Six quiet paddock pitches on a 100-acre organic farm just 300 metres off the Ridgeway, with chickens and huge views.
Our verdict
A gloriously basic old-school farm camp for families who want the Ridgeway on the doorstep and need nothing fancier than a loo, a shower and a view.
| Distance from SN7 | 10 miles |
|---|---|
| County | Oxfordshire |
| Price band | £ what the bands mean |
| Open | Check with site |
| Tents | Yes |
| Campervans & motorhomes | No |
| Electric hook-up | No |
| Campfires | No |
| Swimming pool | No |
Down Barn is a 100-acre organic farm folded into the downland above Sparsholt, about 300 metres off the Ridgeway near the Sparsholt Firs crossroads. Camping here means six simple pitches shared between a few grassy paddocks, with rare-breed pigs in their pen, chickens wandering wherever they please and horses grazing the slopes. There is no neighbour, streetlight or main road in sight, just chalk hills rolling away in every direction.
Be clear-eyed about what you are booking. This is a walkers' and riders' stopover run alongside a farmhouse B&B, so facilities amount to a toilet and shower in one of the cottage buildings and not much else. Pitches cost around £5 per person and you book by ringing the farm, as there is no website. For families who arrive with everything they need and children who want space, animals and big skies, that trade works nicely.
Why children love it
- Free-roaming chickens, rare-breed pigs and horses give small farmers plenty to inspect
- Paddock pitches mean masses of running-about room and no cars to dodge
- Hilltop dark-sky stargazing is superb, with no streetlights for miles
Days out nearby
- The Ridgeway National Trail, 300 metres from the paddocks
- Devil's Punchbowl, a dramatic chalk combe a short stomp along the trail
- Uffington White Horse and Uffington Castle, about 15 minutes by car
Know before you go
- There is no website, so ring the farm to book and check the current price; it was £5 per person at the last check, and bringing cash is wise
- Pack as if wild camping with a safety net: one toilet and shower serve all the pitches, so bring your own kitchen, lighting and washing-up kit
- Stock up in Wantage before you climb the hill; there is no shop on site and nothing within walking distance except the trail itself
The honest bit
Guest reviews are sharply split: recent campers loved it, but several past visitors found the welcome brusque and the housekeeping hit and miss.
Camping weather this week
Live 7-day forecast for Sparsholt Down, straight from Open-Meteo.
Quick answers
Are campfires allowed at Down Barn Farm?
No, open campfires are not part of the offer at Down Barn Farm. A raised BBQ is usually fine, but check the site's current rules when you book.
Does Down Barn Farm have a swimming pool?
No. The nearest pool site in this guide is Lincoln Farm Park, about 16 miles away. Down Barn Farm makes up for it outdoors.
How far is Down Barn Farm from Faringdon and Oxford?
Down Barn Farm is about 10 miles from Faringdon (SN7) and roughly 22 miles from Oxford city centre. Distances are approximate road miles.
When is Down Barn Farm open?
Down Barn Farm is typically open Check with site. Dates shift a little year to year, so confirm with the site before travelling.
Kids Under Canvas is an independent guide and takes no commission. Details last checked July 2026; facilities and opening dates change season to season, so always confirm directly with the campsite before travelling. Photography is illustrative, not of the campsite itself.
