A simple camping meadow beside the Thames' first lock and one of England's oldest riverside pubs.
Our verdict
Pitch, pint, lock, repeat: the simplest riverside camping in the guide, beside a 800-year-old pub.
| Distance from SN7 | 9 miles |
|---|---|
| County | The Cotswolds |
| Price band | £ what the bands mean |
| Open | April to October |
| Tents | Yes |
| Campervans & motorhomes | Yes |
| Electric hook-up | No |
| Campfires | No |
| Swimming pool | No |
The Trout Inn began life around the 1220s as an almshouse for the workers building St John's Bridge, and it has been feeding river travellers ever since. Its camping field sits between the pub and St John's Lock, the very first lock on the Thames, where Old Father Thames himself reclines in statue form watching the narrowboats queue.
Camping here is gloriously simple: a mown meadow, tents and vans, toilets but no showers, and the walk to Lechlade along the towpath for ice creams and supplies. The pub does proper food and fishing rights, and falling asleep to lock gates clunking and moorhens fussing is the entire point.
Why children love it
- Watch narrowboats work the first lock on the Thames all day long
- The pub garden does family meals a field away from your tent
- Flat towpath walk into Lechlade for ice cream and boat hire
Days out nearby
- St John's Lock and Old Father Thames statue (next door)
- Lechlade riverside and boat hire (walkable)
- Buscot Weir pools and village, National Trust (5 minutes)
Know before you go
- No showers, plan a one or two night stay and go feral.
- It fills completely during the Fairford air show week in July, book far ahead or avoid.
- Riverside pitches flood the earliest in wet springs, check ahead after heavy rain.
The honest bit
There are toilets but no showers, so this is a one-or-two-night adventure rather than a week-long base. Bring wet wipes and embrace it.
Camping weather this week
Live 7-day forecast for St John's Lock, straight from Open-Meteo.
Quick answers
Are campfires allowed at The Trout Inn Camping Field?
No, open campfires are not part of the offer at The Trout Inn Camping Field. A raised BBQ is usually fine, but check the site's current rules when you book.
Does The Trout Inn Camping Field have a swimming pool?
No. The nearest pool site in this guide is Hoburne Cotswold Holiday Park, about 8 miles away. The Trout Inn Camping Field makes up for it outdoors.
How far is The Trout Inn Camping Field from Faringdon and Oxford?
The Trout Inn Camping Field is about 9 miles from Faringdon (SN7) and roughly 45 miles from Oxford city centre. Distances are approximate road miles.
When is The Trout Inn Camping Field open?
The Trout Inn Camping Field 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.
