Sarah

July 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Radcot Leisure on Thames

Beautiful location great to have the pub next door. Toilet could do with a clean not the owners fault some people are just lazy and filthy. Could do with modernising though, but were ok. Very lovely location check in was helpful and easy, Would book here again 😀

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Lake camping in North Wessex Downs AONB guide

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.