8 Charming
Cotswolds Campsites
Spring weather is notoriously unpredictable, so I like to go somewhere that’s culturally interesting, with a good selection of tea rooms, museums, stately homes and shops. My favourite Cotswold places include the fantastic Roman museum in Cirencester, William Morris’s Arts and Crafts Kelmscott Manor near Stroud, the beautiful village of Bibury and the Woolpack in Slad, where you can raise a glass to Laurie Lee, the author of Cider with Rosie. Last time I walked through Cheltenham I even spotted wealthy ladies wearing their pearls to lunch with friends. I spotted a Vintage Morgan parked photogenically in Stow on the Wold, and half expected to see Bertie Wooster and Jeeves getting up to their jolly japes.
Here are some of our favourite Cotswolds campsites.
Ham Ln, Bishop Sutton, Bristol, BS39 5TZ
01275 332127
Nightly fee: £25-£37 (2 adults)
Open all year (booking essential)
“This adults-only award-winning five-star campsite is independently owned, but affiliated to the Caravan and Motorhome Club and the Tranquil Parks group. The setting in the south-west tip of the Cotswolds is picturesque, located next to Chew Valley Fishing Lake. There are luxurious solo bathroom suites and showers, laundry facilities, and fully serviced pitches. It makes a comfortable base for a sightseeing tour of Bath, Bristol and Wells, with picturesque walks on the rugged Mendip Hills and Cheddar Gorge.” Simon.
Cerney Wick, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 5QH
01793 750 369
Nightly fee: From £10 per night
Open: from 12 April 2021
“If you just want a cheap and cheerful overnight stay in the Cotswolds, The Crown Inn is one of the many pubs that have a small five-van campsite in the grounds. Real ale and pub grub is on offer inside, when pubs are allowed to reopen. This is one of the Nightstops, licensed to host five vans through The Motor Caravanners’ Club, but non-members are welcome. The Crown Inn only charges £10 per night, plus extra electric hook-up if needed. You can only use the toilets when the pub is open, which is the case with most of these five-van sites.” John.
Gloucester Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL51 0SS
01242 235 324
Nightly fee: from £23 (2 adults)
Open: All year (from 12 April)
“This adults-only campsite has excellent heated facilities, including power showers and hair dryers, a washing machine and drier and free wifi. There’s a disabled washroom. TV available. Pet friendly. From just outside the park there are buses and cycle routes to Cheltenham and Gloucester. If you’re meeting non-camping friends, they can stay in the glamping pods or motel rooms.” Jean.
Bradwell Grove, Burford, Oxfordshire, OX18 4JJ
01993 823080
Nightly fee: from £17.20
Open: 12 April to 1 November 2021
“Burford is a beautiful sleepy village, right in the heart of the Cotswolds, so this site makes a good base. For adults there is a golf course, or the motor museum at Bourton-on-the-Water. If you have children, visit the Cotswolds Wildlife Park, opposite the campsite, to see leopards, zebras and rhinos and ride on a narrow-gauge railway. Site facilities are pretty perfect. Barbecues permitted. Good disabled facilities. Dog walk on site.” Mike.
Stroud Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 1UT
01285 651546
Nightly fee: from £11.35
Open: 12 April to 3 January 2022
“If you or your children are interested in the history of Roman Britain, visiting the Corinium Museum in Cirencester is a ‘must’. I was astonished to see the beautiful vast Four Seasons mosaic floor, as well as many other archaeological finds dating back to the Stone Age. The campsite itself is well run and beautiful, set in parkland. There are great facilities, with baby changing area and disabled facilities. Barbecues are allowed. ” Karen.
Prestbury Park, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 4SH
01242 523102
Nightly fee: from £10.20
Open: 12 April to 11 October
“It felt really cool driving under the grandstand and picking a spot to park for a few nights. There’s also a terraced area. I loved seeing the racehorses being exercised around the track early each morning. Facilities are not luxurious, but there are hot showers, a dishwashing area, disabled facilities and electric hook-up. Barbecues are allowed and dogs are welcome, on a lead. Apart from the Regency town of Cheltenham, with its beautiful architecture and parks, you might like to check out the Jet Age Museum in Gloucester, where you can climb into the cockpit of a Vulcan Bomber.” Val.
Enstone Road, Charlbury, Oxfordshire, OX7 3JH
01608 810314
Nightly fee: from £14.50-£29
Open 12 April to 1 November 2021
“This is a spacious family-run campsite set in 54 acres, in an area of outstanding natural beauty, and we enjoyed seeing the farm animals and walking on trails through Wychwood Forest. The site shop sells freshly baked bread and croissants, as well as alcohol. The heated washrooms include disabled facilities, family bathrooms and hair dryers. Dogs are welcome. There’s plenty for families here, with children’s play areas, a tennis court and skittle alley. In the games room you can play air hockey, pool, table football and table tennis. Outdoors there are football nets, disc golf, a zip wire and some fitness equipment as part of the forest trails. If you’re meeting non-campervan friends, they can stay in a glamping pod from £35 per night, or the farm’s B&B and self-catering cottages.” Jeff.
Brooklands Farm, Alderton, Gloucestershire, GL20 8NX
01242 620259
Nightly fee: from £9.25
Open: 12 April – 4 January 2022
“We enjoyed staying near the lake at this friendly campsite, which would suit couples. We walked some of The Cotswolds Way, and saw lots of picture postcard-worthy villages, dotted with beautiful houses built in the distinctive golden stone. We visited Stow-on-the-Wold, Sudeley Castle, Snowshill Manor and plenty of good tea rooms and pubs.” Jane.
NB All dates and details are subject to current Covid restrictions.
