Cotswolds Camping at Holycombe

Holycombe sits within the earthworks of a Norman castle, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, in Whichford village. The moat is still water-filled; a stone circle sits between it and the electric pitches. Whichford Wood begins at the site boundary. None of that is invented atmosphere - it's the actual geography of the place, and it makes for a campsite with genuine character that most sites in the Cotswolds simply can't match.

Twenty pitches split between tent camping and glamping - yurts, bell tents, and shepherds huts - keep the site at the right scale. Hammocks hang between the apple and pear trees, and most pitches have tables and chairs already in place. An on-site cafe handles breakfast (bacon rolls, coffees) and delivers food to glamping accommodation. Firewood and fire baskets are available for a small fee; fire pits come with the territory. The owners Molly and Jack run the place with a light touch: no notice boards stacked with rules, an eco focus with composting toilets, and a communal kettle and fridge in the facilities block.

Walking routes leave straight from the site: Shakespeare's Way and the Cross Cotswold Pathway pass through, and Whichford Wood is immediately adjacent. The Norman Knight pub is less than a five-minute walk through the village. Whichford Pottery - which has its own cafe - is nearby, and Chipping Norton is 6 miles for a full supermarket. Adults only (16+).