1 / 77

Cotswolds Camping at Holycombe

95%

·

· Warwickshire, Warwickshire, England

5 acres hosted by Sally B.

1 glamping pitch · 8 motorhome/tent pitches

Best in Central England: Finalist

Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.

Creature comforts

Enjoy the comforts of home in nature at some pitches — including real toilets, showers, and kitchen.

Private pitches

96% of recent Hipcampers say pitches are private.

Think Countryfile meets Time Team. Camping in six-acres of unspoiled Cotswold countryside, built in the grounds of a Norman castle.

The village of Whichford harbours one of the Cotswolds’ best-kept camping secrets. The six-acre site is built in the grounds of a Norman castle, the legacy of which is a splendid water-filled moat harbouring carp among the bulrushes. Local mystics have it that Holycombe was a sacred Neolithic site, evidenced by six converging ley lines, so it would have been a shame not to add a stone circle to venerate that unusual spiritual asset. The irony is that this rich heritage lay beneath a scrapyard until Sally and Andy Birtwell built their eco-home and holistic retreat centre, overlooked by an alternative campsite perfect for purists and – with a yurt, treehouse and a pair of furnished bell tents – part-timers.

Holycombe (taking its name from combe ‘valley’ and the nearby Holy Well spring) has a natural beauty to match its rich history, adjoining Whichford Wood (a wildlife-filled designated Site of Special Interest). It’s also handily located a short walk from the Norman Knight, a classic Cotswold pub. So after a long ramble, or a pint up the road, you can light a campfire as dusk settles on the valley, and banter long into the night about whether ley lines really do exist, or ponder on what might be lurking at the bottom of that mysterious moat.

Activities

Biking

Fishing

Hiking

Wildlife watching

Natural features

Forest

Lake

River, stream, or creek

Field

95%

117 Ratings · 128 reviews

Andrew F.recommends

September 5, 2024

Camping Pitch – Tent or Campervan

Took me a little bit of time to work out where to pitch and where the facilities were as I got to the site a little late but nice views by the stone circle. The church feels also take some getting used to, but eventually I tuned them out.

Andrew S.recommends

September 2, 2024

Camping Pitch – Tent or Campervan

A peaceful weekend

Quite and peaceful campsite. Facilities were on the basic side but well maintained with good water pressure and heat in the showers and toilets.

Artur S.recommends

August 26, 2024

Camping Pitch – Tent or Campervan

It is a very good place if you camping for the first time. Quiet, peaceful and well organised place. Host is also very helpful.

Muriel S.

August 26, 2024

Camping Pitch – Tent or Campervan

Lovely place, just mind The Bells!

The campsite was nice and quiet, with folks who were kind, polite, and stuck to the rules. There were showers, (composting) loos, fires permitted and the overall atmosphere was relaxed. I think, my only reservations are personal ones, tbh, so entirely me. There's a church nearby which keeps ringing its bells, all the time. As a light sleeper I was woken up, all the time, by these church bells. I love the idea of a campfire too, but as a person with asthma and because some the pitches are quite closer together, if lots of people have their nice fire on, it creates an asthmatic reaction for me. Too much smoke, all at once. So, I decided not to be on site, but spend my evenings elsewhere.

Nichola T.recommends

August 23, 2024

Camping Pitch – Tent or Campervan

The sites location and view across the valley from the second field were great. Definitely off the beaten track and nice and quiet most of the time, other than the adjacent Church's clock that rings every 15 minutes throughout the night! (you start to get used to it after the first night)

Imogen W.recommends

August 11, 2024

Camping Pitch – Tent or Campervan

We loved camping on Sally’s land. The facilities were really good! Easy check-in, well mapped site, clean site, everyone followed the rules which made it an extra nice stay. Camping areas were well designated (could choose your own pitch). All in all, a really good experience. 100% would go again!

Location

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

Hosted by Sally B.

Joined in July 2010

From the host

Cotswolds Camping at Holycombe, Whichford Castle Moat, is situated in the beautiful North Cotswold village of Whichford, near the Warwickshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire borders. We are in the Heart of England, in the middle of everywhere. We would love to welcome you to our campsite, which is close to many beautiful Cotswold towns and villages. With plenty to explore in the vicinity, this is an excellent place to base yourselves on your camping adventure.Our beautiful five-acre camp site is situated where a Norman castle once stood, the legacy of which is the splendid water-filled moat, ducks, moor hens, and Canada geese. Before the Normans, we know there was a Roman settlement as a Roman conduit leads from the wood to the moat. There was an excavation of the site in 1954 and a plan is in the camp kitchen. Please note we are not allowed children under the age of 12, dogs or groups here. Holycombe Holistic Retreat Centre and campsite is situated adjacent to Whichford Wood. There is access through the public footpath which is opposite the church.

Nearby attractions

Holycombe adjoins Whichford Wood, where you might see Muntjac deer, polecats, or kingfishers. Continue exploring the mystical at the Rollright Stones, three miles up the A3400. Or take home a hand-made terracotta memento from Whichford Pottery (01608 684416).

Holycombe Holistic Retreat Centre and campsite is situated adjacent to Whichford Wood. There is access through the public footpath - opposite the church in the village. In early May there is a sea of bluebells, in autumn there are chestnuts and hazelnuts and quite often, if you are quiet, you will see muntjak and deer. It’s also located a short walk from the Norman Knight a classic, award winning Cotswold pub, which serves excellent grub and has great live music nights. Last orders for food 9pm but they like to know in advance if you are thinking of eating with them that late (01608 684621). It is open every day except Monday lunchtime. Also the famous Whichford Pottery and Straw Kitchen Cafe selling delicious food. So after a walk in the woods, or a pint up the road, you can roll back here, light a campfire, and enjoy this peaceful and charming place. Enjoy stargazing the dark night sky, watching the meteor showers without light pollution form our ancient stone circle.

Other Local attractions include Hook Norton Brewery and The Cotswolds Distillery in Stourton

There is no shop in the village, but there are some very good shops nearby. The village shop in Long Compton has basic foodstuffs and sells papers. Wyatts Farm Shop near Great Rollright has a good selection of meat, vegetables, gifts and plants, wine and a cafe. The Village Shop Hook Norton (3 miles) is excellent and open from 8am-8pm

Food and drink

Wander the ½ mile to the Norman Knight (01608 684621) for traditional ales, flagstone floors, exposed timbers, and gastropub-grub while the kids run free on the village green. Wyatts Farm Shop (01608 684835), near Greater Rollright, has a good selection of local meat and veg. There’s a village shop at Long Compton.

Video

https://player.vimeo.com/video/173767524

Things to do nearby

More camping spots nearby

Campers also viewed...

Safety at Hipcamp

Inclusion Policy

Inclusion Policy

Inclusion Policy

Hipcamp Hand

Hosting Standards

Hosting Standards

Hosting Standards

Hipcamper Standards

Hipcamper Standards

Hipcamper Standards

Safety partners

Recreate Responsibly

Leave No Trace

Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future.