Top 5 Campsites near Bristol & Bath
There are so many fantastic campsites near Bristol and Bath it was hard to choose a top five! But we did…. Great family camping, plenty of adventure, cider and pubs galore, and all in beautiful locations. Views, walks, wild swims and happy days; all there for the taking in these wonderful family campsites.
Here we share our top 5 campsites for a family camping holiday close to Bristol and Bath….
*Make sure you’ve checked our camping checklist and top tips for happy family camping and don’t forget your Outdoor Adventure Guide filled with fun things to do whilst on holiday!
1. Beeches Farm Campsite, Wye Valley
Top prize for the best view of all campsites! We camped in the ‘God’s window’ field and our tent opened up to the most mind-blowing view over the Wye Valley. In the evening we sat around our stone fire circle and watched the sunset over the hills in front of us. Absolutely incredible.
The campsite has direct access to Offa’s Dyke footpath and down to Tintern with it’s beautiful Abbey ruins. It’s also very close to the ‘Devil’s Pulpit’ where the Devil apparently plotted evil schemes…. the children enjoyed recreating the scene! The adjoining Beech woods are absolutely beautiful and there’s tonnes of space for the children to play (aerobe, kite flying, den building, plus a small play area onsite).
One sunny day we headed over to Symonds Yat to adventure down the Wye on our Paqualife Packraft. This was an awesome day out and the perfect stretch of river to explore.
Beeches Farm vs our Family Camping Checklist:
- Family and dog friendly campsite (dogs on leads)
- Campfires allowed. Firepit for each pitch. Logs must be bought onsite
- Generous pitches and plenty of space to run around
- Something for the kids? The woods! Also a playground and plenty of space.
- Good facilities. £1 for 4 minute shower so take change.
- You can even rent a private loo!
2. Mendip Basecamp, Somerset
Mendip Basecamp has been voted one of the best campsites in the South West, and we’re lucky to have it so close to Bristol!
There’s loads of space for family camping. The kids can run wild! Dogs are invited too. Facilities are perfectly decent and there’s an onsite shop and café. There are beautiful walks nearby, on Dolebury Warren and through Rowberrow woods and it’s a short walk down to my favourite pub of all time, the Crown in Churchill.
But, what makes this a totally standout campsite is the activities! Mendip Activity Centre offers so many cool outdoor activities for all the family so when you book your camping holiday, make sure you book in for a few activities too – abseiling, rock climbing, caving, archery, frisbee golf, paddleboarding, even skiing! The instructors are all super friendly and it’s a brilliant way to have fun together.
Then when you’re exhausted from all that fun, venture down the woodland path from the campsite with it’s lanterns and bunting, to find the Basecamp Lodge and enjoy tasty food, marshmallow toasting and live music (at weekends). Happy days.
Mendip Basecamp vs our Family Camping Checklist:
- Family and dog friendly campsite (dogs on leads)
- Campfires allowed. Firepits can be hired.
- Generous pitches and plenty of space to run around
- Something for the kids? All the activities!
- Good facilities.
- Food onsite from the café and Basecamp Lodge
3. Walnut Tree Farm, Somerset
In my mind, this is family camping at its absolute best. Hidden away in the beautiful Chew Valley, this campsite is quiet and peaceful. Surrounded by rolling hills and countryside to explore, with wildflower meadows and a secret waterfall along the local footpath. Fall asleep to the sound of owls hooting and the occasional cow mooing.
Bring your bikes to cycle around the countryside lanes or along the new path that runs around Chew Valley Lake. Stop in at the Woodford Lodge for a coffee and ice-cream, or Salt & Malt for fish and chips. Chew Magna is a short distance away with a variety of pubs or walk down the footpath to the Stoke Inn at Chew Stoke.
If you’re looking for tranquillity in the countryside, this is definitely a campsite to visit. In summer months, campsite owner Mike does tractor rides for the kids and runs a ‘chicken race’ every Saturday afternoon. Compost loos and showers are very well maintained and campfires available.
Absolutely dreamy.
Walnut Tree Farm vs our Family Camping Checklist:
- Family friendly campsite (no dogs)
- Campfires allowed. Firepits available
- Open pitches and countryside to explore
- Something for the kids? Tractor rides and chicken races
- Good, basic facilities
- No noise after 10pm
- Takeaway pizza van at Chew Stoke on Saturday evening
4. Wookey Farm Campsite, Somerset
Wookey Farm has a reputation for being one of the best family campsites in Somerset, and with good reason. Just south of the Mendip Hills, Wookey Farm is close to Wookey caves, but you’re better off visiting the beautiful Ebbor Gorge or Dreycott Sleights which are also close by.
Even better, it’s in Somerset cider territory and you can easily visit the best of all cider barns, Wilkins Cider in Mudgley.
The campsite has large, private pitches each with its own firepit. The river Axe runs alongside the campsite with plenty of rope swings and is great for paddling. Camping on a working farm, there are goats, pigs and plenty of animals to see. You can even watch the goats being milked!
There’s a small shop onsite selling home-reared meat and there’s a lovely café and pubs in the village. The main field has two, very well-maintained compost loos and a sink for washing up.
The set-up is eco-conscious and wonderfully simple. Camping at its best!
Wookey Farm vs our Family Camping Checklist:
- Family and dog friendly campsite (dogs on leads)
- Campfires allowed. Firepits on each pitch
- Generous, private pitches and space to run around
- Something for the kids? Goats and animals on the farm
- Good, basic facilities. No showers.
5. Stowford Manor, Wiltshire
Like camping by the river? This is the campsite for you! Fantastic family campsite next to the river for paddling, swimming, paddleboarding, packrafting… you name it! Situated adjacent to the famous river swimming club, Farleigh, this is a great campsite for water-lovers!
The campsite is spread across a number of fields so there’s plenty of space and it’s unsurprisingly popular but doesn’t feel too busy. Kids can run wild with new friends playing games or paddling in the stream.
Facilities are basic but perfectly good and there’s a pizza and ice-cream van that visits on weekend evenings. You can also buy homemade cider onsite as well as order a delicious cream tea.
Find out more on Stowford Manor Campsite on our full review here.
Stowford vs our Family Camping Checklist:
- Family and dog friendly campsite (dogs on leads)
- Campfires allowed. Fire pits and logs for rent/sale
- Generous pitches and plenty of space to run around
- Something for the kids? The river! Paddling, swimming, rope swings and big trees to jump from for the more adventurous
- At weekends there are wood-fired pizzas for sale in the evening and coffee/ice cream in the morning.
