Discover the best forest campsites in North Wessex Downs AONB

United Kingdom
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England
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North Wessex Downs AONB

99% (113 reviews)

Popular camping styles for North Wessex Downs AONB

Under £50

81%

(8)

Dog-friendly getaways

94%

(9)

Hollington Park Glamping

6 units · Glamping10 acres · Hampshire, South East England

Pod and bell tent glamping in woodland on the edge of the North Wessex Downs

100%

(4)

Toastytipis Luxury Tipi and HOTTUB

1 unit · Glamping600 acres · Southam, Warwickshire, West Midlands

* The Toasty Tipi is a true one of a kind: finished with soft carpets, heating and a sumptuous double mattress. * Twinkling fairly lights line its thick canvas walls and are joined by exotic, linen prints and mysterious, little trinkets. * A private compost toilet can also be found in a neighbouring hut and sits beside your covered wooden gazebo complete with BBQ and hot tub. * Five star gastro pub within walking distance. * Explore the lush, rolling pastures and the ancient, country trails, visiting historic Warwick city. If you love the outdoors but need the comforts of home, this intimate, little tipi really does have it all. Fitted with super-soft carpets and two heaters, it adds a luxury twist to traditional camping. Enjoy long morning lie-ins beneath thick, fluffy duvets or endless afternoons in the steaming outdoor hot-tub. With a peaceful country setting and a romantic ambience, you can hide away from the rest of the world and wish upon a star. The Toasty Tipi is a true one of a kind, nestled amongst the trees of a protected Wooded area. the tipi is a unique place where you can relax with ease. Explore the lush, rolling paddocks and the ancient, country trails, jumping the crooked stiles and finding the hidden woodland glades. Picnic in the wild meadows or BBQ at the camp then wait for the moon and the stars to emerge as night falls. Inside, the tipi is warm and cosy and boasts a sumptuous double bed with sultry touches. Twinkling fairly lights line the thick canvas walls and are joined by exotic, linen prints and vintage curios. A miniature kitchenette is complete with a small fridge bbq and shower contained in adjoining gazebo as your extended living space. Here you can light up the barbeque and cook some fresh, farmland produce before sipping a glass of wine in the log-fired hot tub. A small neighbouring hut is home to your own private compost loo and shower. The Toasty Tipi has a glorious setting on the same private estate as the Dallas Buston polo club. Guest are free to stroll around the grounds, through the woods around the lakes and maybe catch one of the regular polo matches held allyear round, quite often played on a daily basis. As well as being amongst some of Warwickshire’s finest country backdrops, the Toasty Tipi is also well-placed for finding some of tfhe areas best-known attractions. Visit the historic city of Warwick with its grand, imposing castle or the well-known theatres of Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon. If you don’t want to venture far then there’s also characterful, little villages, including pretty Long Itchington and its award-winning pubs. Indulge in the local ales and walk back to your Toasty Tipi, lighting the scattered candles for your star-struck, lovers evening.

The Hop Farm

50 units · Motorhomes, Tents500 acres · Brenchley, England

The Hop Farm is set in 500 acres of unspoilt Kent countryside, known as the Garden of England. Flat grass fields and surrounded by private woodland and also fields abut the River Medway, ideal for paddleboarding and kayaking. Campers have access to newly refurbished facilities, state of the art showers, toilets and washing facilities. Raised BBQ's and raised firepits are permitted. It's the ideal location for a peaceful escape with endless skies providing memorable sunsets and stars unhindered by artificial light.

Kingsmead Camping

36 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents10 acres · Cullompton, England

A range of pitches, from grassy open spaces to off-grid woodland clearings, topped off by two well-stocked fishing lakes

Cuckoo Farm Campsite

12 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents130 acres · Rutland, East Midlands

Family camping with campfires on an organic farm, set alongside the beautiful River Chater

12 top wheelchair-accessible forest campsites in North Wessex Downs AONB

83%

(15)

The Hop Farm

50 units · Motorhomes, Tents500 acres · Brenchley, England

The Hop Farm is set in 500 acres of unspoilt Kent countryside, known as the Garden of England. Flat grass fields and surrounded by private woodland and also fields abut the River Medway, ideal for paddleboarding and kayaking. Campers have access to newly refurbished facilities, state of the art showers, toilets and washing facilities. Raised BBQ's and raised firepits are permitted. It's the ideal location for a peaceful escape with endless skies providing memorable sunsets and stars unhindered by artificial light.

Abbey Home Farm

21 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents1600 acres · Cirencester, Gloucestershire, South West England

Eco-camping for real. Cooking on an open fire. Unspoilt natural beauty.

Kingsmead Camping

36 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents10 acres · Cullompton, England

A range of pitches, from grassy open spaces to off-grid woodland clearings, topped off by two well-stocked fishing lakes

Hollington Park Glamping

6 units · Glamping10 acres · Hampshire, South East England

Pod and bell tent glamping in woodland on the edge of the North Wessex Downs

Cuckoo Farm Campsite

12 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents130 acres · Rutland, East Midlands

Family camping with campfires on an organic farm, set alongside the beautiful River Chater

Toastytipis Luxury Tipi and HOTTUB

1 unit · Glamping600 acres · Southam, Warwickshire, West Midlands

* The Toasty Tipi is a true one of a kind: finished with soft carpets, heating and a sumptuous double mattress. * Twinkling fairly lights line its thick canvas walls and are joined by exotic, linen prints and mysterious, little trinkets. * A private compost toilet can also be found in a neighbouring hut and sits beside your covered wooden gazebo complete with BBQ and hot tub. * Five star gastro pub within walking distance. * Explore the lush, rolling pastures and the ancient, country trails, visiting historic Warwick city. If you love the outdoors but need the comforts of home, this intimate, little tipi really does have it all. Fitted with super-soft carpets and two heaters, it adds a luxury twist to traditional camping. Enjoy long morning lie-ins beneath thick, fluffy duvets or endless afternoons in the steaming outdoor hot-tub. With a peaceful country setting and a romantic ambience, you can hide away from the rest of the world and wish upon a star. The Toasty Tipi is a true one of a kind, nestled amongst the trees of a protected Wooded area. the tipi is a unique place where you can relax with ease. Explore the lush, rolling paddocks and the ancient, country trails, jumping the crooked stiles and finding the hidden woodland glades. Picnic in the wild meadows or BBQ at the camp then wait for the moon and the stars to emerge as night falls. Inside, the tipi is warm and cosy and boasts a sumptuous double bed with sultry touches. Twinkling fairly lights line the thick canvas walls and are joined by exotic, linen prints and vintage curios. A miniature kitchenette is complete with a small fridge bbq and shower contained in adjoining gazebo as your extended living space. Here you can light up the barbeque and cook some fresh, farmland produce before sipping a glass of wine in the log-fired hot tub. A small neighbouring hut is home to your own private compost loo and shower. The Toasty Tipi has a glorious setting on the same private estate as the Dallas Buston polo club. Guest are free to stroll around the grounds, through the woods around the lakes and maybe catch one of the regular polo matches held allyear round, quite often played on a daily basis. As well as being amongst some of Warwickshire’s finest country backdrops, the Toasty Tipi is also well-placed for finding some of tfhe areas best-known attractions. Visit the historic city of Warwick with its grand, imposing castle or the well-known theatres of Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon. If you don’t want to venture far then there’s also characterful, little villages, including pretty Long Itchington and its award-winning pubs. Indulge in the local ales and walk back to your Toasty Tipi, lighting the scattered candles for your star-struck, lovers evening.

Farley Camping

41 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents12 acres · Wiltshire, South West England

Idyllic summer camping on a Wiltshire farm with weekend barbecues, close to the Test Valley, New Forest and Stonehenge

100%

(45)

Oak & Ash & Thorn - Voltaire's Wood

7 units · Tents120 acres · Gloucestershire, South West England

Secluded almost wild camping spots in an ancient woodland in the Cotswolds

95%

(21)

Bridgewood Camping - Woodland camps

3 units · Glamping, Tents6 acres · Sherborne, England

Nearly wild woodland camping in Dorset

100%

(7)

Pop Up Outwest

33 units · Motorhomes, Tents9 acres · West Ashton, England

Back to basics, summer-only camping in a farmer’s field in Wiltshire

97%

(35)

Walnut Farm Glamping

5 units · Glamping12 acres · Bridport, Dorset, South West England

Cosy en-suite yurts with acres of space, campfires, a hot tub and wild swimming on site.

88%

(4)

Out To Grass, Camping, Glamping

162 units · Motorhomes, Tents400 acres · Worcester, Worcestershire, West Midlands

We are closed for the 2024 season. We look forward to welcoming you in Spring 2025 - bookings starting in April 2025! Nestled in a quiet spot, a few miles from Bromyard and just minutes away from the breathtaking scenery of the Malvern Hills, Out to Grass is a stunning rural campsite surrounded by lush greenery nestled between Herefordshire and Worcestershire. OTG is a dog friendly site and welcomes tents and vans in a choice of 'family camping' or 'lively' fields. There are also beautiful glamping pods available and a wood fired outdoor hot tub for those craving a spot of luxury The enthusiastic OTG crew provide a warm welcome on arrival and are always happy to help where they can. The site boasts spotless facillities with hot showers and flushing toilets. OTG have received a gold award from Green Tourism for their eco and environental work Pitches are on grass with optional electric or you can forget the tent pegs and stay in one of the lovely glamping pods, equipped with bedding, electric sockets and cooking appliances. The site has an onsite bar and caterers selling fresh coffee, smoothies and hot food. There is Family Friendly music playing most weekends (and also some adult only late night camping weekends available to book). There is a communal covered fire pit with comfy sofas perfect for sitting around chatting and toasting marsh mellows. The site is also blessed with a beautiful open sky for stargazing on new moons. There are some lovely country walks accessible directly from the campsite Most weekends there will be workshops and activities on offer, as well as well-being services such as massages and morning yoga The site has Geodomes available for hire on numerous weekends, complete with full sound system, lights, decor and a stage for bands or DJs, perfect for playing your own music It is also possible to hire the entire site on an exclusive basis for weddings, parties, gatherings and much more. The site is open from May to September, but only open for public camping on select weekends in July and August. Please refer to our listings for full details of available dates

Star Hosts in North Wessex Downs AONB

99%

(95)

Kingsmead Camping

36 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents10 acres · Cullompton, England

A range of pitches, from grassy open spaces to off-grid woodland clearings, topped off by two well-stocked fishing lakes

Oak & Ash & Thorn - Voltaire's Wood

7 units · Tents120 acres · Gloucestershire, South West England

Secluded almost wild camping spots in an ancient woodland in the Cotswolds

100%

(11)

Homemade Holidays

2 units · Glamping14 acres · Devon, South West England

A hidden paradise of 4 acres of organic smallholding, next to 10 acres of re-wilding field and 90 acres of Holyford Woods Nature Reserve. 2 unique and comfortable off grid yurts (each sleep 5) with extra sleeping spaces available on request. Dog friendly. Kid heaven! Buzzard Yurt on the hillside at the top of the paddock, with its large terrace and stunning views across the Axe valley. Kingfisher Yurt, nestled down by the wild swimming and kayaking pond, amongst the oak trees. Each has exclusive use of their own homemade, separate, fully equipped kitchen, a cosy chill-out area with books and games, and private indoor shower. Each yurt pitch has its own compost loo and campfire area. Optional commode to avoid going out to compost loo in the night. Shared games and music room with pool table, piano etc. Extra wood at low cost, freezer space and additional tent space all available. Homegrown vege and eggs are often available from the organic smallholding. You're welcome to join in with growing, harvesting, juicing, preserving, cooking, egg collection etc. Detox and unwind from the digital world - though you'll find wi-fi in your chill-out space and kitchen 😉 Wild swimming in our natural swimming pond, which has a selection of kayaks and boards. Great for building open water confidence and paddle practice. Woodfired hot tub and small cold tub available at an extra charge. Fresh spring water (no chemicals). Relax and enjoy the views. Dog friendly with a choice of great footpaths, straight from the yurts into the nature reserve, onto the East Devon way, up to views from Pratt's Hill and to the re-wilding wood 2 miles away. Next to Holyford Woods Nature Reserve, famous locally for its magical bluebell display. Walk to Lyme bay and link in to the South West coast path. Hike the wild undercliffs to Lyme Regis and get the bus back. Or head West to Beer beach, Branscombe and Sidmouth. Lifts can be arranged if you come by public transport. Hike over to our 26 acre rewilding woodland for a campfire, den building or badger watching. So much to do in the local area...Seaton Wetlands, Seaton Tramway and the new Jurassic Centre...Musbury Camp and Blackbury Camp...fossil hunting at Charmouth...Lyme Regis fossil museum and aquarium...Beer Quarry Caves, Pecorama model train gardens...crazy golf...Sidmouth Folk Festival...Beavers on the River Otter...wolves, bears, lynx and more at Escot Park.

Bridgewood Camping - Woodland camps

3 units · Glamping, Tents6 acres · Sherborne, England

Nearly wild woodland camping in Dorset

Cuckoo Farm Campsite

12 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents130 acres · Rutland, East Midlands

Family camping with campfires on an organic farm, set alongside the beautiful River Chater

Forest campsites in North Wessex Downs AONB guide

Overview

Miles of rolling countryside await in the North Wessex Downs, but this AONB also has plenty of surprises up its sleeve. White chalk horses gaze down from the hillsides, ancient stone circles lie in the valleys, and lively market towns pepper the riverside. Explore the natural landscapes on foot, by bike, or on horseback; cruise the canals by boat or kayak; or escape to a tranquil campsite by the waterfront or in the forest. May through September is the most pleasant time for camping, but the weather can be temperamental even in summer, so pack for all-seasons.

Where to go

Wiltshire

Most of the North Wessex Downs lie within Wiltshire, where you can hike, cycle, or horseback ride across open chalklands. Visit the UNESCO-listed Avebury stone circle, explore the Great West Way heritage trail, or marvel at the Wiltshire White Horses, giant chalk drawings etched onto the hillsides. To the south, the world-famous Stonehenge is an easy detour, and there are more hiking opportunities in the surrounding Salisbury Plains.

Hampshire

Downton Abbey fans won’t want to miss a visit to Highclere Castle—the real-life Downton Abbey—in the southeast corner of North Wessex Downs. Explore the surrounding farmlands by bike, stop off at pretty Hampshire villages, or stay at quiet country campgrounds. To the south, the cathedral city of Winchester and the New Forest National Park are less than an hour’s drive.

Berkshire

Newbury and Reading are the gateways to the eastern downlands, where the hillside towns are dotted with thatched-roof cottages and traditional pubs. Take a leisurely boat cruise along the Kent & Avon Canal, stop to browse the markets in Hungerford, or hike the 20-mile Lambourn Valley Way.

Oxfordshire

The northern borders of the North Wessex Downs spill over into Oxfordshire, where highlights include the market town of Wantage and the Uffington White Horse. Continue north to visit the university city of Oxford or take a road trip along the winding country lanes of the Cotswolds, another AONB.