Best campsites near Bath: 5 top picks for 2026

The best campsites near Bath span a surprisingly varied landscape: limestone valleys, waterside meadows, and the rolling edge of the Mendip Hills. This guide covers 5 top campsites near Bath, all within comfortable striking distance of the city, chosen based on feedback from Camplify's community of owners and hirers who know these roads well. Camplify trip data shows that short breaks of two to four nights are the most popular format here, with the city's Roman heritage and surrounding countryside drawing visitors across the spring and summer months.

Browse campervans and caravans for hire in Bath if you already know your dates.

Bath campsites in the Chew Valley and Wiltshire countryside

Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park

Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park sits in the Chew Valley, roughly 8 miles south of Bath city centre, and it is consistently one of the most popular spots among Camplify travellers heading to this part of Somerset. The setting is quiet and genuinely rural, with views across open farmland and easy access to Chew Valley Lake, which draws birdwatchers, anglers, and walkers in equal measure. It is the kind of site that earns repeat visits.

The park caters well to tourers and motorhomes, with hardstanding and grass pitches available, electric hookups throughout, and clean, well-maintained facilities. The surrounding lanes are worth exploring on foot or by bike, and the village of Chew Magna is a short drive away for a decent country pub lunch. Camplify owners familiar with the area suggest arriving on a Thursday or Friday in summer to secure a pitch with more breathing room.

For those picking up a campervan from a local owner in Bath, this is a straightforward first stop: under 20 minutes from the city, yet far enough to feel like you have properly escaped. If you are planning a wider West Country loop, you might also find inspiration in our guide to the 5 best Weymouth campsites for extending the trip southward.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 8 miles south of Bath city centre (around 20 minutes)

• Best for: Couples, families, birdwatchers, walkers

• Key facilities: Electric hookups, hardstanding and grass pitches, toilet and shower blocks, on-site reception

• Book ahead: Bank holiday weekends and July to August peak weeks

Piccadilly Caravan Park

A well-known stop among Camplify hirers exploring the Wiltshire countryside, Piccadilly Caravan Park is positioned near the National Trust village of Lacock, one of the most photographed villages in England. The location alone makes it worth considering: you can walk into Lacock from the site and spend a morning wandering streets that have featured in period dramas and costume films for decades.

The park itself is small and quietly managed, with a no-frills approach that suits travellers who want a clean, peaceful base rather than a holiday resort experience. Pitches are level, electric hookups are available, and the facilities are functional and tidy. Hirers who have stayed here rate the proximity to Lacock Abbey and the easy access to the broader Wiltshire lanes for cycling highly.

Bath is roughly 12 miles to the west, making this an excellent choice if you want to split your time between city sightseeing and rural relaxation. The Cotswolds are equally reachable to the north, which opens up a great deal of flexibility for a long weekend itinerary.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 12 miles west of Lacock, around 20-25 minutes from Bath city centre

• Best for: Couples, history enthusiasts, National Trust fans

• Key facilities: Electric hookups, level pitches, toilet and shower facilities

• Book ahead: Spring and summer weekends, particularly during National Trust open events

Camping near Bath along the River Avon and city fringe

Bath Waterside & Marina and Caravan Park

Right on the edge of Bath itself, Bath Waterside & Marina and Caravan Park is about as close to the city as you can get in a motorhome or caravan without parking on a Roman mosaic. The site sits alongside the River Avon and the Kennet and Avon Canal, and the towpath walk into Bath city centre takes around 30 minutes on foot. It is a rare combination: genuine waterside scenery with a world-class city on your doorstep.

Popular among Camplify travellers who want to explore Bath's Georgian architecture, Roman Baths, and independent food scene without the hassle of driving in and out each day, the site offers electric hookups and access to the marina facilities. Evenings here are particularly pleasant, with narrowboats passing and the canal providing an unusually serene backdrop for what is effectively an urban campsite.

Camplify owners who know the Bath area well recommend booking this one early for any weekend that coincides with the Bath festivals or major events at the Royal Crescent. Pitch availability is limited and demand spikes sharply around those periods. Those planning a broader South West road trip can weave in a visit to the Brecon Beacons; our guide to the 5 best Brecon Beacons campsites is worth a read before you head west.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Less than 2 miles from Bath city centre, walkable via towpath

• Best for: City explorers, couples, solo travellers, canal enthusiasts

• Key facilities: Electric hookups, waterside pitches, marina access, toilet and shower facilities

• Book ahead: Festival weekends, bank holidays, and the summer season broadly

Lansdown Campsite

Perched on the high ground north of Bath, Lansdown Campsite offers something the city-fringe sites cannot: wide, open skies and a real sense of elevation above the Avon valley. The site is well-rated by the Camplify community for its relaxed atmosphere and the quality of the views, particularly on clear evenings when the surrounding countryside stretches out in every direction.

Getting into Bath from Lansdown takes around 10 to 15 minutes by road, or you can walk down into the city via some surprisingly pleasant footpaths if you have the legs for it. The site suits those who prefer a quieter, more pastoral setting but still want Bath within easy reach for a day out. Facilities are straightforward, with electric hookups and essential amenities covered.

Hirers travelling with dogs particularly appreciate this site: the surrounding fields and open land make for easy morning walks before heading into the city. It is one of those campsites near Bath that rewards guests who slow down and make the most of the elevated location rather than treating it purely as a parking spot for city sightseeing.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 3-4 miles north of Bath city centre (10-15 minutes by road)

• Best for: Dog owners, walkers, those seeking a quieter rural feel close to the city

• Key facilities: Electric hookups, toilet and shower facilities, open countryside access

• Book ahead: Summer weekends and any period coinciding with Bath's major events calendar

Top campsites near Bath in the Mendip Hills

Bucklegrove Holiday Park

Bucklegrove Holiday Park sits in the Mendip Hills near Cheddar, roughly 18 miles south-west of Bath, and it is a well-rounded holiday park that stands out among the best campsites near Bath for families and those wanting more on-site amenity. The Mendip landscape here is dramatic by Somerset standards: limestone gorges, cave networks, and open moorland all within a short drive or walk.

The park has a strong reputation across the Camplify community and offers a range of facilities including a heated outdoor swimming pool, a bar and restaurant, and well-maintained touring pitches with electric hookups. It is a more active, sociable site than the smaller parks on this list, and families with children tend to find the balance between on-site facilities and the surrounding natural landscape works very well. Cheddar Gorge is practically on the doorstep, and the caves there are well worth a morning. If you are travelling with a motorhome and want practical advice on making the most of your onboard facilities during a stay like this, our motorhome bathroom guide covers the essentials.

Camplify travellers heading here in July and August should be aware that Bucklegrove fills quickly, particularly for pitches near the pool area. Booking several weeks ahead is sensible, and picking up your campervan from a local owner in Bath before driving down through the Mendips makes for a fine start to a week in this part of Somerset.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 18 miles south-west of Bath city centre (around 30-35 minutes)

• Best for: Families, groups, those wanting on-site facilities alongside great natural scenery

• Key facilities: Heated outdoor swimming pool, bar and restaurant, electric hookups, modern shower and toilet blocks

• Book ahead: July and August are peak weeks; bank holiday weekends book up particularly fast

Ready to explore the best campsites near Bath?

Bath and its surrounding countryside reward those who arrive slowly, and a campervan or caravan is the right way to do it. Pick up your vehicle from a local owner in Bath through Camplify and you are set up for a genuinely flexible short break across some of the South West's most rewarding terrain.