Best riverside and waterside campsites

Fall asleep to the sound of the young Thames going about its business.

The upper Thames is this guide's secret superpower. Between Lechlade and Oxford the river is young, slow and personal: narrowboats pottering, locks clunking, swans commuting. Camp beside it and children get a nature documentary, a paddling pool and a boat show rolled into one, free of charge.

Respect the water and it repays you: life jackets for little ones near unfenced banks, wellies for the muddy margins, and a paddleboard or fishing net if you have one. Every site here puts the riverbank within a minute of your tent.

9 hand-picked sites, in our order of preference

Which campsites are right on the River Thames near Oxford?

Ye Olde Swan at Radcot camps on an island in the Thames itself, Barefoot Campsites' Northmoor Lock Paddocks sit beside the river's willows, the Trout Inn at Lechlade has a meadow by St John's Lock, and Riverside Park at Wallingford is over the bridge from town. All are within 45 minutes of Oxford.

More shortlists

Pools & splash Campfire nights Toddler friendly Teens & tweens Animal adventures Rainy-day heroes Wild & off-grid Car-free days

← All 40 campsites