Abingdon

Nearby Abingdon (6 minute drive, 40 minute walk) is home to a wide range of independent shops, pubs and restaurants, as well as a Waitrose if you need to stock up on supplies. There’s a Tesco Extra superstore on the edge of the town, near the A34, and a bustling weekly market every Monday from 8am - 3pm.

Visitors can explore Abingdon’s Abbey ruins and admire the narrowboats and yachts at Abbey Meadows, which also has a popular outdoor heated pool, splash park, crazy golf and play area. 

Why not hire a boat, kayak or paddleboard from AV Boats at Nags Head Island and explore the Thames from the water. Afterwards, soak up the sun and enjoy a pint or a meal at the Nag's Head-on-the-Thames at Abingdon Bridge, which is the closest pub to the campsite. The riverside pub has its very own island in the middle of the Thames serving gourmet pub food, wood fired pizzas and Brakspear beer. There’s also live music every Friday.

On rainy (or sunny) days, Millets Farm at Frilford is worth a visit. The centre is home to Sprouts Playbarn, an 18 hole farm-themed adventure golf course, animal walkway, an excellent farm shop, PYO and a Maize Maze.

Thames Path

If you want to explore the Thames Path national trail, Oxford is a four hour walk away (approx 9 miles) and Wallingford is in the other direction (13.5 miles) via pretty Clifton Hampden, Days Lock and Wittenham Clumps, Shillingford and Benson. Join the Thames Path on the south bank of the river from Abingdon Bridge.

If you don’t fancy walking, Salter’s Steamers run public cruises between Abingdon and Oxford which take approximately two hours and end at Christ Church Meadows in Oxford.

If wild swimming or fishing is your thing, venture down to Culham Lock (20 minute walk or 5 minute drive) or head for the bridge at Clifton Hampden and you’ll find a stretch of river lined with mini beaches. Combine your wild swim with a visit to the nearby Barley Mow pub.

Oxford

Oxford's dreaming spires are just seven miles away by car. Explore the historic colleges and sites, including the Bodleian Library and Radcliffe Camera, the Ashmolean Museum (their rooftop terrace is lovely) or take a river trip on a punt from Magdalen Bridge with a picnic in tow. The Pitt Rivers Museum is one of Oxford’s quirkier and most interesting museums and the Story Museum is excellent for children.

Didcot

Didcot Railway Centre has a unique collection of steam engines and the 21 acre living museum offers steam rides throughout the year. 

Berinsfield

Queenford Lake at Berinsfield is home to Oxford Wet N Wild, an aqua park with an inflatable obstacle course, with paddleboard and kayak hire also available. The lakeside cafe hosted by the Wandering Kitchen is worth a visit. There’s a 2.2km loop of the lake if you fancy open water swimming.

Beyond

It’s worth exploring the Chiltern Hills, Berkshire Downs and the 87-mile long Ridgeway, widely thought to be Britain's oldest road. Ridgeway Adventures near the market town of Wallingford offers archery and axe throwing. Historic Wallingford, which is the best surviving example of a Saxon fortified town in England, is the former home of Agatha Christie and is in the heart of Midsomer Murder land. 

The Cotswolds and the picturesque market town of Burford is less than an hour away. Burford Garden Centre is well worth a visit if you love interiors and plants - it also has a large cafe and food hall. World Heritage site Blenheim Palace at Woodstock is a 30 minute drive.