A July-and-August pop-up on a 400-acre family farm beside the Thames, with wild swimming a walk away.
Our verdict
Four hundred riverside acres, a six-week window: the pop-up summer campsite that feels like borrowing a friend's farm.
| Distance from SN7 | 15 miles |
|---|---|
| County | Oxfordshire |
| Price band | £ what the bands mean |
| Open | July and August |
| Tents | Yes |
| Campervans & motorhomes | No |
| Electric hook-up | No |
| Campfires | No |
| Swimming pool | No |
High Lodge Farm opens its gates for six golden weeks a year: a pop-up campsite on almost 400 acres of rolling grassland, meadows and ancient woodland on the banks of the Thames opposite medieval Abingdon. Pitches are widely spaced, dogs are welcome, and two furnished bell tents cover the no-kit option.
Campers get exclusive access straight onto the Thames Path through the farm, with wild swimming and fishing at Culham Lock, a twenty-minute walk along the bank. Abingdon's abbey gardens, pool and riverside ice creams are minutes away, and Culham station, five minutes off, runs trains toward Oxford. Pure school-holiday stuff.
Why children love it
- Exclusive farm access onto the Thames Path, straight from the tent
- Wild swimming and fishing at Culham Lock, a riverside walk away
- Widely spaced pitches with woodland and meadow to roam
Days out nearby
- Culham Lock wild swimming (20-minute walk)
- Abingdon's riverside, abbey gardens and pool (5 minutes)
- Didcot Railway Centre's steam days (15 minutes)
Know before you go
- It opens for July and August only, book as soon as dates appear.
- Facilities are pop-up basics, confirm the season's provision when booking.
- Life jackets and river shoes for lock swimming, the Thames is a river first.
The honest bit
It only exists in July and August and the facilities are pop-up simple, so treat it as a summer treat, not a season-long base, and check what is provided when you book.
Camping weather this week
Live 7-day forecast for Culham, straight from Open-Meteo.
Quick answers
Are campfires allowed at High Lodge Farm?
No, open campfires are not part of the offer at High Lodge Farm. A raised BBQ is usually fine, but check the site's current rules when you book.
Does High Lodge Farm have a swimming pool?
No. The nearest pool site in this guide is Lincoln Farm Park, about 11 miles away. High Lodge Farm makes up for it outdoors.
How far is High Lodge Farm from Faringdon and Oxford?
High Lodge Farm is about 15 miles from Faringdon (SN7) and roughly 9 miles from Oxford city centre. Distances are approximate road miles.
When is High Lodge Farm open?
High Lodge Farm is typically open July and August. 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.
