Pitch beside the Kennet and Avon Canal at a legendary 1810 pub, under the Alton Barnes White Horse.
Our verdict
Canalside camping at Wiltshire's most gloriously eccentric pub: white horses, crop circles and live music on Saturdays.
| Distance from SN7 | 22 miles |
|---|---|
| County | Wiltshire |
| Price band | ££ what the bands mean |
| Open | All year |
| Tents | Yes |
| Campervans & motorhomes | Yes |
| Electric hook-up | Yes |
| Campfires | Yes |
| Swimming pool | No |
The Barge Inn was built in 1810 to serve the brand-new Kennet and Avon Canal, and it has been feeding boaters, walkers and latterly crop-circle hunters ever since. Its campsite runs along the canal bank: tents, caravans and small campervans, hook-ups available, fire pits crackling as the narrowboats moor for the night.
The setting is pure Wiltshire strangeness in the best way: the Alton Barnes White Horse gallops on the down above, Avebury's stones are fifteen minutes north, and the pub's noticeboard maps each summer's crop circles. Live music most weekends gives evenings a gentle festival hum.
Why children love it
- Towpath cycling and boat-watching from the pitch
- Fire pits, hook-ups and proper pub dinners a stroll away
- The Alton Barnes White Horse to climb before breakfast
Days out nearby
- Kennet and Avon Canal towpath (through the site)
- Avebury stone circle (15 minutes)
- The Pewsey Downs National Nature Reserve
Know before you go
- Saturday nights have live music, book accordingly for early sleepers.
- The towpath to the White Horse hill gate is pushchair-manageable.
- Crop circle season peaks in July and August, ask at the bar for the map.
The honest bit
When the bands play, the campsite hears them: this is a sociable, slightly bohemian site, not a silent retreat. Pick your weekend to match your mood.
Camping weather this week
Live 7-day forecast for Honeystreet, straight from Open-Meteo.
Quick answers
Are campfires allowed at The Barge Inn Campsite?
Yes. Campfires or fire pits are part of the experience at The Barge Inn Campsite. Follow the site's current fire rules, keep fires off the grass where asked, and check ahead in very dry spells.
Does The Barge Inn Campsite have a swimming pool?
No. The nearest pool site in this guide is Hoburne Cotswold Holiday Park, about 28 miles away. The Barge Inn Campsite makes up for it outdoors.
How far is The Barge Inn Campsite from Faringdon and Oxford?
The Barge Inn Campsite is about 22 miles from Faringdon (SN7) and roughly 49 miles from Oxford city centre. Distances are approximate road miles.
When is The Barge Inn Campsite open?
The Barge Inn Campsite is typically open All year. Dates shift a little year to year, so confirm with the site before travelling.
Peg & Lantern is an independent guide and takes no commission. Details last checked July 2026; facilities and opening dates change season to season, so always confirm directly with the campsite before travelling. Photography is illustrative, not of the campsite itself.
