Lake Camping in River Avon

From the grassy banks of the Wiltshire countryside to the urban riverbanks of Bath and Bristol, the River Avon is witness to some of South West England’s most impressive scenery. Whether you choose to set sail on a sightseeing cruise, navigate its canal ways on a narrowboat, or pitch your tent by the riverside, there’s plenty to explore along the river. In Wiltshire, escape the crowds for tranquil waterfront walks or bike rides, and stop by the mediaeval village of Lacock. Further west, the UNESCO city of Bath and Bristol both have iconic bridges spanning the river—the Pulteney Bridge and the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

97% (162)

Top-rated campgrounds

Ye Olde Swan pub is on the opposite river bank, accessible via a bridge (the oldest bridge to cross the Thames).

From the grassy banks of the Wiltshire countryside to the urban riverbanks of Bath and Bristol, the River Avon is witness to some of South West England’s most impressive scenery. Whether you choose to set sail on a sightseeing cruise, navigate its canal ways on a narrowboat, or pitch your tent by the riverside, there’s plenty to explore along the river. In Wiltshire, escape the crowds for tranquil waterfront walks or bike rides, and stop by the mediaeval village of Lacock. Further west, the UNESCO city of Bath and Bristol both have iconic bridges spanning the river—the Pulteney Bridge and the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

97% (162)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. 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

2. Glastonbury Wild Glamping

100%

(7)

2 units · Glamping · England

Yurt stays with wild swimming and views of Glastonbury Tor

3. Crooked Willows Farm

88%

(17)

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

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

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. 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.

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. Stargazer Glamping

100%

(40)

3 units · Glamping · Ross On Wye, England

Luxury bell-tent glamping for couples and families in the serene Wye Valley.

8. 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.

9. At Goathill Farm

100%

(7)

1 unit · Glamping · Dorset, South West England

A lovely lakeside shepherd’s hut on a working farm in Dorset

Camper favorites in and near River Avon

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.

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.

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.

Stargazer Glamping

100%

(40)

3 units · Glamping · Ross On Wye, England

Luxury bell-tent glamping for couples and families in the serene Wye Valley.

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.

At Goathill Farm

100%

(7)

1 unit · Glamping · Dorset, South West England

A lovely lakeside shepherd’s hut on a working farm in Dorset

Stories from the community

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

marty

September 2025

3 nights at At Goathill Farm

Great quiet, scenic site on the side of a lake, just idyllic. Had a wonderful time de-stressing and will definitely be back.

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

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.

D

Dan

August 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Glastonbury Wild Glamping

The yurt was thoughtfully decorated and incredibly cozy with a comfy bed, from which you can see the stars. The yurt is on a secluded and serene piece of land, perfect for getting away from it all

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

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.

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 😀

M

Maxwell

July 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Crooked Willows Farm

Richard is incredibly helpful! If you are looking for a site that allows you to be at one with nature this is it! Beautiful lake onsite too

fino

July 2025

3 nights at Glastonbury Wild Glamping

stunning spot and so comfortable. worth it, i loved it.

A

Andrea

July 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Radcot Leisure on Thames

A beautiful setting, relaxed camping ground and a short walk to the pub, what more could you ask for.

a

alexandra

July 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Radcot Leisure on Thames

We had a lovely stay at this campsite! It’s in a fab location right be the Thames river and next to a lovely pub on the waterfront. We would definitely come back :)

M

Matt

July 2025

6 m Class A

With pets

Weekend Trip to Crooked Willows Farm

Nice and friendly, compost loos are fine. Good local pub and walking trails.

A

Amanda

June 2025

Weekend Trip to Radcot Leisure on Thames

Great location by the river, the bell tents were well spaced out and spacious inside.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Lake camping in River Avon guide

When to go

Summer (June through August) is the best time to get on the water, and events and festivals are often held along the riverfronts in Bath and Bristol. Boat tours and cruises typically run from mid-March to mid-October, although winter visits are still possible for private groups. Many campsites stay open year-round, but be sure to check for seasonal closures.

Know before you go

The River Avon (or Bristol Avon) rises in South Gloucestershire and flows through Wiltshire, Bath, and Bristol, before connecting to the Kennet and Avon Canal and the Kennet Navigation.
Sightseeing cruises or multi-day boat cruises along the River Avon are possible from Bath and Bristol.
Most campsites in South West England require advance booking, and you may need to pay the full amount before arrival.