Riverside Camping - Festival Feel
Hosted by Wild · Bedfordshire, England
26 units · RV, Tent, Lodging · 30 acres
Best Hipcamps in Central England
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2025.
Family-friendly
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.
A pop-up campsite on the banks of the River Great Ouse, with workshops, music, good food and a festival vibe
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£31
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89%
(27)Campfires allowed
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Cosy Furnished Bell Tent 1
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Cosy Furnished Bell Tent 2
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Reviews
92% Recommend38 Ratings · 25 reviews
The campsite location was beautiful - we camped on the riverbank . Great DJs in the evening and a chilled vibe all weekend .
L
Laura H.
7 months on Hipcamp
As first-time campers, we couldn't have chosen a better location! Everything, from start to finish was fantastic. The instructions on arrival were clear, we ordered our golf buggy carriage to collect us and our belongings from the car park. We were chauffeured by the lovely Rob, to a spot of our choice (right by the river so beautiful views) and we set up camp. For our first night, we made full use of the pizza van onsite and bought 2 delicious pizzas and drinks from the bar. In the morning, we used the Soul-Full Kitchen for our coffee shot. I think the energy from the staff in the coffee/breakfast van alone would have stood us in good stead for the day. Despite some queues, they were bright, full of energy and welcoming to every person. As we didn't have littlies with us, I can't vouch for the kids activities, but we fully enjoyed our Coached Paddleboarding session with Dom, our Sound Bath with Shereen, Yoga with Lisa and a Sauna provided by Charlotte. We had a quick dip in the river too. The toilets were cleaner than most service stations I've been into....all weekend! The showers were better in the morning than the evenings and if I really, really had to be pressed for an area of improvement, it would be the showers but hey, it's a campsite, not a 5* accommodation right?! We will absolutely be coming back for 2026, along with the rest of the family next time! Absolutely loved it....thank you sooo much! Natalie & Ross
N
Natalie W.
6 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2025
Tent · With kids ·
Camping Pitch
Great campsite in a beautiful setting with really friendly vibes
A
Annaliesetruman ?.
12 years on Hipcamp
I read mixed reviews before I visited. I personally had an amazing time with my daughter. The atmosphere was great. The staff were so amazing. Rob especially was an awesome help and vibe. Along with Luke and the soul kitchen crew and the big boss was so nice too. The river was beautiful. The music was good. My daughter and myself loved it. I would thoroughly recommend. Great memories
Z
Zoe N.
6 months on Hipcamp
Too expensive for temporary toilet facilities and entertainment that we didn't really use.
V
Victoria S.
11 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2024
Tent · With kids ·
Camping Pitch
Wild Canvass is great fun! We went in the middle of the week, when things are a bit quieter. My two kids had a fantatic time playing in the river and paddle boarding. But they equally enuoyed the fun activities put on by the staff. Everyone there was warm, and very welcoming. It really fetl like a friendly and happy place. We'd defintely return.
M
Matthew P.
5 years on Hipcamp
What a beautiful campsite! The owners are so friendly and can’t do enough for you. They even drove around in their little buggy to sell ice creams and beer.
The music was great and the bar was awesome.
The food and drinks were reasonably priced and the service was amazing.
I would recommend this site and will be back next year.
I
Ian D.
1 year on Hipcamp
We’re in love with wild canvas camping ❤️
Amazing vibes, people, setting, entertainment, tunes, yoga & more!!
We’ll be back.
Thank you 🙏🏻
K
Kate M.
3 reviews
We had a great time at Wild Canvas with a large group of friends. We stayed in the Boutique village in one of the bell tents. The tent was huge and had a double bed and two singles for our family. It was comfortable and coped well with avoiding humidity and condensation.
It was nice to have a bar, music and activities for the kids. They enjoyed swimming in the river and roaming freely across the site.
The toilets and showers were ok, it's a temporary campsite and on par with what you'd get at festivals.
The staff were friendly and helped us bring our belongings from the car park to our tent with a buggy. Overall we really enjoyed our stay and would come back again.
J
Jamil A.
2 reviews
Recommends
· August 2024
4 m Class B · With kids ·
Camping Pitch
Amazing little break wish i had booked a bit longer.
Site was lovely friendly people happy kids playing about and paddle boarding was lovely on the river
P
Peter H.
2 reviews
Wild Canvas is absolutely beautiful. We loved the location and the river was blissful- the whole family loved the wild swimming and the splashing about.
The bar and music were great too- such a lovely atmosphere.
There were a great variety of workshops and activities and we really enjoyed those we got involved in. Disco pilates and family yoga/sound bath were highlights of our whole visit. But some of the activities priced a bit high especially if you have multiple children.
The food offering was also a bit of a let down- the main meals were tasty enough and a great variety but weren't really as they were described- 'rotisserie' chicken and hog roast were just bits of bbqd meat. The orders were wrong a few times too. However our main issue was breakfast- the coffee was really overpriced for weak, half cups of foam and the 'pastries' were being unwrapped from Tesco long life plastic wrappers in front of the queue- really disappointing. Perhaps a new caterer should be looked at for next year.
There were a couple of organisational things we found frustrating too- the system of wheelbarrows or pay for a lift in the golf buggy is a good idea but there aren't many wheelbarrows and we got forgotten when we asked for the lift- we waited over an hour on checkout day and never got acknowledged. It was a sad end to an otherwise beautiful time.
Overall, we loved the experience- it's a beautiful escape with fun and chill in equal parts, just expect to pay a bit on top of the booking!
S
Shea H.
3 reviews
Recommends
· August 2023
Tent · With kids ·
Camping Pitch
Such a beautiful site, with an amazing vibe. Space for gentle ‘adult fun’, and lots of activities for children.
The campsite was full, but didn’t feel crowded at all…
Claire G.
2 years on Hipcamp
I have already recommended this to friends. A lovely surrounding and set up, which attracted seemingly lovely people and families. It felt like we’d stumbled onto a bit of a gem. Thanks so much for putting this all together and for a wonderful weekend. So lovely this exists. Very well done.
R
Rhiannon M.
3 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2021
This is a really interesting idea - mixing up camping with just a hint of festival - adding a touch of spice to the whole thing. Access to the river was a brilliant bonus. Site was clean and well spaced out. Facilities just about enough. I'd definitely go again - hope they come back to the Turvey site next year.
T
Tim M.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2021
We had a great time at Wild Canvas Camping this summer. We camped with our two children (4 & 7), who loved the open space, the wild swimming and all the activities. There was something for the adults too. Would highly recommend the stand up paddle boarding and pizza at the Luna cafe. Really chilled out atmosphere, very safe and kept tidy and clean throughout our stay.
R
Rachael H.
4 years on Hipcamp
August 2021
Arrived on my first ever camping trip with my mum and 6 year old daughter. I LOVED this place. So friendly, clean, best pizza I’ve ever eaten. If they do the same next year, we’re in!!!!
H
Hannah G.
4 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2021
We got back yesterday from 3 nights ‘glamping’ in a tipi at Turvey House. Our friends joined and were able to pitch their tent near us as there are no designated areas.
The site is exactly as the website describes; the atmosphere, activities, facilities, surroundings etc. Nothing ‘sounds better than it actually is’ when you get there… everything is as you hoped it would be and more. Same goes for the pictures; they weren’t taken on their ‘best day’ - that’s exactly how it looks when you arrive.
We spent most of our time enjoying our own camp fire but when we did venture out everyone we encountered was lovely (staff and campers alike). In the end the only activity we managed to squeeze in was the paddle boarding which was fantastic. Next year (we will definitely go back) we will try to do a few more of the activities on offer as they sounded really fun.
*A note to any camping novices like me: tipis are great: spacious, water tight in the rain, beds included etc BUT you can’t ‘seal yourself in’ the way you can with a tent, so be prepared to share your space with a few spiders. That said I would still book a tipi for next time we visit!
V
Vicki B.
4 years on Hipcamp
August 2021
Just back from our 2nd weekend at Wild Canvas and it was even better than the first. I went will my 2 children aged 7 and 9. We loved the paddle boarding, swimming, arts and crafts, disco..and the delicious food...the smoked meat was soooooo good.
We didn't want to leave....so squeezed in a 4th night.
Thanks Nick, R & M.
(Please do it again next year!)
N
Nick M.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2021
We camped there Friday 6th August to Monday 9th August and absolutely loved it. Firstly, the location is perfect, loads of open space with a glorious river at the end of the field perfect for jumping and swimming in to cool off. The facilities are pretty basic - a few portaloos, a couple of washing up stands with hot water and a block of good, hot showers. But there's tonnes of space so you can either go for a quiet spot or have loads of room for a large group of friends to camp around a communal space. You'll feel like you're in the remote countryside, even though the local village and pubs are only a 15 minute walk away. The only activity we did was the paddle-boarding which was fantastic - excellent supervisor (Dom) and we loved meandering down the Ouse and navigating the hurdles while trying to stay balanced.
The cafe and evening meal pop up was great - delicious pizzas for around a tenner, good breakfast options and coffees though would have been nice if the cafe was open all day, not just until 1pm. Best of all was the courtyard area with the bar, open fire and chilled-out DJs in the evening. We couldn't believe the Mad Professor was playing on the Saturday night - what a treat, an intimate crowd dancing under the stars - but DJ Zaf and DJ Soul Serenade (?) were also great on the Friday and Sunday nights. Amazing vibes and atmosphere.
Lastly, big shout out to all the staff. They were never less than kind and generous, so laidback and helpful, and always super-friendly.
Think of this as a low-key cross between wild camping and a mini festival - it's definitely not glamping or a commercial campsite. We thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely be back next year if it's on.
S
Stuart G.
4 years on Hipcamp
August 2021
Great staff, being right by river With all the fun that brings and the General atmosphere Around Campsite been just perfect. But highlight for me was listening to Earl Gates head chilling by the river. Very cool camping
S
Sel ?.
4 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2021
This place is amazing. me the wife and the kids have a total blast.
the site is prestine and the river is great the staff are so helpfull as well. this place is really great for families and first timers because of the good facilities they have and if you don't wanna cook you can just buy pizza or burger. if you want to start a campfire and don't wanna look or bring your own fire woods? they sell them as well, if you don't wanna bring a tent, well you can go glamping as well. the only bummer is its only available on summer so don't miss the chance and come while its still available. i will comeback next year and bring more family members and friends so they can experience it and have a supreme bliss.
N
Nelson C.
4 years on Hipcamp
July 2021
Wild canvas is exactly what was needed, after a year of being locked indoors i started to become such an introvert, getting used to being indoors and whatnot. Its a great way to spend family time from sitting around a fire in the evening to cooking breakfast in the morning, the activities wild canvas provide for the kids is amazing too. Lets not forget the wild swimming in the river besides the field, its just perfect! Last but not least the Patty and Bun box they have to offer, is TO DIE FOR! All in all im enjoying myself once again at a wild canvas run campsite! Will be back
D
Dan ?.
4 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2021
We stayed for the weekend including the opening night. There are three large fields with the bar and music on the edge of the first field so you can seek out the festival vibe if you like or stay further away if you prefer the quiet. Along all fields is a small river in which you can or watch the minnows peck at your feet (watch out for the current though). It’s a beautiful place with a coffee van that offers croissants in the morning and at night there was food. Pizza one night, pulled pork or chicken the other. Showers and toilets are clean. Very family friendly.
S
S V.
4 years on Hipcamp
Not recommend
· July 2021
Arrived Friday afternoon and no barrows to transport camping equipment, bar not open until 6 no DJ’s as advertised - the only thing which gave me the festival vibe is the over priced can of warm cider (£5) and the rain and kids shouting late at night - asked staff about music on Saturday and they didn’t know - left after one night disappointing
J
John ?.
5 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2020
I have been camping with my 11 year old son a few times and this time he said when we arrived, "You know I don't like camping. It's boring and I want to go home!" By the end of the first day he said, "Maybe I was being too negative. I really did enjoy today!" What made the difference for him and myself, were the shared events that were on offer, the hula hoop, tai chi and forest sounds classes that we participated in and the friendliness of our neighbouring campers, whose children played with my son and whose grown ups joined me for tea on the camp stove and evening chats around the fire pit. The last night, where we shared a delicious curry at the cafe and had a boogey to music, was a great end to a fab few days and this was despite it raining and storming for most of the time!
As a single mum with a reluctant son, I too arrived with reservations we'd feel isolated, or he'd be disengaged but we both had our reservations swept away. Neither of us were expecting to have such a great experience. It's by far our best camping trip together. The friendly staff, campers, camp shop, cafe, coffee box van, barn and tepee with organised events and activities all helped to make us feel welcome and part of a camping community for the few days we were there. Thank you! We'll be going again next year and I'll know now to pack my wellies!
J
Jenan M.
6 years on Hipcamp
Location
Bedfordshire, Bedfordshire, England, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Wild C.
Joined in July 2020From the host
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