Camping in Savernake Forest

With ancient oaks and tangled woodlands, this fairy-tale forest is one of Wiltshire’s best.

95% (1760 reviews)
95% (1760 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Savernake Forest

Under £50

Dog-friendly getaways

12 top campsites in Savernake Forest

98%
(31)

The Meadow @ Waples Mill

12 units · Tents8 acres · Dunmow, England
Spacious grass pitches in the green Essex countryside A 15-minute drive to Chelmsford; 40 minutes to Audley End Tractor rides on site; firepits provided for campfires. Rural walks, How about proper farm activities like tractor rides (ask site staff for details)? The place to find all this is The Meadow at Waples Mill, an Essex farm site between Chelmsford and Dunmow (and about 15 minutes’ drive from both). This family-friendly site is handy for walks on the Essex Way and other local footpaths, and tractor and trailer rides around the farm are organised on alternate days to give guests a glimpse into agricultural life. Activities complete for the day, it's time to chill out, and that should be easy here – all pitches have access to toilets and hot showers in a trailer close by, and firepits are provided so you can have a safe campfire (with wood available to buy on site and a great farm shop 10 minutes’ drive away for fireside snacks). Pitches themselves are large, well kept and well spaced within a meadow that backs onto the River Roding. Dogs are welcome, and there are plenty of places to take them for a walk nearby. London folk looking for a quick escape to the countryside, this is a place to bear in mind – it’s only about an hour and quarter by road from the city.
Campfires
Showers
from 
£24
 / night
Value Prop
Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping in Savernake Forest guide

Overview

Towering beech trees, ancient oaks, and twisted roots provide a dramatic backdrop for woodland walks in Savernake Forest. Enjoy nature walks or leisurely bike rides along the tree-lined trails, venture off-road to explore the wooded glades, then find a shady picnic spot beneath the trees. Highlights include Capability Brown’s Grand Avenue, the bluebell woods at Little Frith, and the Big Bellied Oak, one of the country’s oldest trees. There’s no camping in the forest itself, but there is a campsite right by the northern entrance, where you can pitch your tent or park your caravan within strolling distance of the forest trails.

When to go

These woodlands are photo-ready at any time of year. Visit in spring when bluebells and wildflowers blanket the forest floor, or in fall when the autumn leaves transform the trees into a sea of red, yellow, and orange. Summer (July-Aug) weekends can get busy—make an early start to avoid the crowds and snag a picnic bench. The trails can get muddy when it rains, so wellies or hiking boots are a good idea.

Know before you go

  • Savernake Forest is located about a 10-minute drive south of Marlborough along the A346. The main entrance is at Postern Hill at the northwest end of the park, where free parking is available.
  • There is no entrance fee to visit the forest.
  • The forest has picnic and barbecue areas, and restrooms (open from Easter through October only). There are no other facilities within the park, so bring everything you need with you. 
  • There are some paved paths in the forest that are accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Safety at Hipcamp

Inclusion Policy
Inclusion Policy
Inclusion Policy
Hipcamp Hand

Safety partners

Recreate Responsibly

About us

Camp Your Way™

Cool Camping is now Hipcamp. Camp your way by discovering and reserving unique tent camping, caravan parks, cabins, treehouses, and glamping getaways. Explore our maps, filter by your camping style, read real camper reviews, and book directly in our app. Hipcamp is the simplest way to find yourself outside under the stars.

Download the Hipcamp App

© 2024 Hipcamp, Inc. All rights reserved.
Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future.