So you’ve decided to camp in Oxfordshire. Good choice – honestly, better than most people expect. When you say “Oxfordshire” to someone, they picture dreaming spires, university quads, maybe a punting trip on the Cherwell. Camping ? Not the first thing that comes to mind. But that’s exactly what makes it interesting.
This county has a lot more to offer than its famous city. Rolling Chiltern hills, quiet Thames-side meadows, ancient woodland – there’s proper countryside here, and some genuinely lovely places to pitch a tent or park a van. Whether you’re planning a solo weekend, a family trip, or something a bit more adventurous, this guide is here to help you make sense of the options without wasting time. For a broader overview of stays and campsite options across regions, it’s also worth checking https://infosejours.com – useful if you’re comparing several destinations before committing.
First Things First : What Kind of Camper Are You ?
This is the question that changes everything. Because camping in Oxfordshire can mean very different things depending on your answer.
Are you someone who needs a hot shower in the morning, a playground for the kids, maybe a camp shop within walking distance ? Or do you want silence, stars, and basically no neighbours ? The two experiences exist here – but they’re not in the same places. Figuring this out first will save you a lot of frustration.
Glamping and comfort camping has grown massively in the region over the past decade. There are bell tent setups, shepherd’s huts, and well-equipped sites with proper facilities. These are great if you’re new to camping or travelling with young children.
Traditional tent pitches on smaller, quieter sites are also easy to find – and often surprisingly affordable, especially if you book mid-week or outside of peak school holidays.
Wild or low-impact camping is a bit trickier in England generally, but some farms and landowners in Oxfordshire offer informal camping on private land. Worth looking into if you want something off the beaten track.
The Cotswold Fringe : Underrated and Worth It
The western edge of Oxfordshire borders the Cotswolds, and this is where the landscape starts to feel genuinely scenic. Villages like Burford, Witney and Charlbury are close by, and there are a few campsites tucked into the hills and valleys around there.
Perso, I think this part of the county is underrated for camping. It doesn’t have the big-brand recognition of the Cotswolds proper, so it’s slightly less crowded and often cheaper. You still get the dry-stone walls, the green fields, the whole thing – just with fewer coach tours.
If you’re driving down from the Midlands or coming from Wales, this western corridor makes a logical base too. Easy to get to, easy to explore.
The Thames Corridor : Slow, Scenic, Perfect for Families
Following the Thames through Oxfordshire – from Lechlade down towards Abingdon and beyond – is one of those experiences that sounds a bit slow until you actually do it. Then you get it.
The river path is genuinely beautiful. Flat, accessible, full of wildlife. Kingfishers, herons, the occasional otter if you’re lucky and quiet. Several campsites sit right along the river or very close to it, and waking up to that view is something you don’t forget quickly.
This area works especially well for families with bikes or for anyone doing a section of the Thames Path. A few sites have their own river access. Some allow kayaks and canoes to moor up, which is the kind of detail that makes a trip feel special.
Near Oxford : Convenience with a Side of Compromise
Camping close to Oxford itself is convenient – obviously – but it comes with trade-offs. Sites within easy reach of the city tend to be busier, noisier, and more expensive in summer. That said, if your plan is to spend time in Oxford (and you should, because it really is remarkable), then staying nearby makes sense.
There are sites to the south and east of the city that offer decent facilities and reasonable prices without being right on top of the urban sprawl. Transport links are good enough that you don’t necessarily need a car to get into the centre. A bus or a short train hop does the job.
Just don’t expect wilderness. This is suburban-adjacent camping. It serves a purpose, it does it reasonably well, and it’s honest about what it is.
The Chilterns : Probably the Best Scenery in the County
The southeastern tip of Oxfordshire dips into the Chiltern Hills – technically part of the Chilterns AONB – and this is, in my opinion, the most dramatic landscape in the whole county. Beech woodland, steep valleys, chalk downland. It’s not the Lakes District, but it has a character of its own.
Camping here is limited compared to other parts of Oxfordshire, which is partly because the area is quite protected and partly because it’s not the first place people think to look. But that’s changing slowly, and there are a handful of sites worth knowing about.
If you’re a walker, this is genuinely brilliant. The Ridgeway national trail passes through here, and some sections above the Thames are extraordinary. Waking up near Goring or Streatley and heading out before 8am on a clear autumn morning – that’s the kind of thing you’ll talk about for a while.
Practical Things You Need to Know
Booking ahead is essential in summer. Oxfordshire isn’t a massive camping destination, but the good sites fill up fast – especially July and August, and especially on bank holiday weekends. Don’t assume you’ll find a spot last minute. You probably won’t.
Shoulder season is genuinely lovely here. May, June and September are often the sweet spot – warm enough, dry enough, and nowhere near as busy. The countryside looks different in early summer compared to August, and honestly it might look better. The bluebells in May through the woodland near the Chilterns are something else.
Budget roughly £15–£35 per night for a standard pitch, depending on the site and the season. Glamping and premium setups push higher, sometimes significantly. Wild or farm camping can come in cheaper if you find the right setup.
Dog-friendly sites exist but check in advance. Some sites have restrictions on breeds or numbers, and it varies a lot from place to place.
What’s Actually Worth Looking for in a Site ?
A few things that I’d put higher on the list than most people do :
Shade. In a proper heatwave – and we do get them now – an exposed field becomes miserable by 11am. If you’re camping in summer, a site with some tree cover is worth it.
Access to walking routes directly from the pitch. Not having to drive to a trailhead changes the whole dynamic of a camping trip. Some sites in Oxfordshire are positioned brilliantly for this ; others, less so.
Honest reviews from recent visitors. Campsite websites always show the best photos from the best angle on the best day. Real reviews from the last 12 months tell you what the showers are actually like, whether it gets muddy when it rains, whether the neighbours are noisy. Don’t skip this step.
A Few Final Thoughts
Oxfordshire probably won’t be the first county you think of for a camping trip – and that’s maybe what makes it work. It’s not trying to be the Peak District or the Lake District. It’s quieter, smaller-scale, and a bit more unexpected.
If you go in with the right expectations, it delivers. Genuinely. The countryside is beautiful in an understated way. The small market towns are worth exploring. And if you pick your site well, you can have a really good few days here without fighting for pitches or spending a fortune.
Worth it ? Yes. But do your homework first, book early if you’re going in peak season, and think about what kind of camping experience you actually want before you commit. That last bit sounds obvious, but it’s surprising how often people skip it.
