Britchcombe Farm

Hosted by Peter · Oxfordshire Sn7 7 Qj, England

P

Fantastic views across Wiltshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire beneath the ancient chalk hill of the Ridgeway; lighting a fire is an added bonus

Historians still debate the significance of the wonderful white horses that are to be seen galloping across the south downs of England – you’ll see them cut into the soft chalk. Were they religious sites? Fertility symbols? Hunting grounds? Or was making them just Neolithic man’s idea of passing the time on a Sunday afternoon? No one knows. But what we do know is that Britchcombe Farm is a magical place to camp, and its proximity to the White Horse must have something to do with it. The site is owned by the impressive Marcella Seymour, who teaches the uninitiated how to light the perfect campfire (yes, these are allowed here!) and is often up at the crack of dawn taking her sheep to market. When she’s not doing that, she’s busy either making cream teas or very kindly drying out campers’ wet kit in her kitchen. It has to be said, she’s nothing less than a national treasure. If you choose to visit the site on a May morning you’re more than likely to bump into a bunch of Maypole-dancing druids. Whatever our ancient cousins were up to here, you won’t find much better mystical credentials than that.

Not currently accepting bookings on Hipcamp

Similar campgrounds nearby

Be the first to review

Share your experience here to help other campers.

Location

Oxfordshire Sn7 7 Qj, Oxfordshire, England, United KingdomTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

P

Hosted by Peter N.

Joined in April 2014

From the host

Fantastic views across Wiltshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire beneath the ancient chalk hill of the Ridgeway; lighting a fire is an added bonus

Nearby attractions

White Horse Hill is just above the site, and the Ridgeway is riddled with hill forts and long barrows. Nearby is Dragon Hill, where St George is supposed to have slain his dragon, and a half-hour walk away is Wayland’s Smithy, an impressively spooky Neolithic burial chamber. The little museum of Tom Brown’s School (01367 820259) in the village is open Saturday afternoons, and at other times for groups. The dreaming spires of Oxford are only 45 minutes away; the Pitt Rivers Museum (01865 270927) has totem poles, voodoo dolls and famously grizzly shrunken heads. Back near the site, Farmer Gow’s (01793 780555) is popular with younger children. In spring you can feed farm animals, including lambs and piglets.

Food and drink

Marcella does cream teas on Sundays, spring–Oct. The White Horse at Woolstone (01367 820726) does very good food. If you find yourself hooked on ley lines and other mystical magic, try the Barge Inn at Alton Barnes. The standing stones at Avebury and Silbury Hill are very close, and the pub is a mine of knowledge on crop circles. If you’re in Oxford go to the fish stall in the covered market, with live lobsters and crabs in tanks, and sometimes a dead shark on display, too.

Click here for more pubs, restaurants and places to eat & drink in the Cotswolds

Britchcombe Farm

Similar campgrounds nearby

Location

Hosted by Peter N.

Things to do nearby

Popular searches in Oxfordshire