The Best Cotswolds Campsites

The limestone hills that make up the Cotswolds are famed for their beauty and a speckling of quintessentially English villages are scattered amongst the rolling valleys. Camping in the Cotswolds offers the chance for a true countryside break and those looking for good campsites in quiet rural spots are in luck here. Campsites in the Cotswolds offer everything from traditional tent-only pitches to spruced up luxury havens, with glamping in the Cotswolds available too. To make it easier for you to find the perfect camping or glamping location, we’ve picked out the very best in the area and brought them together in this handy collection. Browse our selection of the best campsites in the Cotswolds now and book your next camping adventure online today.

Tent Camping in the Cotswolds

Glamping may be the buzzword of the decade, but for many campers visiting the Cotswolds, nothing beats a traditional night under canvas. Here at Cool Camping we know that nothing beats the satisfaction of making the campsite your own with your own tent and camping gear, set up the way that you want it. We've made our name recommending the very best small, independent, tent-friendly campsites that have a focus on the great outdoors and not on tarmac, toilets and static caravan pitches. We love camping in a tent and in the Cotswolds there are heaps of great campsites specifically aimed and traditional tent camping types. Browse our collection of recommended campsites below and use filters like "tent pitches" to find the location with the facilities that are right for you.

Family Camping in the Cotswolds

Kids love the Cotswolds. It's a fact. And we know because we've been there, tramping the footpaths, touring the farm parks and discovering the best of the area with our little ones in tow. In fact, we love family camping so much we wrote a best-selling guidebook about it and, when it comes to the Cotswolds, rest assured our tiny tots give it two thumbs up every time. If you're on the hunt for the best family campsites in the Cotswolds then you'll find all of the places recommended in our guidebooks right here on the Cool Camping website. Browse our options below now and use filters like "good for kids", "playground" and "swimming pool" to find the facilities that are right for you.

Glamping in the Cotswolds

Don't fancy packing all the camping clobber? Looking for luxury living rather than tent dwelling? Well, you be pleased to hear that, across the Cotswolds, there are heaps of fantastic glamping sites that put your comfort at the forefront of what they do. From summer bell tents and family-sized luxury yurts to winter boltholes in shepherd's huts and even high-flying treehouses, there's something in the Cotswolds for every type of glamper. Take a look at all our recommendations below and use the filters to find the exact type of accommodation that's right for you.

Top 5 Things To Do When Camping In The Cotswolds

From countryside walks to cosy stately homes, there’s something for all Cotswold campers out there. Here’s just five to give you a head start:

1. Enjoy a picnic at picturesque Bourton-on-the-Water
2. See the sunrise over the fields on the Cotswold Way
3. Roam the family homes and pay homage to Shakespeare at Stratford-upon-Avon
4. Visit Cotswolds stately homes and castles
5. Capture a village’s honey-coloured homes on camera

Cotswolds Attractions: A Brief Guide

Set in the heart of England, The Cotswolds is famous for its honey-coloured stone and idyllic villages, so it’s no surprise that camping in the Cotswolds leaves you with plenty of attractions on the doorstep.

Take a trip to Sudeley Castle, nestled within the historic town of Winchcombe amongst the hills. With award-winning gardens, 15th-century romantic ruins and guides to inform you of the castles fascinating history (plus a scrummy café), there are plenty of great memories to be made. Sudeley Castle and gardens is the only privately owned home in England to have a queen – Katherine Parr – buried within their grounds. Today, visitors can explore the church where King Henry VIII’s final wife lays entombed. There is something for everyone at this must-see attraction and a whole load of history to explore.

Take a step into one of the prettiest villages in England, Bourton-on-the-Water. This village is an utter charmer, with a wealth of restaurants, tea rooms, attractions, shops and rivers for you to enjoy a picnic by. Over the gently flowing River Windrush, which runs through the heart of the village, are attractive small bridges, giving the town a Venetian feel. With campsites and glamping sites located close to the quaint village, you can enjoy the unspoilt beauty of this part of the Cotswolds for as many days as you like.

If you only take one walk in the Cotswolds, make it the easy, mile-long stroll between the timeless twin villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter. The path runs beside the River Eye, the perfect place to pause for a picnic and take in the beauty around you, with rose-clad cottages and old mills characterising the two settlements. Visit the tea, craft shops and museum after the walk to embrace the full experience.

Need to cool off after all the exploring? Head down to Cotswolds Water Park to satisfy all of your outdoor needs. From water sports and fishing to camping and taking a stroll down the country parks, the Cotswold Water Park has much to offer. A village pub is at the ready to fill the family’s hungry tums after an exhilarating day of bird watching and water-sports. Grab and map and take on the water park any way you wish.

Take your pick of the Cotswolds' Incredible Campsites

So, whether it's booking a night beneath the stars at Painswick Campsite, within walking distance of the local villages, or exploring Stratford-Upon-Avon from nearby Twitey's Tipis & Camping Meadows, there are plenty of campsites in the Cotswolds to fill your needs. Enjoy farm life at Park Farm Campsite, live in luxury at Abberton Shepherd's Hut or kick back in an insulated pod all year round at Notgrove Holidays. The choices are endless and it's down to you to decide. Browse all campsites and glamping sites in the Cotswolds below and take your pick today...

We love camping in the Cotswolds because...

the views are stunning, the villages are picture-perfect and there's a farm shop around every corner. Throw in the fact that it's some of the best walking country in the UK and has a host of superb pubs and restaurants and you quickly realise why the Cotswolds is one of the most popular places to go camping in the UK. From rustic farm campsites to luxury glamping abodes, there's something for everyone here – we simply love it!