Camp behind a celebrated 17th-century Thames-side pub, with boat moorings, big dinners and riverbank sunsets.
Our verdict
Twenty pitches behind a proper gastropub on the young Thames: the camping is basic, the dinner decidedly is not.
| Distance from SN7 | 4 miles |
|---|---|
| County | Oxfordshire |
| Price band | £ what the bands mean |
| Open | All year |
| Tents | Yes |
| Campervans & motorhomes | Yes |
| Electric hook-up | No |
| Campfires | No |
| Swimming pool | No |
The Trout at Tadpole Bridge is one of the upper Thames' best-loved pub stops, a 17th-century inn beside a lovely stone bridge, and its riverside field takes around twenty tents and vans all year round. The formula is gloriously simple: pitch, walk ten steps, eat very well indeed, wander back under the stars.
By day the Thames Path runs both ways along the bank, Rushey Lock is a mile's towpath stroll west, and the river drifts with narrowboats and paddleboards. Facilities are honest pub-campsite basics, toilets in the pub and no showers, which keeps the field uncrowded and the atmosphere easy-going.
Why children love it
- Supper in a famous riverside pub garden, ten steps from the tent
- Watch boats moor up for the evening from the bank
- A flat towpath stroll to Rushey Lock to see the gates work
Days out nearby
- The Thames Path (from the field)
- Rushey Lock (1 mile along the towpath)
- Bampton village, of Downton Abbey fame (5 minutes)
Know before you go
- No showers, treat it as a one or two night adventure.
- Book a table as well as a pitch, the restaurant fills fast in summer.
- Life jackets for little ones, the bank is beautiful but unfenced.
The honest bit
Loos are in the pub and there are no showers, so this is a night-or-two treat rather than a week's base. The food prices match the gastropub billing.
Camping weather this week
Live 7-day forecast for Buckland Marsh, straight from Open-Meteo.
Quick answers
Are campfires allowed at The Trout at Tadpole Bridge Camping?
No, open campfires are not part of the offer at The Trout at Tadpole Bridge Camping. A raised BBQ is usually fine, but check the site's current rules when you book.
Does The Trout at Tadpole Bridge Camping have a swimming pool?
No. The nearest pool site in this guide is Lincoln Farm Park, about 4 miles away. The Trout at Tadpole Bridge Camping makes up for it outdoors.
How far is The Trout at Tadpole Bridge Camping from Faringdon and Oxford?
The Trout at Tadpole Bridge Camping is about 4 miles from Faringdon (SN7) and roughly 13 miles from Oxford city centre. Distances are approximate road miles.
When is The Trout at Tadpole Bridge Camping open?
The Trout at Tadpole Bridge Camping 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.
