Camp on a Thames island beside the oldest bridge on the river, with a proper pub a short stumble from your tent.
Our verdict
The closest site in this guide, and the only one on its own Thames island. Book a water's-edge pitch and let the river do the rest.
| Distance from SN7 | 4 miles |
|---|---|
| County | Oxfordshire |
| Price band | £ what the bands mean |
| Open | April to October |
| Tents | Yes |
| Campervans & motorhomes | Yes |
| Electric hook-up | No |
| Campfires | No |
| Swimming pool | No |
Ye Olde Swan puts your tent on an island in the young Thames beside Radcot Bridge, which has carried travellers over the river since around 1200. The thirty-odd grass pitches run right along the water's edge, so the view from the sleeping bag is narrowboats, swans and the green meadows of the upper Thames.
The pub of the same name sits a short stumble away with proper food and a garden, and in high season its mobile pizza oven pays the campsite regular visits. Paddleboards launch from the jetty, fish rise at dusk, and the Thames Path passes the gate for level riverside walks. Bell tents and pods cover the no-kit families.
Why children love it
- Pitches along the water's edge, with paddleboard hire from the jetty
- The pub next door does family suppers and mobile pizza nights in season
- The Thames Path runs past the gate for flat riverside wanders
Days out nearby
- Radcot Bridge, the oldest crossing on the Thames
- Faringdon Folly Tower and woodland (10 minutes)
- Kelmscott Manor, William Morris's riverside home (5 minutes)
Know before you go
- Water's-edge pitches go first, book early and ask for one.
- Facilities are simple, treat it as posh wild camping with a pub.
- Life jackets for young swimmers, the river is beautiful but it is a river.
The honest bit
Facilities are simple (one washing-up sink, basic loos and showers) and the water's edge needs constant toddler-watching. Older children thrive here.
Camping weather this week
Live 7-day forecast for Radcot Bridge, straight from Open-Meteo.
Quick answers
Are campfires allowed at Ye Olde Swan Riverside Camping?
No, open campfires are not part of the offer at Ye Olde Swan Riverside Camping. A raised BBQ is usually fine, but check the site's current rules when you book.
Does Ye Olde Swan Riverside Camping have a swimming pool?
No. The nearest pool site in this guide is Lincoln Farm Park, about 9 miles away. Ye Olde Swan Riverside Camping makes up for it outdoors.
How far is Ye Olde Swan Riverside Camping from Faringdon and Oxford?
Ye Olde Swan Riverside Camping is about 4 miles from Faringdon (SN7) and roughly 19 miles from Oxford city centre. Distances are approximate road miles.
When is Ye Olde Swan Riverside Camping open?
Ye Olde Swan Riverside Camping 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.
