A handful of pitches at a historic Thames ferry crossing, with a family-run free house and riverside terrace.
Our verdict
Five pitches beside a Thames ferry crossing that has worked since Roman times, with dinner and a riverside terrace attached.
| Distance from SN7 | 11 miles |
|---|---|
| County | Oxfordshire |
| Price band | £ what the bands mean |
| Open | All year (closed Christmas week) |
| Tents | Yes |
| Campervans & motorhomes | Yes |
| Electric hook-up | No |
| Campfires | No |
| Swimming pool | No |
Bablock Hythe has been a river crossing for the best part of two thousand years, and the Ferryman Inn keeps the tradition alive with a rope ferry, a 40-seat riverside restaurant and a big terrace lawn where the Thames slides past your table. Behind it all sit five simple camping pitches, open nearly all year.
This is the smallest and simplest riverside option in this guide: toilets and water on site, showers absent, entertainment supplied entirely by the river, the Thames Path and the pub kitchen. For a one-night micro-adventure with fish and chips and a sunrise over the water, it is very hard to beat.
Why children love it
- Watch the rope ferry carry walkers across, as it has for centuries
- Supper on the riverside terrace steps from the tent
- The Thames Path in both directions for morning strolls
Days out nearby
- The Thames Path (through the site)
- Barefoot's Northmoor Lock paddocks (walkable towpath)
- Stanton Harcourt's medieval manor and church (5 minutes)
Know before you go
- Only five pitches, phone ahead rather than turning up hopeful.
- No showers, keep it to a night or two.
- Check winter opening around Christmas and New Year before travelling.
The honest bit
Five pitches, loos but no showers, and the pub is the only facility: come for the river and the atmosphere, not for amenities.
Camping weather this week
Live 7-day forecast for Bablock Hythe, straight from Open-Meteo.
Quick answers
Are campfires allowed at The Ferryman Inn?
No, open campfires are not part of the offer at The Ferryman Inn. A raised BBQ is usually fine, but check the site's current rules when you book.
Does The Ferryman Inn have a swimming pool?
No. The nearest pool site in this guide is Lincoln Farm Park, about 2 miles away. The Ferryman Inn makes up for it outdoors.
How far is The Ferryman Inn from Faringdon and Oxford?
The Ferryman Inn is about 11 miles from Faringdon (SN7) and roughly 8 miles from Oxford city centre. Distances are approximate road miles.
When is The Ferryman Inn open?
The Ferryman Inn is typically open All year (closed Christmas week). 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.
