Riverside Caravan Parks 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.

90% (159)

Top-rated campgrounds

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.

90% (159)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Cotswolds Camping at Holycombe

95%

(147)

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. The Pig Place Campsite

92%

(93)

45 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Oxfordshire, South East England

Canal-side camping for adults on a rustic Oxfordshire pig farm

3. Laleham Camping Club

100%

(10)

124 units · Tents, Motorhomes · England

Our 100 pitch campsite is located in the protected Green Belt area to the west of London. With the River Thames on one side and Laleham Park on all others, the beautiful surroundings are hard to beat given the proximity to the capital. The campsite is run voluntarily by its members, with day-to-day matters being handled by an elected committee and wardens.

4. Baldwins Brook Glamping

100%

(7)

6 units · Motorhomes, Glamping · England

Small dog-friendly site on the banks of the river Severn Adjacent to the Severn Way and half an hour’s walk from the canal Wildlife haven within walking distance of pubs and Frampton on Severn Craving a peaceful time filled with wildlife watching, long walks and relaxing by the water? On the banks of the River Severn, Baldwin’s Brook Glamping in Gloucestershire fits the bill. This small site is a wildlife haven adjacent to the Severn Way, a long-distance trail which traces the river downstream. Birdwatching prospects are excellent here, and there’s plenty of peace if you’d rather sit and relax by a firepit or check out the stunning views and sunsets. The site is part of a working family farm with lots of livestock. From the farm, it’s a 45-minute walk to Frampton on Severn, which is home to the longest village green in England and the lively Frampton Country Fair (think funfair… and 400 stalls full of good stuff). Baldwin’s Brook Glamping is also half an hour’s walk away from the Cotswold Canal Trust Visitor Centre by The Gloucester and Sharpness Canal if you’d like to grab a spot on a boat trip or sip a coffee by the canal. When you'd rather have a chilled beer, two pubs are within half a mile of the site (only 10 minutes’ walk away). Strike up a conversation with a local about the next Severn Bore, the huge tidal wave which races for 25 miles from Awre to Gloucester down the estuary just a handful of times per year.

5. The Old Airfield

85%

(143)

114 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Hampshire, South East England

A New Forest airfield that's been overtaken by nature, less than 10 minutes' drive from the coast

6. Swallow Barn Woodland Campsite

96%

(13)

1 unit · Tent, Motorhome · Blakeney, England

An exclusive-hire nearly-wild woodland campsite for up to 20 people

7. Haywards Bridge Farm

75%

(12)

99 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Shillingstone,, England

We are a Riverside Wild Camp site. Eight acre small until recently growing sustainable vegetables and wild flowers, hosting camping and events, nestled beneath Hambledon Hillfort on the bank of the Stour. We have access to the North Dorset trailway at our entrance, our neighbours are the North Dorset Railway, a museum, cafe and soon to be working line, all under preservation and within 50 yards walk, the mighty Hambledon hill is a great trek with breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, for those looking to relax Bournemouth and Weymouth beaches are less than 30 miles, for shoppers Salisbury to the East or Bath just over an hour to the North, there really is something for everyone!

Camper favorites in and near North Wessex Downs AONB

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Baldwins Brook Glamping

100%

(7)

6 units · Motorhomes, Glamping · England

Small dog-friendly site on the banks of the river Severn Adjacent to the Severn Way and half an hour’s walk from the canal Wildlife haven within walking distance of pubs and Frampton on Severn Craving a peaceful time filled with wildlife watching, long walks and relaxing by the water? On the banks of the River Severn, Baldwin’s Brook Glamping in Gloucestershire fits the bill. This small site is a wildlife haven adjacent to the Severn Way, a long-distance trail which traces the river downstream. Birdwatching prospects are excellent here, and there’s plenty of peace if you’d rather sit and relax by a firepit or check out the stunning views and sunsets. The site is part of a working family farm with lots of livestock. From the farm, it’s a 45-minute walk to Frampton on Severn, which is home to the longest village green in England and the lively Frampton Country Fair (think funfair… and 400 stalls full of good stuff). Baldwin’s Brook Glamping is also half an hour’s walk away from the Cotswold Canal Trust Visitor Centre by The Gloucester and Sharpness Canal if you’d like to grab a spot on a boat trip or sip a coffee by the canal. When you'd rather have a chilled beer, two pubs are within half a mile of the site (only 10 minutes’ walk away). Strike up a conversation with a local about the next Severn Bore, the huge tidal wave which races for 25 miles from Awre to Gloucester down the estuary just a handful of times per year.

The Old Airfield

85%

(143)

114 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Hampshire, South East England

A New Forest airfield that's been overtaken by nature, less than 10 minutes' drive from the coast

Swallow Barn Woodland Campsite

96%

(13)

1 unit · Tent, Motorhome · Blakeney, England

An exclusive-hire nearly-wild woodland campsite for up to 20 people

Haywards Bridge Farm

75%

(12)

99 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Shillingstone,, England

We are a Riverside Wild Camp site. Eight acre small until recently growing sustainable vegetables and wild flowers, hosting camping and events, nestled beneath Hambledon Hillfort on the bank of the Stour. We have access to the North Dorset trailway at our entrance, our neighbours are the North Dorset Railway, a museum, cafe and soon to be working line, all under preservation and within 50 yards walk, the mighty Hambledon hill is a great trek with breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, for those looking to relax Bournemouth and Weymouth beaches are less than 30 miles, for shoppers Salisbury to the East or Bath just over an hour to the North, there really is something for everyone!

Stories from the community

A

Andrea

2 weeks ago

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

B

Bob

September 2025

5 m Class B

Weekend Trip to Laleham Camping Club

Right by the river. Clean site, hot showers, friéndly host

lauren

August 2025

5 m Class B

Weekend Trip to The Old Airfield

Absolutely loved camping at The Old Airfield. Very friendly staff and helpful. Loads of space to park up and tent so you'll never feel 'on top' of other campers. Lovely vibe, clean showers and toilets. Had a nice bar and pizza trailer on site too to order from every night. Very relaxing and loads of free roaming animals near by! Definitely will be coming back!

Stephanie

August 2025

Tent

With kids

3 nights at The Old Airfield

The staff were fab as were the showers, toilets and the sociable communal space serving drinkings and tasty pizzas. The only downside was the noise from the adjacent road.

P

Patrick

August 2025

Tent

With kids

2 nights at The Old Airfield

An amazing site for young children. Would definitely come again, and for longer. Staff were great, really helpful.

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!

R

Rowan

August 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Swallow Barn Woodland Campsite

Great site, had an amazing weekend. Fantastic fire pit and the sheltered kitchen area really came in handy.

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 😊

R

Reece

August 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to The Old Airfield

Firstly, the location - yes it’s a cool old WWII airbase! Loads of room to pitch your tent without feeling like you are encroaching on your neighbours. It’s well kept and very clean. The toilets were clean and so were the showers. There’s food (fresh pizza, pastries, etc) and drinks (a coffee / cocktail bar) on site and I thought the prices were reasonable. The staff are friendly and the place had a nice vibe. We took our dog and although she had to be kept on a lead on site, there is plenty of space close by to let her off. if you like camping and are looking to get back to basics, with a few luxuries close by, you can’t go wrong. Beautiful Mudeford is a short drive so there’s plenty to do if you want to venture out. Overall we really liked it. It was just me and my partner this time but we’ve just decided to go back in a few days, this time with the children.

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.

C

Carrie

July 2025

Tent

With kids

3 nights at Swallow Barn Woodland Campsite

We had a wonderfully peaceful few days at Swallow farm. Brilliant off grid facilities. Lovely shaded spot so no early mornings due to tent getting too hot. The table and sink area bring a little bit of luxury and we loved hunting for campfire sticks in the woods. Not hot water but if you leave a metal bucket of water in the sun it gets to a nice temperature for a cool bucket shower.

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

R

July 2025

4 m Class B

Weekend Trip to Haywards Bridge Farm

Such a good location. It was really easy to explore the surrounding area . Mark was very helpful

K

Kerry

July 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Haywards Bridge Farm

Lovely place, great location and peaceful Shillingstone station next door with handy cafe

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.

A

Alison

July 2025

4 m pop-up camper

Weekend Trip to Haywards Bridge Farm

Great information about getting to the campsite before hand. A beautiful location by the river. Basic site but just what we wanted. A birthday get together, just perfect.

P

Patrick

July 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Cotswolds Camping at Holycombe

Beautiful place to stay - facilities are great, the onsite cafe is brilliant. Definitely worth a visit!

S

Stephen

July 2025

6 m pop-up camper

Weekend Trip to Cotswolds Camping at Holycombe

We stayed there for a couple of nights and couldn’t fault the place, great hosts an will definitely visit again

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Riverside caravan parks 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.