A tiny walk-in, boat-in meadow at a working Thames lock, for families who want the river to themselves.
Our verdict
Five pitches on a lock island you can only reach by foot, bike or boat: the wildest legal night on the upper Thames.
| Distance from SN7 | 5 miles |
|---|---|
| County | Oxfordshire |
| Price band | £ what the bands mean |
| Open | April to October |
| Tents | Yes |
| Campervans & motorhomes | No |
| Electric hook-up | No |
| Campfires | No |
| Swimming pool | No |
Rushey Lock is camping distilled: five pitches on a mown meadow beside a working Thames lock, reachable only on foot, by bike or by boat. Cars stay away, which means the loudest thing all evening is the weir, and the campsite's population is a handful of Thames Path walkers, paddlers and families in the know.
The lock itself is the entertainment, gates clunking, boats rising, lock keepers pottering among the flower beds that Thames locks are quietly famous for. The Trout at Tadpole Bridge is a mile's towpath walk for dinner, and the night sky out here is astonishing. Simple loos and water on site, nothing more.
Why children love it
- Watch boats work the lock from your tent door
- Total freedom from traffic, the site is car-free by design
- A towpath walk to a great pub dinner and back by torchlight
Days out nearby
- The Thames Path (through the site)
- The Trout at Tadpole Bridge (1 mile on foot)
- Buscot and Kelmscott villages by bike
Know before you go
- Pack in rucksacks or panniers, wheelbarrow-style kit does not suit the walk in.
- Just five pitches, book well ahead and have a wet-weather plan.
- No showers, embrace the river-wash or keep it to two nights.
The honest bit
No cars, no showers, no shop: everything you need gets carried in, and everything you forgot stays forgotten. That is the whole magic and the whole catch.
Camping weather this week
Live 7-day forecast for Buckland Marsh, straight from Open-Meteo.
Quick answers
Are campfires allowed at Rushey Lock Campsite?
No, open campfires are not part of the offer at Rushey Lock Campsite. A raised BBQ is usually fine, but check the site's current rules when you book.
Does Rushey Lock Campsite have a swimming pool?
No. The nearest pool site in this guide is Lincoln Farm Park, about 4 miles away. Rushey Lock Campsite makes up for it outdoors.
How far is Rushey Lock Campsite from Faringdon and Oxford?
Rushey Lock Campsite is about 5 miles from Faringdon (SN7) and roughly 14 miles from Oxford city centre. Distances are approximate road miles.
When is Rushey Lock Campsite open?
Rushey Lock Campsite is typically open April to October. 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.
