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Radcot Leisure on Thames

89%
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· Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire, England
1 acre hosted by Radcot Leisure On Thames R.
8 glamping pitches · 36 tent pitches
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Family-friendly
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.
Best tent sites: Finalist
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2023.
A Thames’ island campsite in the Oxfordshire countryside – with a lovely pub just over the bridge

There’s water, water everywhere and quite a lot to drink at Ye Olde Swan campsite in Oxfordshire. That’s because the campsite is on an island surrounded by the River Thames and just a short stumble from a pub of the same name. If you’re lucky, you won’t even have to wander across the little bridge that connects the two to quench your thirst, as the pub’s mobile pizza oven and Prosecco bar will be making one of its regular visits to the site.

If you’re looking for quiet country camping with designated pitches, electric hook-up and a strictly-enforced noise policy; this may not be the campsite for you. But if you’re a happy-go-lucky kinda camper who will enjoy the craic of a lively pub as much as the countryside scenery, come along and check in at the bar. Or you could head straight over the bridge to make yourself known at the little on-site shop. Park up, pitch up and then go for a ploughmans in the pub garden or, perhaps, for a paddle using one of the kayaks available to hire from the jetty just outside.

Although not set in stone, there are technically 30 grassy pitches at Ye Olde Swan campsite. As it’s an island, they are virtually all on the water’s edge with the green fields of rural Oxfordshire just beyond the historic Radcot Bridge – said to be the oldest crossing on the Thames. Facilities are simple but adequate; a cold water tap at the lone washing-up sink with simple toilets and showers. You might call it classic camping (albeit with a glimpse of 10 tipis in a separate, neighbouring field). Dogs are welcome, ball games allowed and there’s generally a laid-back atmosphere. It’s an understandably popular spot which makes for sociable camping – especially at weekends. If you prefer peace and quiet, a weekday pitch here is more likely to please.

Whenever you visit, there’s plenty to do if you tire of watching narrowboats, cruisers and swans sailing by. You can fish from site or head straight out on a riverside walk as the Thames Path long-distance national trail passes right past. And, aside from messing around on the riverbank, there are plenty of well-to-do places to visit; market towns like Bampton, which doubled as TV’s Downton, Kelmscott Manor, once home to William Morris, and the enchanting gardens at Buscot Park to name a few.

Activities
Biking
Boating
Fishing
Hiking
Natural features
Lake
River, stream, or creek
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89%
240 Ratings · 194 reviews
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Louis T.recommends
October 2, 2023
Non Electric grass tent or campervan pitch
Great site loads to do
Great location next to the river and pub, well stocked little shop with all the essentials plus ice cream! Lovely to be able to hire kayaks and paddle boards from the pub. Toilets and showers are pretty basic but everything you need.
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Vicki J.
September 24, 2023
Non Electric grass tent or campervan pitch
Stayed for one night. The site was clean and tidy. Showers and toilets were OK. Staff were friendly.
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Alex J.recommends
September 24, 2023
Non Electric grass tent or campervan pitch
We had a great weekend at Radcot Leisure. Perfect spot with the river and pub nearby. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly and even lent us some pillows which we had forgotten! It's a simple campsite but there are some beautiful walks to do nearby
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Peter C.doesn't recommend
September 18, 2023
Non Electric grass tent or campervan pitch
our third visit to the swann at radcot and our last as we were disappointed portable toilets still not good, still no hot water for washing up and still no electric hook ups and to top it all the pub menu was limited to 12 items and not very good. We paid £35 a night for a grass pitch in a field with barely any facilities the only positive was the view of the river thames its such a shame nothing is being spent on this site as it could be really top notch, there are much better sites for a lot less money.
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Lauren M.recommends
September 17, 2023
Non Electric grass tent or campervan pitch
Great for paddleboarding
Brilliant place for paddleboarding. Beautiful surroundings, pub on site, feels like you’re in the middle of nowhere, has a lively but chilled atmosphere. Really good for anyone who loves to be near the water and great for families. Would definitely stay again
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Evelyn G.recommends
September 11, 2023
Non Electric grass tent or campervan pitch
Great camping and brilliant Festival. And the sun shone for us.
Location
Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire, England, United KingdomTraditional, ancestral territory of various First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Radcot Leisure On Thames R.Joined in September 2019
From the host
Radcot Leisure on Thames - next to Ye Olde Swan Inn is a rural and quirky Glamping and Camping site. Our Glamping site has 6 Bell Tents all with a comfy double bed and 2 single mattresses, plus 2 ensuite Pods. Bed linen and towels are provided. Toilets and showers are not far away - You will need to bring a torch! We are situated on an Island which has The River Thames all around it. On the opposite side is the lovely pub, Ye Olde Swan where you can grab some food from the outside kitchen and sit in the lovely garden or take back to your tent. From here you can hire Paddleboard's or Kayaks for £15 per hour, just ask a member of staff on arrival. The Riverview Barn is our newest feature where weddings and private parties are held all year round. Inquiries can be made riverviewbarn@hotmail.com You can also treat yourself to an Ultimate Afternoon Tea sat on the balcony or decking of The Riverview Barn whilst watching the boats and the world go by..... (Monday - Fridays, advanced bookings only ........riverviewbarn@hotmail.com or 07870816423)
Nearby attractions

The Thames Path National Trail runs right past the campsite so getting out on foot is easy. Equally easy is taking to the river. You can bring your own vessel or paddle off on a hired kayak or stand-up paddle board. If you have a rod licence, you can fish from site too. There are plenty of classic Cotswolds towns to explore within 10 miles of site including Faringdon, Lechlade-on-Thames and Bampton (where scenes from Downton Abbey were filmed). The Cotswold Wildlife Park (01993 823006) is also within 10 miles of site. Kelmscott Manor (01637 252486), once owned by William Morris, is a 10-minute drive, Buscot Park (01367 240932), home of Lord Faringdon, is 15 minutes away and magnificent Blenheim Palace (01993 810530) is a drive of around 40 minutes away. Swindon, with plenty of attractions including rainy-day options from ice skating to trampolining, is a 30-minute drive.

Food and drink

The obvious choice for food and drink is the pub, Ye Olde Swan  just across the waterway. In the summer there’s often a BBQ in the pub garden and most weekends the woodfired pizza oven.  There’s a little shop on site for basic campsite supplies but if you need more, there are plenty of shops and eateries in nearby Faringdon and Lechlade.

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