Campsites Near Windsor Castle and the Thames Valley
By Nikki | Campsites and Castles
Few combinations in England feel quite as satisfying as pitching your tent within striking distance of one of the most iconic castles on earth. Windsor Castle isn’t just a royal residence — it’s a living piece of British history that has stood for nearly 1,000 years, and the Thames Valley surrounding it offers some genuinely lovely countryside, riverside walking, and charming market towns to explore between your castle visits.
Whether you’re planning a family camping break, a romantic glamping weekend, or a budget-friendly staycation close to one of England’s unmissable heritage landmarks, this guide covers the best campsites near Windsor Castle — from riverside pitches to woodland sites — along with everything you need to plan the perfect trip.
| 💡 Quick tip: Windsor Castle is a working royal residence, so opening times can occasionally change. Always check the Royal Collection Trust website before your visit, especially around state occasions and ceremonial events. |
Why Camp Near Windsor Castle?
Windsor is one of the most visited towns in England, and with good reason. The castle dominates the skyline and is genuinely breathtaking — particularly at dawn or dusk when the crowds thin out. But the wider Thames Valley offers a lot more than just the castle itself:
- Windsor Great Park — 5,000 acres of royal parkland with cycling, walking, and the famous Long Walk
- Eton and its charming high street, just across the river
- River Thames towpath walks stretching in both directions
- Legoland Windsor for families with younger children
- The picturesque towns of Marlow, Henley-on-Thames, and Cookham
- Runnymede, where Magna Carta was sealed in 1215 — one of England’s most historically significant sites
For heritage campers, this corner of Berkshire and Surrey punches well above its weight.
The Best Campsites Near Windsor Castle
The Thames Valley is prosperous, pricey, and not traditionally known as prime camping territory — land is expensive and rural sites fewer than in, say, the Lakes or Wales. But there are some excellent options within easy reach, particularly if you’re willing to drive 20–40 minutes.
1. Hurley Riverside Park — Hurley, Berkshire (5 miles from Windsor)
Hurley Riverside Park is arguably the best campsite in the Thames Valley — a beautiful riverside site set directly on the Thames near the village of Hurley. The pitches themselves are green and spacious, the facilities are well maintained, and the setting is genuinely lovely. Waking up to the sound of the river with swans drifting past is hard to beat.
Distance from Windsor: Approximately 5 miles; around 15 minutes by car.
Best for: Couples and families who want an idyllic, scenic riverside base.
Facilities: Electric hook-ups, modern shower blocks, a small shop, and direct river access. Canoe hire is available nearby.
Worth noting: It books up fast in summer — particularly around bank holidays. Book as early as possible for July and August.
2. Foxlease Camp Site — Lyndhurst area (Windsor via New Forest detour)
For those willing to base themselves slightly further afield and make Windsor a day trip rather than a doorstep destination, the Foxlease site offers a quieter, more affordable base in the New Forest. This is a good option if you want to combine Windsor with wider southern England heritage travel.
3. Runfold Manor Farm — Farnham, Surrey (18 miles from Windsor)
A well-regarded farm campsite in the Surrey countryside, Runfold Manor is a solid option for those who want a quieter rural setting while remaining within reasonable striking distance of Windsor. The Surrey Hills are right on your doorstep too, making this a good base for walkers and cyclists.
Distance from Windsor: Approximately 18 miles; around 35 minutes by car.
Best for: Those who want peaceful countryside combined with access to Windsor and Surrey heritage.
Facilities: Good basic facilities; dog-friendly; spacious pitches.
4. Mole Gap Campsite — Dorking, Surrey (20 miles from Windsor)
Situated in the stunning Mole Valley near Dorking, this site is set within Surrey Hills National Landscape and makes a beautiful base for heritage exploration. Box Hill is nearby, as is Polesden Lacey (a National Trust Edwardian country house). Windsor is a manageable day trip by car or train.
Best for: Walkers, cyclists, and anyone who wants to combine Windsor with broader Surrey heritage exploration.
Glamping Near Windsor Castle
If you’re looking for something a little more comfortable than a standard tent pitch, the Thames Valley has some lovely glamping options. Shepherd’s huts, bell tents, and converted farm buildings are increasingly popular in this part of England, and the relatively affluent local market means quality tends to be high.
- Bell tent villages near Henley-on-Thames offer riverside glamping with a festival feel, particularly popular around the regatta season in July
- Shepherd’s hut hire in the Chiltern Hills combines heritage-landscape views with cosy off-grid comfort
- Glamping Hub and Cool Camping both have good curated listings for luxury camping in the Berkshire and Surrey area
| 📌 Planning tip: The Thames Valley is popular with Londoners escaping the city for weekends. Sites within 30 miles of the M25 often fill up very quickly from May through September. Use Pitchup.com or Cool Camping to search availability and book well in advance. |
Visiting Windsor Castle: What You Need to Know
Windsor Castle is managed by the Royal Collection Trust and requires a paid entry ticket for most visitors. Here’s what to know before you go:
Opening times: Generally 10am–5pm (last entry 4pm), but check the Royal Collection Trust website for seasonal variations and closures around state events.
Tickets: Adults typically pay around £28–£30; children, concessions, and family tickets are available. Book online in advance to guarantee entry and often save on the door price.
What’s included: The State Apartments, St George’s Chapel (one of the finest examples of medieval Gothic architecture in England), the Semi-State Rooms (seasonal), and the changing of the guard (check schedule).
Getting there from a campsite: Windsor has good train connections from central London and surrounding towns. From most of the campsites listed above, driving and parking in Windsor (or parking in Eton and walking across the bridge) is the most practical option.
Don’t Miss: The Changing of the Guard
The Changing of the Guard at Windsor is a genuinely impressive ceremony — arguably more intimate and accessible than the version at Buckingham Palace. It takes place several times a week (check the Household Division website for current schedules). The procession travels through the town before entering the castle, so you can watch part of it for free from the streets.
What Else to Do in the Thames Valley
A camping break near Windsor doesn’t have to be all about the castle — though the castle could easily fill a full day on its own. Here are some of the best nearby attractions to build into your trip:
Runnymede and the Magna Carta Memorial
Just 3 miles from Windsor, Runnymede is the riverside meadow where King John sealed Magna Carta in 1215 — one of the most consequential documents in legal history. The National Trust manages the site, and it’s free to visit. There’s a Kennedy Memorial, an Art Deco memorial building, and lovely riverside walks. For a heritage camper, it’s unmissable.
Windsor Great Park
Five thousand acres of royal parkland stretching south from the castle. The Long Walk — a three-mile straight avenue of trees leading from the castle to the Copper Horse statue — is one of the most dramatic and accessible heritage walks in England. The park also includes Savill Garden, Virginia Water lake (with Roman ruins transported from Leptis Magna), and excellent cycling routes.
Eton High Street
A short walk across the Thames bridge from Windsor, Eton is charming — with antique shops, independent cafés, and the famous Eton College providing an atmospheric backdrop. The college chapel is particularly worth seeking out if it’s open to visitors.
Henley-on-Thames
About 12 miles upstream from Windsor, Henley is one of the loveliest towns on the Thames — Georgian architecture, independent shops, excellent riverside pubs, and the famous Royal Regatta course. It makes a perfect half-day excursion from your campsite.
Blenheim Palace (Day Trip)
If you want to extend your heritage exploration, Blenheim Palace in Woodstock — birthplace of Winston Churchill and a UNESCO World Heritage Site — is about 35 miles from Windsor. A natural pairing for a multi-day camping trip through Oxfordshire and Berkshire.
Practical Tips for Camping Near Windsor
- Book campsites early — Thames Valley sites near London fill up fast, especially from May to August. Pitchup.com and Cool Camping are the best places to search and book.
- Avoid Windsor town parking at peak times — it’s congested and expensive. Park in Eton or use the Windsor & Eton Riverside train station if visiting by rail.
- Midweek visits to the castle are significantly quieter than weekends. If your campsite stay spans a midweek period, save the castle for a Tuesday or Wednesday.
- The Thames Path passes close to several of the campsites listed — consider walking a section of it as part of your trip. The stretch between Windsor and Marlow is particularly scenic.
- Keep an eye on royal diary dates — when the royal family is in residence or major state events are occurring, Windsor town gets extremely busy and some castle areas may be closed.
| 🏕️ Heritage Camper’s Verdict: Windsor Castle and the Thames Valley reward slow exploration. Two or three nights at a riverside site gives you time to do the castle justice, walk the Great Park, cross the bridge to Eton, and perhaps take a day trip to Runnymede or Henley. It’s one of the most historically rich camping destinations in southern England — and surprisingly affordable if you choose the campsite wisely. |
